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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Mileage for gas vs. diesel 2500's

Next 20 Messages

Ric
User ID: 9126573 Apr 29th 12:03 AM
Can anyone give me their mpg on gas or diesel 2500's
when towing and when not towing? Thanks

William
User ID: 9007973 Apr 29th 6:26 AM
I have a 2500 HD. It gets 14 MPG empty. and 10 MPG towing a 28 ft. 5th. wheel. Loaded for camping the trailer weighs about 8000 lbs.

William

William
User ID: 9007973 Apr 29th 6:29 AM
I forgot to mention, My 2500 has a gasoline engine.

William

cad_man
User ID: 2888244 Apr 29th 1:29 PM
If you are getting a Gas 2500, opt for the 8.1l and not the 6.0l. The 8.1 get about 1/2 MPG less then the 6.0l but has much, much more pulling power and comes with the Allison 5 speed. I have this drive train in my Motor Home and I average 7.75 mpg for 14,000 miles.
cad_man

clyde
User ID: 7106263 Apr 29th 6:42 PM
william 6.0 or 8.0 gas?

cad_man
User ID: 2888244 Apr 30th 10:58 AM
clyde, I know you were asking william about his engine. When I had my 2001 2500HD, I had the 6.0l gas engine. I pulled a 7800lb travel trailer, and averaged between 8.5 and 9.2 mpg towing. The worse I got was about 7.8 in the Rockies. I averaged 13mpg around town and 16mpg on the highway empty. Both myself and my wife agreed that the older 1997 2500 I had with the 5.7l engine got better mileage and had more power then the 6.0l. But you cannot beat the 8.1l and Allison setup unless you go to the 6.6l diesel.

cad_man

K Richwine
User ID: 8109723 Apr 30th 6:11 PM
I pull a 10,000 plus fifth wheel with our 2500 Duramax and get between 10 and 11 mph , depends on speed and headwinds. With a 3000lb boat trailer I get 15. Empty I get 18. It's a 4x4 and the 4x2 gets a little better mpg. I have about 50,000 miles on it and I repeat these numbers daily. Around 25,000 miles have been with the 5th wheel

William
User ID: 9007973 May 1st 7:59 AM
It is a 6.0. Sorry.

William

William
User ID: 9007973 May 1st 8:21 AM
Clyde, I don't think I would pull a 8000 lb. 5th with that truck. I had a 1500 with a 5.4 and pulled my 5th one summer, about 6000 miles. I didn't have a problem with power. We even pulled it though the Rockies. I thought more power would be good, but I could live with it. But the transmission went out. I got a new transmission. I would have gotten a HD trans. but now days with computers and all of that stuff on cars and trucks the dealership told me I would have to go with the original. So I ordered a 2500 HD 4WD. This truck has a HD transmission. It has more power and it handles my 5th fine. I looked at the Duramax and the Allison, and I'm sure you can't beat that setup. But I don't think I will ever own a larger trailer, so for the better gas mileage and more power, of the Durmax, I think the high price of the Durmax and the Allison will go a long way for me buying about 2 to 4 less miles per gallon. Anyway I'm happy.

William

Pete
User ID: 9530533 May 2nd 11:20 AM
'02 ford Excursion 7.3 diesel. Pulling a 32'Montana TT,9000#. 20mpg solo; 12mpg to Colorado and back (mountains) and 14mpg once on flat land (texas). My 3.71 rear axle is better suited for solo running.

cad_man
User ID: 2888244 May 6th 9:21 PM
The Chevy that William and I drove/drive are the 6.0l with the 4L80e or the 4L85e transmission, this transmission is the heaviest duty 4 speed transmission the GM uses with the 6.0l engine. When you go to the 8.1l gas or 6.6l diesel engines then you will be equipped with the Allison 1000 5 speed transmission. The 4L85e is rated to 16,000lb CGVWR and the Allison 1000 is rated to a 22,000lb CGVWR.
Instead of asking everyone for different opinions and their recollection of what their truck will pull. All the information you need is on line at the various manufacturers WEB sites. For Chevy go to the following WEB site and the specs for towing capacity and GCVW rating for each truck that Chevy makes is there.

