your opinions on full size rig for towing and daily driving

[tj0llll0]

Youre complaing about 17mpg from a 340 horse V8 while towing a trailer?


I dont get 17 mpg in my cherokee.

I wasnt really complaining, I just thought that these newer electronic motors did better on the mileage. Plus I think someone else said the hemi should get about 23, so I just let you guys know what I experienced. for what its worth, I get 16-18 in both my TJ and GC, but they both have the 4.0.

John in Vegas

 

[AINT SKEERED]

I wasnt really complaining, I just thought that these newer electronic motors did better on the mileage. Plus I think someone else said the hemi should get about 23, so I just let you guys know what I experienced. for what its worth, I get 16-18 in both my TJ and GC, but they both have the 4.0.

John in Vegas

23? Hot damn...


I have the 4oh too, I drive kinda rough intown and 80 on the highway though.

 

[Tacoma]

for what it's worth,

friend of mine in town w/an 02 Duramax, crew cab, is claiming a dismal 14mpg, mostly highway.
Friend of mine in PA w/03 Duramax, extended cab, is claiming 17-18@65mph, but 9-12@75mph.
Guy I bought my Cummins from had it in a short bed Chevy w/a 4" lift kit, empty, claimed 20-23mph at 65mph, unloaded, rural driving on his commute.

all of them do their calculations by hand, mileage v. gallons used.

 

[Seth]

Just buy a circa 97 powerstroke with a butt ton of miles on it for 3k and park it till you need to tow. And get a new Vespa scooter for 3k. There problem solved, you will get 50+ miles to gallon and you have 12k left over to built up your jeep.

 

[mbryson]

Just buy a circa 97 powerstroke with a butt ton of miles on it for 3k and park it till you need to tow. And get a new Vespa scooter for 3k. There problem solved, you will get 50+ miles to gallon and you have 12k left over to built up your jeep.

HEY!!!! Stop being logical.....

His might be an '02, its the newer body style. And it wasnt THAT bad, I just wasnt as impressed as I thought I should have been given how much the damn thing cost and the comparable options.

I do like the styling of the new Fords, its the drivetrain that steers me away.

I want an auto anyway so the no 6 speed thing is no big deal.

Part of what I like most about the Duramaxes I admit is that they flat haul ass. A Duramax with 6 people in the cab will beat most anything off the line and through the intersection.

Wow.....The GM comes with a HEFTY price tag, esp. if you want a couple of options (you automatically get OnStar, heated seats, bucket fronts {down to 5 passengers now}, a toaster, a latte maker, massage chairs, an automatic (we don't sell the stick with this interior option-----I wanted to build myself a NICE truck, how I wanted it so I could keep it for 20 years--nevermind what I want, thanks GM)etc. all because you wanted the a multi-disk CD option or some stupid thing---how the flock are all those related???---I literally got out of my chair at Bountiful Jerry Seiner GMC and walked out......salesman didn't understand). My neighbor sells at Murdock, so I would have caught all kinds of hell for bringing home a GMC over a Chev, but I really don't care for the '06 styling at all. Some may like it, but I don't.

The Allison is a nice auto and the Duramax does move the truck out pretty well. I honestly liked the stumpy powerband of the Cummins more than the Dmax and the Powerstroke (NOT a fan of the 6.0L, but the '05 and '06 I haven't heard to many negative things about), though. All of them are pretty nice, though.

The best thing about the Dodge is you can get a NICE truck, optioned how I wanted it (pwr locks, windows, manual trans, manual t-case shifter, CD player), for a somewhat reasonable price, without a lot of marketing 'packages'. That thing will get reasonable mileage, is a better truck than the 'RAM' predecessor (IMHO---which isn't a bad truck at all), and even though I'd still hate the payment (just cause I don't like payments), I think it'd stick with me for quite a while (esp. if it was the same color as Shawns duallie).

 

[Brett]

(esp. if it was the same color as Shawns duallie).

His dually? Uh huh.....suuuuuure

 

[Tacoma]

Marc, you could go the lowball route, and get a decent old truck and oh, I don't know..... put a Cummins in it???

