Truck fuel mileage?

[sdef]

I am in a quandary for selecting a tow vehicle rated at 11k # or greater. My heavy towing needs are only occasional and most of the time the truck will be inside with the tractor once our new place is built and all of the outside landscaping, etc. is completed, will not be a daily driver and would be my last HD vehicle purchase. Ideally I would get a good used 4WD, 6.5' bed, extended cab, 3/4 ton, gas engined with 4.x gears, ~ a 2008 model. But in my area these are still pretty expensive. The 3/4 ton pricing led me to seriously consider new 2015 1/2 ton Ford Ecoboost or GM with the 5.3L engine, as unloaded fuel mileage would be a lot better, it seems. And at this point I am waiting for the 2016 Toyota and Nissan diesels to see the light of day for price, fuel mileage and towing capacities.

This post actually concerns the unloaded fuel mileage of modern diesel 3/4 ton trucks. Yes I am aware a HD diesel truck is overkill for my uses. But if I can get a good one for a "reasonable" price relative to a new HD 1/2 ton truck, that gets good enough unloaded fuel mileage, this might actually be a viable option. I do have my eye on a low mileage, certified 2008 LT Duramax for a decent price. But it will probably be gone by the time my mind is made up.

I initially was very interested in a Ford 3/4 ton, 6.0L PS as the truck and pricing fell into line with my needs. However, further investigation really scared me away from the post 7.3L Ford diesels due to all of their designed-in issues. But there are now some 6.0s on the market at used truck dealers that have ARP head studs, which indicate they had blown head gaskets, but should not have this issue again. However, I am still very leery of these as overall this engine has been trouble prone. The GM Duramax seems like a good, reliable option, as does the Dodge Cummins. And I do not want to initially buy into the high mileage diesel maintenance costs.

What kind of unloaded fuel mileage do you get with your diesels? Although I imagine in this class of truck, they may seldom be used unloaded.

 

[terryknight]

do you have a year cut off? as in i don't want to go any older than xxxx? i don't like new cars/trucks , gas or diesel since "i" can't work on them. this may not help you since the newest diesel truck either of us has owner is an 2004. i have a 94.5 PSD (reg cab, 4x4, 5 speed, 4.10s modified) is gets an honest 22 on the highway in the summer unloaded (17 in town). i just took it to MA and back grossing 22K up and 12K back and got just under 15 round trip. my father has a 96 (excab, 2wd, auto, 3.55, stock) gets an honest 24 (17 in town) on the highway unloaded in the summer.

other trucks 91 dodge reg cab 4x4 5 speed 4.10s ve pump turned slightly up 17mpg
98 dodge ex cab 2wd dually auto 4.10s stock 19 mpg
01 dodge ex cab 4x4 auto 4.10s stock 18mpg
04 dodge cew cab 2wd auto 3.73s stock 21 mpg
97 ford excab 4x4 5 speed 3.55s slightly modded 19 mpg
97 ford reg cab 4x4 auto 3.55s stock 19 mpg
95 ford reg cab 2wd rollback 5 speed 4.30s 15 (always loaded)
00 ford reg cab 2wd dump 6 speed 3.73s 14 (always loaded)

 

[sdef]

do you have a year cut off? as in i don't want to go any older than xxxx? i don't like new cars/trucks , gas or diesel since "i" can't work on them. this may not help you since the newest diesel truck either of us has owner is an 2004. i have a 94.5 PSD (reg cab, 4x4, 5 speed, 4.10s modified) is gets an honest 22 on the highway in the summer unloaded (17 in town). i just took it to MA and back grossing 22K up and 12K back and got just under 15 round trip. my father has a 96 (excab, 2wd, auto, 3.55, stock) gets an honest 24 (17 in town) on the highway unloaded in the summer.

other trucks 91 dodge reg cab 4x4 5 speed 4.10s ve pump turned slightly up 17mpg
98 dodge ex cab 2wd dually auto 4.10s stock 19 mpg
01 dodge ex cab 4x4 auto 4.10s stock 18mpg
04 dodge cew cab 2wd auto 3.73s stock 21 mpg
97 ford excab 4x4 5 speed 3.55s slightly modded 19 mpg
97 ford reg cab 4x4 auto 3.55s stock 19 mpg
95 ford reg cab 2wd rollback 5 speed 4.30s 15 (always loaded)
00 ford reg cab 2wd dump 6 speed 3.73s 14 (always loaded)

I do want a "newer" one, say 2004 - 2008. At this stage in my life, I no longer want to work on vehicles other than to add a winch, etc. My days of rebuilding engines and transmissions, building race cars, etc., are over. I would rather pay more money for a newer vehicle that I can expect no major problems with over the long-term, versus paying less money and having to invest a lot of aggravation and sweat equity.

