Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > Tow Vehicles & Towing
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-23-2012, 06:18 PM   #1
okierver
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 393
M.O.C. #11127
6.6l duramax / allison combination

how many of you have a 2007-2009 chevy duramax with the 6spd. allison transmission, silverado 2500. how do you like towing with it and what power and fuel milage do you get.
 
okierver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2012, 07:10 PM   #2
Rondo
Site Team
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,749
M.O.C. #7560
Just traded mine in about three months ago and I really liked it! It was a 2007 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison combo. I was getting 12-14 while towing and while not lugging the Monte around was 18-22. I had up to 25 while not towing several times but I had a really good tailwind behind me and it was pretty flat too! It all depends on what you will be towing also. If you have a heavier fiver the mileage will decrease while towing. I had no problems stopping but I'm sure others will come in here and say it's not the towing that's important but the stopping power you have. I've got a new 2012 3500 HD now with the same combo in it but only have 4200 or so on it so I can't give you anything on it yet since it's still in breakin phase! Let us know what you decide on!
Rondo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:39 AM   #3
bethandkevin
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Davison
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #12331
Ours is a 2008. We got 12.5 average on our 1300 mile U.P. Michigan trip this summer. Never set the cruise over 64 mph.
bethandkevin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 04:01 AM   #4
padredw
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ore City Texas
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #2224
Send a message via Skype™ to padredw
We have a 2008 Duramax/Allison 2500 long bed single rear wheel.We have towed over many of the mountain passes in Colorado. We have a great feeling of stability and control using the tow-haul mode in the mountains. It is comfortable to drive and we are well pleased.

We are now towing a SOB with unloaded weight of 10,120 and GVWR of 13,675; hitch 2020. Our most recent trip was over 4500 miles and we kept a log of diesel usage. You can see a PDF file of the results at:

http://dw4u.net/Trip%20West%20MPG.pdf

Any leg mileage above 15 MPG included some local driving without RV, and the highest included NO towing. No estimates, no results from onboard computer; actual gallons and miles.
padredw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 05:44 AM   #5
okierver
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 393
M.O.C. #11127
folow up question, does any of yours have the built in brake controller, and when you plug the monty in is it in the bed or is it outside the tailgate by the bumper, and if so can it be moved to the bed, my 2003 f250 has it in the bed and i like it there ,
okierver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 06:22 AM   #6
Art-n-Marge
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
Send a message via MSN to Art-n-Marge Send a message via Yahoo to Art-n-Marge
I don't have a D/A but I'll comment on the connector and brake controller.

I much prefer the IBC (Integrated Brake Controller) mostly because most aftermarket ones get installed under the dash and the IBC is typically mounted with much better convenience (Ford, GMC or Chevy, I have not seen a Dodge). I also think they work better than the aftermarket. The only concern with any brake controller is that is works with all braking systems - drum, disc, electric or electric/hydraulic. My Ford did not work with a boat trailer that had disc brakes and a electric/hydraulic brake system and I never did figure out why. I heard second hand this might only be a Ford problem with my model year IBC but couldn't confirm for sure.

I use the bed for the connector (in front of the wheel well) but have a bumper one, too. That was good when I had a loose wire in the bed connector and was able to use the bumper connector until I got around to fixing the bed connector but I use the in bed for fifth wheels.

I sometimes wish the connector was in back of the wheel well, but since I put so much junk (bikes, wood, coolers in that part of truck bed when towing it might be better to keep it where it is.

In summary, I highly recommend an IBC. I also recommend an in-bed connector but not sure what to recommend where it should be located - front of wheel well, back of wheel well, somewhere else? This should probably be made a new topic so it's not lost in this D/A subject.

Art-n-Marge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 08:00 AM   #7
padredw
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ore City Texas
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #2224
Send a message via Skype™ to padredw
Yes, built-in brake controller.

Plug-in is in the bed behind the wheel well. I must prefer this location as I can do all the attachment steps from the same position. All 3 of my pickups (All Chevrolet--last two Duramax/Allison) and all four of my fifth-wheel trailers (each from a different manufacturer) have had this same location for hook-up.
padredw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 10:02 AM   #8
bethandkevin
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Davison
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #12331
Absolutely LOVE the integrated brake controller. So much easier to use than the aftermarket type. I replied to your other post on the pin connector.
bethandkevin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 01:42 PM   #9
RKassl
Montana Master
 
