New Chevys

[farmboy12]

I know the chevys aren't big news anymore, but has anyone towed with a new 3500 w/ a duramamax? We have a 2003 chevy 2500hd vortec, but will be stepping up soon. Thanks.


P.S: I mainly posted this because I was excited about my new account.

 

[Todd_C]

I read an article in Consumer Reports at the beach house we were in this July. Seems the Chevy won the contest between the Dodge and the Ford in the 3500 class trucks. The article said the Chevy got the best MPG at 18 (not towing). The Chevy did well towing a 10k trailer. I believe it was the fastest truck when towing the trailer from start to 65mph. The article ranked the Dodge a close second and the Ford last. The article said the Ford was the heavist truck by almost 1,000 pounds and it got the least MPG of the three.

I still would not discount the Ford. There were a few problems with the emission junk on the early 08 6.4 trucks but from reading on www.thedieselgarage.com, a new software update from Ford has helped the Ford in MPG.

 

[TheDingy]

I am biased now but a few years ago I only towed with a Dodge and now tow with the new Duramax. They have more power than any of the others out of the box and get great fuel mileage. We just got a new 09 and it is even stronger than the 08's for some reason. They will pull 30k with ease with good fuel mileage, on average the trucks we use are towing 95% of the time and when we get rid of them they show about 13.5 MPG with various drivers who are not fuel conscious. They always tow either a four horse trailer(always loaded), six horse trailer(always loaded with more than 4 horses), a dump trailer (14k empty, 28k full), or our tractor trailer 32ft two car hauler with a mahindra 6025 on back.

If you want to know anything about them, or want a good deal on one PM me when you are looking.

-Linn

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not to start a fight here but I am biased to the Fords. I will admit the GM products have a great engine, tranny, and drive line but I feel they lack in the chassis dept. My neighbor has a 2007 3500 4x4 Chevy D-max and its hands down ten times better then the 2004 2500 D-max I had. He gets about 21 on the highway and 11 towing his 36' 5th wheel at 65mph. My opion is its not holding up as good as my 06 PS Ford F-350 but then again I am biased. All in all its a nice truck. Just watch the GVWR on the one you get. They make them with different spring packages. Not sure about GM but on a Ford 1 ton you can get 7 different spring packages. So what I am saying is one 1 ton may not be as strong as another one sitting right next to it on the dealers lot.

Chris

 

[bdeboer]

I know the chevys aren't big news anymore, but has anyone towed with a new 3500 w/ a duramamax? We have a 2003 chevy 2500hd vortec, but will be stepping up soon. Thanks.


I haven't towed with the 3500 Ton but have the 2500 '08 3/4Ton with DMax that replaced a 2002 3/4Ton 6.0L Suburban and love the new truck currently at 11000 miles.

 

[George2615]

I had a 2002 1/2 ton EC 4x4 w/ gas engine and tow about 8K. It was basically a dog. I was not happy with 9 MPG towing and only 15.5 MPG empty. In 05, towing capacity was the same whether 3/4 or 1T and I didn't need a dually so I upgraded to a 3/4 ton EC 4x4 w/ Duramax and was happy at 20 MPG empty and 14.4 towing. Traded it in for an 07 3/4T EC w/ Duramax and saw a MPG reduction of 15.5 empty and back down to 10 towing. Took it back to the dealer who checked everything out and could only attribute the lower mileage to the DPF (diesel particulate filter) that was added to the exhaust system in 07. (I wish I'd have kept the 05).

I can't speak for the new 09 3/4 or 1T as far as MPG but can guarantee you would be happy going to a diesel truck over a gas truck for towing. As far as I'm concerned a diesel can't be beat for towing and mileage while towing is better than a gas model. Late next year when I trade in my 07 for a 2010 I hope they've improved the mileage back up to 20 or more while empty.

 

[3RRL]

I have the same 08' 2500HD Duramax 4x4 as bdeboer.
I've made at least 20 trips towing 7,500 up over the Grapevine to my property in Cal and lots of empty runs now. I consistently get 15mpg towing and running empty over 19. It's got plenty of power to accelerate up the grades. I too love the truck. I just wish diesel would come down in price.

 

[farmboy12]

I am only 13 and will not be the one buying, but have been contracted to find out as much info. as I can. You guys have been great! Thanks so much for all the quick replies. I think this enough info. for me, but if anyone has more that would be great! Thanks again!

 

[Builder]

I have a '07 3500 DMAX and mainly tow a 12K trailer. I love the way it pulls a load.
Awesome low end torque from the DMAX and a driveline built for the towing professional.

 

[allen in texas]

Sounds like you need to change your handle to Farmboy13.


I love seeing a young man interested in trucks and tractors.

 

[crbr]

I know the chevys aren't big news anymore, but has anyone towed with a new 3500 w/ a duramamax? We have a 2003 chevy 2500hd vortec, but will be stepping up soon. Thanks.


P.S: I mainly posted this because I was excited about my new account.

If one is buying a used machine, stay away from the LB7 engine (2001 - 2003 year models). It has inherent problems with the fuel injectors and the fuel rail system.

The Duramax tows quite nicely. I say that from experience. The dual rear wheel axle is a nice upgrade from the single RWA.

Here is a good site to gather information.
TheDieselPage.com Forums - Powered by vBulletin


.

