Truck 2500hd Silverado 6.0 or diesel, 6.6 or 8' bed ?

IdaD wrote:
Low trim level trucks are cheaper to own than high trim level trucks, but nobody seems to bat an eye at the guy who opts for more luxury features. But for some reason there seems to be a need to justify a diesel.

They had 1500's on the lot for what we gave for our 2018 3500DRW diesel.

George3037 wrote:
I have a 30' TT. loaded weight is just under 10K. My TV is a 2016 2500HD 4x4 CC standard bed 6.0L, 6 spd. auto with 4.10 gears and tows it fine. If I were a full timer and traveled a lot I'd have bought the Duramax for better mileage. But for the half dozen times a year I tow the TT plus I use the truck as a daily driver I couldn't justify the added cost of the diesel package.
The 6.0 likes to eat, I get between 8-9MPG towing and 14MPG empty with a good tail wind. A previous TV was a 2006 2500HD with Dmax / allison and got 19-20 MPG empty and 14 towing a 7500# trailer. Sorry I sold that one. I don't think the new Dmaxes get that MPG. For a TT I like the standard 6'6 bed if I had a FW I'd go with 8'.

I have the same truck and the same experience with it. I pull a 10K gvwr trailer with mine and yes, I know its back there but I have never run out of gas pedal going up hill. The diesel will have more power but it also is more up front cost and maintenance costs too. My buddy has a Ram diesel and he pulls his 32ft. and 8k+ rig easily with it. He loves his.

Low trim level trucks are cheaper to own than high trim level trucks, but nobody seems to bat an eye at the guy who opts for more luxury features. But for some reason there seems to be a need to justify a diesel.

Bottom line is both would pull that camper, but the diesel will do it better. Cost is higher up front and maintenance is going to be a bit higher with the diesel, but you will save some on fuel and will have a more valuable truck when you are ready to trade or sell it. Financially both are expensive and poor investments. Buy the one you like better and move on down the road.

I figure to chime in, long time owner of GM 6.0 engines. I like both engines, always have, always will. The Duramax of course being a turbo charged engine will produce much more power at an expense. The gas engine will pull the same load that you have cheaper to own overall, but slower in the hills at a higher rpm. Diesel verse gas is always an argument about what's cheaper to own. For me, gas has been cheaper all the way. I use calculations and can tell u that between the new diesel trucks and gas jobs, the gas jobs are cheaper to own. Now I'm sure some will dispute this but this is my experience only. My 6.0 pulls my 10k just fine, do I like to have more power at times in the steep grades, Sure who wouldn't. My truck does very well, just wind the rpm up some and it goes... so really it's all up to what you want as a consumer, simple as that. Either will work, just comes down to overall expense. The debate on cost will always go on, but some fleets are changing back to gas due to expensive issues when diesels break or emissions equipment failures. I like diesels, always have and will, the older pre emission trucks were awesome. Newer ones got me staying away for now. It's your wallet, I would see what fits the budget and go from there. I hope this helps just lending you my experience and yes I have pulled with both engines.

If you can afford it, you will enjoy the Duramax. The 6.0L will pull it just fine at higher engine speeds and using more fuel.

RAM guy here. I would be driving the GM if RAM was not available and it would be the Diesel no question!

I chose double cab with 6.6ft bed cause it fit in my garage. Had to be careful on 5er hitch choice to work with shorter bed and the Andersen Ultimate has worked beautifully. Engine? Duramax diesel for best tow ever.

Beds are.made shorter than 8'

I also.prefer to keep my trucks out of the garage. That usually means something broke, which costs me time and money! :-)

Marty

deltabravo wrote:
DURAMAX!

Yep! :B

I have a 30' TT. loaded weight is just under 10K. My TV is a 2016 2500HD 4x4 CC standard bed 6.0L, 6 spd. auto with 4.10 gears and tows it fine. If I were a full timer and traveled a lot I'd have bought the Duramax for better mileage. But for the half dozen times a year I tow the TT plus I use the truck as a daily driver I couldn't justify the added cost of the diesel package.
The 6.0 likes to eat, I get between 8-9MPG towing and 14MPG empty with a good tail wind. A previous TV was a 2006 2500HD with Dmax / allison and got 19-20 MPG empty and 14 towing a 7500# trailer. Sorry I sold that one. I don't think the new Dmaxes get that MPG. For a TT I like the standard 6'6 bed if I had a FW I'd go with 8'.