While not happy about it in cpl ways. I am going to have to get a newer truck.

Business almost requires it and race trailer not towing it self.

Back and forth on diesel or gas. Diesel better mileage and more towing power. Also cost out ying yang for repairs .

Gas cheaper to maintain. Easier if I am one doing repair and/or cheaper.

Leaning towards diesel for above reasons and better value for resale.

So would like to hear from some of you who have 2500 Chevrolet with duramax. Issues likes dislikes. Mileage towing,maintenance and anything to avoid would be great.

Oh yea looking AT 2015 THRU 2018 and probably closer to 15 with budget I have to work with.

Also if you have had need to add lift pump to fuel system I would very interested in comments.

I have an '11 2500 HD I bought new. Being the first year for that engine and def system I had a lot of problems but the dealer took care of all of them.
It tows like nothing is behind it and the mileage is pretty good. I got 12.5 gpm pulling my 38' gooseneck loaded. Freeway driving empty is great. 22-24 mpg. Around town for short drives like I mostly do mileage ain't very good, 10.5 mpg. Since I don't tow much anymore I would by a new gas 1500 but I can buy a lot of diesel for what a new truck would cost me.
I just had to have a oil pressure sending unit replaced and the mechanic told me it would be best to put in a lift pump to help the fuel system. He said replacing a main pump, fuel rails and all would cost between 12 and 14 grand. That's a big ticket for repairs. A lift pump installed is about a grand.

quote:

He said replacing a main pump, fuel rails and all would cost between 12 and 14 grand.

I'm not a HD kind of guy, but those kind of numbers are staggering!

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Originally posted by Canted Valve:

quote:

He said replacing a main pump, fuel rails and all would cost between 12 and 14 grand.

I'm not a HD kind of guy, but those kind of numbers are staggering!

Those are my thoughts as well. I think the cost of a lift pump is too high also.

I think you guys are way high on your price

I don’t know about newer Duramax trucks but my 2007 LBZ has no lift pump.
The injection pump itself draws fuel from the tank.

I replaced my fuel lines and fuel cooler due to rust.
Only lines I have not changed yet were the short ones on the tank itself.
Have to lower tank or lift bed to get them changed.

97,000 miles and just routine service.

When I replaced the fuel lines there was no problem getting the lines primed. No different than changing a fuel filter. Filter has a priming hand pump.

My truck can get 20mpg by itself at 60-65 on the highway.

Towing I never saw anything better than 11-12 with my truck camper and trailer.

Back and forth to work it gets 12+

The newer trucks Duramax (2011 -2016 ) has the CP 4 fuel pump. You want the earlier better pump CP3. right around 4500 +$ for replacement. They will not take any debri/water and self destruct, taking out the engine. Not as good as the earlier pumps.

Here is my thoughts. I would not buy a truck with over 100,000 miles gas or diesel. Yes the Diesel motors will last for hundreds of thousands of miles but you still will have problems with front end, alternator, door latches, tailgate latch, transmission etc. My old 1997 dually has 225,000 miles and it is one thing after another now. Most are minor but irritating. Brakes and tires are normal wear and tear items.
Problem with a diesel if you get one with under 100,000 miles they are stupid expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by Floyd Staggs:
It tows like nothing is behind it and the mileage is pretty good. I got 12.5 gpm pulling my 38' gooseneck loaded.

No way I could afford that truck. You probably don’t get very far from home either.

Again...

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Originally posted August 03, 2020 09:12 AM by 1320racer:
2015 3500 DENALI HD CREWCAB DURAMAX SRW, 11,500 GVWR

200,000 mile Update ...

It's been 2 1/2 years since I posted about this truck which is now 5 1/2 years old and has over 200K miles on it. It's been trouble free. No issues either pulling 14,000+ lbs. down the road.

Gets new OEM brakes and tires every 75,000 and got new OEM shocks, glow plugs and flushed the coolant at 200,000. Nothing else but fuel, oil and trans filters.