 

[Baranx4]

I purchased a new chevy diesel this past spring and couldn't be happier with it. The power the big three make with their new trucks is incredible. One of the main reason I purchased the chevy was that the new Dodge diesel and ford diesel weren't getting the fuel mpg. When it comes to power you can't miss with any one of them. If the ford or dodge dealer had given me a price that was incredible I'd be driving one of them.

I was actually looking at a leftover 2007 dodge with the 5.9 cummins so it wouldn't have the new emmisions when I purchased the chevy. The dodge dealer was playing games and I got a much better deal on the chevy and couldn't be happier.

If you purchase a new ford 6.4 I believe ford is already in the works to replace it for the 2010 changes.

 

[jsboening]

I've got an 02 with over 140,000 on it. No problems with injectors or fuel rails. I've done nothing to it but 2 sets of brake pads, tires, and regular maintenance. I change the fuel filter every other oil change. Maybe thats why I haven't had problems with injectors. I'd love a new Chevy, but I told my wife I'd keep this one for 10 years to justify the purchase. I have to admit the new dodge 1/2 tons look nice as well and believe the are still assembled here in Michigan. We need all the help we can get in this state.

 

[JDPN]

UPDATED DURAMAX IS A'COMIN
PickupTrucks.com: Spied Again - 2010 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty

see second paragraph

 

[Builder]

I want one!

 

[RollingsFarms]

I want one!

you already got one! buy one for me instead!


in other news, just browsing around on that site it appears that Toyota is pulling out of the truck market all together and leaving it to the big 3? am i reading what i think i'm reading?

 

[Builder]

you already got one! buy one for me instead!


in other news, just browsing around on that site it appears that Toyota is pulling out of the truck market all together and leaving it to the big 3? am i reading what i think i'm reading?

That's pretty shocking. Can you provide a link?

 

[RollingsFarms]

http://http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2008/163_news081009_toyota_leaves_pickup_war_to_big_three_diesel_tundra_talk_shelved/index.html


Toyota Leaves Pickup War To Big Three; Diesel Tundra Talk Shelved
October 9, 2008


By Benson Kong
Photography by the Manufacturer


Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., recently announced that he will not lead Toyota into a full-fledged sales war in the full-size pickup segment, despite its recent 0% financing offers. Detroit's Big Three are all looking to make pushes with their full-size pickups soon, and Lentz does not want Toyota to fight with a disadvantage: "I don't want to get stuck in the middle of Ford and Chevy battling for the No. 1 truck this year, and Dodge launching the Ram."

Ford and Dodge are launching redesigned models of their flagship pickup trucks for the 2009 model year. Despite the stale auto sales environment, Chevy managed to sell 50,428 Silverados last month, off a slight 3.9 percent compared with sales in 2007 for the month. On the other hand, Toyota saw Tundra sales fall 60.7 percent, while the Ford F-150 dropped 41.6 percent and the Dodge Ram dropped 30.9 percent. Toyota had hopes to achieve a monthly sales figure of 20,000 Tundras for 2008, but managed to move just 7696 trucks in September.




Segment forecasts were as low as 1.5 million units for the year, leading to speculation that the pickup fight could get desperate. Lentz has also acknowledged that many past Tundra buyers, who bought one for image or as commuters rather than for work, are walking away from the segment, and that "there are a lot of substitutions." Tundra production at Toyota's Texas and Indiana truck plants has already been slowed.

With concern over the shrinking pickup truck segment, Lentz also confirmed that development of a diesel engine for the Tundra has been shelved for the time-being. Toyota is currently determining whether it is worth it to enter the diesel truck segment.

 

[excelagator]

Just my point of view.......

My wife needed a winter vehicle and I wanted something a bit aggressive in snow so she could get to work and home. We looked for 6 months because We had not bought a new vehicle in 10 years. I looked, researched, drove, almost everything. We ended up getting a 08 Silverado (1/2 ton) Crew Cab. It sent shock and awe through friends and family because of my background with Lexus and Toyota!

It came down to maybe a Tundra but I was leaning more towards a Silverado. The Silverado had the cylinder shut off, able to run E85 (that for another thread), and automatic rear locker in any mode the transfer case is in. Tundra's TRD version has no locker and only a LSD which is a crime because the Tacoma's TRD version has a locker, but only in 4 wheel low under 5 MPH. Plus I could not find a crash test rating online or from the dealer on the Tundras at the time I was looking. I found that quite odd given Toyota has been good on safety from years before.

Toyota seems to have been plagued with design flaws in bodys, transmissions more so lately than any other years they have produced. I believe Toyota had most of the market share last year and wanted more. IMHO Toyota got more greedy and was spitting them out faster than years before and foregoing long term testing.

I like what GM is putting out and I think GM is thinking a bit outside the box than what Toyota is. Toyota diesel? I think you won't see one due to unless they can sell a million they won't do it.

Just my .02,
Dan

 

[excelagator]

I thought I would throw this out there. You can purchase a 1/2 ton Silverado with a 2nd stage tow package that will tow 10,500 lbs. Which is not a bad option for the occasional heavy hauler. I am pretty happy with my 7500 lbs or 8500 lb tow rating for me. Given diesel is $3.70 here and gas is $2.78. Has anyone considered the running cost diesel vs gas? Just curious!

I have driven a 03 Chevy crew cab Duramax with a 6 speed stick. Awesome truck!



Dan