Chevy Duramax Fuel mileage

[rrbowman]

I am looking for an honest answer from actual campers. I am considering buying a used 2005-2008 Chevy 2500 w/Duramax with a Alison Tranny to tow a 10,000 - 11,000 Fifth Wheel. Those of you that have a combo similar, what kind of mileage do you get when towing and not towing? I know that is subjective because of driving styles but I consider myself a driver trying to get the best mileage. I have been told 22mpg around town and 16-18 when towing, is that possible?

[Pete_k]

2004.5 and 2005 had 5 speed my 2004,5 LLY gets around 12 MPG on a good trip pulling our 16,000 lb camper. The 2006 is the best one as it does not have the heating up issues the LLY 2004.5 and 2005 has.
On long trips mine gets 23 MPG running from 55 to 75. Loaded from 9 MPG to 13 MPG. But on average 12 mpg.
Pete

[BlackSilver]

I have an '08 3500HD dually 4x4, 6 speed Allison

Pulling 14K camper at speeds around 65, my MPG averages 10 (sometimes higher, sometimes lower). Running empty on highway my average is 17.5. Combined city/highway, about 15.

My previous DMax was an '03 2500HD 2WD, 5 speed Allison.

Towing mileage (same camper) average MPG was 11. Running empty on interstates, average MPG was 20. Combined city/highway about 17.

[willutfid]

2007 Classic LBZ 3500 dually. 15/16 running at 75 mph highway; a bit better if I slow down. 10/11 around town. Anywhere from 7 to 11 mpg pulling a 15,500 lb 5th wheel, depending on conditions.

[Hoppypoppy]

nancyebm wrote:
Our 05 Duramax pulls our 12000 fifth wheel anywhere from 8 to 11 towing. Avg. would be 10. Empty it gets 19 and sometimes 20. I pull the fifth wheel about 60-65. Pulling empty I drive the speed limit.

Ditto here with an '03.

[pbar34]

2007 LBZ (Classic body style) - 16MPG+ average of street and some freeway. Good advice I received a long time ago: Don't worry about time or fuel mileage when towing.


Phil

[Too_Young_to_Re]

hoopers wrote:
This according to my DIC computer.

2009 duramax, extended cab SRW 4x4. Not-towing: 18-20 mpg on the hwy, going about 75. Towing: about 12 -14 mpg going 65 mph. I towed a 11000 lb fifth wheel.

2011 duramax, crew cab DRW 4x4: not-towing: 16-17 mpg on the hwy, going about 75. Towing: 11.9 mpg, towing about 64 mph. I tow a 14000 lb fifth wheel.

I have a 2011 Duramax, crew, SRW,towing a 14k lb fiver, and get about the same as you. A lot of mileage claims are very suspect. Same as bragging about the size of some things........feet for instance.

[caberto]

2005 Duramax Crew Cab 4x4, 18-21 hwy empty depending on the weight of my foot at the time. Towing 12K lbs at around 63mph I get between 10-13 depending on head or tail wind. Around town empty, between 16-18.
I have a Hypertech programmer that I run at level 2 most of the time, including when towing.

[0rion]

robrose1 wrote:
2006 LBZ
empty around town solid 14mpg
Hwy under 65 19-21
over 65 17-19
Towing max 10k 10-13mpg depending on wind. at under 65mph

same truck and this is probably pretty close to inline with what I see. I run a 90HP tow tune on mine. Typically towing a 10k 5er from Ohio out to Central PA a couple times a year I see 12-12.5 depending on the wind. I've checked it highway only (non-towing) before and saw 22-23 but that's pretty rare so I would probably say 20ish would be the norm. Combined driving I'm usually in the 16-17 range if I keep my foot out of it.

[nancyebm]

Our 05 Duramax pulls our 12000 fifth wheel anywhere from 8 to 11 towing. Avg. would be 10. Empty it gets 19 and sometimes 20. I pull the fifth wheel about 60-65. Pulling empty I drive the speed limit.

[24fb_freedom]

05 3500 srw cc lb 4x4 15-16 city, 18-20 hwy,10-11 towing 12,000lb toy hauler. you'll love the truck it towes great with that waight.

[Grady23]

We just did a trip up to Lake Ontairio/Niagra Falls. About 850 towing miles and dealing with the mountains in central/western PA and NY. Not bad at 11.6 driving 65. Once above the 70 mark drops to about 10.9--11.3 depending. Non-towing genral driving I'm getting about 17.7. If you can stay out of the Turbo --- It REALLY HELPS!!

[whistlebritches]

Dave H M wrote:
I been told that some folks like to brag about their fuel mileage, but that is one tall tale.

We have an 03 Silverado with the Duramax/diesel combo and just went on a 3200 miles trip to the south. We averaged 13.5 mpg overall, towing and solo. Solo at home, we get 20-21 and towing only, 10-12 mpg, depending on the terrain.

[Snowman9000]

I have a 2004.5, which is the same as the 2005. I get 10.x towing a fiver at 62 MPH. In the summer I get about 17-18 empty in mixed rural driving. Drops a couple of points in the winter. I have gotten 20 on a purely highway tank. These number are legit.

[Toolguy5]

I have a 2006 I get 18 to 20 regular driving. Closer to 20 when mostly freeway. I towed a 33 foot travel trailer for 6.5 years averaged around 9 miles per gallon depending on terrain. The more inclines the lesser the mileage. I just purchased a 5th wheel that is about 2500 lbs heavier and 3 feet longer. Took 1 trip 1700 miles averaged 10.2 miles per gallon. There was also so mountain range in there as well.

Dan

[robrose1]

2006 LBZ
empty around town solid 14mpg
Hwy under 65 19-21
over 65 17-19
Towing max 10k 10-13mpg depending on wind. at under 65mph