Drove a 2011 Silverado

[Mike Clay]

Try to get some today, been busy getting all the mount parts for the hitch finishing up at the dealer (great place did not have my check book they told me bring the money in this week when you can) Picked it up on Sunday afternoon drove it up to Georges so he could start thinking about the mounts we need to make for the hitch.

I know you guys wont believe this but I was happy with my other truck BUT Susanna wanted a truck that will stop the trailer on the down hills which we have many around this part of the country. Now I know what your thinking but its true lol ask Torben and George. REALLY! This new truck is built really stout with the new frames, 20% wider leaf springs, 14" rotors, smart turbo brake (which works very well) more torque and horse power which really had no problems with mine and they have put larger clutches in the Allison plus a larger output shaft. Plus so far the new truck running empty is getting better mileage then my last one. Time will tell if I did the right thing they did change the shift patterns and one thing i do notice is it seems a little sluggish compared to my last one in normal drive mode but when you put the throttle down just a little more look out Just hope it tows up the hills as well as my last one did, also with the larger openings in the front of the truck for cooling the tranny runs about 40 degrees cooler in town then my last one.

[bop11]

Congratson the new truck MIke!! Looking forward to the pictures

When you get a chance what are the new towing limits?

Bill

[Mike Clay]

Thanks Bill, I bought the single rear wheel taking this out of their Duramax book:
King pin weight not to exceed 3,500 lbs
GCWR for the crew cab SRW 4x4 is 24,500 Duel rear wheels 29,200
Max trailer weight 16,800 (after weighing this one I would say around 16,500 Duel rear wheels 21,100 lbs

[Chief409]

Well he did it and what a nice new ride it is, they keep increasing the weight limits and building these things stronger with larger frames,more power, larger disc brakes and the all new turbo brake.
Wow Mike is going to really leave me in the dust pulling now, does the Ford also come with the Turbo Brake that is what sold me on my GMC Topkick truck.

George, I'm not certain it's the same, but in Tow/Haul the 6.4 diesel does an excellent job holding my rig on the downgrades, I just tap the brakes a bit to bring the speed down, the tranny downshifts, then the only time I use the brakes is to slow more for a curve I can't see around. It's not exhaust braking, so it must be done by the turbos.

My neighbor and I were talking the other day about the size increases in pickups. I learned to drive in a '48 Dodge pickup that you can almost put into the bed of one of today's. And semi's were towing 28 - 30 foot trailers behind Mack's 'bout the size of your TopKick.

My how things grow!

[Don Wilson]

Congrats Mike,
I was just telling Martha that there would probably be a GM one ton single rear wheel pickup for sell fairly soon but I didn't think it would be this soon.

Your excise tax, sales tax and registeration on pickups and trailers lately are certainly helping the economy grow.

Don

[Mike Clay]

And my stock account shrink

[rwlouks]

George, I'm not certain it's the same, but in Tow/Haul the 6.4 diesel does an excellent job holding my rig on the downgrades, I just tap the brakes a bit to bring the speed down, the tranny downshifts, then the only time I use the brakes is to slow more for a curve I can't see around. It's not exhaust braking, so it must be done by the turbos.

In the 2011 Ford it is an exhaust break, although we don't have a mountains around here there are some 2-3% grades and the exhaust brake holds a steady speed without applying the brakes. Very nice.

And yes, Mike we need pictures!

[campswithcritters]

Well then I guess I got one of the last rides in the 2/3500 08 Chev! Hope you enjoy the new one Mike. Does it have metal turbo hose clamps?

[Mike Clay]

LOL yes it does was the first thing I looked at Yep you were the last one to ride in it went from the campground dropped off the trailer in the storage lot unloaded the truck went to just drive a loaded one (ya right) two hours later was on my way in my new truck to Olbirds to figure out how to mount the hitch. I told Susanna she is not going to get me to a trailer or truck lot for a long time. Be glad when the dealer gets the new nerf bars in so I dont have to poll vault into the truck. I got them to include them as part of the deal plus my tags on my plates were due next month and they picked up all the costs involved with that also. (keeping my snob plates) so my price was out the door with nothing to do. They gave me a great price on my truck also so all and all it seemed like it was meant to be.

[Rob & Cathy]

Well yes i did.

I'm shocked, SHOCKED I tell you!

Anyway congratulations and, as you know, whatever it takes to keep the wife happy.

Rob

[Mike Clay]

Rob you know the smiley I would like to have right now.

[bop11]

Thanks Bill, I bought the single rear wheel taking this out of their Duramax book:
King pin weight not to exceed 3,500 lbs
GCWR for the crew cab SRW 4x4 is 24,500 Duel rear wheels 29,200
Max trailer weight 16,800 (after weighing this one I would say around 16,500 Duel rear wheels 21,100 lbs

Thanks Mike,

Bill

[bayoubengal]

Mike, Do you have the DPN Camper stye mirrors (which are manual extendable) (MSRP $48) or the 6P3 mirrors (which are remote control, power extendable)(MSRP $243)?

[Rob & Cathy]

Rob you know the smiley I would like to have right now.

Oh, I'll bet I do.

Rob

[Torben]

Congratulations Mike and Susanna. Who know we might be next, I pick up our truck this friday and I am anxious to see and hear what the problem was. What color did you get, but more important what kind of clamps is on the the turbo hose