Been thinking of trading my 06 CC D/M for a 08 1500 CC 5.3 4wd. Should have bought the 4wd D/M and I wouldn't be thinking about this I guess but with the price of diesel going much higher than gas...............
Appreciate your thoughts.

Howard

well, i would wait. if youa re to go with a gasser, if you wait for the 09s you can get the hybrid version. or even wait for the half ton duramaxes as they are supposed to get 30mpg out the gate. hate for you to lose the money on the truck.

At first i was pissed i did it,but then i got over it and have not looked back.I love my truck,and its flex fuel,I know it dont get as good milage as gas,but w/ reg gas at $3.67 a gal,and E-85 at $2.87 a gal.Its a huge savings.Gor for it,you will love it.

Well if all your concerned about is the price of fuel, buy the gas truck.

Personally for me theres more to a diesel engine than just the price of fuel. My diesel has more torque and will last miles beyond the gasser. I tow heavy and for extended miles, a gasser just wouldn't cut it.

Unlike some, I didn't buy my diesel because it's the "thing" to get.

Gas is starting to catch up to diesel where I am at, especially mid to high grade octane. I truly believe that diesel will dip back down to around 3-3.50 by mid to end of summer. We are at 4.10-4.40/gal right now.

If you don't need the torque or heavy trailering capability, then it may make sense for you to go to a flexfuel 1/2ton. No one has a crystal ball, but the whole ethanol thing is a total racket to me and I give that bubble a year or two max before it bursts and the subsidies go away.

Like stated above, I got mine to handle the loads in the mtns I occasionally tow now and for the extened life of a diesel. I know I have enough truck to do whatever I can think up in the next 8-10yrs as my family grows. Yes, I have kept my GM vehicles for about or over 8yrs, and those were gassers.

My LBZ gets about 40% better fuel economy than my 6.0 L gas truck did. So a 15% premium for diesel still leaves me better off. I need a heavy duty truck, so the half ton is not an option. For those that can get away with a lighter truck that gets better milage than a 6.0 L than maybe that is a better option. Besides you will save a lot of money on the gas truck in the first place.

Well if all your concerned about is the price of fuel, buy the gas truck.

Personally for me theres more to a diesel engine than just the price of fuel. My diesel has more torque and will last miles beyond the gasser. I tow heavy and for extended miles, a gasser just wouldn't cut it.

Unlike some, I didn't buy my diesel because it's the "thing" to get.

x2. :cool:

Gas is starting to catch up to diesel where I am at, especially mid to high grade octane. I truly believe that diesel will dip back down to around 3-3.50 by mid to end of summer. We are at 4.10-4.40/gal right now.

If you don't need the torque or heavy trailering capability, then it may make sense for you to go to a flexfuel 1/2ton. No one has a crystal ball, but the whole ethanol thing is a total racket to me and I give that bubble a year or two max before it bursts and the subsidies go away.

Like stated above, I got mine to handle the loads in the mtns I occasionally tow now and for the extened life of a diesel. I know I have enough truck to do whatever I can think up in the next 8-10yrs as my family grows. Yes, I have kept my GM vehicles for about or over 8yrs, and those were gassers.
I Agree , it will catch up to diesel in the hottest summer months, when gas fuel demand goes up, and catches diesel demand, i bought a 2008 gmc gas and it's not the same, saving are not there to justify all the money you are going to loose in the trade, my 2008 gmc is only getting 16 mpg in town and 18 on the hyway,empty!!! wait untill i haul the kids around and it will drop like a rock, it's a 5.3l fuel managment system is a joke, it only switches to 4 cyl, on flat road and gas paddle released, you will spend dollars to save a penny.

As said above a gasser wont be as economical for me for all the towing. I tow my trailers every day now for my business and i get an average of 13-14mpg towing 7k-11k. Here the gas prices have been rising every day but diesel is still the same. It just shows that the oil companies are playing with us. Everyone has jumped on this bandwagon of trading their vehicles for something more economical or switched from diesel to gas because gas was cheaper. I can buy alot of diesel fuel for the difference of depreciation and cost of a new truck, especially when there is only a .50 difference on the cost of gas vs diesel and this gap is closing in. I really enjoy it when someone tells me i should buy a cheap car to drive for estimates and running for supplies. I have had people tell me i would save myself money buying into another car payment, more insurance, more auto maintenance, another registration and inspection. How much does this cost, $4k-$5k extra a year? Thats alot of fuel in my truck. These are the suckers that the oil companies and the government loves, step over a dollar to pick up a dime.

oh i forgot to mention that it seem not to like 87 octane so the wife is filling her up with 90+ octane, so it' almost the same as diesel.

