rdonarski

Not related to your problem, but about a month ago I started getting a fluttering noise in mine. It kept getting worse. I decided it was definitely speed related. Being basically lazy in my retirement, I ignored it. Took a trip with my noise sensitive wife. That upped the priority on finding the problem. Got about 30 miles when I decided it would need immediate attention or I would have to listen to it and my wife. Stopped and started checking. Turned out the hood deflector had worked loose on one side. Bought some foam tape and inserted a piece of that. Problem solved.

I have the stock Firestone Transforcer tires on my truck (12K). Last week I backed down to my house to unload the truck (normally park in garage up the hill). My driveway is a little steep and curved. With 4" of snow on the driveway, I absolutely could not get back up. Definitely won't be buying those tires again. I've never had a problem before getting up the drive with 4WD or AWD.

I always remove it when It’s not in use. My shins prefer it.

I agree on the road noise and that alone may be cause us to switch. Looking for more comfort in our old age. I've bought 3 used and 2 new. I currently own a 2003 Accord that we bought new and has been a great car. It won't do my driveway in the winter though, so that caused us to buy a 2016 CRV in 2017. At that point, the 2003 wasn't worth much on paper, and since I had taken excellent care of it, and even limited its winter driving, we decided to keep it. It's our main vehicle in the summer (parked in the winter). It had been a lease vehicle. It's also been a good vehicle and doesn't use significant oil.

My son's 1st new vehicle was a 98 Ram. Using Mobil 1 oil, it used a quart every 1000 miles. He traded for a Chevy in 2000 and never looked back. I've been running all Honda cars and SUVs since the mid-90s and have been very happy with them. My daughter bought a new CRV in 2012 (on my recommendation). It used a quart every 500 miles and Honda called that 'standard'. She switched to Mazda in 2016. That experience has me thinking about changing brands for my next vehicle. I've gotten lazy and don't check oil often. Just count on my vehicles not using it. One bad experience will definitely sour me on a brand.

I've been using Kirkland in my car, truck, and SUV. Before that, I always used Mobil 1 (since 1987). I bought a new skid steer back in 2000 and have always used Amsoil in that. I'm thinking as I deplete my Kirkland inventory, I'm going to switch to all Amsoil. I live less than 50 miles from the Amsoil factory (can pick it up there). I've also swapped my car and SUV transmissions to Amsoil. With the price of engines and transmissions, oil is cheap.

I was talking to my cousin who retired as a GMC service manager. He owns a 2022 Yukon Denali with a 6.2L and a 2025 Sierra 1500 with a 3L diesel. He has gotten the recall on the 6.2. He says that they put a senser on it to test for engine vibration. If it fails, they replace the engine. If it passes, they put in heavier oil and replace the oil cap (heavier oil indication). He's a huge GM fan, but even he says "How do you tell me my engine is fine......but I have to run heavier oil"

I have 2 friends who are into drag racing at a professional level. They both say using a higher octane than what is specified by the manufacturer is a waste of money. I know one drives a newer corvette as a daily drive and uses 87 in it. My last pickup had a 5.3 and required 87 but knocked if I didn't use premium, so I always used premium. I use 87 with my 6.6. Hard enough trying to slip the fuel bills by my wife.

I totally agree with this. My son and I both had extended cab half tons with short beds. We both decided we wanted the 8 ft beds. He bought a crew cab. I bought a regular cab. I decided that since I was buying it mainly for pulling and hauling and am retired and seldom have more than 2 passengers, the standard cab would do. His is an absolute nightmare in a parking lot. I love mine.

I won't be a lot of help here since I have a 2020 with the 6 speed. I do want to say that this was my 1st 3/4 ton. I pull a skid steer that probably is close to 10K. I love the truck. With this truck, I control the trailer rather than the trailer controlling me.

True. Drove through Houston last winter on a way to a cruise. Put that on my list of places never to go to again. Company up here in the wintertime is sparce and even in the summer people balk at the distance. Love the winter solitude.

I totally agree. From what I've seen in many years in N WI and N MN, 4WDs just end up further in the ditch.

At least you were here on a warm day. -19 yesterday morning, -22 the day before

https://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-capacity-self-loading-positioning-wheel-dolly-64601.htm I’ve always done my own. Recently bought a dolly to help. Getting too old to wrangle truck tires.

At 75 and 5' 5", things get tougher.