I am shopping for a new Chev. or GMC 2500 diesel and would like to know if anyone can provide some info. I would like to know when empty what the highway milage is and also the city milage? Also what are the highway and city milage when pulling a 3000 lb boat? Is the Allison trans worth the money?
I will also be towing a 5th wheel trailer with a hitch weight of about 12,000 lbs. Please give me your thoughts on this.
Should I look for a 2007 year model or a 2006 year. Does anyone know about the new diesel fuel requirments for all vehicles sold in 2007 what affect is that going to have. I understand the the price will be about $2500.00 more for the fuel filter or what ever they are going to be adding.
Thank you for your help.

It doesn't really matter what model. But with what you're towing, I'd go for a 3500. Just to be safe.

the 2007 are very nice. they will pull just about anything you hook on to. the duramax with allison tranny. is a great combo. years ago chevy did not have a diesel worth a $$$$. but forget that now. i would go with a 1 ton with the weight you will be towing. if you put that 5th wheel on a 3/4 ton in ti going to bottom out. so i would for sure go with the 1ton. my dad has a 1 ton ford you can hook on to a 32 foot cattle trailer and load it with 27 head of cattle and it is not real low to the ground. but dont think about doing that with a 3/4 ton. we have tried tat about 5 years ago and we ended up with the rear axle broke.

Thirds on the one ton for the heavy fifth wheel. The Allison 6 speed is the transmission to get. I don't know if an 06 would have that or not. From reading only I think you can get 18-20 mpg hwy and 15-17 around town.

The biggest complaints I have heard about the Chevy is they are too low to the ground. Best compliment is they are the best riding.

I like the ride of the Chev/GMC better than the rest. The changes for 2007 are a concern as to what other problems it may cause. When these mfg. start making changes required by goverment they seem to be slow about fixing the problems and have not done complete testing.
Thanks for the feed back ont diesel with allison trans.

I havent heard anything about the light duty diesel engines, but I agree with you. I am a heavy truck tech, employed by a dealership. I take care of warranty work on a customers fleet. We are running 3 of the "2007 test engines" for Caterpillar, They have been nothing shy of a nightmare!!

Although they aren't out yet, stay away from the new '07's. Federal mandates are requiring all new catalytic converter systems to be used with new low sulphur fuel. With scrubbers, filters and many different elements, they are going to much more expensive up front. These systems will NOT allow you to do any modifications otherwise you will never pass inspection. In addition, any fuel other than low sulphur diesel will destroy the catalytic converter system. Not sure but I've heard the new diesel will be about $1 higher per gallon. I've heard Volkswagen, engineers extraordinaire with diesel engines, are even foregoing them in their new Jettas because of this.

Still interested in an '07?????????

Any of the late model diesels will do you just fine. I'd look for a nice used older Ford with the 7.3.

Chevrolet is still building the old body style with the current diesel (LBZ) it is called the Silverado classic.

The new body style due out in January will have the new motor.

Rumor has it that all manufactures will increase thier diesel price as much as $2,700.00 with the
introduction of the new motors.

The current Duramax Diesel combined with the Allison Transmision is hard to beat. They have
been very reliable with very few problems. By the way the 2007 old body styles also have the
5 year 100,000 mile power train warranty.

If you go with a 2006 be sure it has the LBZ motor. It has many improvements over the previous
models.


Monte Coon
Sales Manager
Moritz Chevrolet
817-696-2003

I've heard the new diesel fuel will probably sell for 7 to 10 cents more than the current 500ppm stuff. It will be paid by all diesel owners by next year since all diesel will be changed over to it by July of 2007. So every diesel will be running the new formula soon.

It is my understanding that you will NOT be able to run the new low sulphur fuels in existing motors.

I'm not a "know-it-all" but these are just some of the things that I've uncovered in my search for a new truck. And, quite honestly, it has been frustrating trying to get the right info. so I'm not preaching gospel here. I guess we'll all know in due time. But my search has turned to a slightly used truck. And Monte is correct that Chevy's combination is awesome but the engine upgrade requires you to still buy an '06 and that's still a pricey proposition for some of us.

