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BillTex · 03-09-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

I'm not sure how much OnStar buys you if you don't have cell coverage. I guess the big advantage would be if your cell provider is AT&T or T-Mo or one of the pre-paids, because OnStar uses Verizon's CDMA network for all the voice and data communication, and satellite just for the GPS location. It may have a stronger transmitter, being built-in rather than hand-held, so that could get you a bit more range at least.

The emergency service is sat based...

B

**moosetags** · 03-09-2011, 12:51 PM

Bill, I realize that there probably won't be much change in the 2012 Chevy truck. I just thought that, everything else being equal, I might as well have the new model year. Being that I will most likely have to special order this truck, I won't be getting any close-out deal.

I have checked inventory of 3500 W/T Duramax SRW 4x4 crew cab long beds. Almost all out there are white and minimally optioned. Most are not 4x4, only a couple had tinted glass, and none were victory red in color.

I intend to keep looking until we special order the truck. I guess there is a chance that one will turn up, but I'm not holding my breath, especially since color is a deal breaker.

Brian

**DKB_SATX** · 03-09-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

The emergency service is sat based...

B

Per OnStar on their page about emergency service:

"OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery), wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly."

I thought the "wireless service" probably meant cellular service but I called to verify. The indication the person who answered my call gave was that it needed some cellular signal to operate.

On their OnStar Technology page they say it uses GPS and cellular technology, nothing about satellite communications.

BillTex · 03-09-2011, 01:25 PM

Global Position System= a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day...yada yada...

**DKB_SATX** · 03-09-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Global Position System= a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day...yada yada...

Yes, that's right as far as it goes. And a GPS signal will let a device on the ground calculate where it is. However, GPS is a 1-way technology. The satellites are sending out time-coded signals and a GPS receiver uses those signals to calculate its coordinates on the planet. That's why they are called GPS receivers, not GPS transceivers.

There ARE devices like Personal Locator Beacons and marine EPIRBs that send 406 MHz signals that can be picked up by a set of satellites that are NOT part of the GPS network and are not proprietary, they're used for international satellite search-and-rescue. To my knowledge OnStar doesn't use this system, though I would consider it a big value-add if they did.

BillTex · 03-09-2011, 02:39 PM

Yes, and in an emergency, when you push the on-star emergency button and it sends a signal via satellite, they will send help. SPOT and EPIRB work the same; they are not (yet) transceivers. I have not yet popped for a spot, but the Delorme/SPOT gadget sure is tempting…

Thank you for helping to clarify my point for those that may not have understood (maybe I should not have said “air time” when referencing on-star emergency service…this may have been misconstrued as meaning cell service?); if you are ordering a GM vehicle I would consider On-Star (it used to come standard for 1 year anyway) as a good way to summon help in the vent of an emergency where there is no cell coverage.

Fortunately, we have never needed it, consequently, we have never tested any of the above…but for ~ $20 (you can buy 1 month at a time, which is what we do based on our travel plans) it makes me feel a little better about taking my Family into some very remote areas where there is no cell coverage, and it could take hours to reach a pay phone or other civilization. We are self sufficient when we travel, but…that is why they are called “emergencies”.
OK…we are far enough off-topic now! Well perhaps this is somewhat GM truck related...

Bill

**DKB_SATX** · 03-09-2011, 03:17 PM

@BillTex: Buy a SPOT. I don't think OnStar does what you think it does. I'm not being argumentative for the sake of argument, I think OnStar is a great service for what it is, but I do not believe that it has a SARSAT (PLB or EPIRB) or Globalsat (SPOT) transmitter and doesn't offer you the protection you think it does when you're out of range of Verizon coverage.

SPOT and GPS-enabled EPIRBs and PLBs aren't transceivers in the traditional sense of having 2-way communication to 1 endpoint, but they receive GPS signals and transmit distress beacon signals coded with GPS coordinates (if available) and PLBs also often transmit short-range signals to assist rescuers in pinpointing the beacon's location when they get close to the reported coordinates.

I'll stop harping on this now, but it is important to me to convey that I have looked for this information and have seen ZERO evidence that OnStar has any sort of satellite transmission capability and I don't think it provides PLB-like functionality if you press the red button where it can't get a CDMA signal.

newroswell · 03-09-2011, 04:15 PM

OnStar By GM | OnStar Technology, Global Positioning System and GPS Maps

It looks like it needs cell service to talk to the OnStar mothership.