My personal experience is with a 2006 GMC 2500 Duramax affectionally know as the "DuraFin" I drove it for 13 years and rolled up 255,000 miles. It was basically trouble-free. Shell Rotella 15/40 every 3500 - 4000 miles, normal service, a few glow plugs. Although I did not test this thought, but I think it would pull a railroad locomotive. Set the cruise at 75 and relax. Uphill, downhill, passing folks on long hills, it was a pleasure to drive.

All good information here Chris. I am sure you can find a nice truck lower miles but you might have to pay a tad more. My son sold his 05 D max 2500 extra cab with 196K on it. It now has way over 200k with a pretty darn good local racer towing everywhere. RV towing also...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BP758,

No way I could afford that truck. You probably don’t get very far from home either. [/QUOTE]

Leaving ourz valley there are big hills in each direction. I mean like 5-10 miles big. We did Sacramento, Bakersfield, Las Veags, Wild Horse in Phoenex and the local tracks. Loved the trailer. Sold is for 23K to some circle track boys in Bakersfield when I slowed down my racing.

quote:

Originally posted by Floyd Staggs:
No way I could afford that truck. You probably don’t get very far from home either.

Leaving ourz valley there are big hills in each direction. I mean like 5-10 miles big. We did Sacramento, Bakersfield, Las Veags, Wild Horse in Phoenex and the local tracks. Loved the trailer. Sold is for 23K to some circle track boys in Bakersfield when I slowed down my racing. [/QUOTE]

Floyd you might have missed that it was written as 12.5gpm (gallons per minute) instead of mpg miles per gallon.

You're right. I missed that but you gotta admit, it ain't gonna be lean. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by stk 758 BP!:
All good information here Chris. I am sure you can find a nice truck lower miles but you might have to pay a tad more. My son sold his 05 D max 2500 extra cab with 196K on it. It now has way over 200k with a pretty darn good local racer towing everywhere. RV towing also...

Yea found a cpl in price range and not terrible miles. Takes some looking.Hey I am learning few thing to look for and avoid at same time. Have located 2017 duramax 70k miles at 30k price and color matches trailer because thats important. LOL Not decked out but hey neither is my budget. Will work if can get deal done.

The trouble with buying a used diesel is determining if it ever had a tuner or chip on it. I’ve got no use for one that was used to blow smoke while hauling groceries. It took me forever to find one that had never been screwed with. I intend to keep it (and keep it stock) forever. 2002 owner here. It’s been great.

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Originally posted by wideopen231:

quote:

Originally posted by stk 758 BP!:
All good information here Chris. I am sure you can find a nice truck lower miles but you might have to pay a tad more. My son sold his 05 D max 2500 extra cab with 196K on it. It now has way over 200k with a pretty darn good local racer towing everywhere. RV towing also...

Yea found a cpl in price range and not terrible miles. Takes some looking.Hey I am learning few thing to look for and avoid at same time. Have located 2017 duramax 70k miles at 30k price and color matches trailer because thats important. LOL Not decked out but hey neither is my budget. Will work if can get deal done.

Hey, that' a hell of a deal. I wouldn't take 30K for my 2500 HD 4WD crew cab with gooseneck hitch installed. 71,000 miles on the clock.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
Here is my thoughts. I would not buy a truck with over 100,000 miles gas or diesel. Yes the Diesel motors will last for hundreds of thousands of miles but you still will have problems with front end, alternator, door latches, tailgate latch, transmission etc. My old 1997 dually has 225,000 miles and it is one thing after another now. Most are minor but irritating. Brakes and tires are normal wear and tear items.
Problem with a diesel if you get one with under 100,000 miles they are stupid expensive.

For sure. And gas and diesel rust at the same rate in the midwest. Plenty of capable gas trucks out there today that won't break the bank to buy nor repair. 28' trailer and less not in the mountains is a no brainer to me if you aren't pulling it thousands of miles a year.