Here is another example. I purchased a new tractor and implements instead of highly used directly because of a friend who owns a small farm. He has two old Ford tractors (1960ish) he has to work on most times he uses them. Sometimes he can't do the work he needs to do because of this unreliability. I can't work like this. When I need my equipment to work, it needs to work. Unreliable equipment does not belong on my property. So to me, newer is better due to this fact, assuming the equipment has been well taken care of.

And thanks for your post. The examples tell me a lot.

 

[dusty3030]

If an occasional towing rig I'd skip 3/4 tons all together and look at 1 ton trucks. What I see is more truck for the $ in a used 1 ton. Or at least consider them.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

Mileage is going to change wildly from 06 to 08 models due to emissions. I have a 2006 dodge 3500 4x4 four door dually. I get 18-21 mpg depending on spunky I feel. My brother in law has a 2012 that is otherwise identical ( both 6 speed manuals). He gets 12.5 on a good day, 8-9 pulling his 33' camper. I get 16-17 pulling similar camp.
Good luck, mileage only matters if you want it to.

 

[sdef]

If an occasional towing rig I'd skip 3/4 tons all together and look at 1 ton trucks. What I see is more truck for the $ in a used 1 ton. Or at least consider them.

I have briefly considered the same, but have not driven a lightly loaded 1 ton pickup (SRW only consideration), which it would be used for more often than not. Actually 1 tons may be a better price in my area than 3/4 tons. With no practical experience, I consider a 1 ton to have a lot harsher ride with a light load than the 3/4 ton. Can you comment on this?

 

[sdef]

Mileage is going to change wildly from 06 to 08 models due to emissions. I have a 2006 dodge 3500 4x4 four door dually. I get 18-21 mpg depending on spunky I feel. My brother in law has a 2012 that is otherwise identical ( both 6 speed manuals). He gets 12.5 on a good day, 8-9 pulling his 33' camper. I get 16-17 pulling similar camp.
Good luck, mileage only matters if you want it to.

Thanks. I am looking for the emissions cutoff point and you have pointed me in that direction. I would like to stay away from a DEF truck also, I think. And concerning the fuel mileage, it is a discriminator that could drive me to diesel and the higher diesel prices vs. gas engines. Your BIL's mileage is unacceptable to me for my uses and the extra cost of a diesel engine. I would only purchase a diesel if better fuel mileage justified the cost over a gas engined truck, that is considerably less expensive to purchase (and maintain). Fully realizing a diesels capabilities are overkill for my uses. However, I do overkill a lot on my life.

 

[terryknight]

most 1 tons and 3/4 ton are the same truck (excluding duallies), they just have different badging and GVWRs. another way of saying the same thing is you can order a 3/4 and a 1 ton with the same springs, motors, transmissions, rears etc. for fords (what i'm most familiar with) the only differences are GVWRs, badges and on 4x4 models the rear blocks.

for your described uses i would go with a gasser.

i also don't consider my old 94.5 with 300K to be unreliable. especially compared to a newer diesel

 

[dusty3030]

Ride is subjective and you have to consider the tire's role. ALL trucks (1/2 3/4 1ton) ride rougher with LT rated tires at 50psi versus the stock tire junk most of them come with.

The difference between the ride of a 3/4 ton and 1 ton of the same make and generation with the same tires ain't night and day, but it's your rear in the seat not mine so again it's subjective.

I would caution you when you are test driving to keep the tire pressure and type of tire that's on the truck into consideration because if you hop in a 3/4 ton with P rated tires at 35psi and think it rides cush when in reality set up for towing it doesn't.

 

[sdef]

Ride is subjective and you have to consider the tire's role. ALL trucks (1/2 3/4 1ton) ride rougher with LT rated tires at 50psi versus the stock tire junk most of them come with.

The difference between the ride of a 3/4 ton and 1 ton of the same make and generation with the same tires ain't night and day, but it's your rear in the seat not mine so again it's subjective.

I would caution you when you are test driving to keep the tire pressure and type of tire that's on the truck into consideration because if you hop in a 3/4 ton with P rated tires at 35psi and think it rides cush when in reality set up for towing it doesn't.

