I currently have 07 Tundra 4.7l 4x4 double cab....I get about 13-16mpg combined city/highway/country driving.... when I tow my 20ft boat (every weekend in summer) I get about 10-12mpg if I am taking it easy driving speed limit... When pulling a 4 place enclosed snowmobile trailer and one sled in the bed I am getting 7-9mpg (ouch!)

I am wanting a diesel... my uncles have gmc, dodge, and chevy all newer trucks... I don't wanna spend more than 5k out of pocket on the truck (trade in on my truck should be around 17k) so keep the budget around 22-23k

Things I need...
4x4
Extended or Crew Cab (crew cab would be great)
BEST MPG... at least for my money
Reliable!!... I do most of the wrenching on my vehicles
Automatic tranny.... wife drives the truck to work when the roads are bad
I also want to truck to last for around 100,000 more miles.. I usually get a different truck every 4-6 years
Truck needs to fit under 7' garage door...




I won't be jacking this truck way up in the air or throwing on 35'' tires. I will prolly get some different rims and tires but I will keep it driveable so I don't kill my MPG or be able to get into the garage.

I am not a fanboy and could careless what brand the truck is as long as it does what I need WELL... I am sick of getting 10mpg on vacation trips and filling up every 220-230 miles...

I live in East Central IL so I know winter will take some extra precautions with fuel and maybe other things I am not thinking of.


What year, brand, engine should I be looking at? How many miles is too many?

 

5.9 L Cummins (dodge) 03-07, they have crew cabs but the rear doors are not full-sized.

I would try to stay under 150K miles. If you treat her right you can get over half a million miles out of the engine and much more in most cases.

 

which would you rather sit in on your long trips?

they all have their pro's and cons,

chevy will sit lower and ride more comfortable

dodge will sit higher, and have a rougher ride, but tow a little more stable

I have no real input on ford.

 

i could sit in either.... I like the GM seats more and the ride is better but is the GM going to get the fuel mileage a cummins will?


Again I would prolly mod the truck a little bit but I would still need it to fit in a 7' garage door.

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i like this truck

Cars for Sale: 2005 Chevrolet Silverado and other C/K2500 4x4 Crew Cab in Peoria, IL 61615: Truck Details - 313119291 - AutoTrader.com


and this one..

Cars for Sale: 2006 Chevrolet Silverado and other C/K2500 4x4 Crew Cab in Decatur, IL 62521: Truck Details - 314186587 - AutoTrader.com


this one is a real good price...

Cars for Sale: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Truck 4x4 Quad Cab in Bolingbrook, IL 60440: Truck Details - 312486482 - AutoTrader.com

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I like the look of the 2006 chevy... its has 4.10 gears and a v8 will that kill my mileage??

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Midwest Diesel Trucks - 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT - Decatur, Illinois

what are your opinions on this mega cab?

 

If you go Duramax, get at least an 06. They are reliable, and when they have exhaust and a tune, can get pretty good mileage.

 

I have an 06 duramax, LBZ is a hot motor out of the box, that's for sure.

currently on winter fuel I'm getting 17.5mpg mixed driving, this is also with the edge on lvl 3. a good fuel economy tune should put it easily at 22mpg or so unloaded.