Big White Truck

D

denny-o

New member
Getting ready for the retirement boat so I need more tow capacity than my SIlverado Half ton...... We flew AirTran to Houston from Michigan on Friday to purchase a 2007 4WD Diesel Duramax diesel with 45K miles - except when I drove it I didn't like what my ears and my finger tips were telling me - when the arm wrestling with the dealer was over and the dust cleared it was a 2WD 2008 Duramax in white with 17 miles on it... (well, the price was right)
So we jumped inside Friday afternoon and began the drive back to Michigan in 2 days (picture me as the central figure in Munch's, The Scream - gawd I hate driving)... Anyway we pounded out the 1470 miles up the concrete lined ditch they call a highway, nothing to see but trees lining the roadway completely blocking out the countryside... If west and the south are scenic it is well hidden from the prying eyes of us damnyankees...
"Big White Truck", the Duramax Silverado 2500HD was flawless from the first turn of the key.. It got 19.9 mpg at 65 mph ( 2 tank average) and 18.9 mpg at 75 mph (2 tank average)... I started out in Houston trying to drive 55 to break in the new engine... After being cut off numerous times and cursed at and given the "you're #1 with me" sign complete with angry face and fist waving, I decided the engine was broken in after 30 miles and got on the throttle..
The DIC said the oil had 97% of its life remaining, but given that the engine oil is 2 years old I stopped in Tennessee and changed the oil at 640 miles... $65 worth of Rotella T and a filter later, we once more hit the ditch... The hilarious part was convincing this KING tire store that the tires didn't need rotating...
"We recommend you rotate your tires every oil change, sir." (southern drawl, and a nice guy to boot, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer...
"The tires only have 640 miles on them."
"If you don't rotate them they wear uneven."
"I know, but they only have 640 miles on them."
"This is your first oil change with us and I can give you a certificate for a free rotation with the next oil change, sir."
"I will never, ever, be back here, and they only have 640 miles on them."
"We really recommend that you rotate the tires, sir."
(sigh) "NO!"
"Well, if you change your mind come to the counter and let me know, sir."
"I'll be sure to do that, son."

So, we will see how this 2wd does with boat ramps and if it doesn't cut the mustard I will trade it off for a 4wd... I suspect that a five gallon can of sand and a scoop will solve the slippery ramp issues... I drive an 07 4wd Silverado, and about the only time I use 4 is on ice... I do not plan on towing my boat TOWARDS ice and snow - but ya never know - this is my first time through life and I 'm still winging it...

denny-o
 
Denny, you'll love it. I have a 2001 Duramax and the only problem I'v ever had was the power steering pump. All that power simply torqued the shaft 'till it broke. (newer design now.) A way to save on Rotella T: Go to Walmart, buy two gallon size cans, drive around the back and let Walmart do the oil change with your supplied oil (and filter if you wish) They do it for cheap and delete the cost of oil/filter from their regular oil change prices.

Replace your differential lube when you get back home and if you're really tender on that new truck, get your tranny oil change at a local Allison place, NOT Chevy. You can also get an oil analysis through blackstone labs. They send you a little bottle and you do a clean catch, just like a urinalysis. (g) Do that occasionally and you'll always know that Duramax is chugging along just fine....

Congrats.

Don
 
Congrats on your truck. I have been fine with a 2wd and have only gotten into ice going over the mountain passes in the NW...... It was not planned....it just happened and we were on the slush... On the ramps in Oak Harbor, the truck also "wollered down" thru the 3-4" of sand build up as both back tires just turned at a constant slow pace and drug my apx 9200 total weight (boat, motors, trailer, gear) on out of the water.

Do have to be careful when pulling out off the hard ball onto the grass and fields a bit....but so far so good....and...if good turns bad...there always seems to be a 4wd around for a bit of a tug back to good road.

Would be interested in your route thru TN...if you did not see anything pretty on the interstate... now..if you are talking about I-10... down south, well... that is a ruff path far enough inland to attempt to not drive on sand. But I-40, I-65, I-24 all have some pretty neat views...in my humble southern opinion.....but, I drive without the fascination of the interior beauty of a new truck!!! :thup :smiled

SNEAKS: I am interested in your oil sample remark... Seems ol Uncle Sam has used oil samples on stuff for years....yet, in our civilian rides, we just dump gallons of more than likely fine oil with each oil change. Even some neat after market kits for more oil filters and oil sampling. I need to know more on this as Ol Blue is over the 100,000 mile mark now. Just seems that changing filters, adding oil to replace filters oil, and an oil sample would get a bit more use out of the oil... Your thoughts?

Byrdman
 
Congrats on the new vehicle. What I find ironic is you apparently live in MICHIGAN, but flew/drove to Texas to purchase an American made p/u. :lol:
 
55 in Houston? Were you in a School Zone?? :twisted:

We really enjoy our GMC w/Duramax... it's quiet, powerful, and will pull a bunch. We bought the 4x4, but that's because we've had 4x4s for 30 years (there was a time we needed it). We've hauled out of plenty of ramps with this truck and the CD-25 and have used 4WD a grand total of twice... both on very slimy ramps. And I'd bet that some kitty litter or sand would take care of that situation.

Congrats on the new truck! :thup That's a mighty long haul, though... they don't sell trucks where you live?? :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
I will reply to most everything here...

Sneaks, hijack away, that's what threads are made for...

I am not convinced on oil analysis... I evaluated that many years ago for my business vehicles and my airplane and decided not to use it...

On using an Allison dealer for service; we actually have one here in Saginaw, he distributes Detroit Diesel engines and Allison trannies... I have done business with him many decades ago when I was in plant engineering for GM...

