My new 2011 Silverado 3500

[Mike Clay]

Good maybe they will come out with more mount kits soon. I sure wish I would have taken pictures of the brackets George made they were very nice. But he kept me under the truck most of the day, I think just to keep me out of his way. Went and got the mud flaps on it today so it wont be throwing anymore rocks at my trailer. Dealer called today and told me the step bars will be in by the end of next week so that will make life much easier getting in and out of the truck.

[Mike Clay]

Well got my front and rear mud flaps and Cardinal club decal on now just waiting for the nerf bars to get to the dealer which they owe me as part of the deal. I have an appointment on Monday to get them installed plus oil and filter change plus spin on filter for the Allison and cant forget to top off the urea tank

[Chief409]

Those mud flaps look familiar. Mine have anti-sail bars though. From GO Industries.

[Mike Clay]

These are made by Action Accessories Manufactures

[Mike Clay]

Finally my nerf bars came in today and the dealer installed them and the rear fender liners. So much easier to get in and out of the truck now especially Susanna

[mikenmarge]

Beautiful truck, Mike. Bet there's no problem with weight with this one. We loved our GM, but just didn't want a long bed. Can you feel a big difference in the towing?

[Mike Clay]

My 08 towed great just did not have a warm fuzzy feeling coming down hills and stopping. This one does have more power but the items i really notice is the brakes, steering, exhaust brake and over all the truck is much more stout then my 08 due to the complete redesign of the frame and components.

[snoking]

Mike, how about an updated towing report on the new truck? Chris

[Mike Clay]

Well since i finally have wifi for a few minutes anyway. The truck is way better then I expected, it pulls HARD in fact I was on cruse control most of the trip. My fan comes on at 205 degrees and going to Yellowstone over all the passes in 90 degree plus weather the fan came on 2 times it just does not get to that temp range. Going down the hills the only time I hit my brakes is to shift it down a gear, the exhaust brake will hold the truck just fine on any grade we went on. George was telling me he was thinking of me pulling his trailer at one point to see if it would slow the truck down. Mileage wise I have 4,600 miles on the truck now and i am at an over all average on this trip at 10.8 mpg while towing, it has gone into regen 3 times and we have traveled over 2,400 miles with most of that towing on this trip.

So Chris to answer your question, its a great truck more then I expected

[snoking]

Well since i finally have wifi for a few minutes anyway. The truck is way better then I expected, it pulls HARD in fact I was on cruse control most of the trip. My fan comes on at 205 degrees and going to Yellowstone over all the passes in 90 degree plus weather the fan came on 2 times it just does not get to that temp range. Going down the hills the only time I hit my brakes is to shift it down a gear, the exhaust brake will hold the truck just fine on any grade we went on. George was telling me he was thinking of me pulling his trailer at one point to see if it would slow the truck down. Mileage wise I have 4,600 miles on the truck now and i am at an over all average on this trip at 10.8 mpg while towing, it has gone into regen 3 times and we have traveled over 2,400 miles with most of that towing on this trip.

So Chris to answer your question, its a great truck more then I expected

So to understand things? It is a UREA injected setup, but still has a particle trap and regen process? And 9 injectors I hear. The Dodges are have a big issue with diesel in the oil because of the way they handle regen. Oil changes can be at as low as 3800 miles! Asked a guy at the dump this morning how he liked his 6.7 Powerstroke and got a positive reply. No money right now for a new truck anyway!!!

Chris

[Mike Clay]

Yes dpf and def and 9 injectors. Regen was extended from 300 miles to 700 miles and with the injector there is no smell compared to my 08 which dumped fuel. I go through one gallon of urea for every thousand miles will know how much it used while towing when I get my oil change.

[campswithcritters]

Mike & others, if you ever have trouble finding DEF they are now selling it at Speedco ( quick lube for big trucks) locations across the US. I saw it there when getting an oil change in OK City and questioned them, they said all locations carrying it. Might even be cheaper than your dealers as they used same filters and oil as Freightliner did last change and were $75 cheaper.

[rosey]

Yes dpf and def and 9 injectors. Regen was extended from 300 miles to 700 miles and with the injector there is no smell compared to my 08 which dumped fuel. I go through one gallon of urea for every thousand miles will know how much it used while towing when I get my oil change.

Not trying to start a war here but I'm sure glad that I bought my 07 Classic longbed quad cab Dually 3500 when I did !!!........no concerns about particulate traps, urea tanks, etc. Think I'll keep it until it falls apart.

[Mike Clay]

Well both processes are seamless so not a concern with me. Def fluid is now 4.50 a gallon at the dealer and most truck stops and auto part stores carry it. I carried two gallons on this trip just in case since I did not know how much it would use. 1000 mile warning has not come on yet so I know it will go over 3500 miles while towing

[Mike Clay]

Just figured out my mpg for towing on this trip. Over all average was 10.9 mpg not to bad for a new motor. Best mpg was from Bend Or to Portland 12.0 mpg