I put my 3.0 Duramax through quite a towing test in the middle of the desert

DemonWorks · March 9, 2022

Several months ago, I was towing my Camaro to California from Utah. Along the way I got a wild idea to stop at the base of a grade and see how she performed. While I didn't completely stop, I did put it in a bad situation and I felt she performed very well. Temps were already warm since I had been driving through the 110+ degree desert for several hours. Hope you enjoy ! Love that 3.0 Duramax !

f8l vnm · March 9, 2022

By far the best half ton diesel for sure. Gm did a magnificent job that's for sure. My biggest gripe would be once your up to HWY speeds , she does not have much top end . ( understandably so ) i think this thing with another 20-30 HP would be perfect. None the less, i have driven my cousins Baby DirtyMAX a few times and the thing is so damn smooth and the MPG is very impressive for a brick. Thanks for the video!

latreille89 · March 9, 2022

31 minutes ago, f8l vnm said:

By far the best half ton diesel for sure. Gm did a magnificent job that's for sure. My biggest gripe would be once your up to HWY speeds , she does not have much top end . ( understandably so ) i think this thing with another 20-30 HP would be perfect. None the less, i have driven my cousins Baby DirtyMAX a few times and the thing is so damn smooth and the MPG is very impressive for a brick. Thanks for the video!

I honestly think it does fine on the highway but hey, I came from a 2012 Sierra with the 4.8 that I bought new and drove for 9 years.. my duramax feels like a little rocket compared to my 4.8

Dirk13 · March 9, 2022

1 hour ago, Carbon said:

Several months ago, I was towing my Camaro to California from Utah. Along the way I got a wild idea to stop at the base of a grade and see how she performed. While I didn't completely stop, I did put it in a bad situation and I felt she performed very well. Temps were already warm since I had been driving through the 110+ degree desert for several hours. Hope you enjoy ! Love that 3.0 Duramax !

You never mention the trans temp?

DemonWorks · March 9, 2022

13 minutes ago, Dirk13 said:

You never mention the trans temp?

You are absolutely correct. It didn't cross my mind because with the previous truck (2020 3.0) I did watch the trans temp and it was always 220 or below. In this truck, I don't even go look. Solid point, I will take that into consideration next time I do some hot towing.

DemonWorks · March 9, 2022

1 hour ago, f8l vnm said:

By far the best half ton diesel for sure. Gm did a magnificent job that's for sure. My biggest gripe would be once your up to HWY speeds , she does not have much top end . ( understandably so ) i think this thing with another 20-30 HP would be perfect. None the less, i have driven my cousins Baby DirtyMAX a few times and the thing is so damn smooth and the MPG is very impressive for a brick. Thanks for the video!

I know what you are referring to and I do agree it feels like it levels off. I believe that's just the torque falling off but it still accelerates, just not at the same rate.

I'd take some more power !

35 minutes ago, latreille89 said:

I honestly think it does fine on the highway but hey, I came from a 2012 Sierra with the 4.8 that I bought new and drove for 9 years.. my duramax feels like a little rocket compared to my 4.8

I agree, it does feel like a little rocket. I'd love to see some more power but this is a phenomenal starting point. Love the 3.0

seamus2154 · March 10, 2022

I have had a lot of trucks. This truck impresses me every time I drive it. Its so well rounded and does everything well. Definitely a superstar in the lineup. Good to see people working it, and using it as it was designed. I only pull 5500 lbs open trailer and feels like such a lite load with this truck.

TRKLGND · March 10, 2022

The expensive (I have heard $2k) oil pump belt service at 100k still gives me cause for concern; especially if someone is looking at a used vehicle.

KARNUT · March 10, 2022

6 minutes ago, TRKLGND said:

The expensive (I have heard $2k) oil pump belt service at 100k still gives me cause for concern; especially if someone is looking at a used vehicle.

