I have a 2019 Duramax with 31k on it. As you probably know, the 2017 to 2019 are pretty much the same trucks. I have not had to fix anything on my truck other than a few silly recalls. My father just upgraded his 2017 Duramax to a 2020 Duramax. His 2017 had around 50k on it and only fix was a temp sensor on the exhaust which was covered under warranty. None of our trucks have / had over 50k, but as you can see we had / have no significant issues with our trucks. That being said, my father’s 2020 Duramax has several new items that make his truck superior to mine. First and foremost, he has a 10-speed and I have a 6-speed. His truck shifts much much smoother than mine. It also gets better fuel mileage on the highway including towing. He also has auto 4x4 which is priceless when you live where it snows and there is ice on the road. If it was me, I would buy a 2020 over the 2018 hands down. GM appears to have fixed all the shortcomings of the 2017 a 2019 model years. As for the gas motor, if anything could use a 10-speed transmission it is a gas motor that is significantly short on the torque of a diesel. Also, there will be big rebates this fall on the 2020’s if you can wait that long. Just my personal insights on the 2020 vs 2018 dilemma. Good luck on your truck search and don’t worry too much about the diesel vs gas maintenance.

 

Why do you think there will be big rebates this fall? They have cut production of vehicles across manufacturers so supply will be tight especially for high demand SUV’s/Pickups. I guess this the economy totally goes in the tank could see some deals but right now just not seeing it. However might wait for a 2021 to see what and if any changes. Just my $0.02.

 

End of the day it's your money.. And what you spend it on.

I have a 2017 2500hd diesel. I tow a work trailer loaded everyday around 9k lbs. Have 67k on the truck..could not be happier with the diesel engine and it's my first diesel truck.
Only issues was glow plug needed replacing (seems like alot of guys had issues with them) and it was covered under warranty..and the heater block cord (recall)
I think you be fine with the diesel. Price with the diesel is going to hold its value better then the newer gas truck which will lose alot awhen you drive off the lot. Maintaining the diesel is not bad. Just watch videos and do the regular stuff yourself.

But also run the payment numbers too. Sometimes banks or credit unions will put you on higher interest rate for the truck, being 2 models years old and over different miles points. (Aka navy federal credit union does this)

End of the year deals will be interesting this year how they do it. All GM truck plants are getting ready to return to three shifts now. After the slow start up. And in 4 months they will start getting ready to make 2021 trucks. So who knows the future pricing, deals and availability.

 

surfdogbuilding and UTEnginner,

Thank you for your replies, I was wondering what kind of fuel mileage you get.

Thanks

Lgreen

 

Towing with 9k. I get 11.5 to 12 on the highway. Florida is mostly flat. About the same when I tow to Michigan with the trailer and go thru the Blue Ridge mountains (drops down to 9.5 to 10 in the mountain ranges) but for the whole 1100 miles trip.
Around city, stop and go. Getting about 10.5.

But that exhaust brake is the key for me. Stopping is so easy and I am not burning up the brakes. Still on my first set of pads after 67k and probably half their life left to them. And that's with towing all the time. Then with the extra get up and go with the diesel to merge in traffic, it puts a smile on the face.

I have not been in a new 6.6 gasser yet. So I don't know what it has going on with engine performance when towing. The old 6 liters were good for towing.

But it's up to you decide how much towing you will be doing and what your needs are out of the truck. If your only towing 2 to 4 times a year, 500 miles away each time. Diesel my not be for you, since the rest of the time your just driving around your town or its just going to be parked until you tow again.

 

The diesels pull like nothing else, but 10K isn't that heavy for a dually.

I wanted a gas dually and couldn't find one. Couldn't wait to order so bought a diesel off the lot.

I like it, but don't trust it, and will be going back to a gas in 2023 or 2024.

 

Please consider your resale value if you buy a gasser. Especially with a dually. I, personally, wouldn't even look at a dually with a gas engine. The resale on a diesel dually will be much much higher than the gas. Of course, the upfront cost is more. But I think you'll see it come back when you sell it. Just my $0.02

 

I have had a 2003 with a lb7 I also have an 05 with an LLY and just got a 2019 With L5P and I have to say that the 2019 is absolutely fantastic rides and drives great.
As far as the 2020 goes if you can get past the looks it is a great truck I opted for the 2019 for looks alone. I also believe the seats are more comfortable in the 19 over the 20’s the 6speed vs the 10speed time will tell

 

What would scare me is who had it before and what they did to it? I transport so I have a lot of trucks with a lot of miles. On my lb7 , lbz,lml, l5p 2017-2018-2020. I have not seen any failures before 264,312 miles on my lb7. 390,563 on lml. 512,971 on my 2017 l5p. None on the other trucks. But I had them from new. They are bone stock. Pull 50% of the time. I have friends that don’t fallow simple rules and they have had several claims against GM. All epa related. Fallow this and you should be ok. Bone stock no mods at all. Stock tire size. No fuel additives. Oil changes at 7000 miles or less. Def fluid directly from original jugs or pump. Fuel filter changes and air filters at the same as fuel. But some trucks had problems no matter what you did!! And that could very well be why that truck is on the lot. Get a warranty. Make sure it covers after treatment parts. Good luck. My 2020 by far is the best truck I own. 2020 3500hd srw. 4x4. L5p. 10 speed. Love it!

 

Spot on advice, never ceases to amaze me how people spend a fortune on some backyard performance improvement and then gripe when things go wrong. These are very complicated engines and there is a lot of time and resources spent in development and testing to make them reliable under extreme conditions. If you leave things stock and follow the recommended maintenance you will probably have a good experience, if there is an issue with the power train GM will likely stand behind it, If it is modified, forget it. Add in the EPA oversight and their chasing down and heavily fining these polluting aftermarket systems and it is not worth the $, risk to the engine or impact to the environment.

 

Based upon things I have previously read on other forums, I have had a concern about the reliability of the diesel engine with all of the pollution stuff that is on the modern diesel engine, and potentially large repair bills.

Gas engines are crippled equally bad so the same question could apply to both types of motors. AAMOF, I think gassers have it even worse; cylinder deactivation, stop/start at idle, those are things never envisioned for an internal combustion motor so who knows what the long term effects of stuff like that might be. Realistically, once you tow with a diesel you'll wonder why you ever considered a gassser. It's just so much better.

 

Exactly, diesels are by design simpler so will be more reliable, plus must be emission warrantied for 100,000 miles, but you need to leave them stock to get there.

 

My 2019 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Duramax (diesel) only has a 50,000 mile warranty on emissions equipment. I would have to go back and read the details but the emissions equipment does not fall under the 100,000 mile engine and drivetrain warranty.

 

I wish they all had the reliability of my #2 lbz. New injectors at 764,000. 2- water pumps. That’s it. It went 1,249,415 miles until it broke the crank. Finally died in 2013. It was purchased in feb 2006.

 

Wow that is super impressive that you went that many miles 👍