Why Diesel???

[mjncad]

Here's what I have on my newest 2007 GMC 3500...


Hillsboro Industries - Aluminum Truck Beds

That's the kind of bodies that look like they belong with dual rear wheel setups! With the price of aluminum these days, I'd shudder to see the cost; but the added payload capacity could very well pay off for a daily user. I have nothing against duallies from a mechanical and job needs basis; I just don't like the look of the bolted on fenders. I see GM has made one piece plastic or fiberglass sides to minimize the bolt-on look; but I'm sure they are pricier to fix than the Ford or Dodge fenders. Maybe that's why I see so many newer model GM duallies with busted up fenders that go unrepaired.

I received an open pit coal mine tour this past week, and the mine supplies the nearby power plant with bottom dump semi-trailers. They are testing out aluminum trailers for the added payload capacity. Their biggest concern is durability. The mine uses trucks as rail and conveyor lines are not financially practical for the 5-mile distance.

 

[mjncad]

"I understand what you mean, but, I have not had any problems with my Allison "hunting" for gears no matter the size of the load or hill.
Leo

I see you are from Florida Leo, so I'm curious as to where you go for significant hills for your Allison to have fun with.

Just as I have engine choices, I would like transmission choices too.

 

[em14]

I see you are from Florida Leo, so I'm curious as to where you go for significant hills for your Allison to have fun with.

Just as I have engine choices, I would like transmission choices too.

Alabama, the east coast thru PA. (Includes sometimes thru the smokies) ... sometimes I am pulling a 10T GN equipment trailer and sometimes an enclosed 5T cargo bumper trailer. I put it in tow mode and it works great.
Leo

 

[Z-Michigan]

With the Allison and its M position...they won't need to...

For 2007+, the heavy duty GM trucks get a 6-speed auto with the 6.0L gas engine. It isn't the Allison, but it's still a 6 speed. With either that one or the Allison, and again on the HD trucks, you get not only tow/haul mode but also manual control of gears via two buttons on the shifter. At that point all you're really missing is pushing the clutch pedal and replacing throw-out bearings.

My aunt and uncle have a fairly recent van-based RV made on a GM van chassis with duallies and the 6.0L gas engine. The thing must weigh at least 10,000lbs, maybe 12k+. They report zero problems with having enough power, and reported getting 19+ mpg while driving through the Colorado rockies, as an average over two tanks. Not bad!

 

[unreconstructed]

Had a 6 speed in my 5.4 F 250. My F350 V10 I ordered with 6 speed also. It has been shipped but don't have the truck yet. Maybe I'll replace throw out bearings if I keep it long enough. Traded this one a 100,000miles.

 

[Renze]

Duallies debate:

The European and asian light truck makes, all have the same exterior width measured over the tires, for single and dual rear wheel versions. That's because they use a more narrow rear axle on dualled versions to keep the width the same.
Mercedes/Volkswagen have ordered the development of a 16" SuperSingle rear wheel to be able to put the 5 ton trucks on singles, to keep more room inbetween the wheel wells for standard cargo pallets.

Mercedes now also offers the long distance trucks on supersingle rear wheels instead of duals. It weighs 90 kg less than a set of duals.


CVT or AutoShift trannies: Volkswagen offers a robotised transmission in the VW Crafter. It's not an automatic, just a synchro box with automated clutch and gear shift. Mercedes doesnt offer it anymore, and offers a real auto with torque converter instead, even though Volkswagen puts their DSG system on a Mercedes built tranny.

I dont really see CVT transmissions are going to make it on the highway: In Eurpean heavy trucks, the trend is towards engines with a broader power band and more torque, combined with a 12 speed automated crash gear transmission. Volvo used to have a 16 speed for their heavy trucks, but the torque of the FH16 660 motor demanded for wider (=stronger) gear wheels in the transmission. To be able to accomodate these wider gears, the newest version has only 12 gears. Because of the increased power band and torque of the new engine, the transmission doesnt need the closer ratios of those 4 extra gears either !!!!

 

[wushaw]

You're right - Ford does offer a 6 speed manual.

I was wrong --oops!


Still looks like GM does NOT offer a manual in the HD lineup.


jb

By golly your right...looks like GM just lost any future business from me...oh well.

 

[mjncad]

Alabama, the east coast thru PA. (Includes sometimes thru the smokies) ... sometimes I am pulling a 10T GN equipment trailer and sometimes an enclosed 5T cargo bumper trailer. I put it in tow mode and it works great.
Leo

Though my East Coast travels are limited, friends and relatives who live back east have mentioned the hilly country you drive through. Glad to hear you are happy with your truck and powertrain choice.

 

[mjncad]

Duallies debate:

The European and asian light truck makes, all have the same exterior width measured over the tires, for single and dual rear wheel versions. That's because they use a more narrow rear axle on dualled versions to keep the width the same.
Mercedes/Volkswagen have ordered the development of a 16" SuperSingle rear wheel to be able to put the 5 ton trucks on singles, to keep more room inbetween the wheel wells for standard cargo pallets.

Mercedes now also offers the long distance trucks on supersingle rear wheels instead of duals. It weighs 90 kg less than a set of duals.

A SuperSingle tire and wheel sounds like a "Floater" tire I've seen on transit mixer front axles and concrete pump trucks. When Ford announced their F-450 pickup, I thought it would be nice if a wider set of wheels and tires would be available to do the work of the duals. A set of fender flares is one thing; but bolted on plastic fenders just don't look right to me.

 

[JESSE1]

Actually, Ford used to have a pickup with super single rear tires. Back in the mid-to-late '70's, Ford made an F-350 Super Camper Special. It was a regular cab pickup with a stretched 140" WB(compared to 133") and had 12.50x16.5 rear tires, 9.50x16.5 front tires standard from the factory. I had a '79 F-350 Super Camper Special Lariat with the 460 engine and auto. Got 8-10 mpg on a good day.