Sam M's new Truck Stinks!

[Steve M]

Just to be fair, my truck will also kick out of O/D and roar along at 2800rpm if I start up a hill against a strong headwind at 65-70mph with cruise control on. If it does this, I simply turn off cruise control and use my foot to maintain speed without going WOT like cruise does causing a downshift. I think the manual says something about not using cruise control while towing.

I never had that problem with my previous 5spd Dodge Cummins but then again, with this one I don't have clutch chatter and spring wrap-up when I back into the yard. That and I'm not too worried about O/D dropping a nut when I least expect it. Seems they all have something to write about.

 

[Chace TX]

Is anyone really gonna read this?

I saw the show. I thought, great I get to see some real numbers from the duramax. Wrong, on numbers just "Wow Sam look at that, did you hear break, yea we'll be back in a minute" Still waiting, still no dyno numbers. Then more BD hype. That's fine, at least one or more Dodge owners know that their transmission can be upgraded. Sam is just doing his job (many jobs do not require loyalty).



As follows is my only experience and 1st hand knowledge of the Duramax.



After much proding by me Dad purchased a 2002 q-cab 5-speed 4x4 SLT cummins to replace his worn out Nissan. One month later a friend of his, that does all the sheetrock jobs on Dad's houses bought a Duramax. He got the allison and other than the auto it is comparable to Dad's truck, (it cost over $10,000 more). At 12K the turbo blew on the duramax, it was fixed under warrantee. At 15K I put an EZ on Dad's Dodge, the duramax owner drove it and got ****** cause it ran better than his dolarmax. He went and bought the EZ-amp. It would flat run, beat Dad's truck empty, easily. Right now it is in the shop for a new transmission. Don't know if warrantee will cover it or not yet. I don't think he is a happy GM customer right now.



The poster on this board that drives a chevy is just looking for a good place to have to defend himself, why would you do that?

 

[RJOL]

I think you missed the point.....

Sam didn't get rid of his CTD because it was bad... He got rid of it because it just doesn't break enough, and is too easy to BOMB, to keep him in advertiser dollars... With the new Duradud he will get rich just trying to keep it performing anywhere near a CTD. He must have hundreds of "show ideas" already lined up. I can see the new threads on the Duradud site... . "Help is on the way... welcome Sam... "

 

[Mr. Brewski]

LOL @ Chace TX - "Dollarmax" Too funny!

 

[DavidC]

Duramax Numbers in Print

Just Recieved my Trailer Life mag (Aug. 2002). They Did an article on the GM Duramax solo and pulling a 34' Sea Breeze Fifth wheel page 40. The Duramax managed 12. 8 mpg solo 0-60mph 11. 1 seconds, Towing 8. 8 mpg 0-60 30. 4 seconds. The 6. 6 Duramax is rated 300hp@3100 rpm and 520 lb-ft@3100 rpm. The Fifth wheel weight is 12860 lbs. Pulling a 7% grade the Duramax slowed to 53 mph@3100rpm in third gear. I think I read someone saying something about going 70 mph up a 6-7% grade with a 11K load and maybe taking it out of overdrive somewhere in this thread. According to what I have read in Trailer Life the only way that could happen would be if there was a titan rocket strapped to it.

 

[WadePatton]

Never heard of Sam...

until his truck showed up "For Sale" on the front page of this site.



Then I found this thread. Ya'll have covered it pretty well, but I'll add my comments.



First, it ain't about Dollarmax vs. Cummins. This thread is about someone switching sides overnite and pis$ing off a whold herd of folks. Folks who thought that his blood ran CTD.



I think he should be kicked out of the CTD camp. I know that I could have handled the situation better if it'd been me.



Like not selling my Dodge, and not bashing it either. Don't you know somebody that owns two trucks? Geez, If I where in the BIZ--I'd own more than that! (only have four now)



I have seen that type of show and you are all right-they are a half step removed from INFOMERCIALS. They say buy this, it's shiny, and Juan can install it for you, and then read the brochure to you. Give me real folks--that the makeup person doesn't have to smudge grease onto.



Character and Loyalty are everything to me. Doesn't seem like Mr. Memmolo has a lot of either.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"First, it ain't about Dollarmax vs. Cummins. This thread is about someone switching sides overnite and pis$ing off a whold herd of folks. Folks who thought that his blood ran CTD.



I think he should be kicked out of the CTD camp. I know that I could have handled the situation better if it'd been me. "



EXACTLY!



The issue ISN'T about "changing brands" - I had a Chevy before the Dodge - and a Ford before that - most of us make changes like that as situations and opportunities arise...



In Sam's case, all that was needed was something like:



"Gee guys, the dodge has been GREAT - as have all of you and your group - but diversity is the name of my business - and it's time for me to move on and explore what some of the competition has to offer - thanks for allowing me to twist a few wrenches with ya, and good luck to ya ALL!"



THAT said, and we ALL could thank him for his contribution, and wish him well in his new adventure... But to leave COLD, and slam the door on the way out... THAT don't show NO class at ALL!

 

[Pit Bull]

I think Sam is just kinda stupid!! He makes a ton of $$$ doing that show. His business is Car and Truck repair. I am sure that he was given almost everything that he put on that truck and I bet the truck was totally depreciated as a business write-off. He should of kept the Dodge CTD. Instead he is trying to sell it for a huge amount of money, why because "he owned it". Sorry but someone needs to tell this guy he ain't "Elvis"

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

... But to leave COLD, and slam the door on the way out... THAT don't show NO class at ALL!

I don't agree... . I think it shows that Sam has plently of class... ... unfortunatly it's all LOW.

 

[fj40charles]

I agree, get Sam out the TDR magazine. I'm glad I never had an opportunity to see this guy on TV. I usually never buy anything based on infomercials anyway.