Well if all your concerned about is the price of fuel, buy the gas truck.

Personally for me theres more to a diesel engine than just the price of fuel. My diesel has more torque and will last miles beyond the gasser. I tow heavy and for extended miles, a gasser just wouldn't cut it.

Unlike some, I didn't buy my diesel because it's the "thing" to get.

x3

Figure longevity into the numbers and diesel is still a good way to go. I pull so I need one. Plus the write off for a vehicle over 6000 lbs. That ethanol stuff is over-rated and misunderstood. It's a pig in the poke. Current fuel prices are probably not sustainable in the market for the long-term. I'll stick with my LBZ.

A new gasser sounds like a calculated risk predicated on the unknown future price of unleaded, a gamble. All that to have a truck I know I wouldn't like as much, no thanks

We really need to drill and build refineries.

my .02

Dane

It kind of depends on what you are doing with the truck. We just sold our 6.0L Yukon Denali and picked up a C2500HD 07 LBZ because my wife was using the Yukon to pull the horse trailer about 30%-40% of the time - she actually started taking off with my K3500 LBZ lately to haul the horses. The Yukon was only getting 7.0-7.5 mpg with two horses, a couple of bales of hay, full water tank, and tack. The new used LBZ got 15.3 mpg this past weekend - 90% freeway miles. It also gets 22 mpg unloaded on the freeway. The best the Yukon ever got on the freeway unloaded was 17 mpg.

If only looking at the price of diesel vs. gas....my LBZ is getting close to 25% better mileage than the 1500 5.3 gasser I traded in for it. As long as the price of gas remains within 25% the price of diesel, I'm feeling good about owning the diesel, not to mention towing efficiencies, longevity, etc.

Think I'll plant my yard with soybeans! Bluegrass just doesn't convert to Bio near as well.

Figure longevity into the numbers and diesel is still a good way to go. I pull so I need one. Plus the write off for a vehicle over 6000 lbs. That ethanol stuff is over-rated and misunderstood. It's a pig in the poke. Current fuel prices are probably not sustainable in the market for the long-term. I'll stick with my LBZ.

A new gasser sounds like a calculated risk predicated on the unknown future price of unleaded, a gamble. All that to have a truck I know I wouldn't like as much, no thanks

We really need to drill and build refineries.

my .02

Dane

I could not have said this any better....I haul and the prices we are seeing will NOT remain at this level forever.....just like the stock market..I am in it for the long haul. :)

If your worried about saving gas, ride a bike or get a 4cyl beater. I only use my dmax to move loads and I drive my 2000 cherokee the rest of the time. It gets 20mpg average and picked it up for $4,000. I have saved some money by switching to that but not enough to cover the cost of buying it.

If only looking at the price of diesel vs. gas....my LBZ is getting close to 25% better mileage than the 1500 5.3 gasser I traded in for it. As long as the price of gas remains within 25% the price of diesel, I'm feeling good about owning the diesel, not to mention towing efficiencies, longevity, etc.

Some things to think about though...let's say gasoline is $3.50/gallon & diesel is $4.25...guessing at your mileage numbers, let's use 15mpg (for your 5.3L) and 20mpg (for your diesel)...that's a savings of $22 (in fuel) per 1,000 miles, right? What's the MSRP difference between comparable gas & diesel engines? Assuming the fuel prices above, after 100,000 miles you'll just recoup $4,545 by driving the diesel...

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not hatin' on a diesel (I own both a Dmax and an 8.1) as nothing tows like a diesel, but thought I'd throw that scenario out there just as "food for thought", as everyone's situation varies...

our 06 envoy denali gets the same or not as good of millage as my 07 3500 dully crewcab duramax. 16 mpg. My 1988 gasser gets 10 on a good day & 5 pulling my 36 ft car haul trailer with 2 motor rebuilds at 145k. The $$$ you loose wont offset the fuel savings. Just my 2 cents worth.

Thanks for all the input, I think I'll keep it! Love the truck. I guess I just got caught up with all the fuel price B.S. Sure is getting expensive to see the USA in your Chevrolet!

