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Post by jeepfever on Jun 24, 2009 15:51:07 GMT -4
I've been kicking the tires at some local dealerships for a new tow rig. One truck in particular that I have my eye on is a 2001 GMC 3500 SLT Dually with 75,000 kms on it. It's way more truck than I need but the price is good.
I've been told the engine is a 6 or 8 L gas engine. Would anybody know what kind of gas mileage I could expect from it? (16 to 18MPG?) Gas mileage really isn't my biggest concern but I hate surprises, especially at the pumps.
Should I maybe be looking for a diesel 1/2 ton pickup instead?
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Post by Repete on Jun 24, 2009 16:07:06 GMT -4
There was a tow rig thread a while back, but essentially I'll repeat here. I have a 99 GMC 2500 with the 6.0 engine. Keep in mind it is a 2wd so less weight. But on the highway at a 100 kph I will get over 20 mpg. With my 2500 truck camper on I will get 15 mpg on the highway. Towing a TJ behind on a tow dolly (no camper) it will also get 15 mpg.
I would guess that a dually 3500 would have the 8 litre engine.
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Creepy
Administrator 
Dartmouth
Posts: 18,718
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Post by Creepy on Jun 24, 2009 16:28:58 GMT -4
there are a few years where the rear disc brakes were a huge problem on those rigs. get the year range from Itsakeeper here if he posts up. expensive, and you go thru 2-3 sets a year. junk!
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Post by jeepfever on Jun 24, 2009 17:40:15 GMT -4
Thanks for you input guys.
As a footnote I took an 06 Dodge Ram 5.7L Hemi for a test drive today. It's overhead console computer reported 18 MPG Hwy and about 13 MPG city. LOL, that's about what my Libby gets now ;D
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Jeepy
Jeeper
Posts: 1,216
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Post by Jeepy on Jun 24, 2009 19:26:28 GMT -4
I'd be surprised to see 18 mpg out of that. My 1/2 ton gmc (5.3 v8) gets 15 religiously and 18 at best. No such thing as a 1/2 ton diesel, all are 3/4 or 1 ton. Most dmax's are getting around 16-20 mpg.
One new powerstroke I knew of was getting 13 mpg empty!
Expect 15 mpg at best out of a dually gas, probably less.
Gm scrapped the 4.5L dmax for 1/2 tons due out next year which I had high hopes for. Toyota is still planning a diesel soon which should be interesting.
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Post by mostheman on Jun 25, 2009 6:05:18 GMT -4
We run the 6.0's here at work, we find them hard on gas as well. 2008 2500 long box extended cab got 13 MPG continuously before we put a programer on it. The 09 we got 3 weeks ago is the same....its getting a programmmer soon.
Edit: Sorry the reslts after a Super Chips Cortex Programmer set to get best mileage is 18 mpg.
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Post by BERNIEMP on Jun 25, 2009 7:54:36 GMT -4
I'm getting 16 in town and up to 22 on the highway with my 08 Ford diesel. but thats with alot of mods.
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Post by theonlybull on Jun 26, 2009 21:37:00 GMT -4
my 90 f-150, 302, aod, 3:55's gets 22 highway empty, and about 12 towing my travel trailer
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Post by jeepfever on Jun 27, 2009 13:00:09 GMT -4
my 90 f-150, 302, aod, 3:55's gets 22 highway empty, and about 12 towing my travel trailer Now that sounds like the setup I want, a no frills tow rig. I bet it still has the OEM cassette deck too ;D |
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Post by theonlybull on Jun 27, 2009 21:17:15 GMT -4
my 90 f-150, 302, aod, 3:55's gets 22 highway empty, and about 12 towing my travel trailer Now that sounds like the setup I want, a no frills tow rig. I bet it still has the OEM cassette deck too ;D nope.... got my old pioneer deh-2500 cd head unit. never got around to installing the rest...... actually, the poor truck is loaded for the year, pl,pw,tilt, cruise, a/c, bucket seats( swapped the split bench for about $100). rear vinyl bench(great for the kids) the best part, it's a southern truck, rust free ;D, should last me 20-30 years  extended cab, long box. with the cap, and my tool box, it's 5200 lbs, 6600 gvw, and 11500 gcvw. although, i've had 8000 lbs on the hitch, without brakes, and she handled it fine...... maybe shy on power  but it works the 155" wheelbase makes it tow real nice like quick pic of the beast  |
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Big G
Hardcore
Posts: 5,146
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Post by Big G on Jun 30, 2009 10:22:15 GMT -4
there are a few years where the rear disc brakes were a huge problem on those rigs. get the year range from Itsakeeper here if he posts up. expensive, and you go thru 2-3 sets a year. junk! My 2003 Silverado had 100K on it when I traded it in, and I never had to replace the rear disk brakes... however, I got the dealership to grease the sliders at every oil change. They're known for seizing up and chewing the brakes. |
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Post by theonlybull on Jun 30, 2009 21:30:58 GMT -4
i think the chevs where the first few years. 99+ i had a friend who had a new truck in 99, and couldn't get 20,000 km's outta the back brakes. 1500 that is, 2500's weren't so bad, if i remember correctly
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Post by mostheman on Jun 30, 2009 21:45:32 GMT -4
i think the chevs where the first few years. 99+ i had a friend who had a new truck in 99, and couldn't get 20,000 km's outta the back brakes. 1500 that is, 2500's weren't so bad, if i remember correctly Yeah same as what we found, but like Glen said, as long as you watched the rear sliders then they didnt have so much of a tendency to wreck the pads. The Right Rear was notorious for causing problems.....like anything else its a maintenance issue. Maintain it (albiet a pain) it won't be a big deal. |
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but it works