Good point. All of the truck type tires I purchase are LTs. I had not even considered a P type tire on a HD truck. Geez.

 

[dusty3030]

Good point. All of the truck type tires I purchase are LTs. I had not even considered a P type tire on a HD truck. Geez.

Buying used or new you have to look at everything close.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

My heavy towing needs are only occasional and most of the time the truck will be inside with the tractor once our new place is built and all of the outside landscaping, etc. is completed, will not be a daily driver....

I'm confused. If the truk is not intended to be a daily driver, and your towing needs a minimal, why do you care much about mileage? I would want quality/reliability, mileage be damned!

 

[sdef]

I'm confused. If the truk is not intended to be a daily driver, and your towing needs a minimal, why do you care much about mileage? I would want quality/reliability, mileage be damned!

Agreed. Also part of my thought process. Of course the truck will be used for others things, not just HD towing. It breaks down to- with my limited funds, if I purchase a new $50k+, gas or diesel 1/2 ton truck, it will also be used for a daily driver type vehicle- which would require better fuel mileage and would be the last new vehicle I purchase. Or if I purchase a used 3/4 ton gas truck, it will be primarily used for non daily driver activities and fuel mileage does not make much difference. The significant dollars saved in purchase price could be used for other things. However, maybe a used 3/4 ton/1 ton diesel could thread both needles, which is the information I am seeking.

It seems that over time, HD P/U truck gasoline mileage has increased noticeably, while HD P/U truck diesel fuel mileage has dropped due to increasing emission standards (ex. Ford 6.4 PSD), not to mention the complexity has increased and in some cases reliability has decreased (ex. Ford 6.0 PSD).

In the end a gas engine HD truck is probably my best bet due to initial cost and maintenance costs.

 

[dusty3030]

On topic but slight drift I would love to buy my father in laws towing and hauling truck but he will never turn it loose. 2001 F250 XL , 4 door, 4wd 7.3L diesel. That is a rock solid truck he only uses to pull his camper and boat with and will never sell it. It stays under cover, no rust, heavy duty winch front bumper and brush guard and only 150,000 miles on it. He's retired and has a little beater Saturn car he puts around town in.
That truck will be the last he will ever buy most likely and he bought it new nearly 15 years ago.

 

[Gafn]

Thanks. I am looking for the emissions cutoff point and you have pointed me in that direction. I would like to stay away from a DEF truck also, I think. And concerning the fuel mileage, it is a discriminator that could drive me to diesel and the higher diesel prices vs. gas engines. Your BIL's mileage is unacceptable to me for my uses and the extra cost of a diesel engine. I would only purchase a diesel if better fuel mileage justified the cost over a gas engined truck, that is considerably less expensive to purchase (and maintain). Fully realizing a diesels capabilities are overkill for my uses. However, I do overkill a lot on my life.

I can only speak about Dodge - as that is what I have.
2007.5 - last year of the 5.9l Cummins - no emissions, later 2007.5 and up has all the emissions on it.

My truck I have owned since new, I have the Superchicps Powerpaq on it.
Daily mixed driving in the hills of northern GA in the Tow setting - gets 23 MPG empty.
Recently went over the mountain to my Brother n laws pulling 9500lbs - got 15 MPG.
This truck is a 2500 crew cab short bed.

You mention a diesel is more expensive to maintain - other than oil changes the parts on a gasser or diesel 3/4 or 1 ton are the same cost. I run Rotella full synthetic and change my oil at 12000 miles, so in the end it is a wash - in my opinion.

Hope this helps....

On edit - I also have a FASS (Fuel Air Separation System) on the truck - this increased the MPG by 2 - 3 MPG the day it was installed.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Agreed. Also part of my thought process. Of course the truck will be used for others things, not just HD towing. It breaks down to- with my limited funds, if I purchase a new $50k+, gas or diesel 1/2 ton truck, it will also be used for a daily driver type vehicle- which would require better fuel mileage and would be the last new vehicle I purchase. Or if I purchase a used 3/4 ton gas truck, it will be primarily used for non daily driver activities and fuel mileage does not make much difference. The significant dollars saved in purchase price could be used for other things. However, maybe a used 3/4 ton/1 ton diesel could thread both needles, which is the information I am seeking.

It seems that over time, HD P/U truck gasoline mileage has increased noticeably, while HD P/U truck diesel fuel mileage has dropped due to increasing emission standards (ex. Ford 6.4 PSD), not to mention the complexity has increased and in some cases reliability has decreased (ex. Ford 6.0 PSD).