I don't know what the BWT will be pulling... Last week I called a Florida dealer on a used Tomcat with twin Suzy's that I remembered them advertising, but it had been sold... There are a couple of almost new Ranger 25's being offered at a good discount over new...
I have another meeting with the corporation that wants to buy my business, this week... They promise have an actual contract for me to go over... If they also have a check that would speed things up considerably - we have an agreed price, but the devil is in the details... They want me to work for them after the sale and the terms of that has to be highly negotiated - I already have a boss and she is a slave driver...

My route was simple... I59 - I40 - I71 - I75 - I23 As close to a straight line as I could find with speed limits of at least 65...
Jim, I don't remember seeing anything outside of Houston but embankments, heavy tree rows, and big semis trying to run me over - until I finally got on the throttle...

On going to Texas for a used pickup - actually, they assemble GM pickup trucks just an hour down the road from me and in a previous lifetime I managed plant engineering at that plant - though I don't think diesels are made there... A good buy is where you find it... This one was at Texas Direct Auto...

On the 55 in Houston, yes I felt like a little old lady that took the wrong exit and wound up on the 3rd turn at Daytona... Man, those folks were steamed - or just out of their minds...

I have been through dozens of vehicles in my life, beyond my counting actually between personal and business... I don't tend to get attached to them (they are just a tool) but this little truck has moved up several notches on my appreciation meter after 2 days of pushing it up the continent...
 
55 - In HOUSTON !?!? It's a wonder that you didn't get shot ! An old Readers Digest story - when we moved back from Europe I read in RD of a woman from California, got stopped in Houston doing 80 on the South Loop - the cop walked up and asked "you KNOW why I stopped you, don't you lady" her reply - "I was the only one you could catch ?".

I came back from driving Autobahns and Autostradas and Houston seemed crazy fast !

Nice truck, about what I'm looking for to pull the 25.
 
I also have a BWT -- 2008 Duramax Crew Cab. We bought locally -- the price did not seem to be that discounted. Afterwards, I found out from Bob Austin that I should have bought my truck in the south. How much did you save by going to TX?

Warren

P.S. I also love my truck. Had a Dodge which was cooler but the Duramax is a better tow and personal rig for me -- but a bear to park in the supermarket lot!
 
denny-o":yg0i9l98 said:
Sneaks, I am not convinced on oil analysis... I evaluated that many years ago for my business vehicles and my airplane and decided not to use it...
..
Click to expand...

I don't suggest regular oil samples, Denny, but I do think it's prudent to do it early in ownership and maybe again every couple of years "just in case". AFAIC it's cheap insurance. Regular oil samples are for the industrial guys and the military.

I had an Edge Juice reprogrammer installed but never dared run it higher than stage 3. Enough to blow away the Nipper cars if I chose to but not enough to harm anything. It was great for pulling a big 5th wheel. The C-Dory? Oh yah, I'd often forget I'm towing something.... :wink Great truck.


Don
 
Sounds like you have found a new friend in your tuck Dinny... Let us know what ya name her. :mrgreen:

Know what you mean about the boss lady...it would ofen be much easier on me if I just worked for someone else rather than being..."retired."

Big swing on the boats between a TC255 and a Ranger 25. Guess at some point before you hook something to the truck...you will have to make a call on what type of boating you enjoy...and I feel sure after traveling for your truck...you will, or have already taken time to get on one of each of anything you may think you want to tow....and get on it in the waters and run it...listen to it, realise the draft differences.. and the like. How knows... if ya poke around a bit you may even be able to find a wonderful RF246 that is new and has a custom interior somewhat like a TC255/CD25...but could do wonderful in the slow cruise mode like the RT25...but could really run... You never know just what can be found in this site...

Happy Boat Shopping and Congrats on landing a tow vehicle that you are happy with and good luck on the business contract. Screwing around with and on boats can become addictive.... Be careful.

Byrdman... Enjoying the hills and trees of TN..off the interstate a bit.
 
Hello,
Since I plan to buy a Chevy, or GMC with a Duramax I had a few questions. Does anyone know how many cubic inches the motors actually are. I just wondered as they are reported to have 360 hp. I also wondered about what most use for mileage for oil change intervals? Does installing an after market chip have any effect on warranty? What is the warranty on the truck and the drive train? What is the towing capacity on a 3/4 ton rated GMC or Chevy. Thanks
D.D.
 
Captains Cat":2igzad1z said:
TMQ! (Too many questions!!) :shock:

Dave, is your GOOGLE broken? :lol:

Charlie
Click to expand...

Don't buy a truck until you fix your Google!
I made that mistake, and bought a gas F250/ 5.4/ 4wd that wouldn't pull a greasy string out of a cow's butt...gets a whopping 12.4 mpg hwy (not towing)....and I bought it 3 months before they started giving them away.
It does ride quite well, it's white, and onlookers with broken googles envy me.
 
Hello,
I'm so sorry. I was unaware of the too many questions rule. I simply wanted actual owners of duramax engined trucks a few questions which they could choose to answer or not. Now I know who is in charge of making the all rules for the C-Brat site. I saw no need for the posts if you don't have the answers. I didn't consider the previous posts to be all that helpful, let alone necessary. It's good to see you have pals.
D.D.
 
Captains Cat":24q7hlol said:
My Dodge V-10 2500 will pull anything, just won't pass a gas station...

Charlie
Click to expand...

It qualifies as a clunker now, Charlie. Unfortunately anything you replace it with under the clunker law would only qualify as squirrel transportation. Oh, and I can answer two of DEEM's questions: 'Yes' and 'when the light flashes "change oil."'

Don
 
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