16K for the backhoe, 6 to 7K for the trailer, truck is probably 6 or 7K as well so 28 to 30K. It pull this load fine at any speed (75 is easy), the brakes work great no issue with stopping either.

 

Just curious, ever check gas mileage while pulling that? I somehow managed to get a whopping 8.45 mpg on my last tank and never had more than a beer cooler loaded in the bed.

 

Man I wish I had pictures of some of the loads I hauled with my 02' reg cab work truck. Similar load weights and trailer to MonteCarlo31's, but mostly on pallets and with a skid steer on the back. I am considering a 2500HD 6.0 also to replace my 1500. I have a travel trailer that weighs in around 13-14k. I like the diesel power and performance, but cant afford to work on one when it gets out of warranty...The 6.0's in comparison are fairly inexpensive to replace if you ever have to.

 

There is no doubt the entry price point for a Dmax is high but what you guys are missing is, as long as its not an early LB7 and hasnt been abused(IE 500+rwhp tunes) they live to over 300K all the time. They really do last forever as long as you treat them right.

FWIW there are a few guys with over 400K on some LB7s, a couple guys just shy of 200K with LBZs(06 and newer models) that live their life hot-shotting travel trailers all over the US and still running strong.

Nothing wrong with the 6.0s either, I just like the power, hit a hill pulling a load with the TCM tune I have the TC stays locked, the turbo spools and I maintain speed no hunting for gears

 

i must have "one of those trucks" that doesnt get crap for mileage. i've never seen 13 empty! pulls ok but nothing to write home about by any stretch of the imagination.

 

For me its just the "what if" problems occur. I got into this with my last truck. The parts are so expensive. The price of the diesel option isnt such a huge deal because you get it back if you sell or trade. Just check the resale of used 2500's and 3500's. Diesel is much better. Im still undecided. The dmax is a pleasure to drive.

 

i get 13mpg no matter what.. was 13mpg when i bought it, 13mpg with a new tonneau, 13mpg with headers, 13mpg if i drive it easy, 13mpg if i drive it hard, 13mpg if my wife drives it.

2500hd quad cab 6.0 4l80.

its actually quite weird that it only changes maximum .5mpg up or down..

 

I have a 6.0 with 4.10s and pull with it a bite. personally if I had to do it again and couldn't get the diesel I'd buy the 8.1. the truck will get the same mileage empty and better with a load. My buddy has a 8.1 and compared to his the 81 get 15mpg and 12mpg pulling the same trailer I only get 9mpg for. I also get 14.5 mpg with my truck empty. the 8.1 pulls the trailer a little better too. if your only pulling once in a while and not often the point may be mute though.

 

My 03 with an 8.1 and the 4.10 gear option gets 10 city and 8.5 pulling My 14k 5th wheel. never really check highway mpgs. in that photo above, the load maybe heavier but it dont put the wind load of a travel trailer. and if You look at the towing info. there is almost 4000lbs. between a 6.0 and 8.1, plus with the 8.1 You get a allison.
a previous travel trailer I had weighed around 7000lbs. and the 8.1 will pull either in overdrive and about any speed You wont .
I would love to trade Mine for a Dmax, but I can buy a lot of gas for the 3000-9000$ difference in price.

 

That set up nets anywhere from 6.5 to 9 depending on how hard you run it and where. if your running 70+ mph it gets bad.