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Chevy Duramax Fuel mileage

rrbowman
Explorer
Explorer
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?
78 REPLIES 78

FlyCherokee
Explorer
Explorer
We have a 2008 2500HD Duramax CrewCab long bed towing an 8000 lb TT. I carefully measured fuel consumption on a round trip from Baltimore to DisneyWorld down route 95 (very flat, about 2/3 of the trip at 65 mph, the rest at 55-60 mph). We got almost exactly 11.0 mpg average over the entire trip (close to 1900 miles)

P.S. We really love the truck; great fun towing with it!

John

redsb3
Explorer
Explorer
mwool wrote:
goin2themountains wrote:
over 40k miles, 14.5 empty, 11.8 with the 5er in my sig. I pull serious hills.

WOW I get almost exactly same as you do. Exception is around DFW, what ever the additive is they put in the fuel cuts us down about 2 MPG.


In Texas, it's the bio-blend diesel. I thought it was all of Texas not just the big cities. On my trip to Austin this year, I knew right away it was bio-blend. Lost 2 mpg towing and 1 mpg without the 5ver. Everywhere we went in Texas was minimum of 5 to maximum of 20 percent blended.
2005 GMC Sierra SLT CC/SB with 6.6L Duramax/Allison
2002 Automate 5W, 32 ft, 13,280 GVWR
Valley Glider Hitch

N-Trouble
Explorer
Explorer
Dodge = Aisin
GM = Allison

Look and sound alike but dont' confuse the two...
2015 Attitude 28SAG w/slide
2012 GMC 2500HD SLT Duramax
B&W Turnover w/Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Explorer
last 2 winters one friend tells he has an Allison trannie in his Ram 3500 but of course we know he does not.
chevman
chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy



KSH 55 inbed fuel tank

scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110

Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
Ford owns Cummins, don't you know? Chris
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

83trekker
Explorer
Explorer
On my USA trip this summer wityh my 27.5 5th wheel and truck,I was at a gas station in Sacramento and this guy on the opposite gas pump as me laughed at me as I was filling my Silverado 496 big block 8.1l with gas. He said I must be crazy to use a gas engine.

As he has a 09 dodge cummins and he said that now dodge offers the Allison transmission in their trucks he took his in and had it done to. He also has a 33ft toy hauler fully loaded he gets 22 mpg towing, people like this are just pathetic, they trying to compensate for something else? Felt like slapping him but was nice and let it go.

If you happen to be on this site, all thought was how much of a clown you were when I left, not everybody will believe your BS.

83trekker
Explorer
Explorer
pthomann wrote:
Also, forgot to mention this is the cummins diesel/Allison transmission pkg.


you have a cummins in your chevy??

pthomann
Explorer
Explorer
Also, forgot to mention this is the cummins diesel/Allison transmission pkg.

pthomann
Explorer
Explorer
I just bought a Forest River Cardinal 362-BH LE 5th wheel trailer that I towed back from Iowa about 270 miles. My TV is a 2008 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Chevy Silverado. The trailer weighs 11990 lbs (dry). On the trip to our seasonal site last Saturday, I averaged 10.0mpg. I should point out that this was 95% interstate/divided highway driving with only minimal 2-lane hwy driving. With our old Terry TT we averaged around 11.0mpg. I was pleased with this performance and never having pulled a 5th wheeler before, I was also pleased with how well this truck pulled the additional weight.

mwool
Explorer
Explorer
goin2themountains wrote:
over 40k miles, 14.5 empty, 11.8 with the 5er in my sig. I pull serious hills.

WOW I get almost exactly same as you do. Exception is around DFW, what ever the additive is they put in the fuel cuts us down about 2 MPG.
Marshall & Nancy
2013 DRV Elite Suite
2011 3500 GMC

butchfuzion
Explorer
Explorer
Two things most guys lie about:
1: Gas/fuel mileage, and the other
2: Not suitable discussion for this forum!

I have 2012 F350 6.7 diesel and towing an 18000 TH in fairly high altitude I get 8-9. I have had guys tell me that they get 18 towing a FW but I think it is bs. Maybe once when they were coming down from the mountain pass! Good luck.

goin2themountai
Explorer
Explorer
over 40k miles, 14.5 empty, 11.8 with the 5er in my sig. I pull serious hills.
Puller: '08 HD3500 4x4 dually,CC Duramax/Allison.
Pullee: 2008 Montana 3605RL 10th Anniversary Package, Reese 16k w/ slider (holdover from old shortbed)

jevanb
Explorer
Explorer
21mpg empty, 12mpg towing with mixed hills. only thing stock is the block, so I am not a very good comparison
2006 CC 4x Lbz,

2012 Wildcat 344QB
Pullrite Superglide

Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
hook47 wrote:
Just took my 5er to the dealer for some warranty work. Estimated GCW was 25K. Going from the Olympic Peninsula, Hwy 18 to I90/Snoqualmie pass to Pasco, WA at 62mph I got 10.1 mpg. Empty return trip was 16.5 at mostly 75-80mph until Hwy 16 then 60-65. When we go to AZ I am running 27K (CAT scale wt) at 58mph and get 9.6 to 9.1. Driving around locally in AZ I get 15ish.


You should get a Volvo class 7/8 TV!!!! Might even get better mileage!!!

Chris
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

hook47
Explorer
Explorer
Just took my 5er to the dealer for some warranty work. Estimated GCW was 25K. Going from the Olympic Peninsula, Hwy 18 to I90/Snoqualmie pass to Pasco, WA at 62mph I got 10.1 mpg. Empty return trip was 16.5 at mostly 75-80mph until Hwy 16 then 60-65. When we go to AZ I am running 27K (CAT scale wt) at 58mph and get 9.6 to 9.1. Driving around locally in AZ I get 15ish.
2008 Chevy 3500HD LTZ 4X4 CC / Banks IQ with Speedbrake & Economind tuner /2013 38RESB3...I know, the TV color doesn't match the MS!