Update on 2012 Duramax towing performance

[Grady23]

I finally made the trip from Mt. Airy to Sandy Point to launch the boat. Good news all around. The boat ran GREAT and the truck even better. This thing is LOADED with power. Got just below 11 mpg at 10.9 going down pulling my Grady. It was hard to keep this beast under 70 while on Rt #32. As many know, that is NOT a good road to speed on. Coming back home, we did the 97-100-29-I70 route. Because of a 25 MPH headwind, milage dropped dramatically to 9MPG. Power however was NEVER a problem. As I swung around to make the run up the ramp going on to I-70 west bound, I needed to jump on the throttle a good bit to get out in traffic. MAN -- When the turbo kicked in this thing almost broke the rear tires loose. I guees I need to use a little less throttle the next time. Before I knew it the truck/boat rig had jumped from 45 to 85 in nothing flat and I was actually out running the traffic. I'm Real glad I bought this truck despite the higher fuel costs.

[B-Faithful]

My dad just bought an 2010 today. Glad you like it. I am anxious to see how it tows compared to his 2500HD with 6.0 gas.

[Grady23]

The torque is completely different and the Turbo makes a HUGH difference. The Diesel is also 402 Cu In. 397HP in the 2012's. I think the HP rating is slightly lower in the 2010's. The plus side is that there are a good number of options to re-program the chip in the 2010's and they DON'T need the Urea additive.

[done workin]

Like I said early on when you were considering the truck, that truck will say "WHAT BOAT?"

Chris

[mrobertson]

My dad just bought an 2010 today. Glad you like it. I am anxious to see how it tows compared to his 2500HD with 6.0 gas.

I actually have the opportunity to buy a 3500 with the 6.0 gas. How did his tow that 27 Judge? My 23 is probably in the 5500 lb range loaded. Currently my 5.7 litre Tahoe tows is fine and has 3.55 rear, but gas mileage is horrendous.

[toptech3434]

I had a GMC with the 6.0 and it towed it fine,but now I have a 2010 2500 duramax with custom ecm programming and a few other extras and its a totally differant world.BTW I tow a 23' CC appox. 5000 Lbs With the custom tuning I added the turbo brake,so when in towing mode the turbo brake slows the truck while the trans is down shifting,a very nice feature and easy on the brakes.

[B-Faithful]

I actually have the opportunity to buy a 3500 with the 6.0 gas. How did his tow that 27 Judge? My 23 is probably in the 5500 lb range loaded. Currently my 5.7 litre Tahoe tows is fine and has 3.55 rear, but gas mileage is horrendous.

My dad's Judge is noticably heavier than mine. His is the older downeast layout with more cabin and has all wood stringers, transom, deck, etc. plus he has twins. I bet he is around 10,000lbs total load. The truck did very well towing this and his previous travel trailer (he just ordered a new 5th wheel now that my youngest sister off and married - hense the diesel purchase). I felt confident and in control with the truck when I towed my boat with it to the NJ shore. His was the 2500HD and you get the 4.10 rear with the HD designation. It is important to note that while the truck towed well, fuel mileage was aweful. His truck was 4x4 with full crew cab and he typically averaged about 12-13mpg not towing. Towing the boat, he averaged 8mpg towing across flat South Jersey. With the low 4.10 rear and with OD locked out I think I remember that it turned over 3000rpms at over 60mph. He said he wished it had the 3.73 rear at times. I believe the non-HD's were the 3.73rear. The 6.0 is a good motor but some newer motors have a lot more power. My 5.7l tundra has a lot more pep to it. The 6.0 was pleanty of power though for his loads.

[Tawn]

Towing milage isn't any better with a 4X4 Ford F-250, 6.4L diesel with 4.10 gears. Towed my boat from Northern Calvert County over to Denton yesterday. All the power I could want but on Rt 2, 50 & 404 I averaged 9-10 MPG at 60 mph. Coming home without the boat & trailer I saw 15-16 MPG.

[Reel Affliction]

My 2008 D-Max with a custom tune gets between 10-12mpg towing depending on the pace being kept, I know the boat is back there but, the motor has plenty of power to spare. When I bought the truck new I had been sold false prophecies of getting 18mpg towing, etc. Perhaps you can get that out of a Diesel if you are towing a landscaping trailer with a couple of mowers and string trimmers on it but, certainly no where near that towing a boat and trailer in the 7000lb range. Not towing on the highway I can get 20-22mpg and around town 15-16 seems to be the normal. I love the truck but, with the inflated price of Diesel fuel, the additional $8500 on the sticker price for a Diesel motor and transmission option, from a cost perspective it becomes more difficult to justify now than perhaps 10 years ago.