RKassl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fall Creek
Posts: 1,328
M.O.C. #3699
I have a 2011 Dmax/Allison 3500 SRW CC. This truck is built to haul. The built in brake controller, exhaust break and stablitrack all work together for a great tow.
__________________
Bob and Nancy Kassl Fall Creek, Wisconsin
2015 Montana 3440RL Legacy Edition, G614's, Pressure Pro TPMS, Dish Tailgaters
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 CC SRW, Iridium Metallic, Duramax Allison Transmission
RKassl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2012, 02:27 PM   #10
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
My brother has a 2006 DA. They are about the same truck as the 20007s. I have said many times they are the best stock tow trucks ever built. We have towed my Monty to Wyoming several times and average about 10 MPG, same as my Ford. We tow at 70, 75, 80 MPH. Great truck not a single problem.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2012, 04:01 PM   #11
Rondo
Site Team
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,749
M.O.C. #7560
Dale-- We have the built-in brake controller and also the new exhaust brake built into the unit now and would not be without either one! Both my 2500 and now the 3500 have had the plug for the unit just behind the wheelwell and also by the license plate and I use the inbed plug for the Monte all the time! I plan on putting a spring on the cord and connect it to the pinbox to give it some play and not sit on the deck floor all the time! Have had no problems but just want to be on the safe side!
Rondo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 07:14 AM   #12
woodtic
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Blackduck
Posts: 315
M.O.C. #12753
Truck in sig. I only have the 5 speed and LLY. Tow/haul in the 06 and newer trucks disables 6th gear. Just towed from MN to FL and averaged 11.2 mpg @ 60 MPH. At 65 mph, I would guess I'd be getting about 10 MPG's average. Wind direction/speed, vehicle speed, and driving style are your biggest variables in towing MPG's. Adding the front low profile ac unit also reduced my fuel ecconomy by a minimum of 1 MPG.
woodtic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 08:33 AM   #13
bethandkevin
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Davison
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #12331
Not to start an agument here woodtic, but tow haul does not disable 6th gear on the LMM. Tow haul increases line pressure, which results in the firmer shift. It also changes the shift points to a higher RPM-also resulting in a firmer shift.
bethandkevin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 08:41 AM   #14
klash
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sidney
Posts: 91
M.O.C. #9399
We have a 2011 GMC 3500, crew cab, short box, single rear wheels. A totally awesome tow machine and it is rated to tow 17,900 lbs. We tow a 2007 Montana 2995RL, that is about
13,500 lbs road ready.
We NEVER tow over 55 mph, try driving over that speed in California and you will get a ticket, as it is the law. Besides life is so much more enjoyable when the view going by your windows is at a bit slower pace. We use hand calculation for fuel consumption, and with the Canadian
gallon which is slightly bigger than the US gallon. We routinely get 13 to 15 mpg on relatively flat towing, but had 17.5 last year going south near Sacramento and I think we had some tail winds. Continuous towing in the mountains will see performance drop to 10 and 11 mpg.
Our duramax has the built in exhaust brake and we use it with the tow/haul mode
button in, and going down 7% grade for 7 miles, I set the cruise control at 50 mph and never
used the brakes once coming down the mountain. Some rigs were passing us with a strange
look on their faces, I think they thought our trailer wasn't plugged in as the brake lights
would not have been showing.
The duramax/allison combination is absolutely the best combination out there on the road for towing. That is why a lot of companies are using them in big rigs, buses and motor homes.
This is a touchy subject, but I feel a lot of Ford and Dodge owners praise their
trucks to the heavens, but deep down, they would probably give their left arm to have
the Allison tranny with their engines. This is our second Duramax, our first was a 2003
2500 which we gave to our son, and he is using it for his tow machine. We bought a Park
model in Yuma last winter, so no more going back and forth with Max and Monty in the winter, but we will do summer camping at home here in British Columbia in the summer.
klash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 09:14 AM   #15
bethandkevin
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Davison
Posts: 786
M.O.C. #12331
I had to grin a bit while reading the last part of your post klash.
bethandkevin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2012, 01:15 PM   #16
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
I didn't grin, I laughed out loud.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2012, 12:19 AM   #17
Gary Duffy
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Milton
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #9421
2008 Chevy 2500HD Extra Cab D/A.

We get 10-14 mpg towing depending on terrain pulling a 2007 Cougar 311. 18-22mpg empty. Slowing down to 55 mph puts us more in the 13-14 range. Plenty of power and no complaints here. Did install Firestone A/B a few years ago as I have a 52 gal auxiliary tank in the back which adds about 500# when full. (The stock 26 gallon tank doesn’t have a great range plus it’s handy for the Kubota tractor.)
Use tow/haul and cruise when I can 65-70 on highway. Taking delivery of 2013 Montana High Country 318RE next week and would expect same mpg or close to it as the weight is quite similar.
Gary Duffy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2012, 02:50 AM   #18
Steve1952
Established Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Denver
Posts: 34
M.O.C. #8734
Rondo did you run a programer on your 07.I have an 07 and the best I can get is 10 mpg pulling never run higher than 65 mph. Steve 1952
Steve1952 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2012, 03:40 AM   #19
woodtic
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Blackduck
Posts: 315
M.O.C. #12753
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by BethandKevin

Not to start an agument here woodtic, but tow haul does not disable 6th gear on the LMM.
That's good to know. Is it the same for the LBZ? The Allison is the best part of my truck. Turning radius is the worst thing about my truck.
woodtic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2012, 03:57 AM   #20
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,528
M.O.C. #2283
I don't have a Dmax but I do have a tuned Ford. When I put the tuner on I thought WOW 3, 4 miles better fuel mileage. Trouble is it just wasn't true. I think what happens is they change the throttle position and the gage, lie o meter thinks you are getting better mileage when you are really are. You may get a little better mileage but nothing to brag about. I will say if you are thinking about tuning your Chevy go over to a Chevy diesel performance site and ask about tuning your truck. I think what they will tell you is don,t go over a 100 rear wheel HP. Your Allison wont take any more than that.
Lynwood
__________________
www.harrellsprec.com
Lynwood Harrell
323 RL HC 2008 F250
mlh is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Duramax/Allison Challenge Rondo Tow Vehicles & Towing 14 03-11-2012 03:26 PM
New Duramax/Allison owner here Ozzie Tow Vehicles & Towing 35 06-15-2007 12:46 PM
Duramax and Allison fluids? Montana Sky Tow Vehicles & Towing 10 01-24-2006 06:19 PM
For the Duramax / Allison Folks RMccord Tow Vehicles & Towing 9 07-11-2005 03:58 AM
2002 Duramax/Allison: 3400RL Montana_2203 Tow Vehicles & Towing 31 11-03-2004 06:40 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.