New truck on the horizon

[timsea]

Looked at a gmc today it comes with 342 rear end I have a 2009 dodge now with a 410 gears like the gears in this dodge anybody have any concerns with the trans shifting all the time with the 342 we live in Dallas but travel to the mountains most of the time Thanks Tim

[432bartman]

I have the Chevy with the exact same drivetrain. The new 10 speed Allison is geared lower than the 6 speed from previous years and that is why the new truck runs a 3:42, vs. the 3:73. You will not even notice it shifting and it does not hunt around or drop gears. The new truck has so much torque. You will love it. By far the best tow vehicle I have owned. I tow the Grapevine here in California, which is a 6% grade and the truck tows my Montana at 65 and never slows.........going down the truck maintains the same speed thanks to the exhaust brake and the tow/haul mode of the trans.

[Detroit Don]

Not wanting to high jack the OP thread but as you are familiar with CA, would I have any issues towing my 40ft 3740FT up and down the PCH especially around the Redwoods and Bay Area? I have a 19’ 3500HD Duramax DRW. I’m speaking specifically to the tight switchbacks but also include your opinion on the grades. Thank you! I’m green as grass.

[DanandBrenda]

I think you will have a lot of trouble towing that long of a vehicle on the PCH. Some of corners are so tight that you will have to go in the oncoming to get round them.

[allenclme]

Originally Posted by DanandBrenda

I think you will have a lot of trouble towing that long of a vehicle on the PCH. Some of corners are so tight that you will have to go in the oncoming to get round them.

Yep - we found that out the hard way with our 3820FK. But, there is a great KOA on the Mendocino coast. There were some massive Class A's in there so I must have come in from the wrong way,

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Detroit Don

Not wanting to high jack the OP thread but as you are familiar with CA, would I have any issues towing my 40ft 3740FT up and down the PCH especially around the Redwoods and Bay Area? I have a 19’ 3500HD Duramax DRW. I’m speaking specifically to the tight switchbacks but also include your opinion on the grades. Thank you! I’m green as grass.

We summer in the PNW every year (NorCal) and I can tell you from experience that 101 from Petaluma all the way to Port Orford, OR you'll have no trouble whatsoever. There are some 6 and 7% grades but nothing that a diesel can't handle with aplomb. Don't worry about pulling over for faster traffic as there are lots of passing lanes. There are some tight turns along the way but none that will put you in the other lane to negotiate. Just pay attention to the speed limit signs. Most have flashing warning lights. There are also a couple of spots with high concentrations of Elk in the area. They do amble across the road so take you'll want to that into consideration.

That being said there is a tight section where the redwoods literally touch the asphalt so you'll need to cross over briefly to be safe but they're on straight stretches so you can see who's coming. There is a section between Klamath and Crescent City where they're moving the road over due to a slide. It's a stoplight regulated one way with concrete barriers on both sides that's the most intimidating but not at all challenging if you take your time.

To put your mind at total ease full size tractor trailers and logging trucks run the road all the time.

It's a road trip you'll never forget.

[Detroit Don]

Originally Posted by R.S.O'Donnell

We summer in the PNW every year (NorCal) and I can tell you from experience that 101 from Petaluma all the way to Port Orford, OR you'll have no trouble whatsoever. There are some 6 and 7% grades but nothing that a diesel can't handle with aplomb. Don't worry about pulling over for faster traffic as there are lots of passing lanes. There are some tight turns along the way but none that will put you in the other lane to negotiate. Just pay attention to the speed limit signs. Most have flashing warning lights. There are also a couple of spots with high concentrations of Elk in the area. They do amble across the road so take you'll want to that into consideration.

That being said there is a tight section where the redwoods literally touch the asphalt so you'll need to cross over briefly to be safe but they're on straight stretches so you can see who's coming. There is a section between Klamath and Crescent City where they're moving the road over due to a slide. It's a stoplight regulated one way with concrete barriers on both sides that's the most intimidating but not at all challenging if you take your time.

To put your mind at total ease full size tractor trailers and logging trucks run the road all the time.

It's a road trip you'll never forget.

Great answer! Thanks so much. My wife and I have traveled that road on our motorcycles many times but I’ve never considered how folks get it done towing a big 5’er.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

You're very welcome. Congrats on your new rig.

[ken and Lisa]

I have a 2020 Chevy 3500hd with the Duramax, bone stock. It pulls my heavy equipment around in the 22,000 lb. range like its nothing. I get a new truck every 4 years and have owned 4 Duramaxs and have never had a trans or engine issue. GM has finally done something right by sticking with 1 engine and fine tuning it over the years. The 10 speed is great, can't feel it shift. Mine is set up with the factory Curt puck system 25k fifth wheel and tows great.

[Snowwolfe]

Originally Posted by ken and Lisa

I have a 2020 Chevy 3500hd with the Duramax, bone stock. It pulls my heavy equipment around in the 22,000 lb. range like its nothing. I get a new truck every 4 years and have owned 4 Duramaxs and have never had a trans or engine issue. GM has finally done something right by sticking with 1 engine and fine tuning it over the years. The 10 speed is great, can't feel it shift. Mine is set up with the factory Curt puck system 25k fifth wheel and tows great.

What is your MPG towing and empty?

[ken and Lisa]

I get 16 around town and as high as 20 to 22 on the highway. Towing I'm in the 14 to 15 range.

[Snowwolfe]

Forgot to ask, SW or DW?

[ken and Lisa]

3500 sw

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Snowwolfe

What is your MPG towing and empty?

Do you want the truth, or feel good?

I have kept very meticulous records on our 2020 Chevy 3500 SB SRW.

On months that we tow, we're averaging the whole month, towing and not, about 12. On months that we don't tow, we're in the 15's. We have gotten 19.1 as our best, and 8.9 as our worst with only towing. This is all hand calculated, and our truck is completely bone stock. The DIC almost always shows about 1MPG higher than hand calced.

Unless you want to drive 55mph, figure on getting in the 15's unloaded (highway / town mix), and 9-10, and that's towing 15,500lbs. Obviously better if towing less, probably not much worse if towing more.

With all that, I wouldn't trade this truck. It is an absolute towing BEAST...

Here is our MPG graph for the last 10 months:

[mlh]

My ship seams to always be just over the horizon. Darn.
Lynwood

[Slow Hand]

What ever you don't buy the Ford. There is to much demand for them and I am getting tired of looking at the sticker and wow $$$

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

What ever you don't buy the Ford. There is to much demand for them and I am getting tired of looking at the sticker and wow $$$

There is a reason for this you know.

[Last2Die]

Yup I have the GMC 3500 Denali diesel SRW shifts like butter. I added airbags to level. The truck is a beast !!

Tony

[Last2Die]

Wow my best has been 26.4. I’m 10-12 towing. Not towing high teens

[Inspector0128]

There are too many variables when it comes to MPG. I have a 2019 3500 Duramax-SRW. Our 294 RL Monty has a GRWR of 14,300-it usually weighs in around 13,300 when loaded. (Pin weight is 3000 lbs).

I’m happy if we can average 10 MPG. Throw in a stiff headwind and I can see 7 MPG. This is at an average speed of 65-70 MPH. Real world numbers, can’t believe anyone would get mid teens pulling a 13,000 lb (plus) RV. It would be interesting to know if the new Allison tranny improves MPG. It’s a bullet proof tranny.