mikeyrko

Hey guys I'm looking into buying a 07 silverado 2500 I don't need a truck this big but the cost is not that much more. Everyone keeps telling me that 2500s burn more fuel but when I compare people I know with both trucks they are similar I think maybe because the 2500 has a 6speed.
So everyone please chime in with your average MPGS

Jig A Low

I can't tell you about the '07 but I have an '05 silverado 2500HD

4x4
6.0 gas motor
4.11:1 gears
285 tires

averages 13 MPG on the highway (if you keep it under 65) NOT PULLING
about 10 pulling my 21' sprint boat on the highway

CropDuster

I'll second that. Had an 03 with the 6.0, but it was only 4 speed trans. If I were to get another 2500 it would have to be the Dmax.

c4cruiser

I have an '08 Silverado 1500 4WD with 3.73 gears, 4L80 trans, and the 6.0L gas motor. The average MPG I have seen over the last 5 years has been just over 14 MPG. Now this includes some towing (7000 lb enclosed car trailer) which drops the mileage to around 10, and some freeway driving around 72-75 MPH.

It's my DD and I do a lot of in-town driving. I have seen as much as 18 MPG as shown by the display when running at 65 on the freeway with cruise control and no load in the truck. My truck has the "Active Fuel Management" system which lets the engine run on 4 cylinders when there is no load.

I would expect that a 2500 truck will get less MPG but it certainly will depend on how you drive and what you use the truck for. A friend of mine has an '07 Duramax and the 6-speed Allison trans and he consistently gets 23 MPG at 65 using cruise control when commuting. He pulls a 24' trailer (8500 lb) and sees about 13 when towing. But given the higher cost of diesel fuel and additional maintenance costs, I would stay with a gas motor if you aren't going to haul heavy stuff or tow trailers.

mikeyrko

Thanks guys I'm still working on making a decision.
I'm not seeing much of a price difference between 1500 and 2500 in my area.

NW-99SS

The 2500 will also ride rougher due to heavier suspension components and frame. Just another thing to consider. What will you be doing with it most of the time?

mikeyrko

It's going to be a daily driver most of the time with no load.

NW-99SS

I would get a 1500 w/6.2L VVT and a 6speed. It will get better fuel econ than any gas 2500 and have the power to haul when called upon.

The 6.2s have been known to be as good as the smaller 5.3s when both are driven in "ECO" mode. The 6 speed wasn't availabe to the 5.3 until 2012 or 2013.

MGorman

2009 Crew Cab long bed 2500 HD
6.0 gas
4x4
6L90
3.73
265 tires
ECS mail order tune
50/50 city-highway average 12.0 mpg. I have never burned an entire tank exclusively on the highway. The best mpg I have seen was 14 mpg with roughly 30/70 city-highway.

Dave68

Wait, what?

Gas prices are at the highest level in years and you want to commute with a huge gas-guzzling truck? What's wrong with this picture?

mikeyrko

That seems to be consistent with everyone else. The thing is I haven't heard of a 1500 with that much better mileage.

wilson34

My 2011 1500 5.3L, extended cab, 4x4, 3.42s gets 18-19MPG.
Hand calculated every fill up, 60/40 Highway/Rural driving 70mph. 68K miles so far.

C5 Pewter Coupe

not much better fuel economy and if you need to use it as a truck, it DEFINITELY won't haul or tow as much.. might as well get the HD pickup and not the car with an open trunk (1/2 ton pickup)

NW-99SS

OP is hauling less than 10% of the time, and real world mpg for the 6.2 with 6A is much better than the 6.0 4A when empty by at least 5mpg by personal experience and hand calculated mileage, not using the truck computer-when driven in the same manner.

Again, for 90% + use not towing the 1500 will ride much better and get better mpg's without question.

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

MVR 155

I don't have a pickup but I have owned 2 Hummer H2's over the past 7 years. Both are 3/4 ton (8600 GVWR) trucks. My previous 2006 had the 6.0L with the 4 speed trans, it got 10-11 around town and 13 on the highway. My 2008 which I currently own has the 6.2L and 6 speed trans.... it gets 11-12 around town and has done as good as ~15 on the highway. If you start to push 75-80mph the mileage begins to diminish. The 6.2L/6speed combo makes noticeably better power from empty crusing to hauling a 9,000lb trailer.

If you only occasionally haul stuff/trailer and it's no kind of extreme load you will get considerably better mileage with a 1/2 ton truck with the 5.3L.... especially a newer one with the DOD. I have multiple friends with newer 5.3L pickups/tahoes/suburbans who are seeing upper teens for mileage.

MVR 155

Some people need trucks, when the OP said he didn't need a truck this big I assume he meant the 3/4 ton rating. Just because the truck isn't loaded or towing 24/7/365 doesn't mean it's not a logical choice. Sure my H2 is crappy on gas and much of the time it's just me or my wife driving it empty but when I have it loaded to the gills with gear for a snowboarding trip, picking up materials for projects, towing my trailer, getting up to northern Michigan for a snowmobile trip, etc..... it's all worth it..... some people need trucks. You may not have a use for this kind of vehicle and think it's crazy for others to own them. I can tell you if there was no demand for trucks they wouldn't be as popular as they are.

Dave68

True, but it is often prudent to leave the truck for hauling duties and have an economical DD on the side. Maintenance, repairs, and sometimes, insurance will be less costly in the long run. Besides, a light DD is far more fun to drive. I still enjoy driving my daughter's 02 Protégé ES.

MVR 155

It really depends..... if the OP is packing on some crazy miles for a daily commute then the additional cost of perhaps another car would pay off. Keep in mind that another vehicle isn't just the upfront cost to purchase, it needs to be insured, registered, maintained, etc..... There is also the issue of the space another vehicle takes up. It would have to be a pretty obscene amount of miles per year to really reap the benefits vs. the true cost of buying/owning an additional vehicle.

Dave68

Yes, it all depends on the mileage + how long he intends to keep the vehicles. I've had a manual and auto tranny car at the same time, since 1980. Different tools for different tasks.

mikeyrko

To update you guys from seeing how well trucks hold value I'm leaning towards buying a new 1500 but I'll be waiting a year or more.
I don't have a long commute to work. I live in the country so a truck is needed a lot of the time.