In the end a gas engine HD truck is probably my best bet due to initial cost and maintenance costs.

I did this trade for myself last year. 2 vehicle solution: HD truck for HD work and small car for commuting, or 1 vehicle solution: half ton truck. I tried estimating gas usage, taxes, insurance, some maintenance costs, etc assuming that 75% of my miles would be on the car, the rest on the truck. Ignoring purchase price for a moment, it was about a wash, no significant savings one way or the other.

You'll have to do the comparisons for yourself obviously. I would start by deciding if a half ton would even meet your towing needs. 11K lbs is a lot, at the upper limit of half tons, and depending on the details (GCVWR, payload, etc), might be over. Once you have decided on the class of vehicle necessary, then do the cost comparisons.

For reference, I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab and average ~17-18 mpg during the warmer months and 15-16 mpg during the winter. I have a friend with a 2013 silverado 2500 crew cab 6.0 gasser who swears he gets 13mpg no matter what, and another buddy with a 2006 silverado 2500 crew cab duramax who get 17-18 mpg average.

My personal opinion is that diesel doesn't pay for itself unless you really need its capabilities. Meaning, you are towing heavy loads and putting on a ton of miles.

 

[dodge man]

I own a 2004 Dodge 3/4 ton, 4x4, short bed, 4.10 gears.

From the 2003 model year to the end of December 2006 are all Common Rail Cummins and have a lot less emissions than the later ones. Depending on the exact year, they may or may not have a catalytic convertor, and even if it does, they aren't a problem. I also follow the Cummins forums somewhat and see claims all over the place. I get somewhere between 12 and 17 mpg unloaded with mixed driving. I've never ran a full tank of fuel through mine so I don't know what pure highway mileage is. I would NEVER count on any diesel truck getting over 20 mpg. I know my overhead meter says 23 mpg. Its very wrong and you can't go by them in a Dodge diesel. The earlier 12 valve Dodges are capable of getting 20 mpg but they are hard to find in good condition.

Tow rating, mine is rated at something like 12,000 lbs. A 1 ton would be a little better. With Dodge, the only difference between a one ton and 3/4 ton is the rear springs. It has an added overload spring. Ride difference would be minimal, brakes, axles, everything else is the same.

Ford diesels? The 6.0? Couldn't give me one. I know people will say they have good luck with them but the failure rate is just too high. All I can say is you have been warned.

Chevy? They made some really good D-Maxs. There are some years of the D-Max that are considered the best.

If I were looking I would find a Dodge with a Common Rail Cummins that predates all the emissions stuff. Find one with low mileage and go get it. The prices are insanely high for these Cummins and D-Maxs that are considered the "holy grail" years.

 

[Gafn]

Dodge Man - your right on that overhead.... Mine says I am getting 30mpg.
Your comment about a diesel not getting over 20mpg - well without modifications perhaps you are correct...
However...
My truck is a 2007 with the cat - converter, and hand calculated mpg is 23, repeatable, if I am heavy footed - that gets smashed hard...
I have a FASS, a programmer, and a modified air intake.
The truck weights 7400lbs, and has 3.55 gears, unlike your 4.10, gives better fuel economy.
I have 110,000 miles on the truck, and the above listed mpg is what I get - you may NEVER count on it, but this is what I get.

 

[dodge man]

A FASS probably doesn't increase your MPG but it sure can deliever the fuel and filter it a lot better. 3.55 gears aren't stock, either 3.73 or 4.10's were, I'm sure that helps a lot also. A programmer can also help a lot also if set up correctly. I'd say if you get 23 mpg that's above and beyond what the average person gets. There is a guy with a common rail Cummins that gets some insane fuel mileage, I'm talking something like 40 or 50 mpg but he is using extreme hiper milling techniques.

 

[Gafn]

Wow - Dude... I give up ...

I have been lying about everything... even though I keep logs of ever drop of fuel that goes in my truck, my math skills are pure chit...
I must be freaking blind as well... there is no way I get the mpg's I do - Dodge Man has so stated it...

Just get an admin to delete all my lies(posts)....

To the OP - just PM dodge man on what to buy - as he knows everything, and any other response about anything diesel is just a lie unless he verifies it directly or from one of those diesel forums....

Personally I have installed my exact setup on 4 other family members trucks, and we all get dang near the same mpg - but what ever I must be just telling stories...

Happy truck hunting