alright I have been doing research on what truck to buy for a couple of months now and I am getting really close. I have a few questions and wanted to ask some opinions on the silverado hybrid. I am also considering a diesel truck.
I currently drive a 97 1500 dodge ram 5.9L I get about 12 MPGs. that is terrible I drive on average 13000 kms per year. I ride motocross for hobby and I am planning on buying a 7x14 cargo trailer probably same month as the truck. I am also planning on buying a travel trailer in the future maybe 24 foot max. So the maximum towing I will be doing will be max like 5-6k lbs.

I Dont really want to spend more then 40k. I can`t find a ton of info on the hybrids other then the company specs, I don`t know what kind of maitenance costs are associated with it. I would also like to know if I can increase mileage with exhaust and intake modifications. I know on my Ram I was able to get 80kms more per tank by upgrading to a k&n filter and a Cat back exhaust system.

I like the diesel primarily because its a proven technology gets decent gas mileage and will tow anything in case I decide to pull something huge.

Currently I drive to school and back everyday and parking is an issue a big truck (diesel) would have a tough time parking.

I can pick up a good used hybrid for 30k and good used diesel will cost me 35+. but what will the hybrid be worth in 10 years?

23-25mpgs sounds great to me compared to 15-18mpgs.

Im a farmer and my dad owns a property business so a truck is needed.
(so dont suggest I buy a car haha)

what do you guys think?

 

hybrid are good around town driving that about it, the new diesel do not get the fuel mileage

 

What type of driving do you do to normally. Is it City or Highway. The reason I am asking is the only benefit you will get from the hybrid will be while you are driving mostly city driving. The Hybrid doesn't really engage at highway speeds.

Also, your towing limits are reduced because you have to account for the added weight for the batteries and electric motor(s). A 2009 hybrid has a max tow capability of 6100 lbs. Sounds like you will be pushing that pretty close.

A diesel can be the same size as a gasser. If you get a crew cab with a long bed, then it is a crew cab/long bed with or without a diesel. If you get a single cab, regular bed then you will have a much smaller truck. A 2009 Hybrid only came in a crew cab configuration. If you do go with a diesel, I would go with a 2500 and avoid a heavier trucks due to what you have told about your towing / hauling.

Now the kicker with a diesel is the extra maintenance involved with a diesel engine. This area, most diesel owners forget to mention. You can usually go longer intervals between oil changes, but no one mentions the double digit quarts of oil it takes to change the oil. Don't forget you have to service the fuel system on a regular basis. Also, new diesels need that Exhaust Gas Fluid. So if you do buy a used one, get one that doesn't use this fluid. Otherwise, you are going to have to had that every oil change (5K miles or so).

Next, can I throw a curve ball at you? have you thought about purchasing a 1500 5.3l with the cylinder deactivation option with more of a highway gear it it. If you are looking for a daily driver with occasional towing purposes, than why not. Take for example, the Silverado XFE (eXtra Fuel Efficient). This truck has a 3.08 rear end, better aerodynamics, and has a tow capability of 6100 lbs (same as the hybrid). or you could get a regular 5.3L with a 3.42 and tow over 9k lbs. You may even be able to find an older one with 3.26 gears. Neither of these will get you 20 mph in the city. But, you are driving a lot on the highway, they will be comparable to the hybrid on the highway, especially the XFE model.

I hope this helps and didn't confuse you. Also all of my above statements were based on a 4x2 model. You mentioned your dad has farming property. If you can get by without a 4x4 model, you will usually save 2 mpg due to the weight savings alone from the 4x4 system.

Anyway, let me know if i can play devils advocate if you narrow it down further.

Eric

 

thanks eric thats the kind of answer I was looking for.

I live on a farm and well I do mostly city driving its not big city driving not a ton of traffic here. my average speed would be about 70-80kms per hour. I think thats like 40-50 miles per hour.

I have thought about the 5.3L deactivation system because I am fairly good at manipulating engines for gas milieage I can get 15 mpgs on my Ram when I want to. (its tough though and takes forever to get anywhere). I read a ton of forums and the most I saw anyone getting was 18-19mpgs. sure thats alot better then my Ram but I want to buy the right truck once and not have to worry about it for about 5-6 years minimum.