HMS

My truck gets as good as 18mpg on diesel. And thats on 37" tires. My dad has the same truck, but a 6.0 gasser on stock 245's, he peaks at 13mpg. I can get about 400 miles on a tank, he gets 285 on a tank. So the cost per mile for me is about 24 cents per mile at 4.40 per gallon, for him it is about 29 cents per mile at 3.80 per gallon. Plus his truck wont get out of its own shadow..... My vote is diesel all the way, and mines a pig compared to before I lifted it and I was gettin almost 23 to the gallon highway.

I have been making some rv trips with my Duramax and love it. I don't like the price of the fuel but love the way the trucks performs. I am going to wait and see what happens in the future. Some heavy trucks around here are parking them. One guy had a old log truck and he sold it for scrap. I guess it worth more that way. I remember the democrats saying when they got contol of the house fuel prices would come down!!!!! Be sure a vote for more of the liars this Nov.

I use the two diesels in my sig for work only. I just sold a LMM. if you are just wanting a diesel for a daily driver or light towing, it no longer makes sense. but everyone has there reasons. personally I would by a halfton doge hemi,get the lifetime warranty,and the 2.99fuel for three years.

I just sold a 2006 tundra to get what I have in my sig, needless to say I dont think I will be going back to gas these trucks are amazing! Bone stock I am getting ~20mpg hwy (driving civil) blocking the Egr, PPE economy tuner, and possibly a turbo back exhaust should put me at 22+.

Not to mention the fact that it will haul ass!

personally I would by a halfton doge hemi,get the lifetime warranty,and the 2.99fuel for three years.

You may want to read this: http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2008/05/06/dodges-new-fuel-price-protection-program-is-a-scam/

My truck gets as good as 18mpg on diesel. And thats on 37" tires. My dad has the same truck, but a 6.0 gasser on stock 245's, he peaks at 13mpg. I can get about 400 miles on a tank, he gets 285 on a tank. So the cost per mile for me is about 24 cents per mile at 4.40 per gallon, for him it is about 29 cents per mile at 3.80 per gallon. Plus his truck wont get out of its own shadow..... My vote is diesel all the way, and mines a pig compared to before I lifted it and I was gettin almost 23 to the gallon highway.

18mpg...w/37" tires.....:rolleyes:

Well if all your concerned about is the price of fuel, buy the gas truck.

Personally for me theres more to a diesel engine than just the price of fuel. My diesel has more torque and will last miles beyond the gasser. I tow heavy and for extended miles, a gasser just wouldn't cut it.

Unlike some, I didn't buy my diesel because it's the "thing" to get.

Since 99,when gm put more pride in there gas motors, they have been able to go a lot longer.Our sawblade guy,has a 06 gmc 1/2ton 5.3, w/256k on it,and he didnot have to change the plugs till 180k.

LOOK AT MY SIG. I MADE A BIG MISTAKE BUYING THAT 6.0L TRUCK I HAD, WHY? 10-11 MPG ON HWY, NO BOTTOM LIMIT WHILE TOWING 3-4MPG, HAVE TO STOP FOR FUEL EVERY 190-210 MILES, HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT CARRYING GAS CANS WHENEVER I WENT OFFROADING OR HUNTING(WHILE MY FRIENDS LOADED THER TRUCKS WITH ICE CHESTS FULL OF BEER, HUNTING GEAR FISHING GEAR , ETC. I WORRIED ABOUT GAS CANS), THATS WHY, F··· THAT $HIT!. I´LL NEVER GO BACK TO A GASSER. I HAD THAT TRUCK FOR 10 MONTHS AND NEARLY WENT BROKE. AND YES I WENT AHEAD AND BOUGHT A SECOND GASSER:banghead: (BUT THIS WAS A WEEK LATER AFTER THE FIRST ONE :()THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO NO RESEARCH ON WHAT YOU ARE BUYING. SHOULD I´VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS FORUM I WOULD HAVE 2 LBZ´S NOW. AND IT NOT ONLY STOPS ON THE DIFFERENCE IN FUEL ECONOMY BUT TALK ABOUT POWER,TORQUE,HP.... THEESE NEW DIESELS HAVE. LONGEVITY. HIGHER RESALE VALUE. ABILITY TO TOW ANYTHING YOU THROW ON IT.

