topwop39
Akron,Ohio
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Joined: 09/20/2006
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I am currently looking into buying a new (new to me) truck. Looking for a 02-06 model diesel,crew cab Chevy, Ford or Dodge. preferably a v-8 with a 3.73 rear axle. Any thoughts on which gets better mpg. Since the majority of time I will not be towing, I need something with decent mpg, but enough power to tow with. I understand there are a few variables here, but anyone with these trucks, if you could chime in and let me know what kind of mpg you are getting. Thanks
2003 GMC Sierra 4x4 CC D/A
2007 Coachman Chaparral 269 BHS 5'er
prodigy brake controller, pullrite 14K superglide
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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The economy champ will be the Cummins. However it is NOT a V8! It is an I6. By your OP it suggests that you have already made your mind up on a GM Duramax/Allison product. Towing a fifth wheel with any of the diesel crew cam trucks can get border line on weight issues really fast. I would suggest that you concentrate on a 1 ton SRW. As far as interior volume, the Dodge Mega cab is the hands down winner there. Drive and buy what you can find a good deal on, and what you feel most comfortable in.
Donn
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downtheroad
Puget Sound
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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topwop39 wrote: snip
Since the majority of time I will not be towing.
In all reality big powerful trucks and 'good' mileage really don't go in the same conversation.
Get the truck that you think looks good, is comfortable and has the numbers to tow your rig.
Then..get a Honda Civic, Geo Metro, whatever as a daily driver and you will get fantastic gas mileage.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane"
GMC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
Komfort 277TS Our Rig Picture
Reese Dual Cam HP
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The Stu
Washington
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Joined: 08/31/2006
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I have a "Classic 2007" GMC. I drive about 22-24K miles per year and average 15mpg with a mix of city and hwy driving. My mileage drops to 13 or so with mostly city driving and I can get better than 20mpg cruising down the hwy with the cruise control set at 60mph.
'07 GMC 2500 CC, SB D/A towing a '07 Fleetwood Arcadia
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ib516
Up here!
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The Cummins and Duramax are pretty close in mpg. I prefer the Cummins, I'm on my 2nd one. I wouldn't hesitate to own a Duramax, however, with the single condition that it not be a 2004.5 or 2005 LLY Duramax as these can be prone to overheating when towing due to an engineering flaw.
I'd suggest a 2001 - 2004 Duramax, or a 2001 - 2006 Cummins (note that the cab was redesigned for the 2003 model year with a much quiter engine with more power).
I bought my dream truck a few weeks ago. I am very happy with my decision. On the 500 mile drive from where I bought it, it got a high of 22 mpg hwy, and averaged 19 over the whole trip. It went over 500 miles (854 Km) with an indicated 1/4 of a tank of diesel remaining.
2004 Cougar 301 BHS 6580# Dry, 9000# wet, 9600# GVWR)
2007 Dodge/5.9L Cummins 3500 SRW Megacab 4x4/3.73
Hypertech Max Energy
"MEGACASPER" 10100# GVWR, 5200# FGAWR, 6200# RGAWR
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MadMav
Colorado Springs, CO
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Most fuel economy tests by the major diesel magazines have Chevy coming out on top 9 out 10 times. Stock and modified. But it's only by a small hair over the Dodge. Ford, really isn't that close according to them. I average 24mpg at 65mph and 21.5mpg at 79mph. 17 in town.
Mav
Maverick
'08 Dodge 3500 SLT Mega Cab Dually, 6.7l/6 speed. Oh yeah!
'08 Winners Circle 36SRV-H5
1 wife, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 1 cat
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Wingnusa
Scott and Brenda Albuquerque, NM
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Joined: 02/05/2005
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Truck in sig...16-19 town/highway mix
11-13.5 towing rig in sig(16k lbs)55-60 mph
That's with a pretty light foot unless someone hacks me off!
PS...sent you a PM
Scott and Brenda Schnelle
Olivia and Jasmine, Mini Schnauzers
2006 KZ Escalade 36CKB
2006 GMC 3500 D/A(LLY), CC, LB
Fulltimer Class of '06
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windellmc
Indianapolis
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Joined: 02/22/2007
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If you go Dodge you should get better mileage with the '01-'04. '04.5 was an emissions change.
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ib516
Up here!
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This past weekend, I took a trip in a 2004 Dodge 2500 LB 4x4 Quad cab (305hp version) Cummins with an auto trans and a 3.73 axle. It made 24 mpg with no A/C at 65mph.
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oldwanderer
dunmore alberta canada
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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Not sure which might be best as fuel economy always depends on driving style / roads etc but here is info from recent trip. We just returned from a 2400 mile trip with 05 dodge 3500 drw quad cab 4x4 loaded with 9 1/2 foot kodiac camper, generator and all gear. Roads were anything from forestry trails to b.c caribou mountain hiways to alberta freeways and speeds ranged up to 75 mph. Average fuel consumption for entire trip was 17.2 mpg. I was operating in tow haul mode and had my edge chip set on level two ( tow mode). hope this helps.
Ken and Linda
2005 Dodge CTD
2009 Okanagon 106UDB
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