New Member

[jackqm]

Hello All, been reading the forum for a while, but just got signed up as a member..
I have a 2003 GMC 2500 Crew Cab with the durmax of course and a automatic. Its Leather, pretty much loaded I think. We have had it since about may, and now has about 75K on it. I traded in my beloved 99 dodge cummins quad cab in on this thing, it had 200+K on it.

What I like about the GMC over the Dodge... It rides Better, the auto is kinda nice... its quieter (thats mainly for the wife).

What really came as a shock to me was the fuel Mileage between the two. The best we have been able to get with the GMC is 16.8 MPG on a good road trip... Then when towing any kind of load it gets around 11-13MPG... which I think really is horrible. The Cummins I was getting around 22-24 on trips unloaded then when towing around my International TD-9 Dozer with trailer (about 9.5 to 10 Tons) it would drop down to about 13-15... but lighter loads like four wheelers etc it would hover around 17...

I have yet to pull my TD-9 around with the GMC as, to be frank, I am afraid to. I dont think the GMC will hold up to it. And looking at the fuel consumption just pulling around four wheelers I am afraid it would drop down to 6 MPG towing that much load.

Is this kind of fuel mileage normal for the d-max????? Is there any way to improve it ??

I really want to like this truck as I am a fan of GM products and acutally talked my wife into getting this thing but so far I am un-impressed... It does have good power and torque...But Mileage, ground clearance and some other factors have really got me to thinking I made a mistake getting rid of the Dodge... Dont even get me started on spending a full day last week getting water out of the fuel lines and filter becuase the sensor in the filter didnt work .....

Also how much wieght do you guys think is ok to tow with it without having big problems? I am mainly concerned with the tranny failing under heavy load.

Thanks for any advice.
Jack

[Extreme lb7 Dmax]

, My truck gets 17-21mpg depend on my foot. Pulling a 14 foot trailer with a John Deere Gator and a Yamaha kodiak I got 15mpg. Once I pulled a semi on a trailer for a short distance and had no problem. Another time I pulled a ford 800 tractor with sick bar mower/tiller and loader with little black smoke and went up a steep hill with no problems. I have Edge/wAttitude chip but I heard Diablo Predator and PPE are good programmers to a add MPGs.

[Rollin Smoke Diesel]

Welcome to the site. Most of the programmers/chips will increase your mpg slightly, that is if you keep it at a lower level and dont mash the pedal to the floor all the time.

[GotD-max]

I get about 18 around town and 21 freeway depending on my foot.

[Maverick684]

I pull a 2800lb. trailer everyday for the business and do decent job of keeping off the throttle but I do push some times. I am getting 13mpg city with the trailer and a 6in. lift with 35in. tires.

[TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN]

first off welcome to the DF.
our dually truck holds the record i think for the biggest load 42,000 pounds gross weight,it had a load of trees on a 33FT flat bed trailer and that was on our 05 LLY Dually thats in my sig.the truck use to haul 15,000-25,000 atleast 3 or 4 times a week for a couple of years so i wouldn't be scared to haul heavy..not all Cummins get good fuel economy and i know that for a fact and not all Duramax's get good fuel economy.you can do a programmer,exhaust and intake and that will help you out 2-3MPG.

[Bryan@ATS Diesel]

Originally Posted by TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN

our dually truck holds the record i think for the biggest load 42,000 pounds gross weight,it had a load of trees on a 33FT flat bed trailer and that was on our 05 LLY Dually thats in my sig.

I'd like to see a picture of this if you have one!!!

[TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN]

wish i had a pix..let me see if i still have the weight slip and i'll post that..