Please try to excuse my ignorance but...

I am contimplating taking my truck to South Lake Tahoe for a week soon. I am a little concerned about the altitude and the cold. Are these apriehensions unfounded? Tahoe is no where as cold as Ontario or Alaska, but I will not be privy to an electrical outlet to keep the engine warm overnight either. Are start ups likely to be a problem? About what temp do problems start occuring (15W-40 dino)?

Additionally, how much loss of power am I likely to expirence with the altitude change, from 0 to 6400 (valley floor) thru 7000+ (Passes)? Should I back off on the cetane boost? Or leave well enough alone?

Any enlightenment you all can supply would be appriciated. Thank you very much.

Dave

Use Standayne, Power Kleen or a similar winter/centane boost additive along with your winter grill cover and you will be fine. I believe that things don't get "interesting" until you get to -40 F.

Anything under 30 degrees put on the Winter Grill Cover. I started the truck last winter at - 20 f not plugged in and no problems. Sounded pretty ugly for the first 30 secs. Not sure about altitude. The highest I have been is 3000 feet towing 7000lbs and noticed no change.

I live in the valley but travel to Tahoe several times per week, mine runs just fine bone stock at tahoe (over Donner pass) all the way down to sea level. You will notice a small power drop as you come up in elevation though. I run Standyne all the time with no issues up here. I'm also running dino 15w-40, I just ensure I've let the truck warm up for a couple of minutes before heading out, and go easy till temps start to come up.
I'd say your Duramax is one thing about your trip you won't have to worry about, keeping it fed with the current fuel prices on the other hand...