Towing mileage and comparison to new gen DMax

[S.Morris]

Just a little update and interesting comparison and update on older versus newer .



Just completed a return trip to Florida from Just north of the NY State border. A distance of =/- 1500 miles each way. Both trucks running a90 USG aux tank.



My setup: 04 3500 DRW QC 4x4, NV5600 with smjr on tow, pulling a 37' toyhauler weighing in at approx 22000 combined. (high profile and maintaining full height for full length of trailer)



Sons setup : 2011 DRW QC 4x4, 6spd allison (IIRCC 390hp/765tq stock rating), pulling 42' bunkhouse weighing in at approx 23500 combined. (high profile tapering much lower to rear)



Best comparison mileage was 1050 miles fill to fill on way down and a 1020 mile fill to fill on way back. (Some pretty good pulls in PA and VA)



His truck is exact rpm in 4th as mine in direct and same for his in 5th and mine in 6th. His truck in 6th about 450 rpm lower than mine.



We ran a pretty consistent 68mph coming up with a 60mph avg over the driving time.



I have never seen two trucks run more closely in fuel consumption. US mileage going down was 9. 8 and return was 10. 2. Both fills were less than 1$ diff between trucks!! Almost unbelieveable! Mileage was not great but we had a deadline to meet (the wives at the airport in Tampa , lol)

His truck would hold 6th in towhaul a lot of the time. On the longer pulls I would drop to 5th and hold 60mph and he would hold 4th on same hills. Power was almost identical and he could not go by on the pulls but could maintain same speed.



I have to hold the new DMax engine a little higher after this trip!

 

[Kry226]

Nice run.

You know, I think each of the Big 3 make a pretty darned good truck these days. They each have their issues and quirks and they each build a lemon on occasion, but for the most part, I don't really think you could go wrong with either one. Brand loyalty is a dangerous thing sometimes.

 

[BDaugherty]

Nice run.

You know, I think each of the Big 3 make a pretty darned good truck these days. They each have their issues and quirks and they each build a lemon on occasion, but for the most part, I don't really think you could go wrong with either one. Brand loyalty is a dangerous thing sometimes.

Agreed, but think about 1 thing: Look under the hood and tell me which one you would rather work on.

 

[Kry226]

Agreed, but think about 1 thing: Look under the hood and tell me which one you would rather work on.

Shoot man, why do you think I'm still driving my ol' trusty 04? :-laf

 

[S.Morris]

And also why I'm still driving my 04 lol.



My son said he was getting tired of listening to my exhaust, lol (he who used to run a mufflerless 3rd gen).



His dmax now has 65000 miles on it and outside of a heater core replacement under warranty has been trouble free. I will say the cab is much quieter than mine but so is a 4th gen. The door hinges , latches and tailgate hinges are only half the size on the GM as compared to my 04... ... . I tell him, when it's got 250000 miles on it then he can brag. lol.



It will pull hard at low rpm definitely not like the 6. 0 or 6. 4 fords I have been in that hit 3000rpm when they sense a hill coming up!