Chevy Silverado? Anyone heard of it...

[KJRitchie]

Is it a safe to purchase a mid 2000 era Duramax if it has 100-135k miles? Seems like the samples around me 5 years old or more the mileage is over 100k. These are dealer sales.

Kelvin

[Cardinal283]

Recently bought a used 2008 Silverado 2500 Duramax with the LMM engine. I haven't gotten a chance to pull the 26 foot '63 Overlander yet, but that's what I bought it for. We'll see how it goes.

[The Cralls]

I pull with a 2011 GMC 6.6l Dramax Allison transmission combo, Crew cab 4x4 Denali. I pull a 28' International Serenity. She pulls all of the hills at the speed limit, the exhaust brake holds the speed on the was down. The numbers may not be as high as Ford or Dodge in hp or torque but the engine/transmission gear ratios and rear end combo are perfectly matched. In addition I got over 13mpg over 7000 mi trip across the U.S. from Washington to Florida and back pulling the whole time.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Danattherock

Having drove Tahoes and an Escalade for the last 15 years, I'm pretty out of touch with trucks. In process of selecting TV for 28-30' FC. Chevy is very popular where I live, but I don't see hardly any talk here about them. Just curious why?

I saw a beautiful copper colored 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD 4x4 CC with Duramax today at local dealer. Starred her down while I had my breakfast in car.. She didn't say a word, just sat there. Price was $62k, same as all the nicely appointed Ford F-250's I've seen. It had a hitch on the back so I know someone somewhere tows with Chevy trucks.

Reading online is a minefield for a new guy to trucks. Read assorted complaints about the Dodge 68RFE transmission. AISIN transmission is a $3k upgrade. Dodge Mega Cab is out. Wish they just put the higher quality transmission in all Dodge Rams.

Was all set on buying Ford F-350 SRW with 6.7 diesel then I read numerous online complaints about faulty injectors and high pressure fuel pumps leading to costly repairs Ford didn't fix under warranty. Now I'm shy on pulling the trigger on a Ford. Finger no workie.

What are Chevy trucks known for? How does the Duramax diesel stand up against the Ford PS and Dodge Cummins? How is the reputation of the gas motors in Silverados compared to the Ford 6.2 L or Hemi powered Dodge? How does the Chevy Allison transmission compare to Ford or Dodges 68RFE or AISIN?

Each time I find an answer, two questions pop up in its place. I'm tempted to stop reading online and just flip a quarter. Twice. Best out of three.. Whatever.. Anyone have a three sided quarter?



Dan
NC

I don't know where you are getting your information on problems with the 6.7, but it just ain't so. The 6.7 Ford diesel, especially since 2012, has been spot-on and has blown the doors off both Dodge and Chevy in sales and performance. The Ford TorqueShift tranny is way better than the Allison and the Dodge tranny doesn't come close. If you want a real truck, go look at a Ford 6.7 and see the difference....and there really is a lot better truck in the Ford stable.

[Wingeezer]

Bought a GMC 2500HD diesel new in 2008 and very pleased with it.

I have had two minor problems in 7 years.


(1) Went into "limp mode" on a NY interstate coming home from the Airstream park in NJ.

Fuel filter life suddenly went from about 55% to zero and I got a dash message to change the filter.

I reckoned we had gotten a bad load of fuel a a seedy little gas station in then hills of Pennsylvania (poor planning on my part, I usually try to fill up at places like Flying J with good turn over.

We managed to get to a GM dealer and I asked them to change the filter and if possible dump the rest of the fuel (about 1/4 tank.) They changed the filter but said our fuel looked ok do they did not dump it just filled up.

So I really don't know what happened. Never happened again, but now I carry a defect code scanner as well as a spare diesel fuel filter on all our trips!


(2) Sporadically we get a message on the dash saying "Check Trailer Brake System" This means the integrated system on the truck, not the trailer brakes themselves - that would be a different message.

The trailer brakes seem to work fine despite the warning, so it is really just an annoyance. This message pops up quite often whether we have the trailer attached or not. We just cancel it !

So far our local GMC dealer has not been able to replicate the problem or resolve the message! From an internet search though I find many folk have the same issue. I continue to pursue it with GM!

Apart from these two minor issues, generally very happy with the Duramax/ Allison and have pulled our trailer to Florida or Arizona with it every year since getting it in 2008.

Brian.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Is it a safe to purchase a mid 2000 era Duramax if it has 100-135k miles? Seems like the samples around me 5 years old or more the mileage is over 100k. These are dealer sales.

Kelvin

Get it inspected by an independent diesel mechanic... but for the most part their reputation is that they're only getting thoroughly broken in by 250,000 to 300,000 miles. The interior could be shot, and body corrosion might be an issue (local paper mills?, lots of highway salt?). And inspect the receiver carefully. That can tell you how many of those miles were towing stuff. Might not want one a landscaper or tree guy has used to haul heavy lumber for 10 years.

Hey, if the price is right, your Airstream and tow vehicle could be "Beauty and the Beast".


Paula

[polarlyse]

I tow with a Dodge 3500 w/ the 5.9 Cummins. Love it and find it does all I need and does it well. I think Ford has finally got it right with the 6.7l and is a dynamite choice and I have not heard any bad stuff about the GM's lineup so you have a lot of nice choices out there. Cummins and GM have a long history of great service with Ford having had some rocky years getting to where they are now. I don't think you can go wrong so long as you stay away from the troublesome Ford years.