http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/

Ford and Dodge have similar sites, you may spend some time locating the information but it is there. Also figure that what every the towing capacity of the vehicle you chose may be, take 85% of that figure and that will be you max towing with a good safety margin. So if the truck is rated at 10,000lbs take 85% or you can tow 8,500lbs and that will give you a good safety margin for additional cargo or people you take with you.

cad_man

Steve
User ID: 0750024 Jun 4th 12:28 PM
My 2500 Dodge CTD gets 21.3 unloaded at 60 mph. Towing 25' 6800# TT we get 13.1 at same speed. Good luck

Bruce
User ID: 3229264 Jun 9th 7:23 AM
I have a Ford F350 super duty diesel. i get 16 mpg empty. pulling a 12000 pound 5th wheel i get 10-12 mpg

Mike
Administrator Jun 9th 10:14 AM
Bruce,

Only 16 mpg empty?

My 2000 F350 7.3l turbo diesel 'averages' over 20 mpg empty; about 18 in town and 24 on the open highway.

Haven't pulled a heavy RV/trailer yet but towing my 2000# Samurai or my 3500# boat over the costal range yields about 19 mpg.

Mike

Den
User ID: 8604013 Jun 11th 2:48 PM
We have an 05 2500hd dmax c/c. on a trip UT from LA got a return of 11/14 mpg towing a T.T 7500lbs
Den.

2campers
User ID: 1432154 Jul 15th 11:14 PM
we have a '04 dodge 3500 diesel --- without towing we get 21.7 miles per gallon . . when towing our 32ft 5th wheel -- we get between 13 - 14 miles per gallon . . when we had a '01 dodge V10 -- we got 13 miles per gallon without towing and 6 miles per gallon towing *yikes*~

rob
User ID: 9175333 Dec 20th 6:37 PM
OK Guys,

Iv'e read and read about trucks and TTs. I own a 2006 gmc 1500 w/5.3 3.42 gears. I just bought a 27 footer. Of course the sales folks want to sell there trailers, but I asked the sales man. the finance guy, the sewrvice guy, and the guy who gave my wife and I the final walk through all told us that our truck would pull this tt with no problem. So I would like to put the question to you folks. The truck: 2006 gmc 1500 crew cab 4wd with hd tow package. TT is 6400lbs (dry). We live in NH and do not plan on going very far eg: 100 miles or so per trip. Using some common sense and making sure I do not tax the transmission, should I be ok? Thanks in advance folks. This is a very nice forum.
Rob

cwsoules
User ID: 9600383 Dec 21st 8:34 PM
I get about 17 mpg when not towing and usually 11 mpg towing. My rig is a 2000 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Automatic transmission and 4:10 rear end.

jd
User ID: 9809413 Dec 22nd 6:43 AM
Rob,
I'll take a shot at your towing capacity question. First, you should be able to develop a first cut at it based on your new truck's specifications. Second, for true accuracy, you need loaded weights of truck and trailer and trailer's tongue weight. Your TT may be lighter (unlikely) or heavier (very likely) than specs or your expectations.
Say your truck's towing capability is stated at 8,400 pounds. If your specific truck has a bunch of options on it like brush bumper, winch, running boards, hopefully not a snowplow frame, that rating is now reduced to close to 8,000 pounds. Say the trailer has a few options too, and true weight is 6,800 pounds empty. That gives you 1,200 pounds for food, fuel, water, clothing, supplies, and PEOPLE. Your NH address explains the 4WD, but that feature actually reduces towing capacity in pounds, by the weight of all the extra drive components.
Your real numbers may be different, but I'll stick with my first reaction that the truck is at max capability. I reached that when I first saw "1500". It takes a "250/2500" series to get into the capacity range for larger TTs and all but the smallest fivers. Most of the guys here will suggest not loading into the last 10-15% of capacity, and I don't think your rig ever had that.
My guess for fuel mileage towing is Nine.
Merry CHRISTmas and God Bless, jd

Mark
User ID: 1216034 Jan 11th 12:32 AM
I have F-250 FX4 6.0 diesel 2005. I tow a 36 foot Extreme5 Carriage lite. Trailer is a little over 14000#. I get 20.5 hwy empty and 12 towing on hwy. I had a 35' holiday Rambler bumper pull which was only 9000-9500#. I would only get 11-11.5 mpg. The fiver is more areodynamic is all I can figure out.

