Test drove a new Chevy D/A Dually today

diesel / big auto tranny and serious disk brakes .
i've owned new GM trucks all of my life, all big blocks .
i tried 2 BB fords .
currently a 2002 duramax bought new .
i may never need to replace it .
although i would probably prefer another duramax i would not hesitate to buy a cummins or a powerstroke if that were my only choices versus an f 150 even with the over-advertized eco-boost .
no 1500's or f 150's for me as long as pulling a trailer is the reason to own a pickup.
the best used pickup is the one i bought new 11 years ago . i know where it has been and who it has been with .........

john&bet wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
Nothing beats the power and smothness of the D/A - unless the Ram with the new Cummins and Aisin can do it?

Don't need a new one for that. My '04.5 has lots of power and smoothness.

I hear ya! I haven't hooked up anything I couldn't pull yet, and I have over a 100k miles so far, it just won't slow down.

I think all three make a fine diesel drivetrain, but I personally felt that the D/A was the smoothest, had the nicest, wide powerband, and worked best with the transmission. I have some complaints about the GM truck overall, but nothing whatsoever on the D/A combo!

Bionic Man wrote:
My advice? BUY BUY BUY!!! It's not just the powertrain on the new trucks that is an improvement, it's the interior upgrades as well.

Agree, the Longhorn interior is awesome!

Even Ford people love the interior.

My advice? BUY BUY BUY!!! It's not just the powertrain on the new trucks that is an improvement, it's the interior upgrades as well.

No go try a 13 Ram Max Tow Ram Dually. Massive payload and apples to apples much less expensive than GM or Ford.

EPenney wrote:
Jeremiah,

I can even pull out and easily pass a Prius that is struggling up a grade. :B

:B Loved that :B

Love my 2012 GMC 2500HD DMax. Coming from a 2002 2500HD with the 6.0 gasser it is night/day difference towing especially through the mountains.

What I appreciate on the new trucks is that they also stop quickly as well. My '98 Chevy took a country mile to stop with any amount of trailer load and even when not towing and no passengers. 4 wheel disc brakes were much too long in coming.

Jeremiah,

In late 2006, I stopped at a local Chevy dealer and test drove a 2500HD diesel. I purchased the Silverado in my sig a week later.

We live at 35' ASL and tow up into the High Sierra to CG's located at 6000'-7000' ASL. We used to struggle up the grades when we towed a 6K# TT with a gas 5.3L. Now I travel up the same grades effortlessly with my diesel towing our 10K# 5er. Big difference! I can even pull out and easily pass a Prius that is struggling up a grade. :B