But he tows, and the baby Duramax sucks down DEF while towing. There's quite a few threads about DEF usage in the Duramax sub-forum.
Even if he used a 2.5-gallon container every thousand miles which I don't believe is realistic, the increase in mileage of the Duramax (+30% min..) combined with the fact that he's probably feeding a 6.2 with premium still makes the Duramax a far and away winner. I haven't put 60.00 of DEF in mine in 3.5 Years.....Not to mention the fact that he doesn't tow ALL the time with it.....
Right now, in our area Diesel is 3.35 and Premium is 4.49. I mean a 2.5 container at Walmart is about nine bucks and it's even cheaper if you fill up at dispensers, which is what I would do if I was seriously towing....
I think people often underestimate how much DEF they actually use when the vehicle is actually loaded.
Also, I'm just not that concerned about fuel cost when you're 1. buying a 1/2 ton based SUV and 2. already spending > $70k on an SUV.
But if you were concerned:
Compare the MPG of cars and trucks side-by-side. Compare the gas mileage and greenhouse gas emissions of new and used cars and trucks
www.fueleconomy.gov
I'd gladly pay that additional fuel cost for the simplicity of a naturally aspirated V8 compared to the out of warranty repair costs on a diesel powertrain.
Ford does it right with a 36 gallon fuel tank on the F150. Not sure what GM was thinking with the 24 gallon fuel tank on their 1500s.
The only scenario in which I would opt for a turbodiesel is usually in the case of towing heavy beyond what a 1/2 ton is realistically capable of. It's the exhaust braking feature of the turbodiesels in HDs. I haven't been convinced that the exhaust braking feature is substantial in the baby Duramax powertrains.
