dodge 2010 truck review, Ford 2010 truck review, Chevy 2010 truck review, heavy duty truck review, hauling truck, trailer truck, trailer truck review
STORY AND PHOTOS
bY H. KENT SuNDLING
January 2010 saw new stringent
federal emissions requirements for
nitrogen oxides (NOx), which have to be
lowered by approximately 80 percent.
For the 2011 models due this spring, this
means that diesel trucks will jump up in
price again.
GM and Ford diesels will have to start
using diesel exhaust fluid (DEF/urea);
Dodge updated its diesels in 2007 with
a special catalyst, so the company will
only require urea on its cab and chassis
trucks (3500/4500/5500).
All three truck brands now come with
exhaust brakes on diesel engines, a factory-integrated
trailer-brake controller
option; they can also all use bio-diesel.
Here are additional review highlights.
2011 Chevrolet/GMC Heavy
Duty
Higher tow capacity, with all-new
frame and suspension. This truck offers
a fully boxed frame that is stronger
and stiffer than before, with hydraulic
cab mounts for a softer ride. The long/
short arm front suspension, still with tor-
New Heavy-Duty-Truck Review
See how GM,
Ford, and Dodge
have responded to
new emissions
requirements in
their new models.
Truck Savvy
sion bars, have cast-iron lower arms and
forged-steel uppers. You’ll find improved
ride/handling with its larger asymmetrical
leaf-spring rear suspension.
New exhaust brake system and
larger brakes. These features give
you more controlled trailer braking,
reducing brake-pad wear. This prolongs
brake life and prevents overheating
brakes on long, downhill grades.
The front and rear rotors are larger
in diameter and width on all models
to support their increased capacity,
weight ratings, and trailer ratings.
Duramax 6.6L engine. This engine
is more powerful and offers improved
fuel economy. The Allison 1000 is
stronger and helps enable the new exhaust
brake system. NOx emissions are
reduced at least 63 percent over 2010
models. The selective catalytic reduction
after-treatment system, using DEF
injection, gives you a range of about
5,000 miles between DEF refills.
Vortec 6.0L gas V-8 with variable
valve timing. This engine returns
to the new heavy-duty trucks with a
stronger cam shaft and a strengthened
version of the Hydra-Matic 6L90 sixspeed
automatic transmission.
Trailer-sway control system. This
system senses trailer sway, and intervenes
with braking and/or reduced
engine power to bring the trailer under
control. It’ll use electric trailer brakes
when a trailer is plugged into the
truck’s standard wiring harness, and
can brake the trailer independently.
2011 Ford Super Duty
New 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel
engine. This is the first-time use of a
compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine
14
block in a Super Duty; CGI is stronger
and lighter than cast iron. The unique,
reverse-flow inboard-exhaust and outboard-intake
manifolds reduce overall
exhaust system volume, which leads
to better throttle response. The turbocharger
features an industry-first dualsided
compressor wheel that works in
a single housing. The design allows the
single unit to deliver the advantages of
a twin-turbocharger system used in the
previous 6.4L Power Stroke.
New 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine.
This engine delivers more torque
(horsepower) than the outgoing
model. It uses big-bore architecture to
produce horsepower and class-leading
fuel economy. The new gas engine can
run on regular-grade gasoline, E85, or
any blend in between.
New 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift,
six-speed, automatic transmission.
This transmission is designed to manage
the high low-end torque produced
by the new diesel engine. The same
basic transmission is also mated to the
new gasoline engine. The new transmission
features enhanced Tow Haul,
with integrated engine exhaust braking
and SelectShift Automatic capability,
which includes Progressive Range
Select and a manual mode. The new
TorqShift transmission also enables
the first application of Live Drive PTO
(Power Take Off) in a Super Duty-class
vehicle.
Trailer Sway Control and integrated
trailer brake controller. This
system is factory-installed in Super
Duty trucks. If you’re towing trailers
with electric brakes and experience a
sway event, the Ford system can also
apply brakes to the trailer only.
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