NOW, A 1/2 TON 5.3 IS A DIFFERENT STORY. MY DAD HAD A 2003 Z-71 WITH THE 5.3 AND ACTUALLY WASNT TOO BAD ON GAS, AGAIN UNTIL YOU HOOK A TRAILER ON IT. BUT THEN AGAIN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON ON THE CAPABILITIES OF A 5.3 TO A 6.6. DONT MATTER IF YOUR RACING, TOWING, OR LOADING YOUR TRUCK BED. NOW IF YOUR LOOKING INTO A 1/2 TON THEN IT MEANS YOU DONT REALLY USE YOUR DIESEL PICKUP. IF YOU BOUGHT IT JUST TO BEE COOL THEN DONT COMPLAINT ABOUT FUEL PRICES AFTER YOU PAID 50 GRAND FOR YOUR TOY.
YES WE ALL KNOW A THAT FUEL PRICES SUCK BUT THEY SUCK EVEN MORE WHEN YOUR PAYING FOR HIGHER FUEL PRICES JUST TO BE COOL.:cool:

AS SOME OTHER GUYS POSTED, GAS PRICES ARE ALMOST REACHING DIESEL COST. 3.69 HERE TODAY AND THAT FOR 87 OCTANE 3.89 FOR 91. DIESEL IS 4.29.

WELL THATS JUST MY OPINION, IT WORKED OUT FOR ME(TRADING FOR A DIESEL) SO IM HAPPY BUT EVERYBODYS NEED ARE DIFFERENT. I HAVE SEEN LATELY SEVERAL THREADS ON THIS TOPIC BUT COULDNT HOLD IT NO MORE:D

ALSO I AM WAITING FOR THE 09 4.5 DURAMAX TO TRADE MY 6.0 GMC:D

Since 99,when gm put more pride in there gas motors, they have been able to go a lot longer.Our sawblade guy,has a 06 gmc 1/2ton 5.3, w/256k on it,and he didnot have to change the plugs till 180k.
'06 with 256,000 mi.???? What the heck does he do for a living, or for fun I guess.

LOOK AT MY SIG. I MADE A BIG MISTAKE BUYING THAT 6.0L TRUCK I HAD, WHY? 10-11 MPG ON HWY, NO BOTTOM LIMIT WHILE TOWING 3-4MPG, HAVE TO STOP FOR FUEL EVERY 190-210 MILES, HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT CARRYING GAS CANS WHENEVER I WENT OFFROADING OR HUNTING(WHILE MY FRIENDS LOADED THER TRUCKS WITH ICE CHESTS FULL OF BEER, HUNTING GEAR FISHING GEAR , ETC. I WORRIED ABOUT GAS CANS), THATS WHY, F··· THAT $HIT!. I´LL NEVER GO BACK TO A GASSER. I HAD THAT TRUCK FOR 10 MONTHS AND NEARLY WENT BROKE. AND YES I WENT AHEAD AND BOUGHT A SECOND GASSER:banghead: (BUT THIS WAS A WEEK LATER AFTER THE FIRST ONE :()THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO NO RESEARCH ON WHAT YOU ARE BUYING. SHOULD I´VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS FORUM I WOULD HAVE 2 LBZ´S NOW. AND IT NOT ONLY STOPS ON THE DIFFERENCE IN FUEL ECONOMY BUT TALK ABOUT POWER,TORQUE,HP.... THEESE NEW DIESELS HAVE. LONGEVITY. HIGHER RESALE VALUE. ABILITY TO TOW ANYTHING YOU THROW ON IT.

NOW, A 1/2 TON 5.3 IS A DIFFERENT STORY. MY DAD HAD A 2003 Z-71 WITH THE 5.3 AND ACTUALLY WASNT TOO BAD ON GAS, AGAIN UNTIL YOU HOOK A TRAILER ON IT. BUT THEN AGAIN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON ON THE CAPABILITIES OF A 5.3 TO A 6.6. DONT MATTER IF YOUR RACING, TOWING, OR LOADING YOUR TRUCK BED. NOW IF YOUR LOOKING INTO A 1/2 TON THEN IT MEANS YOU DONT REALLY USE YOUR DIESEL PICKUP. IF YOU BOUGHT IT JUST TO BEE COOL THEN DONT COMPLAINT ABOUT FUEL PRICES AFTER YOU PAID 50 GRAND FOR YOUR TOY.
YES WE ALL KNOW A THAT FUEL PRICES SUCK BUT THEY SUCK EVEN MORE WHEN YOUR PAYING FOR HIGHER FUEL PRICES JUST TO BE COOL.:cool:

AS SOME OTHER GUYS POSTED, GAS PRICES ARE ALMOST REACHING DIESEL COST. 3.69 HERE TODAY AND THAT FOR 87 OCTANE 3.89 FOR 91. DIESEL IS 4.29.

