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Gas Mileage of 2013 Trucks - Gas and Diesel Both Welcom

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
My 04 Ford Diesel just took a******on me, so I'm in the market for a new truck. 98% of the usage will be driving from home to work, and the rest will be towing a 5th wheel.

I loved the Diesel, but it is so hard to justify the cost or a new one, 8k more just to get diesel.

I don't want a debate, as that's happened 500 times, and I know the benefits already. But, I would like just numbers of the following:

Must be a 2013 Ford, Chevy, or GMC (I just don't like the Dodge's).

What do you get for mileage? I'm hoping to compare the 3/4 gas to diesel to ton to ton duely, everything.

Basically, I know I'll get less mileage for gas, but if it's is like 5 mpg less, then that's fine with me. If it's 15, then I'll reconsider.

I'm particulary interested in what ton duelly's gas.

So, just post your mileage, year, make, model, and anything pertinent (gear / axel ratio, 4x4, 4x2, towing, etc).

Thanks, and let's keep this as just an informational thread no debates!
23 REPLIES 23

bmanning
Explorer
Explorer
GoPackGo wrote:
Don't forget that the diesel truck will be worth more when you go to sell it, so you should recoup some of that $8k premium that way. Between that and the better MPG (but higher fuel cost), there is a break even point out there somewhere, but I'm sure you'd have to drive lots of miles to hit it.


Bravo for a balanced & unbiased post than IMO hits the nail on the head!

No one has changed my mind yet:

Diesel is great but not needed and/or the best fit for everybody and every situation.
BManning
baking in Phoenix :C
-2007 Volvo XC90 AWD V8
4.4L 311/325 V8 6sp Aisin loaded
6100lb GVW 5000lb tow
-1999 Land Cruiser
4.7L 230/320 V8 4sp A343 loaded
6860 GVW 6500lb tow
RV'less at the moment

GoPackGo
Explorer
Explorer
Don't forget that the diesel truck will be worth more when you go to sell it, so you should recoup some of that $8k premium that way. Between that and the better MPG (but higher fuel cost), there is a break even point out there somewhere, but I'm sure you'd have to drive lots of miles to hit it.

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
I've decided to do a ford gas, seems their towing capacaties are quite a bit better then gmc or chevy (for gas). Thansk guys! Now to find out about 3/4 ton to ton, another thread.

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
goducks10 wrote:
Diesel won't pay for it's self no more than Nav, Leather, 4WD, etc. They're just something people want when they buy trucks. I wanted diesel and gave up the foo-foo for power. I bought the 2012 Ram 2500 CTD ST. Has all the power options I need and tows the 5'er great. MPG's aren't that bad either. Towing 9000lb 5'er 11mpg, empty running 55-60 18-19mpg, 65-70 17mpg. Around town sucks, but that's because it's usually short trips, 11-12 mpg. For my situation it's about 50-50 towing, non towing.


That's a great way to think of it, and is basically how I'm thinking of it. I want it, but I don't need it.

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
jalichty wrote:
We have a 2012 GMC D/A crewcab combo with a short bed 4X4 and just finished a trip of about 600 miles, about 350 towing a FW, Jayco HT 26.5 RLS and a 19' Crestliner Superhawk in the mountains here in Wyoming up to Grand Teton. Total overall mileage, hand-calculated was 13.8. On the highway driving around 70 unloaded we get between 18 and 19 MPG. One thing with the D/A combo is that I never have to worry whether I have enough power to pull the load. Gas engines will inherently get a little better mileage unloaded and less when loaded. I think it's up to you whether you would like a diesel since it takes a lot of towing and unloaded highway miles to "pay" for your diesel premium of around $8,000. When I traded out of my old 2003 diesel I toyed with the idea of buying gas, but decided that I would stick with diesel due to the size and weight of my FW and boat. My FW is a light one, probably 8,500 loaded and the boat is around 3,500 for a total towed weight os about 12,000. Certainly nothing a good gas engine can't handle, but at what price for fuel and wear and tear on the engine? I don't know the answers and don't research this situation extensively, but I don't plan on getting rid of my GMC until I get rid of my FW.


Good points, and you mentioned at what price for fueld and wear and tear on the engine. That is good to think about, since I'll be on the flip side of that, not towing much at all.