[Ed Brownfield]

We own a 2015 28 ft FC when we purchased the trailer we planned to tow it with our Infiniti QX 56 which is rated at 8,900 lbs. We towed with it for about 4,000 miles but we never felt comfortable towing with the Infiniti. Did lots of research and ended up purchasing a 2015 GMC 2500 with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. We probably could have gotten by with less truck but I have never regretted my decision. Towing with this truck is a dream and stopping with the exhaust brake is a real benefit especially in the mountains. I love the truck would buy it again! Hope this helps.

[Pat Cassity]

2015 GMC Sierra / 2015 27' FB Serenity. Max tow package. Just returned from a 2500 mile trip. Averaged 13.5 mpg and the truck only has 8000 miles on it. I really feel that GM Finally got it right this year. Just a wonderful tow experience!


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[WaLee]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Is it a safe to purchase a mid 2000 era Duramax if it has 100-135k miles? Seems like the samples around me 5 years old or more the mileage is over 100k. These are dealer sales.

Kelvin

I bought a used 2004.5. It had 137,000 miles. So far the only thing I've had to do is retrofit the air cleaner. There was a service letter for that year. I'm installing a Banks cold air injection system this weekend. A simple bolt on swap out. From what I've read this should cure the overheating problem I have on very hot (100 degree +) days pulling steep grades.
Theses trucks have all parts available and that's low miles for a diesel. The interior is holding up well.
There were valve train issues earlier that year. Doing it over. I might have looked at a post 2007 truck. The air injection systems were sorted out by then. I get about 16 mpg all around except when it's very hot out. Then it's more like 13.

It's a great truck. I'm not looking for anything new.


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[Danattherock]

Originally Posted by pappy19

I don't know where you are getting your information on problems with the 6.7, but it just ain't so. The 6.7 Ford diesel, especially since 2012, has been spot-on and has blown the doors off both Dodge and Chevy in sales and performance. The Ford TorqueShift tranny is way better than the Allison and the Dodge tranny doesn't come close. If you want a real truck, go look at a Ford 6.7 and see the difference....and there really is a lot better truck in the Ford stable.

It's EVERYWHERE!! I wasn't seeking it out.

Heck, I still want one. Can't help it.

But trigger shy due to what I've read.


Google any of the following.... (And put a pot of coffee on)

Ford 6.7 failed fuel pump

Ford 6.7 hpfp failure

Ford 6.7 warrany denied


Dan
NC

[Danattherock]

Originally Posted by WaLee

I'm with the crowd with few complaints. 06 Duramax 2500 HD
06 23 Safari

For the record a '06 Cayenne too. Attachment 243581


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Thanks

I wish I was there!

[tjdonahoe]

Have 91000 miles on my 6.7 dodge with 6 speed auto by dodge , no problems, used only for towing the 31 as or car trailer, I would buy another one.....

[DHart]

I love full-size General Motors vehicles (trucks and SUVs). And for me the Chevy and GM products are virtually the same (save for a few differences at the very high end).

No doubt, a new truck from Ford, Dodge, Chevy, or GMC is a very good product and any of them will get the job done well. But I just happen to prefer the way General Motors does things.

After considering a number of options, we gleefully settled on a 2015 GMC Sierra Denali HD, which is a 3/4 ton with Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. This is our every day vehicle and will tow our (just arrived) 2016 30' Serenity. Being a Denali, the truck is something like having a Cadillac in terms of creature comforts and features. We LOVE it!

GM is using the Denali trucks shown pulling Airstreams in some of their promotional material.





And this is our new truck, shown parked in our front courtyard:


I would recommend that anyone considering buying a truck have a look at and drive a Denali pickup... they're fantastic vehicles!

[flyerboy]

I have the same truck you were eyeing up. 2013 Silverado 2500HD CC Duramax with all the bells and whistles. 22,000 miles and I wouldn't trade it except for a newer model in a different color that I might like better.
Trouble free, rides great, 22.5 MPG on the highway not pulling, 13.5 MPG pulling 10,000# Airstream Classic. 65MPH over mountains and most of the time doesn't even downshift 1 gear! A phenomenal truck! Only complaint is the turn radius, it SUCKS, but that goes with the territory of a big truck. 18" wheels ride a lot better than 20" because of the larger sidewall profile tires. My wife also loves this truck. DO IT! You'll be happy you did! Ours had a sticker of $64,000 and we were out the door with all taxes (Illinois!) at $60,000. 0% financing, $1,000/ month for 5 years! Happiest payment I ever made!

[DC Bruce]

By request from the moderator (?), here's a photo of our '15 Sierra 1500 SLT with our Airstream FC27 hooked up nice and level with a ProPride hitch. Location is the Peaks of Otter campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. We are very pleased with the 6.2 liter engine and 8-speed tranny with the max trailer tow package. 1960 lbs. payload per the door sticker, as shown.

[KJRitchie]

What does the payload sticker show for a late model 2500HD Duramax, crew cab, 4x4, LT or LTX options?

Thanks

Kelvin

[Danattherock]

With my luck lately, likely 765 lbs. Will need to start checking more door stickers after seeing Tundra payload disparity. F-350 srw is arounf 4,000 lb payload in print. Will check it in person as well. Fudging and misleading seems to be the norm.



DC Bruce, that's a sweet setup man!! Just what we want.

Thanks flyerboy.

Congrats DHart. That's beautiful.


What's the deal with 8 speed? On phone, sales rep told me Chevy 2500 HD Z71 with Duramax was 6 speed. Keep hearing about chevy and gmc 8 speeds.


Dan

[KJRitchie]

DC Bruce has the rare 6.2L gas V8. They come with an 8 speed.

Kelvin

[JaynEss]

Our 2002 2500 HD Silverado. 104K miles. We tow our 21' Sovereign with ease and we are on the other end of the state from you in the mountains. Ours is the 6.0 Litre Vortex.