Looking at a GMC with a 3.0 Duramax. I have a F-150 that tows like a beast and get 12-12.5 MPG towing at 67-70 MPH and 20 MPG on highway at 70 MPH. I tow a Phoenix 21 PHX and wondering if anyone would share what they’re getting on the Duramax and is it worth it going to a diesel?
2021 Phoenix 21PHX
Following, as I will be in the market for a new truck and am going 2500 (either RAM or Chevy).
Huntin' Ducks, Chasin' Pheasant, Catching Fish
Following also. I am going to get my wife a Tahoe with that engine soon. Does anyone know of anyone who have had problems with it? Everything I seem to read is very positive.
I have a 21 GMC AT4 w/3.0 (LM2) with 46,500 miles. Love the truck! Fuel milage towing my Ballistic 204 is 16-18 MPG 16 MPG at 80 MPH in the mountains of New England is bad! Not towing and bed empty, highway between 65-70 MPH it gets 28-30 MPG. 80-85 MPH is gets 25-27 MPG. One of buddies has 20 Chevy LT 3.0 towing a 1998 Champ 201 and he getting the same MPG. Another buddy has a 22 Refresh Chevy Trail Boss 3.0 towing a 21 Blazer 650 Pro and he also is getting the same mileage though his 22 uses almost twice as my DEF as our 21's do for some reason. I'm looking at trading mine for a 23 GMC AT4 with 3.0 and the new LZO!
Originally Posted by PumaDave
Bad or bad ass? All the years i was pulling up there it would have been a dream to get 16mpg towing up to NH, VT or ME especially at 80. My RAM 5.7 would be in single digits towing at 80 that and my last silvy with a 6.2 would have been getting like 11.
Guys worried about mpg in a big truck while towing a 4,000 lb boat crack me up.
Carry on though.
mirrors what I'm getting. Like the engine. Seldom talked about but most impressive to me is the lack of downshifting and red lining that I got with my gassers!
If I didn’t have the travel trailer I would probably down size to the 3.0. Empty mpg are impressive. Towing the 6.6 does as good with way more power
With a 110K + tow vehicle and a 100K + boat trying to save mpg'sGuys worried about mpg in a big truck while towing a 4,000 lb boat crack me up.
Carry on though.
I just made a few trips that were 130 miles one way towing phoenix 721. This trip is near lake erie on rt11 and interstate 90. So it is ki da rolling hills ide call it. I got 16-18 mpg all 3 times. And this is consistent with what i get towing to local lakes as well. Just made a trip non towing from ohio to myrtle beach driving interstate 77 through the mountains and w. Virginia turnpike. Averaged 28mpg. Ide say i average driving 70-80mph both towing and non towing. Ive only got 6000 miles on this truck. But i loving it so far. Smoothest driving truck ive ever driven. And that motor and tranny work awesome together. Tons of torque so very little shifting towing up hills. Dont even notice when it does shift honestly. This trucks blows my 2012 silverado with the 5.3 out of the water. Especially towing
Last edited by jojo400jk; 06-07-2023 at 09:38 AM.
In short, no. You aren't going to "save" anything by getting rid of a vehicle and purchasing a new one for a few extra MPG. Assuming you have a 3.5, you would be losing a significant amount of power going to a diesel, plus the headache of DEF and all the emission stuff they throw on diesels now. Really no reason to swap unless you just want a new vehicle.
2020 Nitro Z20 Pro Package
What is funnier is the guys that throw money out the window and couldn't care less.Guys worried about mpg in a big truck while towing a 4,000 lb boat crack me up.
Carry on though.
Or just don't comment. For me it was important when I bought my last truck as a round trip for me was 250+ miles. 13mpg out of my diesel vs the 10 I was getting out of my gasser made the diesel more cost efficient. For some of us doing a bit of comparison and analysis helps in decision making processes.Guys worried about mpg in a big truck while towing a 4,000 lb boat crack me up.
Carry on though.
Bought my '21 Yukon in August of '21 and only problem was with a couple recalls for minor things. 36k and pulls the Z119C like a champ. It will get 16-20 mpg pulling depending on terrain but it really shines on the highway as it gets near or slightly over 30 mpg. I do have a light foot and stay around the speed limits as posted or 5 over. It does go through the DEF like a drunken sailor on leave when towing but sips it otherwise. Great motor and no regrets.
I’ve got a few miles on it and looking to trade.
2021 Phoenix 21PHX
https://www.fuelly.com/car/chevrolet...=&submodel_id=
Looks like 24-25 MPG overall.
That's a good enough reason if you are trading out vehicles anyways.
Personally, I just wouldn't go for the newer diesels. Just from personal experience here at work, they are at the shop way, way more than gasoline trucks. Some of that is city driving vs highway, but the reliability scares me, and the cost of diesel vs gas really negates the MPG gains anyways.
2020 Nitro Z20 Pro Package
I pull a 921 elite with mine. Last trip was 19.2mpg. Usually while towing it will regen and it'll drop to 16-17. Went to Nashville 2 weeks ago running 80 most the way, 464 miles got 27.5mpg. Really impressed with my engine. I have a 22 gmc with 3:23 rear end....not the towing package w/3:73. I traded a 2019 F250 w/powerstroke for it
I have 39,500 miles on my 2020 Z71 Crew with the baby Duramax. Currently sitting on 19.8 MPG lifetime average. Over 60% of those miles are towing my boat. My understanding is the newer models are a little more fuel efficient.
Aaron Campbell
Barling, AR
2007 Bass Cat Sabre
2011 Merc 175 Pro XS
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