New Chevy 3500 Dually (NO GO) - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

mhs4771 · 09-07-2011, 06:21 AM

Tim, Use of DEF is dependant on fuel useage. If most of the travel is solo, yet you can go a long way between fill-ups. If most of the travel is pulling the Monty at 10 - 12 MPG, you will go through it faster. We tow about 90% of the time and my message just came on with 400 and some odd miles to go. It's been approx 4500 miles since the last fill. So off to Wally World tomorrow to restock my reserve. I love my Dually, but then again that's a personal preference and it's not a daily driver, plus we've been on the road more than we've been at the stick house. Best wishes on what ever you decide.

tim43 · 09-07-2011, 06:59 AM

The DEF issue does not bother me a bit. I am looking at the Ford F350 Lariat F350 SRW, SB, 4WD as the new TV. Lots of time to make the decision and a lot of time to look. Might just luck out and get a good end of year deal.

Delaine and Lindy · 09-07-2011, 10:13 AM

I'm running the 2011 Chevy 3500HD and I added DEF at 6,200 miles. I was told you will use about 1 gal of DEF ever 1,000 miles and I added 2.5 gals at 6,200 miles. No warning light at all? I have bought the DEF at Wal Mart for $11.37 per 2.5 gal container. Couldn't fine DEF at Wal Mart in Colorado. However I did talk to the manager at each Wal Mart and told him what DEF was and he should stock DEF. Most all other States East of Colorado had DEF. All Truck Stops have DEF. I did make a mistake and have GM dealership top off the DEF tank when I had to get the Oil changed. That want happen again, I was charged $48.00 for the 2.5 gals or so. I did send a e-mail to GM. And told them that its a rip off of their customers for charging that much. I do only buy GM Trucks because GM Trucks fill my needs.. DEF is here to stay, and yes Dodge will be going to DEF, the Cab and Chassi is already using the DEF. DEF isn't new its been used for several years in Europe.. Be careful when topping off the DEF tanks DEF is very corrossive. If you spill it wipe it off....

maphillips · 09-09-2011, 03:29 PM

tim43, I love my 2011 F-350. It's SRW Long bed. All the power in the world and decent fuel economy. I think you will be really pleased with the new Ford.

Montana Sky · 09-09-2011, 03:35 PM

Careful with the DEF as it freezes at 25 degrees or colder - we had Silverado's and Super Duty's stuck roadside last winter as the DEF froze up and put the truck into limp mode. Just an FYI...

Delaine and Lindy · 09-09-2011, 03:46 PM

I have heard and read on the Diesel Place Forum about the DEF freezing. That will never be a issue, unless it freezes in South Florida, will be there on Nov the 1st and depart in April 2012. DEF is here to stay. Not only light duty Trucks using DEF but the Class 8's are using it also. The Europeans have been using DEF for years I wonder what their using in the winter months. But I think DEF is 60% water?????? Happy Trails....

maphillips · 09-14-2011, 06:23 AM

We had several nights in a row with temps in the single digits here last winter. Never had a problem with the DEF freezing.

tim43 · 09-14-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by maphillips

tim43, I love my 2011 F-350. It's SRW Long bed. All the power in the world and decent fuel economy. I think you will be really pleased with the new Ford.

Mark, Still looking at the SRW Fords and GMC products. Will probably come down to who gives the best deal. Any problems with the hitch, bed side height, and king pin? Tim

maphillips · 09-18-2011, 02:46 PM

tim43, I have not had any issues with my set-up. My truck is a long box though. That's all I will pull a 5th wheel with. To much to worry about with a Short bed. I'm sure the slide hitches they have are very good but i just perfer a long bed pick-up. It's really personal preference. I could not be happier with my truck. It has all the power you will ever need and decent fuel economy. Good luck on your decision.

Sinterior · 09-18-2011, 03:48 PM

tim 43, I'll chip in with 2011 Chev 3500HD SRW.

Other than losing about an inch and a half of clearance between the top of the bed rails and Monty, I haven't had any issues at all. My last truck was an '06 GMC C/C dually, and I have to say that it must be the major frame, suspension and brake upgrades ( I never thought I would say this)but the new truck handles Monty better than the '06, the factory brake controller is better than my Prodigy once you have adjusted it, the gain I use is 8, and I just can't say enough about the new engine brake.
I admit I haven't pulled in strong winds with the new truck, but I'm sure it will be better than my '03 2500HD pulling a 10,000lb SOB fiver.
I'm within all truck specs with Monty loaded for a snowbird winter down south.

I went with the short box because the newer Monty's are designed to be pulled by a short box, and yes, there is quite a bit of front closet room lost due to the curved front, but we adjusted and learned to live with it.
One other very important thing to me, Terry smiles when she drives the new truck, vs the big groan and sigh when driving the dually in town and parking lots!

mobilcastle · 09-28-2011, 12:48 AM

I am looking at a 2011 Chevy 3500 long box 4x4 dually with tow package. Any issues towing a 3400RL as far as height of truck box? After you are hooked up what is the clearance between the bottom of the pin box and truck rail and is the RV running level? Also-do you like the built in brake controller?
Thanks in advance,
SK

Delaine and Lindy · 09-30-2011, 09:31 AM

I have the Chevy 3500HD DRW's and towing a SOB and have the Trailer Saver Air ride and had the same set up with a 2006 Chevy 3500HD and my SOB set completely level however I had to use the 3" spacers instead of the 2" spacers in the 2006 Chevy. There is a difference in the 2006 and the 2011 Chevy highth of the bedrails ...

As for the brake controler (IBC) it works great I did have to have a brake cam installed on the SOB because it has disk brakes. I also have a 32' inclosed car trailer and a 30' equipment that have electric brakes and the brake system work great with the IBC. I highly recomend the IBC.

The best option GM put on the 2011 GM 3500HD's is the exhaust brake, pulled the 5th wheel thru the Colorado Rockies this past summer and very seldom had to use the OEM brake the exhaust brake really makes the 2011's. I also have a 2012 Chevy 3500HD on order and I very pleased that GM made very little changes except the increase in tow rating, which is now 23,000 lbs so I'm told. You will LOVE the GM 3500HD the 2012 will be our 5th 3500HD and the 2011 Chevy is the best GM 3500HD we have owend. Good Luck.. Happy Trails..

You may also like: