New to this site.Didnt notice a forum for general discussion!!!!!Anyway here is my question.....I am presently driving an Avalanche :eek: with 5.3litre & pulling a 28 foot travel trailer quite easily, but.......looking to upgrade. What kind of fuel milage can I expect with the duramax both loaded and not.thinking of getting 2500 crew cab 4x4 and 30ft terry 5th wheel.
Thanks Mike.

Former Avalanche owner here. I actually get better mpg's from my 1 ton dually than I did with the Avalanche, TONS more power! I loved the Avalanche, best driving vehicle I had ever owned, but she had no balls when it came to tackling mountains with a minimal load behind it. :(

I tried my best to find a trailer light enough that met our needs and could be towed comfortably by the Avalanche. Couldn't do it! Best decision I ever made was upgrading to a diesel truck. Hope this helps! JJ :)

Thanks JJ love the AVY too, but trailer is to small and 5.3 is to thirsty for the price of gas here in the great white north

Mike

I more than doubled my milage by moving to the duramax from a 5.7 liter gasser. The towing power and stopping power is phenominal. Hill climbs that were scarry and expensive I now look forward to. Never too late to correct a mistake. Just do it before you blow an engine/tranny so it doesn't cost you more than it should.

Got a line on a 2001 ext cab 3500 dually with 87,000km for $32000 cdn dollars is this good price!!!!!! truck is loaded and already set up for 5th wheel.....

Mike

Micar,

For us "Bubba" types could you convert that to American dollars and mileage? ):h

The 2001 will have the LB7 engine versus the LLY. Are you familiar with the difference? JJ :)

JJ thought you might know some Canadian EH! seeing as your exhaust is built in the town I live in.....It would be 47000 miles and$25000 usd

Mike

I would really check out the injectors! Mine had 74000 on it when the injecters filled the engine up.... I now have an engine (LLY) that the injectors will not fill the crankcase when they have leaks...

I would not buy a LB7 engine.... LLY is the way to go ....

Good Luck
Steve

I would not buy a LB7 engine.... LLY is the way to go ....

Good Luck
Steve

There are many of us on this site that do not agree with the comment that Steve made. My LB7 has approximately 119k miles and the engine has been trouble free. GM has an extended the injector warranty to 200k miles, so if the truck you are looking at has less than 50k miles, you have a lot of worry free miles to go.

There are a lot of performance products for the LB7, many here are pushing some serious horsepower out of these engines with no problems.

If the truck meets your requirements, checks out to be in good mechanical condition, I would say go for it.

MaxRock

I would really check out the injectors! Mine had 74000 on it when the injecters filled the engine up.... I now have an engine (LLY) that the injectors will not fill the crankcase when they have leaks...

I would not buy a LB7 engine.... LLY is the way to go ....

Good Luck
Steve

The injector still puts fuel in the same place..the combustion chamber...so, if it leaks into the cylinder, you'll fill the crankcase.
The lly injectors are easier to service, that is a fact.

GM is standing by us for the injector problem. 7 yr/200,000 mile warranty for the injectors. I dont worry about it now. I had all 8 replaced several months ago and it cost me $100. You might be able to get even a better deal on that truck. If you are serious about it, post the VIN on the appropriate section and see if there is any concerns. Good luck!

Ben

micar, didn't really mean to get into the LB7 versus LLY debate, both have their plus's and minus's. The truck you are looking at, is it a LS or LT, 4x4 or 4x2, clean versus very clean. Makes a big difference when talking values. You might try looking on Edmunds.com and kbb.com for values. JJ :)

Somehow, we got off from the original question...but that's ok.

I owned an Avalanche, then a 1500HD, both got about 9 miles to gallon towing 27 ft bumper pull. We traded to a 30ft Gulfstream Mako and I convinced Momma that I was over the GCWR (about 900lbs), so I found a Dmax.

My total unit and truck loaded weighs 16,800 lbs and this weekend on a 3 hour trip over slight hills, I got 13.4 mpg.

Not only is the increased fuel mileage welcomed, but the safety of towing within limits is comforting.

Good Luck.

JH

I gave $25,000 for mine a year ago with 42,000 and it had bumper and goose neck hook ups and already had 4" exhaust, and gauges, and many other body add ons. It was in what I would call a 4 out of a 5 condition. Small scuffs here and there. So I think I got a good deal on it seeings how KBB was saying it was worth $31,000 privite party value. What do ya'll think???

"So I think I got a good deal on it seeings how KBB was saying it was worth $31,000 privite party value. What do ya'll think???"

Screw what we think! ;) Your happy right? ):h

The numbers sure sound like you got a solid deal. JJ :)

LLY owner towing 9K 5er...10-12mpg at 65-70mph. Unloaded 16-18mpg 50% highway/city.

wow sounds like much better fuel milage than i am geting now....Still trying to put a deal together on the duramax, but there pencils are'nt sharp enough yet.

Mike

LLY owner towing 9K 5er...10-12mpg at 65-70mph. Unloaded 16-18mpg 50% highway/city.

Wow. My LLY mileage isn't close to that. I'm towing a very tall V-nose toy hauler that weighs in at 9 - 10 K loaded. I get about 7.5 mpg towing at 65-70. I get about 11-13 unloaded around town. Mods listed in sig.
Any thoughts?



Gar