I have a 2004 2500 Chevy Duramax HD with the turbo diesel engine. I have towed with many trucks and tow vehicles. Suburban 3/4 ton 1/2 tons and 1 ton dullys. Fords, Chevys toyotas and Dodges. It's all personal preference. We live in central valley in Ca. Hauled loaded livestock trailers over the high sierras to mammoth mountain and beyond. So from 1000 ft. To 12000. My present truck has done best. The Duramax diesel is made by Isuzu. We have only had to do regular oil changes. We use synthetic oil. I have almost 89000 miles with not one bit if trouble. We have a 1970 31' sovereign. Only know its back there when on very bumpy roads, not that it's a problem just have to slow down for road conditions. For me my Chevy rides like a Cadillac ! All the other vehicles did the job, just not as well. I like the 1 ton dullys but very stiff ride even with 5th wheel. You need to test drive them and find what you like.
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On Nov 30, 2011, at 6:40 PM, "Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@roadrunner.com> wrote:
> The GM (Chevrolet) 3/4 ton pickup with the Duramax Diesel and Allison
> transmission is an excellent vehicle, and should be relatively trouble free.
> It is very peppy, so I see little need for an aftermarket reprogramming
> chip. Also, as the manufacturers learn more about their engines, they
> sometimes come up with a free (under warranty) computer program upgrade.
>
> Today's diesels [Ford (International - Navistar), Dodge (Cummins),
> Caterpillar, Freightliner (Mercedes Benz), and GM (Duramax)] are a far cry
> from the diesel engines of a dozen years ago. They are clean burning, fuel
> efficient, and fast.
>
> A weak link on the medium duty trucks is the transmission (especially Ford -
> from my discussions with 5th wheel rig owners at campgrounds). So far as
> transmissions are concerned, the GM Allison is likely, the best. (It is a
> lighter duty version of the Allison transmission used in 18 wheeler
> tractors.)
>
> If this is your first diesel, there are several IMPORTANT things you must
> know, which is different from gasoline engine maintenance.
>
> 1. The diesel engines we are talking about here are all made by companies
> with extensive diesel engine know how and experience, and should not require
> a lot of maintenance.
>
> 2. Clean fuel is ESSENTIAL. So get your fuel where the truckers buy
> theirs, if possible.
>
> 3. Check your fuel filter regularly. Water is the villain. The fuel
> pump(s) on a diesel engine include a very high pressure precision pump and
> injector system. These parts are EXPENSIVE to replace. But the diesel fuel
> lubricates them, so you are fine as long as the fuel is clean, and does not
> contain water (moisture). Of necessity, some of these injector and pump
> parts are close tolerance, precision machined steel, which cannot tolerate
> water or rust. Hence the "repair" is an expensive replacement. Water in
> gasoline causes the engine to stammer or stop, but usually not massive
> damage to the fuel system.
>
> 4. Oil is cheaper than metal. You MUST use engine oil specifically
> formulated for TURBOCHARGED DIESEL use. The higher compression of a diesel
> (19 or 20 to 1 vs.. 7.5 to 8.5 to 1 for gas engines) results in more "blow
> by" (products of combustion which form acids getting into the crankcase oil
> and then circulating this through the engine. Diesel oil has the additives
> to neutralize these acids. Also, turbochargers are mounted on the exhaust
> manifold -the hottest part of the engine. The engine oil circulates through
> the turbocharger bearings (which effectively are a flash oil cooker).
> Consequently, turbo diesel engine oils are formulated to "take the heat."
>
> That's all there is to it.
>
> Note that mechanics who are primarily trained on gasoline engines may not be
> as savvy when it comes to diesels. Consequently, you might want to have your
> diesel engine serviced a truck or diesel engine dealership/service facility.
> This support structure exists because truck manufacturers often offer a
> variety of engines on their vehicles understand that filters are cheaper at
> a Navistar dealer vs.. a Ford dealership (since the parts go through less
> layers of handling.
>
> Oliver Filippi
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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