Deleted my DEF

[moose074]

Unknown perk first oil change free rest only $59. Technology is great the 3500 way smoother than the 250 gasser with 1k plus extra payload. On highway I get 20 with gas lucky to get 13.6 . My daily driving I still have concerns but I agree towing wise the gas got the job done but the diesel will hit it out f the park

[502SS]

I also just got back from a trip from Mi. to Alabama.
As tomkatb said, Michigan and Indiana seemed to be the worst. Everything down further was $3.89 or lower ($3.55 I think was the lowest I paid).
You'll definitely be happy with the new truck. Typically at most, I think mine would kick out of lockup while going uphill. I believe 2-3X in some of the Kentucky hills it would drop a gear, but it's still a pretty quiet ride.
And I know exactly what you mean. I bought a new 2015 2500 with the 6.0. Even in small hills towing around 10K, it was usually running 3,500RPM or more just screaming. My wife also appreciated the much quieter diesel truck.
Do all your own maintenance. Don't know why, but I always use GM filters/etc. but I typically change oil, fuel, and trans spin on filter at every oil change. Costs me about what it costs to get my wife's oil changed in her Yukon, plus I have the added peace of mind the fuel filter/trans filter is done as well.

[tomkatb]

Another way to save is on differential fluid changing.

On a Ram HD gas or diesel truck they charge $150 per diff X3 to change fluid. It is easy. Should be every 30,000 miles if you pull much.

The fluid is sort of pricey but, not that bad.

[ppine]

Thanks to the people pointing out some of the problems associated with deleting pollution control equipment mandated by law.

Diesel costs less than gas in Nevada. I have a new Ram diesel but would never think of it as a toy. Modern trucks are comfortable, last a long time, look good and can pull heavy things. They maintain their value. I love my new Ram. It is like a space ship. I look forward to driving to the store, not to mention camping and the open road.

[moose074]

Ok so I just did medium trip 9 days. Logan New Mexico and Crawford Colorado. My worst mileage was 9 mpg strong head wind. It so happens this was basically same stretch just different direction that I got my worst mileage on my gasser 5.2 mpg again strong winds. Beyond the mpg though the Chevy provided a smoother ride than the Ford which was appreciated with the rough roads. Newer Fords I believe ride smoother as well.
I was worried about the 3:41 rear gearing. I really thought I would miss the 3:73 from my Cummins because even when empty I thought my Ford 3:55 wasn’t great going up steep climb. However the Chevy handled some steep long grades no problem and the fan clutch never kicked in like on the Ram. So a lot quieter. I suspect the Ford 10 speed would have acted the same.

Now on the trip I climbed Monarch Pass I believe 11300 , then hwy 92 from Gunnison to Crawford. Finally the Million Dollar hwy. I feel my gas truck could have handled all the roads. It would have struggled the most on Monarch pass because the roads were wider and not as many tight switchbacks. The other two roads max speed was 45 but many sections 10-25. So the gas in lower gears lower speed limit would have been ok but worked extremely hard.

The biggest difference I told the wife was while driving portion of the million mile highway I was able to concentrate on driving not rpm’s, brakes ect. Part of that would be difference between diesel and gas and 70k miles pulling 2k over recommended and 21k pulling under GVWR .

[itat]

Originally Posted by moose074

Ok so 9 months ago I bought the used gasser it met all my needs. 3 months ago bought heavier and slightly longer trl. Truck still did great with perfect conditions. Wife doesn’t like getting gas at gas pumps or the frequency. She doesn’t like the higher reving in wind . The gasser was over it’s GCVW on last trl this one is heavier so, back to a diesel. 2022 3500 Chevy Duramax SWD

moose074, looks like you need to update your signature. Congratulations on the new trailer and truck! At the GVWR of your new Columbus you can justify needing a diesel engine. We downsized and went back to a TT so the 6.2L gasser is even better with the lighter trailer. Interestingly, around here diesel prices have dropped back down to being close to gasoline.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by itat

moose074, looks like you need to update your signature. Congratulations on the new trailer and truck! At the GVWR of your new Columbus you can justify needing a diesel engine. We downsized and went back to a TT so the 6.2L gasser is even better with the lighter trailer. Interestingly, around here diesel prices have dropped back down to being close to gasoline.

Your right shortly after asking for help to update my signature with my Ford 250 and new Columbus. I bit the bullet bought the Chevy. The Ford actually did great on the two mostly flat pulls with the Columbus. I owned an ElkRidge that was about 1200 pounds lighter than the Columbus according to published dry weight. The ElkRidge put me over by 400 pounds at 19480 GVWR. The 6.2 did great with everything but the wind. Which is also the Achilles heel of the Duramax. I was trying to hold off on buying a diesel until the market settled down. However two things happened. First while getting the front bearings replaced on the Ford. I heard one salesman complain to another that Chevy and GMC were projected to increase MSRP on HD trucks anywhere from 7% on low trims and 20% on the upper trims. That combined with higher interest rates was going to make it harder to sell. I assume the other manufacturers where going to do the same. The second thing was daughter has been promised a month long senior trip after she graduates. Originally it was going to be east of the Mississippi but she likes Oregon upper Idaho Yellowstone area and wants to return to that area. I knew the Ford was over weight and had 67k on the odometer already so very likely 80 k plus by time we took the trip. While the Ford most likely would have been fine. I would have a lot to worry about justified or not. I hope for most part I haven’t put gas motors down, I truly believe they are more than capable and I tried not to make it a brand war.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by moose074

Ok so I just did medium trip 9 days. Logan New Mexico and Crawford Colorado. My worst mileage was 9 mpg strong head wind. It so happens this was basically same stretch just different direction that I got my worst mileage on my gasser 5.2 mpg again strong winds. Beyond the mpg though the Chevy provided a smoother ride than the Ford which was appreciated with the rough roads. Newer Fords I believe ride smoother as well.
I was worried about the 3:41 rear gearing. I really thought I would miss the 3:73 from my Cummins because even when empty I thought my Ford 3:55 wasn’t great going up steep climb. However the Chevy handled some steep long grades no problem and the fan clutch never kicked in like on the Ram. So a lot quieter. I suspect the Ford 10 speed would have acted the same.

Now on the trip I climbed Monarch Pass I believe 11300 , then hwy 92 from Gunnison to Crawford. Finally the Million Dollar hwy. I feel my gas truck could have handled all the roads. It would have struggled the most on Monarch pass because the roads were wider and not as many tight switchbacks. The other two roads max speed was 45 but many sections 10-25. So the gas in lower gears lower speed limit would have been ok but worked extremely hard.

The biggest difference I told the wife was while driving portion of the million mile highway I was able to concentrate on driving not rpm’s, brakes ect. Part of that would be difference between diesel and gas and 70k miles pulling 2k over recommended and 21k pulling under GVWR .

Actually it's the million dollar hwy

[moose074]

Originally Posted by MR.M

Actually it's the million dollar hwy

Your correct I got it correct in first paragraph swung and missed on the second