Whats the best "Down-grade" truck?

[GrassGuerilla]

Chevy, or gmc 1500. With the 5.0 v8 I get just shy of 20 hwy 15-17 mixed. With 1800# trailer it drops to about 12-13. From what I've seen, pulling a trailer is pretty close with a v-6 ranger, the 5.0 1500, or a 5.7 2500. Only advantage was without a trailer, each did as expected. The ranger wasn't any cheaper to run when pulling, and it never had the stopping power of the full size.
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[GreenerSideLC]

Great info guys. Thanks. Never realized the Chevy 1500 did that well on fuel.

[precision8m]

I don't believe the Chevy thing, though I never liked Chevy in the first place. Oh well. My 2000 cummins gets 24mpg on the highway, sometimes better. This is not the lie-o-meter, this is hand calculated and scan gauge II calculated. Cummins is known to have the best mileage for diesels and with you putting that many miles on it, you will probably want a diesel. Cummins and 7.3 are good engines/trucks, but the 7.3 only gets decent mileage (18ish) with no load, 2wd, and good mods. I think the 2500 cummins is a great all around truck as it can pull heavy loads, get great mileage, last forever, and still be small enough to take to the grocery store and park.

[precision8m]

You could also wait around til the end of the year when the ram 1500 gets a v6 diesel with an estimated 25mpg or better.

[GrassGuerilla]

Originally Posted by precision8m

I don't believe the Chevy thing, though I never liked Chevy in the first place. Oh well. My 2000 cummins gets 24mpg on the highway, sometimes better. This is not the lie-o-meter, this is hand calculated and scan gauge II calculated. Cummins is known to have the best mileage for diesels and with you putting that many miles on it, you will probably want a diesel. Cummins and 7.3 are good engines/trucks, but the 7.3 only gets decent mileage (18ish) with no load, 2wd, and good mods. I think the 2500 cummins is a great all around truck as it can pull heavy loads, get great mileage, last forever, and still be small enough to take to the grocery store and park.

Ill second the cummins 2500 as a great option. Hardly a "downgrade", but I won't call you a fibber
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Edit: are my gmc #'s off from others experience?

[JFGLN]

Originally Posted by knox gsl

Why not just find a place to park your current truck near you route and just drive a car back and forth to work?

That is what I'm doing this year. Also bought an enclosed trailer. Should have done this years ago.

[32vld]

I have a 2001 suburban, original owner, 5.3, 3.42. I get 20.7 mpg, 70 mph pulling small coleman pop up camper. 15 mpg local.

My brother bought a new 2011 reg cab 1500, 8' bed, 4.8 v8, 3.42. $26,000.

Why down grade when he can up grade?

[mowcrazy]

Originally Posted by precision8m

I don't believe the Chevy thing, though I never liked Chevy in the first place..

Yeah I didnt believe it either until I saw it with my own eyes. My uncle bought a 2007 sierra 1500 with the 5.3 engine. This is what he uses for his lawncare business and his daily driver. we just took it to tennessee and got 20.4 mpg there and back and that was also going up and down jillico hill.

I told him when he bought that truck he would regret not sticking with atleast a 5.7 350 gas motor and boy was I wrong! That truck has gobbs of power. runs better than my 98 chev with 350 vortec. He gets 14 avg pulling 16ft open with 48 exmark, 60" exmark and 61 scag tiger cat. Granted he drives like a granny but it is what it is. All of this and the most comfortable rideing truck ive ever been in. That WILL be my next truck!!!

Ive got a 7.3 power joke and its just that. A joke.......... Pay more for fuel, get worse mileage, scream to talk to your passenger, and a maintanence hog............ Hes had that truck the past two years and never had anything done to it yet while my 7.3 with 140K miles is constantly needing something. Mostly not motor problems. Its just ford problems in general. To the original poster, the chev 1500's with the 5.3 are worth a look!!!!! This coming from a true believer in chev 5.7 engines and the owner of a powerstroke. We also have the 6.0 litre chev trucks and while they are maintanence free for the most part and reliable the fuel mileage is TERRIBLE............ Would love to have 5.3 engines in those Ive got. Id trade those new 5.3's for my 6.0's in a heart beat!!!!

[PLS-Tx]

I agree with getting a Chevy/GMC 1500 with 5.3 v8. That's what I would have if I wasn't pulling such a big enclosed trailer.

I think you can get about $9k off a new one.

[mowcrazy]

Originally Posted by PLS-Tx

I agree with getting a Chevy/GMC 1500 with 5.3 v8. That's what I would have if I wasn't pulling such a big enclosed trailer.

I think you can get about $9k off a new one.

Yeah no doubt there is going to be limitations with that motor compared to diesel or big gas engine. My uncle is wanting to buy a 16ft enclosed trailer but was worried about how his sierra would pull it. I have 16ft enclosed and we decided to hook his truck to my trailer and try it out. We had two of the tiger cat 61's and a 48 exmark wb and all the trimmers blowers yada yada and we were both impressed with the way it handled it!!!!!!!! we pushed the tow haul button and it did fine....... NOW, with that being said he pulled some gravel in a dump trailer with it and while he said it pulled fine power wise it was def to much for the stopping power of that truck and it was squatting the little 1500 pretty good but for day to day mowing I think thosed trucks are my fav combo with the 5.3 engine.

My local cert mechanic just brags and brags on those engines saying now days they have lots of power, get really good mileage, and in his opinion ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE engines today.....