Truthful Ford and Chev Diesel MPG replies only!

OK, I am in the market to get a new truck. I do not want this to be a Ford vs. Chev. post. I know that I would be happy with either. Also, pre-apoligies to the Dodge Boy’s. I personally like them least, and won’t buy one. I am just looking for truthful MPG numbers between the 6.0 Power Stroke and Duramax.
I am looking at my third diesel since “88”. I have had great luck with the 2 I have owned, and have 250,000 on my “95”. But she is starting to look like heck, and Ford is changing the powerstroke after Jan. 1, and I do not want to be the “tester” of a new design, or have to pay an extra $2000. over the 6 liter powerstroke.
I plan on getting a manual tranny, so if you have data for that, please mention. Please state numbers when empty, and pulling a load. I have a 2090 Warrior that I pull most.
I have heard good and bad reports from both. Just looking at the one that, on average, gets the best MPG.
I knew that if I asked this question here, I would get honest answers. Thanks in advance.

I drove my uncles Chevy Duramax 2500 extcab with automatic transmission from Rochester, MN to Lacrosse, WI and got 19.7 mpg(empty load, mpg readout on dash)on interstate 90. I was really impressed, go 70 in that big of truck and get that mpg. They have two Chevy Duramax the other is a regular cab with the 6 speed manual. I have never driven that one before. They have a hauling business and I know that they have been impressed with the mpg they are getting. I also would like to see how they compare to Ford and Dodge.

I have the Duramax 2005 and I pull a 620….I average close to 14mpg pulling (actual 13.8). when i am on the hwy I run about 16.1-15.7 mpg… it really depends on how you drive…what I have noticed is really watching your rpm’s…once I go over 2000 rpms, I really lose the gas mileage. I don’t have this truck chipped either!!!
Only 1 time did I touch the 20 mpg rating and that was driving 60 mpg cruise set on a very flat road…..
Overall I really am impressed with the power these trucks have, at times its difficult to even notice that your towing a boat!!!!!
Just my .02 cents!

Warrior, somebody has to drive the others….

big g

Big G- Yes, somebody has to drive the others. And the fellas, that I know who drive them, like them. I ride/drive with one buddy who has a “06”. Ride, looks and interior is good, the problem that I have is an annoying “buzz” at around 60 to 65 mph. This is an auto tranny. I know they get comparable MPG, and similar power. Just that that buzz would drive me crazy! I also know that 1 truck doesn’t mean all of them are like that, but he told me that it was like that when he drove it off the lot. I don’t dislike them, I just like them 3rd best!! Just my opinion.

This isnt quite what you are looking for, but I am interested in the same info you are, just with older preowned trucks. We took my uncles 01 Ford CC 4×4 to South Dakota last week pulling my 1650 Fishhawk. We got 14.8 mpg on the way up, and coming home we got 12.7. Not near as good as he said it would be. He has the truck chipped and 4″ exhaust, and said he was running 16-18. I always like to see for myself, because it seems like nobody can just tell it like it is. If all I can get is 13 mpg out of 3.20 diesel, I’ll keep my 6.0L Chevy gas and get 12 mpg on 2.89 gas.

Warrior. I have a 01 Duramax. Pulling a 521 on the hwy, 15.5-17.5 depending on speed, A/C on ect. Last year I went to Missouri pulling my boat. 75 mph, 108 degrees and A/C on, 15.5. I did not think that was bad. Unloaded, 17.5-20. Keep under 2000 rpms.

I own a 2004 F350 6.0 diesel 4 door long box empty I get 17-18 mpg. loaded with 620 and 10′ slide in camper 12 mpg. with a Bobcat I get 13mpg. all off of the computer in truck. I have 75000 miles and no problems.

Nick,
This is why I am asking questions. My “95” 7.3 liter, is still very good on mileage. The past 2 winters, I have come home from the border in snow storms. 4X4 locked, and pushing a lot of snow. Granted, I needed to keep it under 60mph to stay on the road, but my mileage was a hair over 20. I was not pulling a trailer, but the bed was loaded! My truck has the 3.73 gears in it, and and manual everything.
When empty, I allaround average between 16 and 18 mpg, but I drive her pretty hard, and fast. Pulling my boat, I get about 14. Also hard and fast! Right Chappy!! Like some other posters have said, keep her under 2000 revs.
I wish all diesels would have a “second overdrive”, simlar to split rearends like the big rigs sometimes have. You can get them, but they cost a lot for the trouble of putting them in yourself.

I have a 06 F250 crew long box 16-18 empty and 13-16 with a 20′ enclosed work trailer. I was a dihard chevy man owning 3 6.5 diesels and running them to 175,000. 2 sucked on milage and repairs and the other buller proof. Last truck was F250 crew shortbox after 100,000 and chip I could get 20 empty and 17 loaded. Speed and tire size make a huge difference if you are looking for milage. For me I wanted a truck that I could beat on without worrying about maintance issues. I found the Superduty to be tougher, not necessarly better they are both great trucks. When your spending in the mid. $40,000 for a truck I don’t think your are really conserned about 3-4 miles to the gallon. A truck isn’t meant to be for economy, work, play and pay the price when you fill up. Only $116.00 per fill with the larger tank, yes it does add up when you fill every week.
Good luck truck shopping.
Brian

I have a 04′ Ford F350 with the 6.0 and an Auto. If I run back and for in the city the absolute worst I have gotten is 15MPG. When towing it doesn’t matter if I am towing my 1850 Sportfish or my 26′ camper I get 14-15MPG. Completly empty running around 60 with the cruise I have gotten as good as 21MPG. One thing you have to remember is Diesel foams a lot when you put it in so if you don’t put fuel in the same way everytime you can get false readings on MPG. The worst I have ever gotten was that 14MPG so don’t expect to get less then that. I’ll pay the extra for a truck that will pull a house off it’s foundation and get the great fuel milage that it does. What ever you choose you will be happy with. I have friends that have the Chevy and they like it. As far as that little thing on the dash that tells them how they are doing on fuel mileage. They are always off by about 3MPG when you do the real math and it isn’t 3 to the good either. “They put that digital read out in as a moral booster for the guys that drive the Chevys “

For those of you who have GM products. The MPG might be better than the computer display reads. Next time check it on paper. The computer is not accurate, who knows maybe none of them are.