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02-27-2014, 05:39 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista
Posts: 472
M.O.C. #12223
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Diesel ok for daily driving
There is another post in this section that asks about gas vs diesel trucks as it relates to power, gas mileage, etc. My question is about using a diesel truck for daily use (not while hauling the RV). I've been told that starting a diesel truck just to drive it a few miles "down the road" to the grocery store, etc. is not a good thing. True or false?
I have a 2005 GMC D/A and love it but am hesitant to drive it on a daily basis around home. We travel (RV) 5 months out of the year.
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02-27-2014, 06:09 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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I could understand the statement with regards to some of the newer trucks with the fancy-dancy pollution control that requires trips at highway speeds to function. If DW happens to have the Suburban, I have no choice but to use our diesel for my daily trips and have never hesitated to do so and have never had any problems. It is one of the pre-pollution control junk models, which your's should be as well. What if the diesel was all you had???
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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02-27-2014, 06:09 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Arroyo City
Posts: 3,110
M.O.C. #13395
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I drive my Dodge pretty regular. I try to take it out and clear the catalytic converters at least once a month
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02-27-2014, 06:12 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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That holds true for any kind of engine, diesel or gas. Any time you don't get the engine up to proper operating temps, you create problems, like moisture in the exhaust and inside the engine from condensation. Bringing the engine up to temp burns off this condensation. Ask a muffler shop - they can tell you which vehicles only get driven for short trips because the exhaust pipes rust from the inside out. Another issue is the charging system. Batteries, especially in diesels and especially in the winter won't get fully recharged from starting the vehicle with short trips.
If you don't want to drive it at home (though I don't know why you wouldn't), at least drive it periodically to keep things lubricated and moving.
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02-27-2014, 06:16 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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I would not hesitate to use it.
The only reason I don’t use it more often
is due to the diesel price and the convenience
of having a small car available for quick jaunts.
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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02-27-2014, 06:28 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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As long as you get it up to operating temperature it's fine for anything.
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02-27-2014, 07:16 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,169
M.O.C. #6433
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As long as you take it on the highway occasionally I would not worry about it. Especially since it is before DEF and SCR that the newer trucks have.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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02-27-2014, 07:53 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Everything I own (except my boat) is diesel. My daily driver is a diesel VW Jetta that gets such good fuel milage, I need to stop every so often to drain some diesel out to be sure the gauge is working. Every so often you just need to "drive it like you stole it" to keep the soot down.
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02-27-2014, 08:20 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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So how does one learn how to "drive it like you stole it"? dieselguy, is there something we should know about?
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02-27-2014, 08:22 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Madison
Posts: 1,239
M.O.C. #5906
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Our Ford F350 diesel is the only vehicle we own. It gets used for everything that we need a vehicle for. We've noticed nothing detrimental from the way we use it.
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02-27-2014, 09:06 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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I drive my 3500 HD Chevy daily and once in a while I'll take it out on the road and open it up just to make sure I'm not storing any soot or carbon in the pipes. I did the same with my 2500 before trading it in for the 3500. The 2500 had 100,000 on it and was like new when traded in so there is not problem using it as a daily vehicle. Heck, what do you think these full timers do? Nearly all of them only have the TV for the Monte to drive daily so it can't hurt anything!
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02-27-2014, 09:17 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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My Ram has been a daily driver for almost 7 years now and have had no problems at all. I also drive mine like I stole it. I recently added a "towing tune" to it using a Superchips programmer. Just like getting a new truck!
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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02-27-2014, 10:04 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Goshen
Posts: 1,058
M.O.C. #2827
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I have been doing it for 9 years and never had any issues. I just traded my 2005 Silverado 3500 with 131500 miles on her. Somebody is gonna' get a nice truck!
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02-27-2014, 10:05 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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I drive mine daily. Owned tow trucks that rarely left city limits or exceeded 45 mph. Could usually get 500,000 miles life easy. They were serviced well and regularly. Mostly GMs some Fords.
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02-27-2014, 12:08 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Nashville
Posts: 118
M.O.C. #13210
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Daily driver of 2012 Ford F250 6.7 diesel with not issues for any trip large or small. DEF is no big deal and truck runs great.
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02-27-2014, 12:27 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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No need to "drive it like you stole it" or take it on the highway and go fast. Heating up the engine by using a lower gear to bring the engine to a temp hot enough for the engine to be at normal operating temperatures is all that is needed to remove condensation. For the newer trucks with DPF, sufficient heat can be generated in the same way to initiate a regeneration cycle.
If it makes you feel better to take the truck out on the highway and "blow 'er out"... go ahead, it's just not necessary.
__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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02-27-2014, 12:48 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,552
M.O.C. #2283
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Your truck will be fine with around town driving. The after 2007 trucks with the DPF needs to be driven at highway speeds for about 20 minutes when they go into regen so the DPF can clean itself.
Lynwood
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02-27-2014, 05:27 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rapid City
Posts: 931
M.O.C. #8757
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Full-time for 5 years now. Only have the Dodge dually to drive for groceries, dr appointments, shopping, etc.
Just last week the computer told hubby you have 80% ....... On engine to renew. He called 2 trusted Dodge dealers and asked them about this notice. They said... "Take it out and drive it like you stole it"!
So, since we are in Arizona, near I-10, we went out and drove the speed limit..75, for 15 miles. The computer spoke and said regen complete. Bob drove it another several miles, just to be sure and then turned around to go back home! MISSION COMPLETED!!!
PS...we are fortunate (?) to have a disability placard, "parking a dually" has it's perks (?) because those spots are usually wider. It is also a long bed!
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02-28-2014, 01:03 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Our truck is a daily vehicle for our five months in Florida and never had an issue with it.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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02-28-2014, 03:48 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 1,426
M.O.C. #12096
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Mine too is my daily driver. This is my 3 diesel and it is the first time I have had a problem. But I bought it from a guy in Austin Tx. Anybody that knows Austin knows it is just one giant parking lot. That is probably why this truck had a clogged NOS cat. Where I live is a smaller town where anywhere I go is a drive on the interstates at 75 mph usually 2-3 times a week. Do not be afraid to "cowboy" these trucks, you won't hurt them. Other things to do is always keep your exhaust brake on, even to the grocery store. Also keep your RPM's up by shifting the tranny to keep in in 3 or 4th gear in towns and keep it in 5th unless you are doing 65 + mph. Dodges like it at 1800-2000 rpm's. Also keeping it in Tow Haul will help. But never let is sit and just idle, for warm up's get Dodge to activate the idle bump up using the cruise control. Your only other remedy is to delete the truck. Even my Dodge dealer mechanic told me it is the best thing to make these trucks run longer and better. But Dodge has to please the EPA and government. He will tell you none of that stuff is good for the truck and will work with you. But in most cases other dealers will cancel any warranties.
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