I guess I forgot to mention that it snows here maybe 4 days out of the year but yes those 4 days I use my truck a ton. now is 4x4 a must have for me? I am not sure, I think its difficult to drive in the snow without it and I don't want to be left wanting it later. so I am just going to go with it to be safe plus I would love to get into snowmobiling in the next 3-4 years so I would need it to get to the mountains. 4x4 has never been used in the mud for me.

I don't like that with my enclosed trailer set up I will be very close to my max(with hybrid) especially because I like to ride the sand dunes( twice a year) with my bikes and they are 8-10 hours away closest and 30 hours furthest. with 3-4 guys in the truck the trailer and cargo in the bed it is pushing it. This is why I am thinking diesel because my friends F350 doesn't seem to notice he is pulling anything,

 

No problem,

Your second post was much more detailed as to your driving. Remember, around 45-50 mph, the 5.3l trucks (and mine for that matter) kick into overdrive. At those speeds is where your truck will get the best gas mileage (because you are running the lowest rpms). the faster you go once the tranny is in OD, the higher the rpms and the more fuel you use. Not to mention you start having aerodynamic drag issues the faster you go.

My 4.8L with 3.73 gears gets around 14-15mph in the city and 16-17 on the highway (EPA says I SHOULD be getting 14 city -19 highway mpgs). And I am real EASY on the gas pedal causing the tranny to shift between 1500 and 2000 rpms. If I drive it harder than this, the mileage really goes down. The 3.73 gears are mainly geared for towing and is widely considered a great all around gear for those that tow and daily driving. So the gears hurt my highway mpg (at 70mph my rpms are at 2000) to increase my towing limit. Of course my truck (4.8L) does not have the cylinder deactivation system. I also don't have a 4x4 system. PS, a tonneau cover does nothing for fuel mileage, I already tried. But it is GREAT if you need a LARGE trunk.

In regards to the diesel statements, your right. A diesel usually doesn't notice a trailer behind it. They are also less effected by the additional weight of a 4x4 system. But, you have the other issues I discussed earlier.

If you are looking into a 4X4 5.3L, they usually come with the 3.73 gears because most guys use the truck for towing and off-roading. Both of which you want the taller gears for. Of course, this will reduce you mpgs as well.

So, I hate to say this, but you might be looking at slightly better mpgs (probably close to what I'm getting) on what ever truck you get just because of the towing and 4x4 system. A fact that most don't think about is when dealers send vehicles to the EPA for mpg evaluation, they send the trucks with the best gears for mileage. Also, I bet they send regular cab trucks and not extended and crew cabs because these weigh more.

So the question you have to ask yourself, if you are ONLY getting a new (or new to you ) truck for the added fuel mileage, is it worth spending 30-40k on. Or would you be better off getting a little gas car for school and keeping your truck for when you want to tow or work around your parents? Again, just throwing another monkey into the mix.

I know I love my silverado and I'm sure you would love one to, but sometimes it comes down to money. Like I said in my earlier post, if you do decide to get a truck and have it limited down to two-three trucks, let me know all the technical details, and I will play devils advocate. If there is any way I can help you get the best bang for your buck, just let me know.

Hope this helps

Eric

 

well I am buying a new truck because my old one just isn't cutting it anymore. Its burning a ton of oil needs almost everything replaced so I am moving on. the repairs are much more then the cost of the truck so its retiring. I would love to have a car but I am a truck guy and my truck is barley road worthy.

My two or three top candidates are
Silverado/sierra hybrid 2010 +
dodge cummins 5.9L diesel
duramax diesel 08+

I'm not really worried about the maintenance costs they get written off by my Dad's business. I think that the maintenance costs are offset on the diesel by the value of the vehicle. what I mean is after 10 years a diesel truck retains a high value compared to any other regular production vehicle. brand new truck for 50K can be worth 20-25k after 10 years(low miles and well maintained). brand new anything else (with 100K miles) after 10 years is never worth 20k.