WELL THATS JUST MY OPINION, IT WORKED OUT FOR ME(TRADING FOR A DIESEL) SO IM HAPPY BUT EVERYBODYS NEED ARE DIFFERENT. I HAVE SEEN LATELY SEVERAL THREADS ON THIS TOPIC BUT COULDNT HOLD IT NO MORE:D

ALSO I AM WAITING FOR THE 09 4.5 DURAMAX TO TRADE MY 6.0 GMC:D

I agree....on the 6.0 They suck.But!!!! the new vortecmax LQ9 6.0 is a changed beast,and blows the ol' 6.0 out of the sky.

'06 with 256,000 mi.???? What the heck does he do for a living, or for fun I guess.

He has a sharpening shop, for sawblades in Emmett Idaho, and delivers to washington to west and clear down to Idahofalls and somtimes to utah,EACH WEEK!!!!! and he loves to fish were its about 100-275 miles away it seems.He use to get a new P.U ever 2 years, but he is gonna see how far this one will go. Im not telling a lie about the milage,and it runs just as good as mine does.

I agree....on the 6.0 They suck.But!!!! the new vortecmax LQ9 6.0 is a changed beast,and blows the ol' 6.0 out of the sky.

FORGOT TO MENTION ABOUT THE NEW 6.0 3/4 TON THEY HAVE THE HYDRAMATIC 6 SPEED WICH MIGHT HELP OUT A LITTLE ON THE MPG BUT ONLY ON THE HIGHWAY. MY 6.0 AT 70 MPH WAS AT ABOUT 2400 RPM´S. THE 6.6 6 SPEED AT 70 MPH IS BETWEEN 1650 OR 1750 I CANT REMEMBER RIGHT NOW. LESS STRESS ON THE ENGINE, LESS WEAR, LESS WORK = MORE MPG:D AND LESS NOISE LEVELS, TALKING ABOUT NOISE THEESE DURAMAX ENGINES ARE VERY QUITE! AND I´VE HEARD SOME OF THE NEW LMM´S EVEN QUITER I´M THINKING AT OR ABOUT SAME NOISE LEVEL THAN THE 6.0 AT HWY SPEEDS(OFF TOPIC:o:).

If you are thinking about going to a gasser do some serious # crunching not just fuel cost. Dont forget to throw in new payment differance. possable insurance differance how many more years to pay off the gasser versis the already owned or partially paid for diesel. How long had you planned on driving the diesel to start with ect. I just joined the diesel crowd. My old gasser dully is tired 1988 but still a good truck just tough on it pulling my 36 ft car haul trailer more & more I have had it for 8 years now. I bought my 07 duramax dully with the intention of driving it for the next 15 to 18 years. I am 60+ now plus I dont drive lots of mile every year. I work at home my hotrod fab shop is on my property so I dont have to drive to work every day ect. I just did some serious # crunching for me & what little I drive. The newer truck was a must gasser or diesel. For what little more a week to drive the diesel in fuel cost's versis the gasser & the overal life of the running gear the diesel won hands down. So do some serious # crunching first just my 2 cents worth. I love my new diesel.

MPG on my 2000 GMC 4.8 4 spd. auto was just at 21 at 70 mph cruise set and it just had K&N airfilter and synthetic oil. It was 4x4 heavy 1/2 ton specs. Town mpg was 16-18 mostly empty miles for 6 yrs. Had 98k miles when traded for LBZ. Cost of diesel premium options Allison etc..... Put LBZ cost much more than 6.0 for comparison for me. I just wanted back into a diesel to pull again and all the power advantages shifting benefits of Allison I get same MPG now but it's fun to race it when the next guy needs a tune up on the old Civic he's driving. I would sure buy another Vortec GMC gas again. GM has nice V8 models now. Very strong and fast. I'm sure glad they DON'T build them like they use to Just don't forget how much gas we put in those smog burners in the 80's. 454 V8 with 225 hp, 4:11 gears auto 4 MPG towing hard and 8 mpg empty going 75 mph top speed was 85 mph. Christ made gas stations every 200 miles for those old 2 tank gulpers. Use to spend more on fuel every month than the truck payment.... Keepin' my LBZ now!!!!