What sucks there though, is the upfront costs. I have just broken the $10k mark with my current truck, but that includes about $2500 in #@!$!( emergency repairs outside Chicago. The good part is that it will be paid off, and I can build that Cummins however I want... they're pretty interchangeable (to an extent).

 

[chadr]

This is going to be a big thread LOL

I just sold my ZJ for the same reason you have (need a DD and a occasional tow rig for my CJ). I ended up with a 2004 2500 Ram quad cab gasser. I'm getting about 14/15 MPG which is not really that bad for a 6000 lbs truck. If you not towing much you could get away with any 1/2 ton truck and get a little better milage. I went with the 3/4 ton for the stronger frame/axles/brakes/etc. It cost a little more but I like having the extra insurance.

I am getting the same with my 05 gasser. If I pull the Jeep or wheeler trailer, it gets a little bit less, but not bad.

The real task is pulling my toy hauler trailer. That is when the MPG drops!

 

[Bart]

The new Hemi in anything is going to be out of your price range.

Older gassers will not get the mileage you want.

You can get 99 - 02 PSDs for not much more than the pre 98s and they have the larger down tubes and better mileage.

01--02 Duramax's have the right motor but you'll be hard pressed to find one with decent milage for a decent price and I have no idea how the high mileage Dmaxs are.

I may get blasted here but why would you buy a Toyota or Nissan if you're going to tow? Only the newer ones have the power and they'll be well over the $18k threshhold.

The only way I can see you going is an older Dodge or 99-02 Ford diesel.

Just my $.02

 

[Rot Box]

DIESEL ='s MPG BIG GASSERS (454,460,V10) ='s MPG

This might open a can of worms, but I am a huge fan of GM's 6.5L diesels. I have a 95 I bought with 40,000 original miles last year for less than half what a Duramax with the same milage costs. A 6.5L isn't a power house when compared to the latest of diesels, but it's no slouch either. Factory ratings will tell you a later stock 6.5L is rated for 195HP and 440 Ft/lbs that's in the same margin as an earlier stock 12-valve Cummin's which have always been impressive. Even though the Cummins can be punched out a lot farther a sled puller/money pit is not what your after you want a daily driver. I have pulled a lot with mine and even on 6% grades, and have been very impressed It does the speed limit or more even with a 4x4 and trailer on behind. Economy? Being an IDI motor they can get very impressive economy mine will get 20-22 (I have heard reports of 26 MPG in perfect conditions) all the time unloaded, and the worst I have recorded so far was 12.5 MPG with a 25' inclosed fully loaded.
Most people that drive diesel pickups will tell you that they are the way to go no matter what their use and I couldn't agree more.
If it was me I'd get something a little older mabey 94-02 (give or take) to save some money, and choose between a 7.3L Powerstroke, 12 or 24 valve Cummins, 6.5L Chev or GMC. I really think that they are ALL good trucks aside from brand loyalty.
Choosing which brand is up to you and your opinion, but if you ever need some info on the 6.5's let me know I'd be happy to help

 

[fergusor]

My old 2003 3500 4x4 CTD 6sp would average around 17-22 empty and 11-15 towing( depending on how fast I wanted to go). I also had a 100hp chip,cold air intake and exhaust.

 

[StrobeNGH]

Here is what Edmunds has to say about the matter:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/102426/article.html

Were it not for the camper part, I'd say go with something more aerodynamic to pull your load . . . like . . . a car (obviously one with a good tow rating, but they are out there . . . ).

These are the specs for the Dodge Magnum:

Towing Capacity - Maximum (When Properly Equipped) [lb] 2000 to 3800
Towing Capacity - Standard [lb] 2000
Base Curb Weight [lb] - with Automatic Transmission [lb] 3804 to 2460

 

[rondo]

Wow
thanks for all the replies...i'm having to read many of them twice. I'm still lost on whether to go chev ford or dodge.
On the Yota it's not a real full size. On the Titan it's got gobs of power and 20mpg on the 2wd but it's rear dana 44 is an achilles heal. Unless the factory got that fixed.
On Diesels i still don't know yet who to go with. The wife says go out and drive them all which i haven't yet. I don't really like the looks of the dodge but i could own one if it rides nice and the mileage is good.
My diesel mechanic friend says the ford diesel has the most repairs and headaches of all. but i've ridden in a number of F250s and i love the ergo of the seats, interior, etc.
I don't need 4x4; on snowy days i can always drive my Frontier. It's just that this thing gets only 16-17mpg highway and i have to keep it at 65 for decent mileage due to the low gears. (sorry to any of you who had to pass me on I-80haha)
As for cars: no way!

