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L5p daily driver

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10K views 19 replies 18 participants last post by  duradave593  
#1 ·
I currently own a sierra 1500 and I am looking to trade in for a 2018 l5p duramax. I do not plan on deleting the truck in the first few years of ownership and wondering what opinions you guys have with it being a daily with emmisions still on the car. I drive 25 miles to work (50 miles round trip) daily highway driven. I do tow occasianly and take long trips more often but nothing a 2500 gasser couldn’t do. I’m I just creating more of a headache looking to get a l5p or should I just trade up to a 2500 gasser? Any input or personal experience would be much appreciated.
 
#2 ·
You'll be fine with your usage. They aren't as fragile as many online stories say. People are quick to go online and gripe or complain, but slow to give compliments. Some people drive much shorter each day and rarely work their trucks, yet they don't have any issues. Drive the truck as you need to and enjoy the journey.
 
#5 ·
Daily driver here as well. Bought new in 2019, 84k miles later and still going strong (knock on wood). I have an 18 mile one way trip to work.
With that said, get an iDash or CTSV to take command of your regeneration cycle so that you can be sure you fully complete it before shutting the truck down at home.
Sure, it's not absolutely necessary, but just makes life better in the long run.
The entire cycle takes 20-30 minutes. What I'll generally do is notice I'm very close when I'm leaving work, activate it as I'm leaving the parking lot. Then I typically will have to drive an exit or two further on the highway past my house, and pull a cloverleaf u-turn to head back home. By the time I do this, the EGTs are back down to 500F or so.
 
#9 ·
My LMM purchased new was my daily driver until I purchased the L5P. Only use the LMM now for farm work. Never had an issue with either truck. My daily commute is less than 5 miles to the office.

As others have pointed out, keep an eye on regen and it will be fine. Enjoy the ride.
 
#10 ·
Another daily driver, occasional tow L5P. they work fine for daily driving. I have 91K on mine now, changed a couple glow plugs, regular oil and fuel filters... no issues at all. I love having a diesel truck. I say get it if you want it. you will not be disappointed.
 
#11 ·
My 2019 was a daily driver all of the time I had it, 20 mile a day to and from work, pulled all types of trailers off and on anything from two wheel utility trailer to a 28 foot box van that weighted loaded about 18,000 pounds. Put 120,000 miles on it in around in 28 months..
 
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#12 ·
I have an LMM that was daily driver for 7 years, then drove a car mostly so I did not have to unhook the LMM from stock trailer. Still have the car and tge LMM along with a new L5P, but by far our goto vehicle in our household is the 1500 LM2 because it tank averages mid 20s and is easier to get into than the 3500HD L5P. Unless you need the 2500 payload, take a look at 1500 with the LM2 or LZ0.

I looked at trading the LM2 on an LZ0 a week ago but am leaning toward replacing the car and the 390,000 mile LMM with it and keeping the LM2.
 
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#14 ·
2017 daily driver. I've owned it since 120k and it has 168k. Those 48k miles that I've driven it have been a lot of short trips to and from work and school for the kids. Maybe 20 miles a day most days. Only issue I've had was the DEF heater and the coolant tank sensor. I had a turbo vane sensor go out, but I'm blaming that one on my youngest son who was watching the pretty sparks from my negative battery cable while I was looking for a tool.....
 
#17 ·
I say go for it. I bought mine before covid and had a 120 mile round trip daily, made sense. Since covid happened I have been working from home permanently literally put less than 5k miles in 3 years on it, currently sitting at 4 years old with 16,200 miles on it. I drive it once a week about 20 to 25 miles, keep it on a tender and fuel tank full with additive. I don't have a single regret and smile every single time I get to drive it.
 
#20 ·
I am offering a slightly different view. I had a 2020 2500 gasser and now own a 2022 l5p. I use my vehicle for a daily driver 5ish miles of mixed driving to work and lots of errands. I absolutely loved the gasser tons of power and SIMPLE maintenance. I previously owned a bumper pull 8Kish trailer and towed from the midwest to Yellowstone with that truck..... no issues it was great, never felt like I needed more power. I then upgraded to a 12K 5er and felt like I would need a duramax for extra power at grade. The duramax is unreal it commands the extra weight like nothing is behind it. With diesel I was able to upgrade the fuel tank to a Titan and gain 20 extra gallons, for me that made it worth the expense. Long story long if I towed 10K or less I would definitely own the gasser, anything more and duramax all the way. I wouldn't be too worried about the daily driving aspect. Like Viper says get something to tell you when you are about to regen. It is nice to see that in the works and spend an extra 5-10 minutes on the highway to complete it.