That and the extra fluid and the cost of diesel fuel.

redwngr · March 10, 2022

18 minutes ago, TRKLGND said:

The expensive (I have heard $2k) oil pump belt service at 100k still gives me cause for concern; especially if someone is looking at a used vehicle.

I think it's 150,000 miles.

No idea long or expensive to change.

All I've seen so far to be a just a bunch of armchair of 'opinions' (I'll refrain from offering mine).

Lots of auto engines over the years that have used timing belts (rather than a chain or gearset) that have to be changed at similar mileage.

Dirk13 · March 10, 2022

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

That and the extra fluid and the cost of diesel fuel.

The 3.0 is cheaper to drive per mile than a 5.3 or 6.2

Dirk13 · March 10, 2022

2 hours ago, TRKLGND said:

The expensive (I have heard $2k) oil pump belt service at 100k still gives me cause for concern; especially if someone is looking at a used vehicle.

It’s 150k.

Im not likely to keep a truck that long, so I don’t care, but it may cost 2k, flat rate, at a dealer. That will be much cheaper at an independent shop. I would also venture a guess to say that most don’t even replace it. For those that risk it, A failure on this belt is not catastrophic like a timing belt. You lose oil pressure and get a check engine light. Pull over right away and there is no damage done.

seamus2154 · March 11, 2022

10 hours ago, TRKLGND said:

The expensive (I have heard $2k) oil pump belt service at 100k still gives me cause for concern; especially if someone is looking at a used vehicle.

Why do people keep regurgitating this nonsense?? Its based on nothing. Its also not true. And its said over and over with no factual reasoning. First of all to clarify its 150K service recommendation....and GM has in print, said they will probably be extending this to 200K. Not one belt has had an issue and there is not one person on the internet that has done this service. It can easlity be viewed though the same lense as MANY cars on the road right now that have a sevice interval for a timing belt. 60K 100K 150K is the norm. That is a much bigger, more complicated job, with alot of skilled labor. This service is easy and trans only has to be slid back to access the belt which is on outside of all timing belts. Remove and replace. Literally a couple of hours at most, 100 bucks an hour, lets say under 500 bucks in 10 years and up to 200K away!!!!! Have you looked under this truck?? There is tons of room and its an easy job when it happens. Ever do a water pump and then think hey while I am in there let me change my serp belt, and all the tensioners?? This will be the same thing when trans work or a torque converter which seem to be very common on any GM truck in the last 10 years. Please stop repeating false info. This is a nothing burger. The lifters that go on much more on gas trucks will cost 3 times as much out of warranty. Think about it...how could a 50 dollar belt and sliding the trans back cost over 2ooo dollars?? Ridiculous. Not one issue to date, truck is out since 2018. To do lifters on a gasser is about 2-3 days, removal of the heads, and front of motor, remove the cam and inspect, replace lifters, replace pushrods, and put it all back...that is thousands of dollars! All 2021 GM 5.3 and 6.2 will need new lifters as per GM. Most guys stating this probably dont even realize their wifes car has a service interval for the timing belt........ This belt is of no concern.

seamus2154 · March 11, 2022

8 hours ago, Dirk13 said:

It’s 150k.

Im not likely to keep a truck that long, so I don’t care, but it may cost 2k, flat rate, at a dealer. That will be much cheaper at an independent shop. I would also venture a guess to say that most don’t even replace it. For those that risk it, A failure on this belt is not catastrophic like a timing belt. You lose oil pressure and get a check engine light. Pull over right away and there is no damage done.

EXACTLY! Plus its just not a big deal. Probably 5% of guys keep a truck 150K anyway.

Dirk13 · March 11, 2022

7 hours ago, seamus2154 said:

EXACTLY! Plus its just not a big deal. Probably 5% of guys keep a truck 150K anyway.

I mean, someone will own the truck at that mileage. Maybe not me or most of the people buying these new, but someone will need to deal with it.

There are plenty of cars and trucks out there using a timing belt that requires you to tear the front off the motor, take radiators out, etc. Is removing the drive shaft, unbolting and pulling the trans back really that much worse?