First "hard tow" with 2013 2500 4x4 SLT

[Bug Out]

I finally pulled the 5th wheel to Flagstaff for the 4th holiday. Aside from the obnoxious shifting pattern (dealer trying to figure out whats wrong still) the truck has, it pulled the GCVW 24,500 LBS very well. Comparing it to my 2012 3500 dually max tow with 4:10's, I would give this unit a A+. She pulled strong on all the hills and would clearly pick up speed even on uphill 5% grades if I gave it the throttle. . I used 5th gear the entire run to Flagstaff, as its uphill almost the whole way from Phoenix. 65MPH@ 2k RPM cruise control most of the way. It would downshift to 4th and hold its own. Dropped to 55 at one point but quickly came back up to 65.



One of the most impressive parts about the run was going down the 6% grade at Camp Verde. Not once did I ever have to even tap the brakes, but had to throttle up as I was slowing down TOO much... The exhaust brake on this truck is awesome, better the the 2012.



Engine temps 195-220. Ambient was 80-90. Trans never went over 198 degree's which surprised me as the max tow saw 200 transmission degree's on the same road. . Engine oil high was 230 degree's after a hill pull.



I got about 8 mpg on this run as I have with previous CTD's. My 05' 3500 dually CC 4x4 would give the same MPG as did the 2012 max tow 4dr 4x4. On the way back empty, the readout said 20 MPG average. .



Overall, I am VERY VERY impressed with this truck.

 

[DAN V]

Sounds like the '13's are designed alot better. I know they changed quite a bit of stuff especially in the engine compartment.

 

[Bug Out]

I finished off the trip to Flagstaff and returned to the "Valley", Phoenix. I was concerned because there are a few "down hills' and one long 6% up hill from Camp Verde . Again, the truck and trailer are tipping the scales at near Max Gross Vehicle Weight Combined rating of 25,000. All the down hills, including from Sunset point were a breeze with whatever they have done to the improved exhaust brake. Barely used the brakes at all.

Ambient was 80-90 degree's. Going up Camp Verde grade, I pushed it hard to see how the trans would do compared to the max tow. For some reason, unknown to me, the trans never got over 180 degree's. Max tow( was supposed to have 2 trans coolers) with 4:10's ran about 200 degree's... ?. . Engine max temp 219 degree's, and engine oil 220. I was actually blowing past semi's and cars up hill 60-65-70( dont tell posted is 55 for blasting and costr M-F) with the ability to gain more speed if needed. Aside from the shifting issue, its proven itself to be a heck of a truck. I also towed for a spell in 6th gear ( Cummins 12V take notice) and it pulled great, down shifted when needed and held its speed on cruise control. However thru the mountains, up/down and twistys etc, 5th gear was the one... .

 

[Cummins12V98]

Bug Out,

Sounds like your rig is doing well. What was the slowest speed you hit going up the grade? I was mostly at 55 in 3rd on the steep parts and one short section I hit 52.

 

[Bug Out]

I got behind a slow car near the top which slowed me to 50-55. Had I not got behind them, I could have held 65 without a problem. It was in 5th most of the way and it downshifted into 4th in the section near the top that gets a bit more then 6%.