Opinions on this truck? 2009 Silverado 3500HD LTZ dually, diesel

[IPEsq]

Found a used 2009 Silverado 3500HD LTZ dually, diesel in my area for a decent price, 75,500 miles, has a B&W turnover ball, in-bed wiring for gooseneck, and spray in bed liner done by Western Hauler. Duramax diesel 6.6L V8 turbo with Allison transmission. 4x4, 4 door crew cab.

Most used diesels I’ve found even newer have lots more miles and are more expensive. So, I’m intrigued because it seems like it’s been well cared for and it’s a pretty decent price compared to KBB, though I’d like them to come down a little bit. The thing is, I wasn’t particularly looking for a diesel or a dually, as I’m trailer shopping for something in the 2+1 size range gooseneck trailer to pull with it and keep my car for daily driving. Speaking of, I have to get new tires for my car very soon, and 4 is plenty expensive!

I ran the VIN in some recall look-up sites and the dealer sent me a history report. All looks ok, though I did find a TSB related to the heated windshield washer lines–supposedly the heat element should have been disabled or it can cause electrical problems. Otherwise, I am not finding any major red flags other than operational costs versus the 2500HD gas engine I was really looking for. Seeking any COTH wisdom on this model!

Thanks!

[normandy_shores]

My truck is my second vehicle and only for hauling. I haul a 2h GN but have converted the small dressing room.

I have a gas F350, wicked low miles for it’s age (2001), great deal, etc. I didn’t want diesel or that big, but in hindsight, I wish I had gone diesel. The repair costs scared me off, but with some of the mountain passes I haul (and steep downhills), I’d be all over bigger. A 2+1 is a decent sized rig, though it depends on your hauling needs. A truck like that wouldn’t limit what you pull by much in the future!

I’d for sure be considering the truck you described!

The only thing – my crew cab long back maneuvers like a boat. Huge turn radius…

[suz]

My opinion is that it sounds perfect for ME!

[IPEsq]

I can’t find details on how long the bed is, but looks standard size (not “long bed”). I’m sure it’ll still drive like a boat to me…haven’t hauled in many years. Thanks for your feedback!

[IPEsq]

Another question…I know starting a diesel in the cold could be an issue, but is there any need to have to plug in if it sits around for a while between hauls? I am pretty much diesel ignorant, though online forums say I should have to plug in my hybrid if I go on vacation for a week, and that hasn’t been an issue for me yet.

[Underthebridge]

I have a 2007, the washer heater should be unplugged, check on that, why don’t you start it every once in a while, it should have remote start and turns off after 15 mins.
It should have a long bed, I would have my own mechanic look at it.
Single wheel, gasoline is much cheaper.

[DHCarrotfeeder]

[QUOTE=IPEsq;8015098]
Another question…I know starting a diesel in the cold could be an issue, but is there any need to have to plug in if it sits around for a while between hauls? I am pretty much diesel ignorant, though online forums say I should have to plug in my hybrid if I go on vacation for a week, and that hasn’t been an issue for me yet.[/QUOTE]

My Ford diesel starts up beautifully in all weather and I don’t own a block heater cord. The reason I believe is because I use synthetic engine oil, which flows a lot better in cold temps. It’s affordable because I change my own oil and I don’t pay big shop markups. After waiting the normal couple of seconds for the glow plugs before cranking, it’s always started instantly down to 0F.

The block heater simply serves to keep the oil warm and flowing freely. Synthetics flow more freely to begin with so the block heater is of very limited value. I would not expect you to need it except the very coldest days.

David

[cutter99]

I would not have a problem using that truck to pull a 2+1. Way better to be over trucked than under trucked and I would bet once you tow with it, you will never regret it. And I will just warn you now- once you go diesel you never go back! LOL!!!

As for plugging it in- I’ve been driving a diesel truck since 2001 and have very rarely plugged it in. I did some last year in Pennsylvania, mainly because the winter was so bad I didn’t use the truck and just wanted to make sure it would start. Plugging it in is not something I would worry much about.

[Tom_King]

I’ve been driving my '01 like that for 14 years now. Something like 260,000 miles. I wore out the seat and replaced the foam and leather cover, redid the injectors after 12 years and 230,000 miles. I’ll replace it with another one when this one wears out-maybe in another 10 years. It was number 28 off the assembly line when they first started making the Duramax/Allison. That one is several generations newer.

It’s one of the few things I’ve ever bought that turned out to be better than I thought it would be.

They have both glow plugs and intake air heaters, so no problem starting cold.

[IPEsq]

Not that I wanted to hear about a bunch of problems with this truck, but y’all are some serious enablers! The dealer is not very close, so we’ll see if the snow holds off enough for me to go check it out in person over the weekend.

