3/4 ton truck Gasoline

[dmkhnr]

Fortunately, my Contracting business has been booming this year, and I've got quite a bit of work lined up well into next year.
Years past, I've always purchased a new truck as I get a section 179 tax write off, and I'm going to have to do the same this year.
I've had diesel trucks since year 2000, and currently own my truck free and clear, however, I would rather make a payment rather than give it to the gov.

I think I want to go gas this time, and will be looking for a used truck 2005-2008.
What gas motor is best for fuel economy in a 2500 series truck?
I do tow my dump trailer/skid steer/snowmobile trailer, but not over long distances.
I don't really care what brand, I'm just thinking that better fuel economy/cheaper fuel price will offset the monthly truck payment.

 

[zr600]

I don't know if any gas engine in a 3/4 ton gets decent mileage. I have a chevy with a 6.0 and it is about 12-13 empty at best. Pulling a skidsteer on 20' bumper is any where from 5-8 mpg. If you are serious i would look for a 08 or newer f250 with v10 or and chevy with the 8.1. I have been told the 8.1 isn't much different for mileage than the 6.0 but does way better towing.

 

[Bubba]

Gas

I had a 03 chevy with the 8.1 i loved it, but they quit building it in 05 or 06 i dont remember witch year, im on my 2nd dmax since then and its a great motor, but gas is almost a buck cheper now and the 8.1 pulling did 9to10 and my dmax do11to12, and you dont have to worry about fuel geling.

 

[GlennRMK]

I would go for the 8.1 for towing.

I would agree none of the 3/4 ton gas trucks are good on gas.

We have a 00 Chevy 6.0 and a 02 V10 Ford. Both are hard on fuel and pretty gutless.

I would rather tow with the 6.0 as the V10 just feels gutless. The 6.0 downshifts and revs faster, but will go faster up a hill.

Both get 7 mpg towing and 11-14 MPG empty.

Honestly, the best truck for mileage is probably the 07.5-08 Chevy with the 6.0. The newer 6.0 does a lot better towing and has more power from what I've been told.

That being said, I absolutely love my 2011 F150 Ecoboost. Simply blows the doors off the above trucks and tows better then an 8.1 Also gets at least 50% better fuel economy then either of those trucks. Towing or empty.

If you can muster a new truck and put air bags in the Ecoboost, I can't say enough good things about. My previous trucks were an 04 GMC 5.3, 01 Cummins 6 sp, 03 Cummins auto.

 

[Dogmeat]

I have a 2005 2500HD with the 8.1 Allison, 3.73 gears. I have run 285/75/16 and 265/75/16 tires on it.

Unloaded, I got 13.8-14.5 mpg @ 75-65 mpg respectivley on the interstate with the 265's, I get about 13.2-14 mpg on the interstate with the 285's. There was a slight reduction in fuel economy unloaded with the larger tires. It will probably be very similar with the 'Burb ... I would think you'd lose a little less power through the 4 or 6L85E tranny than the Allison, but the 'Burb weighs more .... so its probably a wash as far as unloaded highway driving. In town you'll probably get 9-10 mpg.

Towing my 16' enclosed snowmobile trailer that weighed at most 4,000-lb with two sleds and gear this truck didn't even break a sweat. It'd pull that at 75 mph down the interstate in OD. I would get between 8-9 mpg towing this trailer in virtually all weather conditions down the highway. Interestingly enough, I got exactly the same mileage with my 2000 5.3L with the same trailer and it wasn't even funny how much better the 8.1 pulled it. I also get exactly the same mileage pulling my dad's 26' Charmac, which is right aroun 6,000-lb with 3 sleds and gear. Its more difficult to pull that trailer in OD @ 75 mph down the interstate ... it will hunt for 4th and 5th on the flats, 3rd up grades.....all of this is with the 285 tires mind you....If you have 4.10 gears and 245 tires, you will be better set up than I will and it probably won't hunt as much with a trailer that big.

In another week I'll tell you how well this setup does with a really big trailer, as I'm going to pick the new one I just ordered up .... so I'l be making the trip from Nampa ID to Vernal UT with this same truck, but with a 31' encosed trailer that will probably clock in at somewhere around 5,500-lb empty. I'm fully expecting to get between 7.5-8.5 mpg towing this trailer mixed 65/75 mph driving.

I will let you know how it goes.

Bottom line: No, the 8.1L is not a mileage queen, but its quiet and it always starts when its cold. Its cheaper to buy, own, refuel and insure.

Are you gonna win any races with it? No .... but, its a setup that works very well for what it was intended for overall.

If you're gonna tow a lot with the gas motor and you can find a 2007ish 2500HD or 3500 GM truck, go for it. They are grreat tow motors.

I wish GM was still putting them in the pickups honestly. You can still get one in the Suburban 2500 or the medium-duty trucks, but not in the light-duty pickups unfortunately.

 

[MORSNO]

The new GM 6.0 3/4 ton gasser's also have a 6 speed transmission to help with towing. No more big jumps between gears. I've loved my '01 5.3 1/2 ton, but plan on picking up a '12 6.0 3/4 ton this spring. Just deciding on which gears to go with 3:73 or 4:11's. Seems to be about a 3mpg difference empty and about the same loaded.

 

[dmkhnr]

If you're gonna tow a lot with the gas motor and you can find a 2007ish 2500HD or 3500 GM truck, go for it. They are grreat tow motors.

I wish GM was still putting them in the pickups honestly. You can still get one in the Suburban 2500 or the medium-duty trucks, but not in the light-duty pickups unfortunately.

So would this be an 8.1 or a 6.0?

 

[Bacon]

If you're gonna tow a lot with the gas motor and you can find a 2007ish 2500HD or 3500 GM truck, go for it. They are grreat tow motors.

I wish GM was still putting them in the pickups honestly. You can still get one in the Suburban 2500 or the medium-duty trucks, but not in the light-duty pickups unfortunately.

I think 2006 was the last year for the 8.1. I don't think they offered them in the new body style. I think all you could get was the 6.0. Some one can correct me if I am wrong.

 

[2broke4new]

I have an '03 GMC w/the 8.1 Drove from Iowa to Wy last winter w/ an open 4 place. Got 6.5mpg. Didn't matter how you drove it, thats all it was gonna get. It would pass everything but the gas stations. It was great for the guy with a small bladder tho! Need to look into some mods for it, have heard with a little money you can get better mileage. oh, averages 10.5-12 empty

 

[Dogmeat]

I think 2006 was the last year for the 8.1. I don't think they offered them in the new body style. I think all you could get was the 6.0. Some one can correct me if I am wrong.

Errr 8.1 sorry.

They stopped putting the 8.1L in trucks with the new body style, but you could still get them in 2007 old body style trucks.

I believe you can still get them in the Suburban.