Antique Pedaler · 03-09-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Good Morning, Bill,

Thanx for the response. We are planning to head out to Colorado with Lucy around the first week in May. After doing our TC shopping there, we plan to make a decision pretty quickly. If we end up ordering an Outfitter, it will take about six months to get it. That will allow us plenty of time to shop around and special order the Duramax. We may be able to hold off long enough to order a 2012 model. I have not yet researched the cut-off date for ordering 2011's.

Brian

High speed idle stock on our dmax. Auto on when real cold. Auto off when any pedal pressed.

When in CO try DENCO WBCCI maintenance rally in Ft Collins.

We're wintering in AZ.

**moosetags** · 03-09-2011, 05:30 PM

The High idle Switch (UF3) is a $200 option on the WT. It well may included on the LT's and and other higher trim levels.

Brian

newroswell · 03-09-2011, 06:58 PM

On the high idle switch, would that be used when more current from the alternator is needed, warm the engine and keep the cab heater hot in extremely cold weather?

**moosetags** · 03-09-2011, 07:35 PM

The high idle switch on a diesel engine helps it get to proper operating temperature in cold weather.

Brian

JFScheck · 03-09-2011, 08:00 PM

On-Star requires cellular towers to transmit help messages - only SAT interaction is SAT receivers for GPS. Not like iSpot which can talk to Sat's like Sat phone....

airstrmkids · 03-09-2011, 08:44 PM

We are on our 2nd Chevy duramax the first was an '03 extended and the second is an '06 4 door. The '03 got a little better gas mileage. We can get 20 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg around town and towing we get 14mpg.

We like the truck but the only problem with our truck is the transmission lines to the front radiator which has been replaced 3 times due to oil leaks. Which is a defect in their lines which I have been told this by 2 different mechanics.

And right now we have a steering knuckle knock. And agreeing on the small fuel tank. Needs to be a little bit bigger.

**moosetags** · 03-10-2011, 06:52 AM

Speaking of the OEM fuel tank (36 gallon) on the 2011 Duramax, I have been exploring options. I have been looking at a replacement fuel tank from Transfer Flow Fuel Tank Systems. They offer a 56 gallon tank that can replace the OEM fuel tank in a long bed chassis. These tanks are pricey at $1000+, but could be really useful.

Brian

BillTex · 03-10-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Speaking of the OEM fuel tank (36 gallon) on the 2011 Duramax, I have been exploring options. I have been looking at a replacement fuel tank from Transfer Flow Fuel Tank Systems. They offer a 56 gallon tank that can replace the OEM fuel tank in a long bed chassis. These tanks are pricey at $1000+, but could be really useful.

Brian

Brian, you will have something like 700-800 mi range with the 36 gal tank!

pmclemore · 03-10-2011, 09:13 AM

Yeah - I envy your 36 gal tank myself. I start looking to fuel up when I get to about 250 miles (about 20 gallons when pulling).

BTW - are you going to miss your quadrasteer on the new rig?

Pat

newroswell · 03-10-2011, 09:22 AM

My buddy has the 50 gallon Titan in his GMC/Duramax and we went out last weekend, he was still burning $3.65 diesel, while I filled at $4.05 and top offed at $4.25 to get home. But he's empty now, so it's gonna hurt to fill it!

moose, what kind of millage are you expecting with a camper shell in the bed and towing an airstream?

**moosetags** · 03-10-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Yeah - I envy your 36 gal tank myself. I start looking to fuel up when I get to about 250 miles (about 20 gallons when pulling).

BTW - are you going to miss your quadrasteer on the new rig?

Pat

I am going to really miss the Quadrasteer Suburbans. I am used to being able to thread a needle when backing the Airstream. A long bed truck is going to be a whole different ball game. I am going to have to relearn trailer backing.

Brian

**moosetags** · 03-10-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newroswell

My buddy has the 50 gallon Titan in his GMC/Duramax and we went out last weekend, he was still burning $3.65 diesel, while I filled at $4.05 and top offed at $4.25 to get home. But he's empty now, so it's gonna hurt to fill it!

moose, what kind of millage are you expecting with a camper shell in the bed and towing an airstream?

To answer your question about expected fuel mileage, I really don't have any idea. I have never owned a diesel, so I am new at this. I would have probably stuck with gas for just towing Lucy. I will be toting about 2500# of truck camper and towing a 7400# Airstream. We have decided that we are going to need diesel is we want this rig to be able to go uphill. It will be interesting to see how this will work out fuel mileage-wise.

Maybe some with diesel experience can chime in with what they think on MPG.

Brian