Good luck in your search.

This information was sent to all the dealers to clear up any confusion about the new fuel.


TO: ALL DEALERS

I RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED THIS QUESTION AND HERE IS THE ANSWER ON THE NEW DIESEL/FUEL.

Federal regulations are requiring all diesel fueling stations to migrate from selling Low Sulfur Fuel (LSF) to Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel (ULSF) by October of this year. Our current (and past model) diesel engines can burn either fuel without issue. The new diesel coming in January will only be able to burn the ULSF. In theory, all stations should, by law, have migrated to ULSF by this time and there should be no issue.

Why is there confusion in the market place? Answer: Misleading fuel pump warning labels
Some fueling stations have begun posting warning labels (see below examples) intending to clearly indicate the Sulfur levels offered at the pump. The middle label, shown below, will create dealer/consumer confusion. The warning is not accurate for our current 2007MY Silverado Classic with Duramax engines produced through the end of this calendar year (RPO code LBZ). The current '07MY LBZ diesel has been running on LSF fuel since it was introduced last year and can continue to do so. This warning label is accurate for the new 2007MY diesels which begin production in January 2007 (RPO code LMM), however, fueling stations should not be selling this LSF fuel at this time.


Some fuel companies may be putting warnings labels on their diesel fuel pumps. The warning labels will describe the sulfur content of the fuel. It will also advise customers not to use a 500 PPM sulfur fuel in a 2007 or later vehicle.

At this time customers may find more then one type number 2 diesel fuel available.

�
LSF(low sulfur diesel fuel) is diesel fuel with 500 PPM sulfur content.




�
ULSF(ultra low sulfur diesel fuel) has a sulfur content of 15 PPM or lower.




�
Off Road Fuel with a 500 PPM or higher sulfur content




All fuel companies will start transitions to ULSF (15 ppm Sulfur max) in mid-2006. Refineries are required to start producing ULSF on June 1. Supply terminals must be converted to ULSF by September 1 and retail stations must be converted by October 15.

EPA's own pre-compliance reports indicate that 95% of on-road diesel fuel will meet the 15 ppm standard on a nationwide basis. All High Sulfur Fuels (500 PPM sulfur) and Off Road Fuels, must be segregated and clearly marked.

Below is a description of GM vehicles, and proper fuel usage:

In January of 2007 a new 6.6L Duramax Diesel ( RPO code LMM-eighth digit of the VIN is a 6 ) will be released. This 6.6 LMM engine must use the ULSF (ultra low sulfur diesel) fuel. The 2007 "LMM" diesel equipped vehicles will require the use of ULSF for proper operation of the emission control system. These vehicles will be labeled "ULSF Required." The vehicles will be labeled in two locations (per regulation) near the fuel filler and on the IP. The owner's manual and diesel supplement will have several instances/sections which define proper fuel use.

All other light and medium duty 6.2L, 6.5L, and 6.6L RPO codes LB7, LBZ, and LLY diesel engines (including 2007 model year LBZ and LLY) can use either the LSF(low sulfur diesel) or ULSF(ultra low sulfur)diesel fuels.

Off Road Fuels should not be used in any General Motors highway use vehicles.

Now how confused are you?

Sorry for not responding but been in the hospital had two larger tumors removed from the neck. Thank you for all your replies and great information.

Why pay more on the sticker and continually at the pump? Buy yourself a Chevrolet 8.1 or Ford 6.8. Best decision I ever made.

Wow....looks like I need to wait a bit on these 2007's, huh? Oh well, 286,000 miles and still purring away....might as well watch it hit 300K, or maybe 350K.....

So let me get this straight....the "New" duramax is a Cat plant?

ALL DIESELS WILL BE ABLE TO RUN ON THE NEW FUEL.

All other light and medium duty 6.2L, 6.5L, and 6.6L RPO codes LB7, LBZ, and LLY diesel engines (including 2007 model year LBZ and LLY) can use either the LSF(low sulfur diesel) or ULSF(ultra low sulfur)diesel fuels.


Duramax is built by Isuzu and has nothing to do with Cat.