[Guilherme]

I’ve got the '08 version of this truck except mine has the long bed (which I replaced with an aluminum flatbed). It has performed extremely well as our “farm truck” and hauler. It’s a diesel and starts fine in TN winters (which can go as low as -12F since I’ve owned the truck). I pull a 13,000 pound, loaded, gooseneck trailer. At 65mph I run 10-11 gal./mi. Bobtail I do about 14 mpg around town. We don’t drive it regularly due to cost of operation but reserve it for trips and chores where the capacity is needed. I’ve got just over 64,000 miles on it. I’d buy another one in a heart beat except I can’t. The new ones have a lot of new, mandated equipment on them. I’ll drive this one until the wheels fall off.

If the one you’re looking at is priced as you’ve noted then I’d snap it up, contingent upon an inspection by a qualified mechanic.

G.

[netg]

I have the 2500 HD and a I loooooove it. I’ve never loved a vehicle before, just appreciated them for doing their jobs. But I love this truck. I have a 2 horse aluminum trailer which it pulls easily, and I have learned to love having a truck which runs better with trailer attached and pulls with ease. Since you’re going with a bigger trailer, I’d go with a correspondingly bigger truck. In the past I’ve pulled with trucks which were closer to their limits, and after driving a truck much larger than needed, I would avoid going back to just within capabilities at all costs.

[IPEsq]

Any tips for getting an independent inspection done? The truck is at a used car dealer about an hour and a half at least away from me. There’s a GMC/Chevy dealer about 35 min away. What is reasonable to ask the sellers in terms of timing of the inspection? I’m familiar with contracts just not the practice for used cars. Last used car I bought was from a trusted dealer with whom my family had an established relationship.

With 100% chance of snow on Saturday, it looks like I’ll have to ask them some questions over the phone before I can get out to the dealership.

They also have a 2012 RAM turbo diesel 3500 single wheel for not much more money…

[ChocoMare]

I’d buy that truck. I have it’s brother for my 2 horse XT/XW gooseneck. Love it to pieces.

[IPEsq]

What year do you have ChocoMare?

Guilherme, do you not like the new equipment? Why? And which equipment? Or is it just making them too expensive? I think I would miss the navigation and a backup camera options (which I have on my daily driver), but I managed to not get lost, could parallel park, and could hook up a bumper pull by myself, so I would give up those technology crutches to save some thousands over a new truck. Heated steering wheel would be nice, though.

[BasqueMom]

The newer diesels have to have DEF added to the fuel tank, another EPA goodie.
Most fuel stops carry it now. We bought a 2007 Dodge 2500 mega cab diesel 4x4 in 2011 and love it but it has the tried but true 5.9L engine. In late 2007,
Dodge went to a 6.7 newer engine and it was not getting rave reviews when we were truck hunting. As much as I like it, Dodge doesn’t seem to finish the interiors quite as well as Ford or Chevy. Previous Ford F250 7.3L diesel owner that motored on for 285K miles. And OT, the Expedition had 266K miles and running well when traded. Sadly, the replacement Expedition had had changes made to the engine, developed big problems and got traded away.

The Chevy sounds like a keeper!

[IPEsq]

Oh, would I not have to do the DEF additive for an 2009? That sounds pretty good to me!

[WasthatC]

Hey OP,
Give us an update - did you go see the trucks and buy one?

[Guilherme]

Shop time at most dealers runs in the $65-$75/hr. range. Tell the service manager you want to have them check the vehicle out and the budget is one hour. Leave a number they can get back to you on if they find something that will take more than an hour to explore.

If you want to be real careful get an oil analysis done. Like an EKG, a one off report will tell you less than a series of reports done every six months. But it can give important information. Google “oil analysis” and you’ll find people who do it.

On a personal note, I was bored last night and put my truck into the Kelly Blue Book system to see what the current market value is. I was pleasantly shocked to find out that their “private sale price” is less than $1000 under what I paid for the truck in Nov., 2008. I got the “deal of the century” at that time due to a declining economy but, still, the truck is holding it’s value magnificently.

G.

[Winding_Down]

I have the 09 Silverado LTZ 2500 Diesel four wheels. Best truck ever! I have had it in bitter cold and never had any difficulty starting it. It drives like a cadillac, pulls
REALLY well. I had an oversized 2+1 all aluminum and had NO problem pulling. Long bed for me though - for farm work and better pulling. As long as it is not a shortbed, you should be fine. I did not get the dually only because I use the truck now and then for running about and going to town to pick up feed and driving a dually in town is a pita. They do pull better though.

If I had to sell this truck, I would get the exact same one again. Oh, and the LTZ with those heated seats… yum…