First pull with 2011 Sierra - Recap

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Travelers

First pull with 2011 Sierra - Recap

Post by Travelers »

Hooked the rig up and Diann & I headed to Texas this morning. Drove about 400 miles and I’m impressed with my new GMC Sierra. :thumbrt: First and obvious it’s too quiet. I heard my Trail-Air pin box squeak. :-o Even Diann heard it. I can listen to the radio and still hear the Rest Area ahead poi go off on the Garmin. I need to use the cruise whenever I can. If not, this truck will get you tickets. The ride is nice and next thing you know you’re going 75/80. As far as mpg, it’s not very good – 9.4. We started with 1450 miles on the truck and the air was 7*. Tomorrow I’ll turn on the exhaust brake and drive nicer.

But we do miss the extra room and more pockets / storage the Ford had. Just not enough to go ask for it back. :d
Rob & Cathy

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Good report John. I wouldn't worry about the mileage until the drive train is broken-in.

Cruise control is a wonderful thing. :thumbrt:

Rob
Torben

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Torben »

Sounds like a great start to a great trip :thumbrt: Have fun :d
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Mike Clay
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Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Mike Clay »

Put it on cruise and turn on the exhaust brake and relax. I get around 11.2 pulling the same trailer so yours will go up. Enjoy
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Rob & Cathy

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Mike Clay wrote:Put it on cruise and turn on the exhaust brake and relax.
Why turn on the exhaust brake if you're just cruising down the road?

Rob
Travelers

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Travelers »

Rob & Cathy wrote:
Mike Clay wrote:Put it on cruise and turn on the exhaust brake and relax.
Why turn on the exhaust brake if you're just cruising down the road?

Rob
These little hills in KY and TN will test the exhaust brake. :d
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Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Mike Clay »

Rob, why not? There not there to use just in the mountains.
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Rob & Cathy

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Mike Clay wrote:Rob, why not? There not there to use just in the mountains.
Then why have the switch at all?

Rob
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Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Mike Clay »

Rob, Rob you don't need it when not towing but while towing its nice to have for slowing traffic or rest area ramps or just to hold speed on rolling hills or large passes. In fact when im not towing and out working at my other house I use it since there since you climb about 1,000 feet in a short period of time and there are a lot of up and downs . When im towing the first three switches i hit are exhaust brake, tow haul and fog lights since it turns on the power to the trailer lights during the daytime.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
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My dreams are too big for my wallet
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Travelers

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Travelers »

Rob, Have never had an exhaust brake it was an eye opener when I used it today. It worked great thru these hills and was really noticeable when exiting. Having had a Ford, when you slow down the trans downshift and the engine rpms go up and you feel the braking effects. Now double the braking feeling without the engine rpms going up. :shock: Rob, the exhaust brake is really noticeable. :thumbrt:

Day 2, we had our first fight. DEF froze and we needed to spend 4 hours at the dealership in Cullman AL. X( Apparently the DEF tank accumulates condensation and then freezes. A pretty common occurrance. GMC had a program reflash and then another "power" update. Eventually, we (I worked with the sevice guys) drained the tank and filled with fresh DEF. Reflashed everything again and it worked. We got out of the dealership about 4:30 and hit the local cg. Just as we pulled in it started to snow. So we're about 100 miles short of where we wanted to be today. We'll wait out the storm. :-w :-w
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Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Mike Clay »

Strange how some are freezing and some are not. It does not get as cold here but the truck went through a week of high teens and low 20,s without a problem. So far knock on wood the only problem has been the low boost code which has been fixed.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
Rob & Cathy

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Travelers wrote:Rob, the exhaust brake is really noticeable. :thumbrt:
Hi John, I'm sure it works very well. But, and please correct my if I'm wrong, I thought the new Fords and Chevys don't actually restrict the exhaust as after market devices do but rather restrict the input of air for engine braking.

Rob
Travelers

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Travelers »

If I understand correctly, they both use a variable vane that is in the turbo system that is driven by the exhaust gas and it reduces flow. I believe aftermarket systems utilize a variable position throttle blade to curtail exhaust flow. I know that both the Ford and GM tie their exhaust braking system into the transmission control module and the engine control module. I can't say the same for the aftermarket systems.

We have about 2" of snow already. Its still coming down pretty good. Boy do they hype the snow down here.
Rob & Cathy

Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by Rob & Cathy »

Travelers wrote:We have about 2" of snow already. Its still coming down pretty good. Boy do they hype the snow down here.
LOL, sound like they're trying to make you feel right at home.

Rob
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Re: First pull with 2011 Sierra

Post by bop11 »

John and Diann,

Glad to hear your gettting some miles under your tires. Hopefully you're far enough south that you're out of the freezing weather!

Bill
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