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GM 'o7classic LBZ dsl 6 spd to '21 L5P dsl 10 spd report

SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Explorer
It just became time for a new truck The 'o7 gave us great service for over 14 years, towing our 16k 5er and many times a 2nd trailer over 50k mi. towing. Youve seen us in the Q, in Baltimore, Brookings, San Diego, to Tampa and everywhere in between several times in the past 20 years.
Last winter or 2 ago DW says its time to upgrade. so we considered 'A ' MH s, back to TTS, new 5 ers.
5er won out, keep our Carriage, with our travel style of overnighting( which we always drycamp, boondock on public lands ) en route to longer term destination.
So we ordered mar 27/ 21 a new 2021 chevy 3500 srw L5P dsl crew cab 8' bed.w/ b& w companion hitch.
Took delivery jun 7 21. Cleaned up the 07 for private sale, sold it in 2 weeks for 1/2 of what we paid for it 14 1/2 years ago. less than $1500/ yr depreciation/yr cost of ownership.
Now the tow comparison, with our same 5er on a 1400 mi. rd. trip to Ks. last week in temps over 100 up to 106 and into 35 mph headwinds. The L5P and 10 spd tranny didnt even notice, minor gear shifts into 9or 8 on the hills in the headwinds, Tranny temp never got avove 175.
On past comparable trips the 07 struggled in those head winds and temps ran higher. fuel mileage comparable. 10 mpg + to minus. The new truck never struggled or got warm.

We do miss that faithful and dependable 07, are expecting the same depedability from the new 21 as well as it holding its value into the future.
31 REPLIES 31

corvettekent
Explorer
Explorer
After reading your post and stopping by my local Chevy dealer I'm thinking about ordering a new 2022 Chevy 3500 SRW with the Duramax.

So I assume that you had to get a new B&W companion hitch? Is the height of the new truck and the old truck similar?
2022 Silverado 3500 High Country CC/LB, SRW, L5P. B&W Companion Hitch with pucks. Hadley air horns.

2004 32' Carriage 5th wheel. 860 watts of solar MPPT, two SOK 206 ah LiFePO4 batteries. Samlex 2,000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter.

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
If your not pulling as heavy I don't know that it matters as much, but pulling heavy the reasons to upgraded are pretty apparent.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
larry barnhart wrote:
bob213 wrote:
I have an 05 with 45K miles. I don't really need a new one but I've been bitten by the "new truck bug". I can't find what I want so I think I will have to order as well. I just need to get over the sticker shock. ENJOY your new truck!!!



We have an 05 chev duramax with 114K miles and still feel I am driving a new truck. We could drive a new truck but why?

chevman


Right on Chevman!
Of all the mid 2000s diesel pickups, the GM is on par or maybe preferable and the drivetrain is the best hands down total package.
Your LLy I think you can program in a turbo brake as well.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Explorer
4 1/2" sounds close, its not an issue in a dip it is in an hilltop. What we in pipelining called an overbend, vs sag.
The tailgate to overhead of the 5er contact with a 8' bed would mean a 20% overbend hill top I agree, not ideal , unlikely. avoidable. Raising the 5er is an option, that adds even more complications.

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Explorer
bob213 wrote:
I have an 05 with 45K miles. I don't really need a new one but I've been bitten by the "new truck bug". I can't find what I want so I think I will have to order as well. I just need to get over the sticker shock. ENJOY your new truck!!!



We have an 05 chev duramax with 114K miles and still feel I am driving a new truck. We could drive a new truck but why?

chevman
chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy



KSH 55 inbed fuel tank

scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
I agree on the 4.5 inches of clearance. I have 9" on my toyhauler and sometimes it comes very close to hitting when going over rough ground. Toyhauler life is rougher than regular RVing but 4.5" isn't much room for error in the roadway.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
You will love the B&W. Once you are comfortable with it you can skip the pull test and do a simple "visual test".

PinBox and hitch plates touching, handle closed and locked with jaws closed around the kingpin you are good to go. Of course this is a personal decision.

I would be very concerned with 4.5" of bed clearance. Time to do a little fabricating on the RV's suspension.

If you don't have one get B&W's 1/8" slip plate as it will make unhitching easier.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Explorer
Pricing was fair, bought from same salesman that sold me the . 07. Bed height is higher, had to raiise the pinbox 2 1/2" so have 4 1/2" clearance a little less than I like but still sufficient.
The b&w hitch is silent and positive, big improvement over the 16 k reese with rails it clanked rattled and unlatched once when I did pull test.
Had 190000 mi. on the LBZ probably 100 k of them towing camper or heavy work trailers.

Roger10378
Explorer II
Explorer II
How do the bed rail heights compare? I looks like the new trucks are enough taller that it will give me a problem with my 05 trailer.
2005 Cardinal 30TS
2007 Chevy 2500HD D/A

deltabravo
Nomad
Nomad
How many miles did you have on the LBZ?
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
I made a similar jump from an 06 3500 LBZ, DRW to a 2020 L5P 3500 DRW The LBZ is regarded as one of the best versions of the Dmax. However, overall the newer truck just does everything better and easier when pulling heavy. I don't miss the 06.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1

SUMRX4
Explorer
Explorer
Just purchased 21 GMC Denali 3500 myself. I don't currently have a big trailer to tow but wife and I both want a 5er. Coming from an 03 F-250 with the 6.0 I cant imagine the difference I'm going to see pulling my 28' Jayco I currently have. Thinking of just dragging it around the neighborhood as opposed to waiting two weeks for our next camping trip. LOL

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
bob213 wrote:
I have an 05 with 45K miles. I don't really need a new one but I've been bitten by the "new truck bug". I can't find what I want so I think I will have to order as well. I just need to get over the sticker shock. ENJOY your new truck!!!


Jeez! If that happens to be a CC 4wd variety, you have a pretty valuable truck on your hands!
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Good to hear. Very clear report. Enjoy!
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Good report! Hope you got the pre inflation pricing???
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD