Decision Time: Derimax or stay with 1/2 Ton

[Bassdogs]

Moved up to a White Hawk 30dsre this spring that will use up all of our 08 Silverado Crew Cab's tow/weight capacities. It has done great on our first 2 tows so I'm not concerned but looking more long term planned on looking for a 2500 a couple years down the road. Bingo, local dealer has a shiny 2010 Derimax w/ low mileage sitting on the front of the lot. The 1500 has been dealer maintained [same dealer] and is in extra clean condition with average mileage. The 2500 looks to be the clean as well. Dealer asking top Kelly price but with a similar trade value on the 08 I think the swap would cost me about $20-22k.

Good deal or wait?

[Rob_Fla]

We got our first Duramax in 2007, changing from a 1500HD 6.0, we loved it and were very happy with the change.
Now we are on our 2nd Duramax and still loving it, no worries about going to the mountain's or anywhere we want to go.

[David472]

Since you are planning to continue camping, and maybe moving up in the future, it would be hard to pass up a deal like you describe. I did the same when I came upon the 2500 I have now, although it's a gas engine. Keeping my eye open for a duramax if the right one comes along. Better that way then frantically searching when the need is more desperate.

[Derek700]

We went from an f150 to a ram 3500 with a cummins. I would say just do it, the difference will be night and day. When towing you will not regret it for a second.

[ksignoles]

I also went from a 1500 to a diesel, but F350 and have not looked back. The available power and safety from pulling with heavier truck has been worth the change even thought the 1500 was "within maufacture towing specs."

[milw156]

I have a separate thread on going from an Ecoboost F150 to our new 3500HD Silverado with the Duramax. I took it for a tow last weekend over to Eastern Washington with our 28DSBH, and I have to say that I absolutely love towing with it. Much less sway and the power & exhaust braking will make you smile every time you go up or down a hill.

If you pulled the trigger for the Duramax I don't think you'll be disappointed. However it may accelerate your purchase of the next camper

[simonj]

I looked at a 2014 Duramax over the weekend - 75K for an LTZ....yikes!!

[BlueHaul]

I love my diesel (F-250 PowerStroke) and towing with it has been great. The torque curve is amazing for towing; after all it's what diesels are made to do. Your maintenance costs will be higher - Figure around $100 for an oil change because diesels use around 15 quarts - but the longevity you can get out of a diesel makes it worth it to me in the long run. Duramax engines are very stout and Allison Transmissions are well built also. I traded in a 1988 F-250 with the 460ci gas engine for my diesel. Would I do it again? You betcha.

Biggest problem with a diesel? It won't be long before you start hearing about things like Banks, MBRP, Bully Dog . . . .ZOOM!

[Bassdogs]

Done deal. Got the trade I ask for for the 08 1500. Think the fact that it had been dealer maintained by the same dealer helped convince them to come up from their initial offer. All in all I walked out with the 2010 HD Duramax at or slightly less than my target cost. The truck new stickered at $49+ same as 2 new ones sitting there on the lot. Drove it home and spent an hour reading the manual. This is my first experience with a diesel so have a lot to learn.

Wife hated to give up her Red truck but after driving the new one home, was all good with the deal. Now need to go tow something.

[BlueHaul]

Congratulations! My word of advise for a new diesel owner - make sure you give those glow plugs time to warm things up when the temps start dropping. Be sure to post some pictures, we all love new truck eye-candy!

[dieselmann35]

I don't know about a 2010, but mine is 10.1 qts. with filter for an oil change. Now go sign yourself up on the duramaxforum.com and start learning everything about your truck.
Look into EFI Live for your truck. Well worth the money.

[dmax_83]

Congrats! I bought my first diesel in 2011 and never looked back, you will love towing with it. Definitely check out some of the diesel forums, they have tons of useful information.

[clutch]

Congratulations on the new truck. As mentioned, find a diesel forum and do lots of reading.

[msturtz]

Congratulations!

[Bassdogs]

Had to use it for something and no camping on the calendar for a while [knee replacement in 10 days] so headed over to the landscaping place on Tue for a ton of decorative stone. Dropped it in the bed with a Bobcat and the bed didn't move until the last bit was dumped in. Only droped about 1 1/2" and drove the 35 miles home without even feeling it back there.

Next step is to hook up the TT and check out the balance on the hitch. Think this truck sits a couple inches higher than my 1500 so may have to drop the tow bar a notch or two. Shame because I spent $150 in the spring for a tall boy bar for the reese hitch so I could raise it far enough to fit the new White Hawk. O well its just progress.

[clubhouse]

Not sure what hitch you are using or coupler style on the Whitehawk -- here is something to keep in mind.

When I went from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton I readjusted the WD Hitch so everything sat level and did its job. However, during one of the first trips out I had to really jackknife the trailer to hit my spot right. In doing so my trunnion cam came in contact with the TT frame and left a pretty nice "idiot mark". Not sure if I never had occasion to turn so tight with the 1/2 ton, or if the geometry with that set up allowed the trunnions to clear, but not the case with the Duramax. Since my coupler is "top of frame" mounted, and I use trunion bars not round bars, it required a hitch ball with a 1" rise and several adjustments of the hitch head to get both the correct weight distribution and provide clearance.

Maybe not a problem for you, but in case I want to share my experience in hopes that you avoid the same ugly scarring my trailer A Frame has.

[stjohneyre]

Bassdogs has left me behind still sitting in my 1500. I do appreciate all of you guys posting about your 3/4 ton + TV and diesel engines. I'm making sure my wife reads them all....just laying the ground work for next Fathers Day gift

[Bassdogs]

Had to do a little negotiating with the wife before she would let go of her red truck. She loved it and all the grandkids loved it. Thought they had a pretty fancy grandma who drove a Silverado. We'll shes getting a lot of looks and comments in the new "Black" HD so I think the transition has been a success. Has already washed it since the rock run.

[edatlanta]

I just came back to my home base from my summer host position this past Tuesday. My truck and 5'er are listed in my signature. 255 miles towing and my truck performed flawlessly and averaged 12.8 mpg. Love my Duramax.