Do I like paying the high price for diesel now? No
Do I really have to have my LBZ right now to tow heavy trailers? No
Will I need a heavy duty truck to tow heavy in the future? Hope so....larger camper
Does my LBZ tow better and easier than my 5.3 gasser did? Heck yea
I bought this LBZ for the long run and plan on putting lots of miles on it for the next 15 to 20 years. I'M in it for the long run with this truck, so I sure the heck ain't going to let the high price of diesel ruin it for me.

Some things to think about though...let's say gasoline is $3.50/gallon & diesel is $4.25...guessing at your mileage numbers, let's use 15mpg (for your 5.3L) and 20mpg (for your diesel)...that's a savings of $22 (in fuel) per 1,000 miles, right? What's the MSRP difference between comparable gas & diesel engines? Assuming the fuel prices above, after 100,000 miles you'll just recoup $4,545 by driving the diesel...

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not hatin' on a diesel (I own both a Dmax and an 8.1) as nothing tows like a diesel, but thought I'd throw that scenario out there just as "food for thought", as everyone's situation varies...

If you are looking at 200,000+ miles on a truck with a majority of hauling diesel is the way to go. With the mileage difference you will recoup the base price difference and fuel price difference.

If you are buying a daily driver, get a fuel mizer not a truck.

With my '05 2500 CC D/A, Iget 18/19 around town & 22/23 out ont the highway if I keep it around 65/68 mph. I sure would not want to dump thr diesel because of fuel prices. I bought it for a good reason - and those reasons still exist. For cheaper daily use, I just picked up a little jap econobox reg gas sipper. Now each time I use it I keep thinking "I hope I don't get hit!" Perhaps the cost od diesel is not too bad - if you think of it as "insurance".

I just did a quick cost analysis on diesel vs. gas at today’s prices. Given more expensive oil changes (assuming you like synthetic), fuel filter changes ect. The diesel truck isn’t cheaper to operate. Last year it was even with increased maintenance costs.

Variables used to compare my 2001 6.0 to my 2007 LBZ.

In town mileage
Gas = 13.5
Diesel = 17.5

Volume of fuel purchased = 30Gal for both

Miles per tank
Gas = 405
Diesel = 525

Fuel cost
Gas = 3.559
Diesel = 4.379

Tank cost (30 gal)
Gas = 106.77
Diesel = 131.37

Cost per mile
Gas = $.26363 per mile
Diesel = $.250229 per mile

Diesel is $.013401 cheaper to operate per mile giving a savings of $7.035 per tank.

Factor in the increased maintenance cost and you can see its no savings at all. I however love my truck so it doesn’t matter to me.

at a savings of 7.035/tank and the initial price increase of the vehicle with a diesel -vs- gas being $7195

7195/7.035=1022.74 fillups at 30 gals to save this amount now I will worse case it average overall highway/city/empty/loaded 14mpg

so 1022.74X30X14=429,550.8 miles and I am at brake even:eek:

It is getting to be a harder decision with the split difference of the gas -vs- diesel price and the initial increase in price.

The argument of longevity does not hold up as well anymore either. How many of the readers here have over 100,000 miles on their current vehicle? Ok 200,000? 300,000 or more? A gasser easily get 200,000 miles and still runs strong. I can show you RV haulers with them upwards of 400,000

Unless I run into one heck of a deal in the future, like I did on my current truck, I will likely be going gas if things remain the same.

For me it is a question of pulling a 32' 5th wheel. If I didn't do that then I would own a gasser but I could take the cost differential to a different level.

If I owned a gasser I couldn't tow a comfortable trailer and wife would want to go on other vacations which are far more expensive then camping\RV'ing in the trailer. I'm going away for 4 days this weekend and with fuel this high I'll spend maybe $250, for fuel, campground and food. Where am I going for 4 days anywhere else? Hell the food bill would be $250 for 4 days as even eating McDonalds dog food is $25/meal.

