Headed out today to pick up a load of christmas trees with the GMC 2500HD LMM. Was towing a gooseneck trailer with a 16,000lb GVW. Loaded 60 christmas trees on it and headed home. Truck rode great and appeared to handle the load exceptionally well. Mileage wasnt the greatest (approximately 11 mpg) but the truck only has 9800 miles on it. Pulled out to pass an old lady driving a ford taurus doing 45 in a 55mph zone, and thats when the disappointment came. When the truck kicked down and we pulled out to make the pass, my father and I just kinda looked at each other and simultaneously said "thats it?" We've towed similar loads with our other trucks, all with the 8100 allison combo, and seat of the pants would tell us that the older trucks would have walked right on by. Now, this is the first diesel we have had, and are still learning. My question is simply this, will the truck perform better as we put more miles on it? What other thoughts might some of you experts have? Dont get me wrong... we are very happy with the truck, and its a very smooth operating vehicle... I guess after all the reading that ive done on this site I expected a little more. The truck is still completely stock with the exception of the Cooper Discoverer S/T 285/75/16s. Sorry for the long post... just looking for some input.

Thanks!

Maybe you were in regen. I know that is alot of peoples excuses on power loss, but my truck hauls past any old lady loaded or empty.

Maybe you were in regen. I know that is alot of peoples excuses on power loss, but my truck hauls past any old lady loaded or empty.

I was thinking that it might be in regen, unfortunately im not exactly sure how to tell.. it would be nice if it would display that on the dash for us. I know it rips when its unloaded, it always has put a smile on my face when I step into it a little around town.

also u can try down shifting manually with the tap shift . but tht darn dpf will take alotof power away especially if in regen

Another thing to consider is that with a gas motor the Revs come way up and it gets loud. Its like driving a car with loud exhaust, it sounds loud and sometimes people mistake that for fast.

The Diesel can be deceiving in how "fast" it feels because it works in a lot lower RPM than typical Gas motors.

Another thing to consider is that with a gas motor the Revs come way up and it gets loud. Its like driving a car with loud exhaust, it sounds loud and sometimes people mistake that for fast.

The Diesel can be deceiving in how "fast" it feels because it works in a lot lower RPM than typical Gas motors.

I understand what youre saying... the big block def does sound faster, but seat of the pants... setting you back in your seat feel told us that the 8100 had more. Thus the reason for the concerns.. as we merged onto I-87 we noticed that it took over a mile to go from 40mph to 60mph.. we estimated that the load we were hauling was about 8,000lbs (trailer weight included) Im really hoping that the truck was in regen, because as I said earlier, we absolutely love everything else about the truck. I'll be making the same trip in two weeks to haul the same load, so I'll def. be checking everything out. I'll post my findings on here!

Thanks for the feedback!

I understand what youre saying... the big block def does sound faster, but seat of the pants... setting you back in your seat feel told us that the 8100 had more. Thus the reason for the concerns.. as we merged onto I-87 we noticed that it took over a mile to go from 40mph to 60mph.. we estimated that the load we were hauling was about 8,000lbs (trailer weight included) Im really hoping that the truck was in regen, because as I said earlier, we absolutely love everything else about the truck. I'll be making the same trip in two weeks to haul the same load, so I'll def. be checking everything out. I'll post my findings on here!

Thanks for the feedback!


Only 8000lbs and it was disappointing?? I pulled my Tahoe to Detroit on a 2800# trailer...figure it was close to what you had. I was passing people all day. I was surprised that it was so quick with all of that weight. You were prolly in a regen, even though I didn't notice one all the way to detroit. Who knows? Keep driving it, it'll get better...so will the mileage. :) Enjoy!

Only 8000lbs and it was disappointing?? I pulled my Tahoe to Detroit on a 2800# trailer...figure it was close to what you had. I was passing people all day. I was surprised that it was so quick with all of that weight. You were prolly in a regen, even though I didn't notice one all the way to detroit. Who knows? Keep driving it, it'll get better...so will the mileage. :) Enjoy!

I agree, the new LMM we have at work will walk away from most cars on the road. Even with the gooseneck loaded to 10k+ it still has no issues.


Jason

Just did my first long haul this last weekend and could not be happier. Was able to maintain speed and pass easely. I was hauling around 8000 lbs. and no programming.

Just did my first long haul this last weekend and could not be happier. Was able to maintain speed and pass easely. I was hauling around 8000 lbs. and no programming.

Im starting to think more and more that this truck is just in regen like everyone says. I really hope so, as I said earlier, i'll be making the same trip in about two weeks so i'll be sure to post the observations made during that trip.

Thanks again for everyones feedback!

Im starting to think more and more that this truck is just in regen like everyone says. I really hope so, as I said earlier, i'll be making the same trip in about two weeks so i'll be sure to post the observations made during that trip.

Thanks again for everyones feedback!

Just drive it like ya stole it..

Just drive it like ya stole it..

A little off topic... I see you have a 30' PJ... how do you like it? We just bought a 14' Deckover gooseneck Dump trailer built by PJ

No, the power on these new trucks suck, completely sucks! My LLY stock kicked this new truck's ass big time. I do love this NBS though and I am willing to give the tech a chance to catch up. I will let y"all know what this truck will do goin to Vegas in a week with a good pull between Bullhead City and Henderson with 28k.

A little off topic... I see you have a 30' PJ... how do you like it? We just bought a 14' Deckover gooseneck Dump trailer built by PJ

We use the 30' to haul a bobcat with attachments and two 24' to haul other tools and rebar. All of them have worked flawlessly and tow very nicely when loaded properly.

I used to work at a gravel yard and most of our customers had either PJ or Load Trail dump trailers, haven't heard any complaints about either. I remember one contractor that had a 14k gooseneck dump and he was pretty happy with it.


Jason

We use the 30' to haul a bobcat with attachments and two 24' to haul other tools and rebar. All of them have worked flawlessly and tow very nicely when loaded properly.

I used to work at a gravel yard and most of our customers had either PJ or Load Trail dump trailers, haven't heard any complaints about either. I remember one contractor that had a 14k gooseneck dump and he was pretty happy with it.


Jason

So far we have been pretty happy with ours... the brakes were hanging up on it at first, but isnt a problem anymore... The only thing I wish they would have done is put a bigger hydraulic pump on it.. other than that though it seems to be pretty well built... i'll try to get some pics this weekend.

a lot of people say the turbo will spool up quicker andd comptuer will react better if you roll the throttle instead of mashing it. I dont know, but I have heard it before