Hello all. Reporting in from Southern NH. Nice forum here. Lots of good info. Been lurking for a while and doing a lot of reading and research.
I'm gratefully in the process of dumping my 02' F-250 PSD that barely made 90k mikes before basically rusting itself to death. Having always been a Ford man, I paid the $8k upcharge in 2002 for the "Powerjoke" thinking it would be the last truck I bought in my lifetime; easily going 300k or more miles. Since then, the truck has nickeled and dimed me to death, especially once I made the last payment in 07. Since Mar, I have replaced motor fuel lines ($700 due to rust), brakes (for the 4th time), 2 starters and now the ball joints and oil cooler are shot (another $700 bill). The rust problems are honestly astounding. When will it end? After taking a trip this summer to PA Dutch country and Gettysburg with our 5er, I did not have the comfort level with the PSD that I should have when taking a long trip with a big camper. This shouldn't happen with a 6 year old truck with 85k miles.
Back in 02, my brother bought a 2500 HD at the same time I bought the Ford and he has 225k on his Vortec and not a speck of corrosion. It still runs like a new truck and if it weren't for the Vortec's "cold-knock piston slap" problem, the truck would be a puff. Still 225k is very telling and this encouraged me to take a hard look at GM. So far, I am very impressed with the GM lineup and made a pretty good deal for an 09' 2500 HD LMM. I drove it for 10 minutes and knew I had to have it. It blows my PSD with the six-speed manual away!. I mean, it is a real hot rod!
Now I am faced with a dilemma. I have the 10,000 GVWR 27' 5th wheel that I pull quite a bit and I really don't think a Vortec equipped 6.0 would be much fun to pull that camper with, even with the 4:10s (although GM rates that 2500 HD truck to pull 12,700 lbs), however with the DPF problems in the new DMax LMM and the resulting loss of fuel economy over prior years' Dmaxes, I am concerned that the mileage between the Vortec and LMM DMax will be close when towing. Does anyone have any insight?
For those who left the DPF in place. Is it really that bad? Having modded vehicles for many years, I am always leery of reliability of some aftermarket stuff and the dreaded warranty void possibility once you mod. I know GM can figure out if you've used a programmer to flash the PCM. I do realize many have taken off the DPF with good results. The last thing I want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with the 5er on and the DPF choked up and a regen nowhere in sight. It seems like a lot of folks on here have been hosed that way with the LMM.
I really want to get rid of the PSD ASAP. Never, never buying a Ford truck again. Thanks for this nice board
I've towed my 5er (~10k) a couple of times already. This is my first diesel and I'll never go back to gas. To me the main difference is the truck does not work as hard as a gas truck does. Seems to me the transmission and motor work too hard on gas trucks. My LMM is completely stock, I get about 10-12 MPG pulling my 5er depending on how hard I push her. I'm looking forward to many miles with this truck! Make the switch...you won't regret it!
__________________ 2009 2500HD LMM
All stock and plan to keep it that way!
I must be old.....
If you don't have a madatory smog program in your state I beleive there is a way to put a straight pipe inside the DPF so it does not work and that may improve your mileage. My friend had the 6.0 gasser and he did not get that good on gas mileage. I personally will not modify my truck and I am happy getting the mpg that I do get because the truck pulls like no gasser I ever had and will not wear out doing it
Dont' waste your money on a Vortech Gasser to pull that trailer. With my 02 6.0L 2500 HD I had 7 years ago, I couldn't pull a similar trailer much above 60 mph w/o endless downshifting and poor mileage. The LMM trucks that get used, seem to have few problems compared to the other brands as far as leaving them stock. The biggest complaint is the mileage is not what an older generation truck would get.
Good luck with your decision.
Chad
__________________
Alligator Diesel Performance - Chad Hall Owner 1-866-255-7212
If you are doing serious pulling just get the diesel. No since wasting your money on a gasser. It will just wear out quick working it with a trailer that big. Yeah the trucks design can handle the weight, but the motor cant pull it.
I love my LMM. THe DPF stuff is removable if you are ok with voiding the factory warranty.
__________________ -Banksy
-07.5 2500 HD LMM EC/SB: Black on Black LT, Stock Motor, VHT Niteshaded Tail and Third brake light, 20% LT Tint all the way around, LED Tailgate Light w/Reverse and Turn, PCV Mod & Resonator Block, Glow Shift black 7 color led boost, pyro and trans temp gauges in a triple pod, Peripheral iSimple Media Gateway for my 3Gs, MBRP 4" 304SS Cool Duals DP back, Quadzilla Stealth II!
Future Plans: 20x10's w/305/55R20's, Heated Seats, Leer Sleek Cap, Anzo LED Tail light Conversion, HID Anzo Black projection headlights, Blacked out front clip...more more more!
I've towed my 5er (~10k) a couple of times already. This is my first diesel and I'll never go back to gas. To me the main difference is the truck does not work as hard as a gas truck does. Seems to me the transmission and motor work too hard on gas trucks. My LMM is completely stock, I get about 10-12 MPG pulling my 5er depending on how hard I push her. I'm looking forward to many miles with this truck! Make the switch...you won't regret it!
x2,this is my first diesel too and will never go back to gas(as long as I can afford it).I also tow a 9klbs trailer and I am very happy with my truck.
__________________ 2008 2500hd duramax crewcab Whelen 90 watt strobe lights Cobra 19dx iv cb radio with a 4'Firestik antenna
toys 2007 thor tahoe 22fb toyhauler 2005 honda 450 quad 06 polaris 200 auto(wife) and 06 polaris predator 50 (son) Seadoo gti se 155
Good replies so far. No, I'm with you... I don't want a gasser. Even my cruddy PSD blew away gassers pulling the mountains. I was just wondering if the mileage with the DPF issues would be comparable to the gasser towing. My main concern isn't really fuel cost. Let's face it..we all just lived thru nearly $5.00 diesel and I expect it to be there again soon. I just paid $2.89 tonight. Those Bedouin price-fixers are gonna jam it to us again no matter what when they realize they need more money for indoor desert skiing or man-made, palm tree shaped jet spray islands (seen the Discovery Channel lately?). My main issue is that I want this diesel to last. I already got burned by Ford and paid an extra $8k to get screwed. If I knew then that my truck was only gonna last 87k, I would have bought the Triton gasser and been done with it, that way I could'a seen it coming. I guess that is what I'm worried about with the GM. Paying the upcharge for the DMax and not getting the longevity out of it, thus making the gasser a better value. Heck' I thought diesels we supposed to go 300k plus? I trust GM has better corrosion protection for us guys that live in the "Rust Belt". The Ford stuff just doesn't stand up. Thanks for the ideas...Keep the replies coming!
__________________ 2002 POS PSD 7.3L F-250 nearly deceased
2005 SRT-4 ACR 2.4
1986 Mustang SVO big honkin FMIC, T3/T4 hybrid, SDS ECM
1986 Mustang SVO stock-original owner
I like my turbos and I like 'em big!
Firefighter/Paramedic IAFF 2915
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