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
Diesel won't pay for it's self no more than Nav, Leather, 4WD, etc. They're just something people want when they buy trucks. I wanted diesel and gave up the foo-foo for power. I bought the 2012 Ram 2500 CTD ST. Has all the power options I need and tows the 5'er great. MPG's aren't that bad either. Towing 9000lb 5'er 11mpg, empty running 55-60 18-19mpg, 65-70 17mpg. Around town sucks, but that's because it's usually short trips, 11-12 mpg. For my situation it's about 50-50 towing, non towing.

jalichty
Explorer
Explorer
We have a 2012 GMC D/A crewcab combo with a short bed 4X4 and just finished a trip of about 600 miles, about 350 towing a FW, Jayco HT 26.5 RLS and a 19' Crestliner Superhawk in the mountains here in Wyoming up to Grand Teton. Total overall mileage, hand-calculated was 13.8. On the highway driving around 70 unloaded we get between 18 and 19 MPG. One thing with the D/A combo is that I never have to worry whether I have enough power to pull the load. Gas engines will inherently get a little better mileage unloaded and less when loaded. I think it's up to you whether you would like a diesel since it takes a lot of towing and unloaded highway miles to "pay" for your diesel premium of around $8,000. When I traded out of my old 2003 diesel I toyed with the idea of buying gas, but decided that I would stick with diesel due to the size and weight of my FW and boat. My FW is a light one, probably 8,500 loaded and the boat is around 3,500 for a total towed weight os about 12,000. Certainly nothing a good gas engine can't handle, but at what price for fuel and wear and tear on the engine? I don't know the answers and don't research this situation extensively, but I don't plan on getting rid of my GMC until I get rid of my FW.
John A. Lichty

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
Passin Thru wrote:
16 and 10.5 and why would'nt you spend $50000.00 + tax and liscense to ride in the left lane. What else do you have to spend money on? Why not buy a Prius and a Motorhome? You can tow the Prius along then. I don't think they make a gas dually anymore. Could be wrong.


I currently do this kind of. I drive a 2011 Linkoln MKZ Hybrid as my commute vehicle, but I'm just going to get rid of the car and truck to get one truck, one insurance, one tags, etc.

I've looked at motorhomes, but our next camper is going to be a bunk, and there just isn't much out there for the price we can afford. Plus, you lose so much space just for the vehicle portion of the motorhome.

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
Sport45 wrote:
dzirkelb wrote:
I need the numbers to see when, and ever if, a diesel will pay for itself.


That one's easy, the diesel won't "pay for itself". But if you want one and have the money you should get it without worrying about mpg or anything else.

I'm pretty sure my next truck will be a diesel (and 4x4). Not because I "need" either, but because I want those options and have the money to spare for them.

I'd worry more about the DPF problems some are having with the LML engines and the expensive, unwaranteed failures some have the minute the water in fuel light comes on in the Fords. At least thats what I've been watching.


The money is there if I want it to be, or I can put that extra money into a better camper. I'm figuring i'll put it into a better camper since I'll get more value out of that (not monetary value, but family fun value )

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
kirklandsc wrote:
Mine in my signature is getting 16 to 17 hwy and 12 to 13 around town. I get 8.5 to 10 towing. I have about 4000 miles all still stock.


That's what I was expecting for the gas, which I think is quite acceptable!

dzirkelb
Explorer
Explorer
Snowman9000 wrote:
Yeah, you made the same mistake I often do... too much information. Now everyone has an opening to comment on all the various aspects of your story. 🙂

But what you really want to know is the MPG of 2013 one ton gas trucks.


True, that is the one number that I really have no idea on. The rest I have general numbers, but no idea on a tonner. Nor do I even know how rough they ride toa 3/4 tone, but I'm assuming the same

jerem0621
Explorer II
Explorer II
Passin Thru wrote:
I don't think they make a gas dually anymore. Could be wrong.


All three manufactures still offer a gas motor in a dually. Fords takes the lead on this. Their gas truck is rated to tow upwards of 15.5k lbs.
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
TT - Zinger 270BH
WD Hitch- HaulMaster 1,000 lb Round Bar
Dual Friction bar sway control

It’s Kind of Fun to do the Impossible
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Sport45
Explorer II
Explorer II
It's far from a '13 model, but my '00 F250 CC 4x2 with 3.73 gears gets 13.5 on the highway empty and 9.5 last time I checked pulling a 6000# enclosed cargo trailer at 70-72 mph.
’19 F350 SRW CCLB PSD Fx4
'00 F250, CC SWB 4x2, V-10 3.73LS. (sold)
'83 F100 SWB 4x2, 302 AOD 3.55. (parked)
'05 GMC Envoy 4x2 4.2 3.73L.
'12 Edge 2.0 Ecoboost
'15 Cherokee Trailhawk

Passin_Thru
Explorer
Explorer
16 and 10.5 and why would'nt you spend $50000.00 + tax and liscense to ride in the left lane. What else do you have to spend money on? Why not buy a Prius and a Motorhome? You can tow the Prius along then. I don't think they make a gas dually anymore. Could be wrong.