 

[Tacoma]

*whisper mode ON*

get the Dodge, it's the drivetrain to have

*whisper mode OFF*

any of them are good choices. Ahem.

 

[BroncoMama]

Most people that drive diesel pickups will tell you that they are the way to go no matter what their use and I couldn't agree more.

Amen to that! I am thrilled to the gills with both our Powerstroke and Cummins. Both are exceptional as daily drivers and tow rigs. There is something grand to be said about all that torque....and being able to fly past slow ass clowns with a big ole trailer on behind. You will be paying more up front for the diesel engine, but I really feel that the mileage and towing capabilities more than make up for that. I can't give you an honest mileage from our Ford because my husband doesn't keep track of stuff like that. But my Dodge gets 19 -20 around town and 21-22 on the highway. With the Bronco on behind, she gets 16-17 MPG. Our neighbor just traded in his 01 Ford V10 on a new Powerstroke because his average mileage around town was 10 MPG. And that is without a trailer.

Another great thing about the diesel engine is that they are built to last longer. So if you are wanting to go with an older diesel, the higher miles aren't as much of a concern. The Powerstroke is good to around 250,000 miles and then the number 8 cylinder takes a crap. The Cummins is supposed to be good to 400,000 miles and then that engine can be re-sleeved and it's good for another few hundred thousand! Happy truck shopping...

 

[Shawn]

His dually? Uh huh.....suuuuuure

 

[Rot Box]

Another great thing about the diesel engine is that they are built to last longer. So if you are wanting to go with an older diesel, the higher miles aren't as much of a concern. The Powerstroke is good to around 250,000 miles and then the number 8 cylinder takes a crap. The Cummins is supposed to be good to 400,000 miles and then that engine can be re-sleeved and it's good for another few hundred thousand! Happy truck shopping...

Something interesting: I am a member of The Diesel Page (devoted to 6.2L,6.5L,6.6L GM's) , and there are several people with 500,000+ miles on there 6.2's/6.5's, and a few guy's have over 900,000 original miles I'm not saying they will all last that long or that the rest of the drive train will even come close to it, but when is the last time anyone has even heard of a TBI or newer v8 GM gasser lasting that long? The 7.3's and 5.9's live long too. 250,000 miles is a lot to anyone, and I know that the 5.9 has a FACTORY recomended long block rebuild at 300.000 miles, and i've personally ridin in a Dodge with 700,000+ original miles. I just think that they are the way to go even if they cost a little more for the diesel option they truly are BUILT TO WORK

 

[Houndoc]

If you are thinking camper and towing at the same time, I would agree that you need to go big- either fuel source. Of course the improved fuel economy of a diesel will not make up for the extra cost at the purchase end, so don't do it for that reason.

If you are driving around town with only occasional towing, I would suggest not to over-do the power. Of course you need a safe set-up, but to top a summit at 55 instead of 70 and save gas and $$ the rest of the year is not a bad trade off in my mind.

On gas engines, I have one neighbor with a 3/4 ton GMC 'burban (99?), another with an Expidition (similar age). The GMC gets 3-4 mpg better. I recently picked up an '03 Yukon XL (as GMC now calls the Suburban), with 5.3L. Towing about 3k equipment trailer, averaged 16 or so to and from Lake Powell. Without the trailer has run more in the 18-19 range thus far.

 

[wally]

Also if you are really serious about the vehicle take your trailer up with you and put it on the new truck and test drive it that way. I have a friend that did that when he got his truck. I did not do that so I made the mistake of getting not enough power to flat tow my jeep.