 

[_MACKIN]

Here we go ............

After much proding by me Dad purchased a 2002 q-cab 5-speed 4x4 SLT cummins to replace his worn out Nissan. One month later a friend of his, that does all the sheetrock jobs on Dad's houses bought a Duramax. He got the allison and other than the auto it is comparable to Dad's truck, (it cost over $10,000 more). At 12K the turbo blew on the duramax, it was fixed under warrantee. At 15K I put an EZ on Dad's Dodge, the duramax owner drove it and got ****** cause it ran better than his dolarmax. He went and bought the EZ-amp. It would flat run, beat Dad's truck empty, easily. Right now it is in the shop for a new transmission. Don't know if warrantee will cover it or not yet. I don't think he is a happy GM customer right now.

For what it matters first case in 2 years I have heard about a turbo failure..... There is one for sale on Ebay have him hook up with the seller so he'll have a spare ... ... . As far as the transmission failure it sure wasn't EZamp related ... ... Got any more info seems you know him pretty well ... ... ? You should bring the diagonostic,I would love to know for the great knowledge it would provide.....

I have a JUICE box and drive daily in the max setting and I ashore you it in takes in the safety issues of the Allison and plan old rip $hits and gits..... I have now doubt it blasted by a DODGE ... ... (That ought to stir you up) I Have put in access of 7000 miles JUICED not one ALLISON hiccup ... ... . Well, it was brought up .....





Topic :I really never cared for the show and still don't, it's money driven, period ... ... Dollar sighs pay the bills... ... If it was your lively hood, and kept a shinny vehicle, food in your mouth,Gobs of cash in your pocket, and a million dollar or better roof over your head you'd be driving a DURA -___(fill in the blank) ... ... ... So all ya quit your =>:{

He's a D-MAX guy now... ..... Like I care ... ... What's he going to do for me ? Next year he'll be driving FORD DOLLARS... ...



MAC

 

[WadePatton]

start a poll

Save Mr. Memmolo the trouble of reading all of this.



Should he stay or should he GO.



Oh, but wait, did you see that absolutely fascinating TDR article about installing a new piece of carpet?! Totally fantastic, who'd have thought that you can replace the carpet in your truck. And the detail--vacuumed it out, used an exacto knife--simply scintillating... sombody STOP ME!



Waste of ink.



The only question I have about putting carpet is my truck is, how much for the rug? Not answered.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: start a poll

Originally posted by WadePatton



Oh, but wait, did you see that absolutely fascinating TDR article about installing a new piece of carpet?! Totally fantastic, who'd have thought that you can replace the carpet in your truck. And the detail--vacuumed it out, used an exacto knife--simply scintillating... sombody STOP ME!



Waste of ink.



The only question I have about putting carpet is my truck is, how much for the rug? Not answered.

That is why I bought floor mats, so I would never need to replace the carpet. If you are that hard on the carpet you need the rubber lining not carpet. Your right waste of ink!

 

[Todd T]

what burns my butt is he used our website as his personal autotrader to sell the last one.



i wanted to see them stipulate that if he gets those previledges on here, he darn well better buy another Dodge. but being new to the moderator thing, i didnt want to rock the boat.



its good to see that town jack sold us out after using us up!! I wont read or watch anything with him in it again. you know he had to know what he was doing the whole time. that is what gets me.



feels good dont it fella's?

 

[Chace TX]

MACKIN

Sorry I got a chevy driver all worked up when he was reading the DODGE site. It almost sounds as if you are implying that I created this story. Do you want to clarify?

 

[_MACKIN]

Clarify, sure ... ..... I'm not implying any thing... ... . Nor am I turning this into a brand war... ... .



Since this is the general diesel forum I was just wandering since you brought it up, if you could share your findings on the spent turbo on the D-MAX and possible or mostly what was the transmission failure details... ... If your family friend wants,most would, as the Chevy dealers are NOT allowed to open an Allison and MUST send the SEALED unit back on a complete failure, for a replacement..... if he was curious what went wrong,most are, You can forward me the info and I can find out what went wrong, I would like to know ,and it's not my transmission... ..... My E-mail is available... ... . Or you could just bash and flame me, the choose is yours... ... . I read here because I enjoy the info provided on diesel... ... ... There are a few members here that post on TDP that give some great informative insight on diesel and are well respected for that... ... .



MAC

 

[Chace TX]

OK

You can read my post again if you want to. I did not bash or flame anyone. I stated what I know about a particular vehicle, and asked a simple question. You were a little blatant and it is obvious you were making no effort to be friendly. I will talk to Brett, and see if he has the information that you want. If he does have it I will post a copy on the board. Don't look for it real soon, I am going to be out of town until the 25th, but if he has it I will post it. Good enough?

 

[_MACKIN]

Chace TX,





Sure enough ... ... Not meaning to come off harsh... ... Have a good time where ever you shall go... ..... Typing and speaking are to different things... ..... Interpretations are at risk... ...



MAC

 

[Chace TX]

I'll post back after the 25th.

I know what you mean about the keyboard vs. discussion. I always try to be carefull and nice, sometimes i'm not.

 

[Champane Flight]

Same old thing

If Sam wants to buy a Duramax, fine with me. Its his dollar, not mine. I would have bought "Midnight" if I had the money. My gain, his loss.



It is plain to see that he wanted to bring in another crowd for his show. I don't think he wanted to be branded to begin with. His new truck is the newest, latest, and most complicated machine out there right now. He can play with it and show everyone all the latest plugins and thingamagigs for it. He still won't convince me to go that route. Real diesels have six cylinders all in the same direction!



Oh my God, did someone forget to get the VIN#s on a blown Duradollar? Say it aint so?