Chevy Duramax

[Fishinpox]

Does anyone own a duramax chevy? I would be interested in what you know about them , such as; what kind of fuel economy do you get empty? and while towing a boat( about 17-18ft.)? Are their any problems with this truck so far? since it has only been out about a year or so. I test drove this truck a few hours ago and it was very impressive.

[BlackSilver]

It's an impressive engine, but at a premium of $4,800 over the base price, kinda hard to justify.

Get yourself the 8.1L gasser and the Allison tranny. Sweetest towing combo you ever heard of!

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[SULLY]

DOES ANYONE KNOW THE FUEL ECONOMY WITH THE 8.1?
THANKS

[Don__SD]

I now own my first diesel and after 11,000 miles I can tell you that I will never go back to gas. Empty 18 to 19mpg,towing extremely heavy around 10 but also pulling at 75 mph. If you can afford the extra 4800.00 GO FOR IT.!!!!Withthe 8100 you will get 8 to 10 mpg every day of your life. The Durmax warrany is 100,000 miles and it's got major get up and go.Enjoy

[IFS]

Just returned from an 1800 mile trip with my GMC Duramax. Was pulling my boat and cannot say enough good about the truck. Averaged 14 mpg goung 75 to 80 down the interstate . Went sightseeing one day and got 18 mpg without the boat. If you get the diesel you won't regret it at all. Have always had gas and would never go back. The power this truck has will amaze even the sceptical. The extra you spend up front you will get back on the backend plus you can drive by the guys with the 8.1 L 's while their gassing up.

[Trollerman2]

have not towed anything heavy but have hauled 3600# in the bed for several hundred miles and got 17.2mpg! getting 19.5 AVERAGE through 32,500 miles.

[Stinky Fingers]

If you can afford the DMAX/Allison, DO IT!!!!! I just hit 7,000 miles on mine!! Its awesome! I'll never go back to gas. Best so far was 21mpg empty, 18-19 average. I have only towed the boat 4500# a little bit so I don't have an exact mpg, but the first time towing I got 16mpg. Whatever you decide to get make sure you get the allison, the engine braking feature is awesome!

My buddy has an 8.1 in an avalanche, he gets 12-14 empty.

[BFJ]

Presently own 2001 GMC 2500HD with duramax,,,at 5000 miles averaging 17 - 18.5 in city count warm up time,,,pull Pro-V 1900 Fuilly loaded at 16 - 17 mph,,,This is twice the 8100 mileage,,,diesel historicly cheaper,,,this eng designed for 150 - 200000 miles,,,,8100's will long be dead!! I'm in the auto business, this is the most efficient, powerfull truck available today,, yes the 4800 option looks spendy up front, but compare the mileage, warranty, and lifetime, it's a much better bargin!! Enjoy your Truck!! BJF:+

[Fred_G]

I've thought about the Duramax myself. Here are the questions I've been asking myself:

1. What is the availability and cost per gallon of diesel fuel in your area? What about the areas you travel to?

2. Given the increased fuel economy of diesel over gas and the extra cost of the diesel engine, how many miles do you have to drive the truck before the fuel economy of the diesel starts to pay out?

3. What are the maintenance costs of a diesel engine over gas?

4. Is an extended warranty worthwhile?

Fred

[Rod Holder]

To the original poster: you could do what I have in mind, wait until you can find a Duramax that is two years old, then make the purchase. It would not be my first diesel, it would be my third. However, I have never bought one new. My '94 F250 turbo-diesel is still running strong. The original batteries lasted seven years. I got this truck when it was two years old and had 42K on it. But the engine warranty was 100K. That's long in the past now. The life expectancy is not 150-200K, it's more like 400K. Guys who delivered trailers for a living drove trucks like mine a few years back and easily put 400K on them. To the poster who asked about maintenance, oil/filter changes are the most critical item. If you want life out of your engine, you MUST do this per the specifications (every 5000 miles). But that is about it. You should do your grease jobs and change the air and fuel filters every year and check the level in your differentials, I use plural because my truck is 4X4. If you have someone else change your oil, make sure they check the front diff. as well. On a routine oil change, many don't and I didn't know this. Cost me about $750 to get the front diff. redone because the fluid level had dropped low enough the pinion bearing was not receiving lubrication. I get 17-18 miles per gallon with my truck empty and love my oil burner. I previously also owned an 87 GMC diesel Suburban, good mileage but doggy performance. The Duramax is twice the engine as the old 6.2 liter and almost twice the engine of the turbocharged 6.5
Why would I switch to Duramax? It is only a maybe, the price of a Power Stroke Ford might be just as comparable when I'm on the market again. In a Dodge truck, the engine is great but Dodge does not do sufficient soundproofing. (my opinion and comparing a neighbor's truck to my own) I have heard the cab is quiet in a Chevy with a Duramax. Important to me. Unless you put on 300-400K miles over the life of your engine and do some heavy pulling like a 33' fifth wheel trailer, if you buy new you never make up in increased mpg the difference in price for the diesel engine. By the time they are two years old, they are about $15,000 less money. I saved $13,000 over price of new when I bought mine in May of '96. Good Luck.