Next 20 Messages

Ric User ID: 9126573	Apr 29th 12:03 AM Can anyone give me their mpg on gas or diesel 2500's when towing and when not towing? Thanks
William User ID: 9007973	Apr 29th 6:26 AM I have a 2500 HD. It gets 14 MPG empty. and 10 MPG towing a 28 ft. 5th. wheel. Loaded for camping the trailer weighs about 8000 lbs. William
William User ID: 9007973	Apr 29th 6:29 AM I forgot to mention, My 2500 has a gasoline engine. William
cad_man User ID: 2888244	Apr 29th 1:29 PM If you are getting a Gas 2500, opt for the 8.1l and not the 6.0l. The 8.1 get about 1/2 MPG less then the 6.0l but has much, much more pulling power and comes with the Allison 5 speed. I have this drive train in my Motor Home and I average 7.75 mpg for 14,000 miles. cad_man
clyde User ID: 7106263	Apr 29th 6:42 PM william 6.0 or 8.0 gas?
cad_man User ID: 2888244	Apr 30th 10:58 AM clyde, I know you were asking william about his engine. When I had my 2001 2500HD, I had the 6.0l gas engine. I pulled a 7800lb travel trailer, and averaged between 8.5 and 9.2 mpg towing. The worse I got was about 7.8 in the Rockies. I averaged 13mpg around town and 16mpg on the highway empty. Both myself and my wife agreed that the older 1997 2500 I had with the 5.7l engine got better mileage and had more power then the 6.0l. But you cannot beat the 8.1l and Allison setup unless you go to the 6.6l diesel. cad_man
K Richwine User ID: 8109723	Apr 30th 6:11 PM I pull a 10,000 plus fifth wheel with our 2500 Duramax and get between 10 and 11 mph , depends on speed and headwinds. With a 3000lb boat trailer I get 15. Empty I get 18. It's a 4x4 and the 4x2 gets a little better mpg. I have about 50,000 miles on it and I repeat these numbers daily. Around 25,000 miles have been with the 5th wheel
William User ID: 9007973	May 1st 7:59 AM It is a 6.0. Sorry. William
William User ID: 9007973	May 1st 8:21 AM Clyde, I don't think I would pull a 8000 lb. 5th with that truck. I had a 1500 with a 5.4 and pulled my 5th one summer, about 6000 miles. I didn't have a problem with power. We even pulled it though the Rockies. I thought more power would be good, but I could live with it. But the transmission went out. I got a new transmission. I would have gotten a HD trans. but now days with computers and all of that stuff on cars and trucks the dealership told me I would have to go with the original. So I ordered a 2500 HD 4WD. This truck has a HD transmission. It has more power and it handles my 5th fine. I looked at the Duramax and the Allison, and I'm sure you can't beat that setup. But I don't think I will ever own a larger trailer, so for the better gas mileage and more power, of the Durmax, I think the high price of the Durmax and the Allison will go a long way for me buying about 2 to 4 less miles per gallon. Anyway I'm happy. William
Pete User ID: 9530533	May 2nd 11:20 AM '02 ford Excursion 7.3 diesel. Pulling a 32'Montana TT,9000#. 20mpg solo; 12mpg to Colorado and back (mountains) and 14mpg once on flat land (texas). My 3.71 rear axle is better suited for solo running.
cad_man User ID: 2888244	May 6th 9:21 PM The Chevy that William and I drove/drive are the 6.0l with the 4L80e or the 4L85e transmission, this transmission is the heaviest duty 4 speed transmission the GM uses with the 6.0l engine. When you go to the 8.1l gas or 6.6l diesel engines then you will be equipped with the Allison 1000 5 speed transmission. The 4L85e is rated to 16,000lb CGVWR and the Allison 1000 is rated to a 22,000lb CGVWR. Instead of asking everyone for different opinions and their recollection of what their truck will pull. All the information you need is on line at the various manufacturers WEB sites. For Chevy go to the following WEB site and the specs for towing capacity and GCVW rating for each truck that Chevy makes is there. http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/ Ford and Dodge have similar sites, you may spend some time locating the information but it is there. Also figure that what every the towing capacity of the vehicle you chose may be, take 85% of that figure and that will be you max towing with a good safety margin. So if the truck is rated at 10,000lbs take 85% or you can tow 8,500lbs and that will give you a good safety margin for additional cargo or people you take with you. cad_man
