archerjg Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 Anyone have a new 2011 Chevy HD. I test drove a couple in the past week and think I am going to order a 3500 single rear wheel in diesel. I have already built it and the dealer is just waiting for me to order it. It will be a custom build to get a crew cab long bed with dual altenators and several other options that the dealers don't stock on the lots. Dad has a 2005 2500HD and it has been great. I need more towing capacity than my half ton can provide even though it has pulled 3/4 ton loads and will be towing trailers anywhere from 18' to 30' with it. Any opinions good or bad on the new trucks? Any issues with them that you've seen Shawn? They seem like a tremendous leap forward from the previous model years. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 17, 2011 Report Share Posted May 17, 2011 They are an awesome truck, the power and torque they have is insane. I was very shocked the first time I planted my foot to the boards in the 2011 D-max, they're a whole different truck than the older ones. Frames are totally different from the brakes up. They beefed it up a lot. The only thing I don't like about them is the diesel exhaust fluid crap. Wish they wouldn't have bothered with that, but I guess emissions is a big thing now a days and they're trying to make them as best as they can for the environment. We can have one running in the shop with the doors all closed and you can't even smell it. Really quiet too. That 395hp and 765lb ft of torque can pull over 20,000lbs, so if you need a truck to haul something, this would be the one to get. Only problems we've seen is with the diesel exhaust messages, GM has ironed out the problems by the sounds of it, for now. We've had quite a few of them that we've had to do some programming on to keep the dummy lights out and the truck out of power reduction modes. Texastrophies has a 2011, maybe he'll chime in and tell us how he likes his truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted May 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Well it will definitely be towing a lot. I really liked the ride and power of the two that I drove. I'll be putting in the order tomorrow and should have it sometime in the middle of July if the dealership is correct. I've always been a chevy guy anyway and that is all I have owned. I just wanted some other opinions from those that had them and worked with them. Your right they are very quiet I would have taken the on off the lot it just didn't have a long bed or some of the other optiuons that I wanted. Thank you for taking time to leave feedback. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 When you're spending that kind of money make sure you get what you want, or you'll regret it in the end. It's tough turning something down that you want and don't feel like waiting months for, know that feeling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSeb53 Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 my dad has a GMC 2500 Duramax with the allison transmission (basically the same as the Chevy)... he runs a chemical plant in central, pa and tows 5 ton fertilizer spreaders all the time with it... it handles them just fine... he said he has forgotten he was towing one before!! haha they are impressive vehicles... the transmission had a small leak at about 80,000 miles but it was easily fixed... other than that i don't think there have been any other problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 I got my 2500 in August of last year. I have 32,000 on it. I have towed my 31 travel trailer a few times with it, did as expected. Likes: Integrated trailer brake system, exhaust brake, plenty of power, remote start, A/C controls are better than my 2006, easy to shut tailgate (light feeling), no exhaust smoke, quiet, 265 tires instead of 245's, mileage around town 16.5, on the highway at 75 - 80, 17 - 18, towing pretty much any of my trailers 12 - 14, if it would go slower, mileage would probably increase some. Dislikes, compared to my 2006: The biggest is the steering wheel controls are not user friendly, the outside temp guage has issues, but Shaun told me that it is working the way it was designed and more importantly how to re-set it when needed, no exhaust smoke, no A/C vents for back seat, seats not as comfortable, lack of side pockets/storage areas inside. The DEF is not that big of a deal to me. I normally change my oil when it gets to about 50% which is normally around 5,000 miles. The tank holds 5 gals of DEF, I usually put in 3 to 4 gallons. It is not constant and seems to vary depending on the type of driving I am doing. If I could have my choice, I would like the power of the new truck with the interior of my 2006. If you have any questions throw them out there, I will try to answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted May 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 I ordered it last night and the order should have been put in today and be accepted by Saturday. Waiting for the next 8 weeks is the hardest. I did a lot of research into the truck and test drove several of them. Dad's 2005 tows 5 ton + fertilizer spreaders and 14,000 lb + hay trailers like they aren't even there so with this one I don't think it will even flinch. The DEF is the only thing that bothered me, but all of the trucks have to have the emissions junk. How did you break it in? Did you just drive it like normal or did you baby it for the first 500 miles? I know I read something about you aren't supposed to go over 55 mph for the first 500 miles? I might have more questions later after it comes in. Thank you all. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted May 20, 2011 Report Share Posted May 20, 2011 I made it at least a mile before it got over 55. I didn't pull a trailer for the first 500 or more miles, more out of circumstances than anything though. The only break in I did if you will for the first couple hundred miles was made sure I didn't just drive a constant speed. I tried to vary between 65 and 80. Don't know if that is good or not, but that is the way I have always done it. My 2001 gas had about 270K, my 2006 is at 198K, so I guess it works for me. By the way, Congrats on the new truck. The waiting for it to come in is the hard part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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