Help - new truck considerations!

[avvidclif]

You're probably right. It won't be different for Canada. I thought chevs got away with it longer but the last year without DEF was probably 2007. Dodge Cummins didn't add it until 2013 and the Ford PowerStroke already had it in 2008.

Don't confuse DEF with DPF. DEF is the fluid you add and Ford didn't have it until 2011. DPF is the particulate filter and Ford started in 2008 and it's a killer on fuel mileage. DPF delete tuners are all but outlawed in the US and the ones that are available are expensive. It would take me forever to recoup the cost if I ever could. As far as reliability any time you increase the horsepower you have reduced the reliability, Hot Rodding 101. Passed the class years ago.

 

[Bert-THOR]

Well I just came home with the new TV. I've been told the bolt pattern is the same on the rims so I think I will do that first. My rims and tires are only a few years old and with hardly any miles. As far as the tuner goes, I'm going to keep researching and enjoy the truck with its factory settings first and just see how it goes.
Thank you all for your help. It's great to get so many points of view.

 

[asquared]

Congrats on the new to you TV. Once you tow with it, you won't be able to wipe that grin off your face. And you will understand why I just couldn't go back to gas after having towed with a diesel. Now where are the pics?

 

[Bert-THOR]

Here she is.

 

[mark5w]

Nice looking truck. Good luck with it.

 

[asquared]

Looks nice. Black was one of the colors I wanted but I couldn't find what I wanted in anything but white. Enjoy your beautiful new truck.

 

[Lloyd S]

Here she is.

I can almost smell a new RV!!
Nice looking truck.

 

[Fatboy666]

If that truck still has any warranty, wait until the warranty is out to get the programmers it will void it. We went with an extended warranty on our old F250 w/ the 6.4. It was our first diesel, we did not regret the extended warranty for all the issues it had. To be fair, I have been told an EGR delete would have solved a lot of my issues but I didn't want to shell that kind of money into a problematic truck that couldn't handle my next tt anyway.

Assuming your signature is up to date, I would ask why you bought a 1 ton truck to pull a Zinger? The model you reference has a GVWR well south of 8M lbs. Why buy all that truck and spend the extra $$ on gas, etc. to pull that light a load?

 

[mark5w]

I believe, by reading some of her past posts, that she will be upgrading her Rv in the future. So it's a good, logical purchase.

 

[asquared]

Assuming your signature is up to date, I would ask why you bought a 1 ton truck to pull a Zinger? The model you reference has a GVWR well south of 8M lbs. Why buy all that truck and spend the extra $$ on gas, etc. to pull that light a load?

Yes Mark is right we are planning on upgrading the TT later this year. The unit we have our eye on has an 11,000 lb gvwr and a probable loaded tongue weight of 1500-1700 lbs so we made sure we got a truck that could handle that weight. We loved towing with our old TV but it was starting to have a lot of mechanical issues and wasn't capable of handling our next tt so the 1 ton SRW decision was made.

 

[BobbyO-XRD]

My experience is that going from a 2007 2500 HD Duramax to a 2012 3500 Duramax the milage I get both empty and pulling hasn't changed between the two. The 3500 is more stable when pulling my 33 ft fifth wheel , 12,000 llbs

Cheers and enjoy your new truck !

 

[NorskeBob]

[FONT=&quot]Bert:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Nice truck - you will enjoy it.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I went from a 2005 Silverado 3500HD SRW crew cab long box duramax (5 speed tranny) to a 2011 Silverado 3500HD SRW crew cab long box duramax (6 speed tranny) and saw an improvement in mileage. The 6 speed allison came out in 2006 and that is where the improvement in mileage is from.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I installed an Edge Insight CTS to monitor engine parameters. I had a pre-turbo pyro and boost gauge in the 2005.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]My 2 cents worth:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Not sure I would install a tuner - it has the potential to impact the life of the tranny. The allison is a good tranny but only designed for the specific HP and Torque of the model year.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]On my 2005 I saw an improvement when I went to a larger exhaust and performance muffler (Silverline 4" T304 SS CAT Back). I noticed a little more torque and a reduction in turbo temps (about 150 degrees).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The OEM shocks don't last long - I installed Bilstein 5100 shocks all the way around.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I would change all of the fluids in the truck if you don't have the maintenance records.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- tranny Castrol TranSynd synthetic fluid - takes about 7.5 qts[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- rear end - a good 75X90 synthetic gear oil - will take about 3.5 qts (I use Mobil 1)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- transfer case - takes about 1.5 to 2 quarts - I put TranSynd in mine[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- front diff- same oil as the rear end. can't remember the capacity - 1-2 quarts I think[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- Chevy recommends changing out the engine coolant every 5 years - I do it every 4.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- you have 11 grease zerks on the front end (they went to 9 on the 2011s) - may be time to grease it[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- engine oil - I use Rotella T synthetic - takes 10 quarts[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- I install a Fumoto Oil Drain Valve - makes changing the oil less of a mess[/FONT]

 

[lsenne1057@aol.com]

Thanks for the great feed back.

 

[Bert-THOR]

Thanks for all the feed back. Tomorrow I'm swapping out the rims. Ill post some pics.

 

[Fatboy666]

Yes Mark is right we are planning on upgrading the TT later this year. The unit we have our eye on has an 11,000 lb gvwr and a probable loaded tongue weight of 1500-1700 lbs so we made sure we got a truck that could handle that weight. We loved towing with our old TV but it was starting to have a lot of mechanical issues and wasn't capable of handling our next tt so the 1 ton SRW decision was made.

Good for you!

 

[Bert-THOR]

I just towed the TT with the new TV for the first time. What a difference! I was able to drive the speed limit (70 mph) @ 1700 rpm and I still had power in reserve. I was able to use the cruise control and when I went up hill if it shifted I didn't even feel it. Let's see if she holds up for the long term.

 

[avvidclif]

Just remember your trailer tires are only rated for 65 MPH.

 

[asquared]

Just remember once you go diesel, you never want to go gas again!

 

[Lloyd S]

That's not true for all of us.

 

[DavisK]

It is for a lot of us. Maybe it should be, "Once you go Duramax, you never want to go gas again."