[Bobr]

It is one mean towing machine! My buddy has a 35 foot camper that weighs 12,000 lbs and it tows it up over the mountains of West Virginia like nothing. It has incredible torque for a pickup. If you can afford the Duramax with the Allison transmission then go for it. You will not be disappointed!

[Jimmy Mac]

I bought a Chev Duramax with the Allison transmission 6/01. This is my first diesel and unless there are some unforseen issues with owning a diesel, I will not buy another truck with a gas motor. The best milage I recorded was 21 on the highway and about 16-17 around town. Towing my 19' boat, I was getting about 15 without even knowing my boat was behind me.

There was definitely a question of want and need when I bought this truck. I firmly believe I could have pulled my boat adequately with any Chevy V 8. However, I knew I would be keeping this vehicle for a long time and felt I should get a strong motor and transmission for durability.

Although I read some reports of idle problems, drive line problems, and an unknown "tick" that comes from the motor, my truck has been solid.

Good luck on your purchase. If you don't want to spend the cash for this truck, don't test drive it. I was hooked after my first ride and one ended up in my garage!!

Jimmy Mac

[McFish]

I don't know much about the duramax, but from what I understand, it is also quite a bit more costly to maintain, example oil changes, etc. I'm also curious because I'm trying to decide on which truck to purchase.

[Jimmy Mac]

Again, the Duramax I have now is the first diesel I owned. I can tell you this motor takes 10 quarts of oil as opposed to 5 for gassers. So, I guess you can say there is more expense in that regard. With respect to engine work I simply don't know if it costs more to work on diesel trucks. Personally, I do some of my own preventative maintenance and am comforted by the 100k warranty GM places on the motor.

As far as the cost of fuel, in my area it has been averaging about .05 less per gallon than gasoline. Coupled with fuel economy, I believe I am spending less money than if I had a gas truck that had the same type of performance.

I was never concerned about dollar for dollar comparisons between diesel and gasoline trucks. However, if you want more info in this area, access www.thedieselpage.com. If you perform a search in some of the forums, I bet you will find a great deal of information.

Good luck on your purchase.

Jimmy Mac

[GR8WTHUNTER]

I recently was looking at new trucks and concidering the deisel engine. I talked to guys I new running deisels and mechanics to try to make a sound comparison to justify the expense of the deisel. This got me no where. But I did get some information from a fella that owned a construction company that was at the dealership buying a gas truck. I asked why gas not deisel. He proceded to tell me that he runs both in his fleet and that the deisel is the sound chioce if you are going to run 30-35000+ miles per year, or if you truely need the extra power. He was more indepth than i will be here, but what he said made sense to me.

[TravisC]

I own a 2001 3/4 ton Chevy Duramax, and like most everyone else has said, "once you own one, you'll never go back to gas!" Forget the 8.1L gas, you'll pass everything but a gas station. Or if you're towing a heavy load you'll pass everything but a gas station and a Duramax! I've got 45,000 miles on it and LOVE it! Empty I get right around 20 mpg. Towing my 17ft Alumacraft I get 17-18, and pulling my gooseneck trailer w/ around 12,000lbs on it I get about 12mpg (75mph on the interstate). And it's as quiet as a gas inside.

I think all the diesels on the market are well-built and it's a matter of personal prefernce as to which one is the best. I have noticed, however, that most of the guys I work with are trading in Powerstrokes for the Duramax. They just like how much quieter the Duramax is. But, time will tell how good it really is.

Good Luck!
Hathead