Steve User ID: 0750024	Jun 4th 12:28 PM My 2500 Dodge CTD gets 21.3 unloaded at 60 mph. Towing 25' 6800# TT we get 13.1 at same speed. Good luck
Bruce User ID: 3229264	Jun 9th 7:23 AM I have a Ford F350 super duty diesel. i get 16 mpg empty. pulling a 12000 pound 5th wheel i get 10-12 mpg
Mike Administrator	Jun 9th 10:14 AM Bruce, Only 16 mpg empty? My 2000 F350 7.3l turbo diesel 'averages' over 20 mpg empty; about 18 in town and 24 on the open highway. Haven't pulled a heavy RV/trailer yet but towing my 2000# Samurai or my 3500# boat over the costal range yields about 19 mpg. Mike
Den User ID: 8604013	Jun 11th 2:48 PM We have an 05 2500hd dmax c/c. on a trip UT from LA got a return of 11/14 mpg towing a T.T 7500lbs Den.
2campers User ID: 1432154	Jul 15th 11:14 PM we have a '04 dodge 3500 diesel --- without towing we get 21.7 miles per gallon . . when towing our 32ft 5th wheel -- we get between 13 - 14 miles per gallon . . when we had a '01 dodge V10 -- we got 13 miles per gallon without towing and 6 miles per gallon towing yikes~
rob User ID: 9175333	Dec 20th 6:37 PM OK Guys, Iv'e read and read about trucks and TTs. I own a 2006 gmc 1500 w/5.3 3.42 gears. I just bought a 27 footer. Of course the sales folks want to sell there trailers, but I asked the sales man. the finance guy, the sewrvice guy, and the guy who gave my wife and I the final walk through all told us that our truck would pull this tt with no problem. So I would like to put the question to you folks. The truck: 2006 gmc 1500 crew cab 4wd with hd tow package. TT is 6400lbs (dry). We live in NH and do not plan on going very far eg: 100 miles or so per trip. Using some common sense and making sure I do not tax the transmission, should I be ok? Thanks in advance folks. This is a very nice forum. Rob
cwsoules User ID: 9600383	Dec 21st 8:34 PM I get about 17 mpg when not towing and usually 11 mpg towing. My rig is a 2000 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Automatic transmission and 4:10 rear end.
jd User ID: 9809413	Dec 22nd 6:43 AM Rob, I'll take a shot at your towing capacity question. First, you should be able to develop a first cut at it based on your new truck's specifications. Second, for true accuracy, you need loaded weights of truck and trailer and trailer's tongue weight. Your TT may be lighter (unlikely) or heavier (very likely) than specs or your expectations. Say your truck's towing capability is stated at 8,400 pounds. If your specific truck has a bunch of options on it like brush bumper, winch, running boards, hopefully not a snowplow frame, that rating is now reduced to close to 8,000 pounds. Say the trailer has a few options too, and true weight is 6,800 pounds empty. That gives you 1,200 pounds for food, fuel, water, clothing, supplies, and PEOPLE. Your NH address explains the 4WD, but that feature actually reduces towing capacity in pounds, by the weight of all the extra drive components. Your real numbers may be different, but I'll stick with my first reaction that the truck is at max capability. I reached that when I first saw "1500". It takes a "250/2500" series to get into the capacity range for larger TTs and all but the smallest fivers. Most of the guys here will suggest not loading into the last 10-15% of capacity, and I don't think your rig ever had that. My guess for fuel mileage towing is Nine. Merry CHRISTmas and God Bless, jd
Mark User ID: 1216034	Jan 11th 12:32 AM I have F-250 FX4 6.0 diesel 2005. I tow a 36 foot Extreme5 Carriage lite. Trailer is a little over 14000#. I get 20.5 hwy empty and 12 towing on hwy. I had a 35' holiday Rambler bumper pull which was only 9000-9500#. I would only get 11-11.5 mpg. The fiver is more areodynamic is all I can figure out.