Lastly I could see life w/o a truck. I use mine a lot even for yard work and if I get a ton of sand the sand costs $21 and delivery cost $50. Again couldn't see life w/o a truck so if I really get stuck I'll buy my wife a new car in 3 years and I'll keep hers to get back and forth to work.

If you want fuel prices to go down then conserve the best you can, drive slower and rationalize all your trips. If you can telecommute then that is the best yet.

Here's the thing. If you have ever towed with the 5.3, you will know that it tows OK. Moves along well, and then you hit a mountain. What immediately happens? It drops out of O/D to third, to second. You're turning over 4,000 rpm and still only going 60. Crest the mountain, and hold on, because now you're downshifting to keep your rapidly accelerating rig from hitting 80 mph.

Towing a lot more weight with the Duramax with a 5th wheel, it hits the same mountain, and maybe, it will drop into 5th gear. Crest the summit and the tow haul mode keeps the rig right at the correct speed.

I still have my 5.3 and I like it. Good ride, heck of a lot more maneuverable than this DMax, and returns 20-23 on the highway on trips. But towing, give me the DMax. 20 unloaded and 14.5 towing, hey, it's a great truck. Nice road truck too.

Here's the thing. If you have ever towed with the 5.3, you will know that it tows OK. Moves along well, and then you hit a mountain. What immediately happens? It drops out of O/D to third, to second. You're turning over 4,000 rpm and still only going 60. Crest the mountain, and hold on, because now you're downshifting to keep your rapidly accelerating rig from hitting 80 mph.

Towing a lot more weight with the Duramax with a 5th wheel, it hits the same mountain, and maybe, it will drop into 5th gear. Crest the summit and the tow haul mode keeps the rig right at the correct speed.

I still have my 5.3 and I like it. Good ride, heck of a lot more maneuverable than this DMax, and returns 20-23 on the highway on trips. But towing, give me the DMax. 20 unloaded and 14.5 towing, hey, it's a great truck. Nice road truck too.

I have pulled my camper with the 2003 5.3 GMC I use to have and when it hit the big hills it was gutless, until it downshifted to get the extra power. My Duramax pulls the same camper up the same hills at 5th or 6th gear with ease and gets as good or better fuel mileage. If I went out and traded for another gasser I'M afraid I'D be sick with it when it came towing time. Believe me the thought has crossed my mind, but I bought the Duramax to tow or haul anything in the future.

Dont run out and trade that Diesel off just yet!!

I am not sure how some people get the mileage they claim with the Dmax,, I can get 18 not pulling and not going over 60-65mph,,any faster than that and high 14's to maybe 15 is it.And yes My 285's did cost me 2mpg but i see claims of 20+mpg with 20's and 6" lift kits all the time.I have no lift kit. And Needless to say i do not drive fast.

I now have 31000 miles on my 07 lbz, at 30000 miles my average mpg was exactly 15. that was everything from pulling my 7000lb tractor and 2000lb trailer(10mpg) to a 1400 mile road trip all highway(18+mpg) with no pulling and my daily trips to work and back
(16ish). I have a book i write everything in,every fill up,oil change,filter and etc. My total cost for 30,000 miles including maint and etc was about $9000.00

The same time i got my DMAX my buddy got an f250 v-10, we hunt,fish together and many other things and he just hit 30,000 miles last week and he also keeps track of every expense on his truck. he said his cost was $9600 so far, for 30k miles and his average mpg was right at 11.
I have a spread sheet at the office i will try and remember to post tomorrow with the exact numbers but the difference was right at 600 bucks. SO, to trade the diesel for a gasser with the same capability would cost me more,not to mention i have a lot more capable truck with the diesel.
I havent even factored in the "joy factor" of being able to stomp the throttle on the DMAX and out pull most any gasser either,,that has to be worth something..!!

Now if you figured the cost of the diesel new today vs the same gas truck it would probably be cheaper to go with the gasser,especially when the Dmax or powerstroke are both a $6500+ option new, unless of course you plan on keeping the diesel over 10 years or tow heavy everyday. Obviously some people just have a diesel because they think it is "cool", and "cool" comes at a price like everything else!

For now, if you already own the diesel dont fool yourself and think you are going to save anything by running out and trading that diesel for a gasser, and dont forget the hit you are going to take on trade in, some salesmen will tell you the Diesel market is dead and your truck is not worth SQUAT.Funny though, i dont see the dealer lots full of used diesels around here.!!