Help me decide

[Brandon32689]

Hey guys I ran across this forum thought I'd start a lil debate.

I have a 2014 gmc sierra 5.3 1/2 ton. I pull a 20 foot enclosed trailer to the dunes ussually every other weekend total weight with everything even 2 rzr sometimes is about 6k I'd assume. But my truck drops down to about 6-8 mpg and can't ever stay in a damn gear.

But when I'm not towing this truck gets 16 average in town and up to 23 on hwy which is great.

So I was talking to my dealer and he has a 2014 gmc 2500 hd Denali left sticker is 64k and he said he can take it down to 51 with all the rebates and stuff. We'll that got me thinking. But is it worth it?

Higher truck payment? Prob less fuel economy when not towing due to all the emission stuff. I would not mod the truck while under warranty. Trying to see if it is the right move and get some advice from you guys.

 

[mustangjoe87]

Does the extra cost of the payment cover the cost of the fuel your burning while towing?

 

[b.lee]

Get a 2wd 12 valve cummins for towing the RZR's .... $5,000,
You'll go all the way to the dunes without coming out of overdrive or 5th gear if its a manual.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/bar/4566609354.html

Keep the 5.3 for everything else.

 

[grr456]

If it is a gas version, then it has a 6.0L engine that barely breaks 13MPG on a good day.....

Just my .02....Gary

 

[derbydad276]

buy a cottage near the dunes and not have to tow


http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1876-N-Ridge-Rd_Mears_MI_49436_M40543-30923?row=71

if you can afford the payment on 50 k car ... you can do this

 

[b.lee]

buy a cottage near the dunes and not have to tow


http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1876-N-Ridge-Rd_Mears_MI_49436_M40543-30923?row=71

if you can afford the payment on 50 k car ... you can do this

Not bad!
If I had work over there I'd pack up and leave the east side for good!

 

[Brandon32689]

If it is a gas version, then it has a 6.0L engine that barely breaks 13MPG on a good day.....

Just my .02....Gary

I guess I should have been more specific, it's the 6.6 duramax in the 2500hd

I have a house already so won't be moving closer to the dunes lol.

 

[Brandon32689]

Also I'm in midland Texas i ride at Kermit dunes.

 

[Stormy81]

Or, ride in style. F the mpgs.

 

[Golden]

Not bad!
If I had work over there I'd pack up and leave the east side for good!

X2. Family friends just moved to Pentwater (retired), and it's a 12 minute drive from his driveway to the dunes parking lot.

 

[Scooter70]

What gears are in the truck and how fast do you tow? Pulling my 24' enclosed with a 3100# car plus gear (maybe 8k# total) at 75+ mph gets me 9mpg. Slowing down to 65 gets more like 11mpg. If I follow another trailer closely to keep the air from hitting the front of the trailer, I can get at least another mpg or more. This is with an EcoBoost F150 crew cab with 3.55 gears. Newer GM half tons should get similar mileage (or better) while towing as long as you keep the speed in check.

 

[Kryp2nitE]

Get a 2wd 12 valve cummins for towing the RZR's .... $5,000,
You'll go all the way to the dunes without coming out of overdrive or 5th gear if its a manual.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/bar/4566609354.html

Keep the 5.3 for everything else.

This. Just fix the KDP if it hasnt been done and go. I still get 22 MPG average even with it turned up a little.

 

[adam351]

pulling an enclosed i would get the hd duramax you will be more happy with that in the long run

 

[90SuperchargedLx]

pulling an enclosed i would get the hd duramax you will be more happy with that in the long run

Untill u run into injector problems!! Lol

 

[Brandon32689]

Are the injectors that bad?

I have the 3:42 gears going between 65-75 mph I get about 6-8mpg at best

 

[nitrousrick]

Untill u run into injector problems!! Lol

None of the newer diesels are perfect. The 7.3 powerstroke and 12v Cummins were the tops for small truck diesels imo. The LB7 Duramax had the big injector issues, the LLY+ don't seem to be nearly as bad.

 

[camaromann]

The LB7 engine is probably the best built. Fix the injector wiring and change injectors themselves and you've go reliable power for half a million miles.

 

[Brandon32689]

I'm still looking into some diesels just haven't made up my mind if it's worth it.

 

[Knexo]

I would get the the 2500 if your going to be to regularly. Besides the bad gas mileage, there other things that half ton isn't equipped to pulling that much weight a lot. At the end of the day, you got to remember that a 1/2 ton is for the soccer daddy's that think they need a truck, when really all they need is a large sedan. We call them air haulers at work, because that's all they haul 99% of the time. Plus the 2500 diesel will hold it's value better than a 1/2 ton will with higher miles. Good luck with the decision.

 

[BIGCOWL-IMP]

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