Did I Get A Lemon?

TroyisBig · August 7, 2009

Does this scenario sound right to you guys? I have a 2004 2500HD 6.0L automatic with 4:10 gears. I bought it for a work truck. It has a work truck package (roll up windows, rubber mat, ect), it has a steel flatbed on it. The fuel mileage stinks at around 11 empty and 8 pulling anything.

The other night I loaded calves in the stock trailer and headed to the sale barn. Bad idea.

My driveway is gravel (of course) and is fairly steep on the way out. I get halfway up the biggest hill and the truck just dogs out and stops with my foot on the floor! Holy cow (no pun intended). There I sat with a 24 foot gooseneck trailer stalled on the hill. I let my foot off the brake and then I started sliding backwards down the hill with the front tires locked up, and no way to steer. I finally came to a stop and grabbed 4 low thinking I'll just crawl out. Well the little 4 wheel drive light didn't come on, and I had no front end pulling. It just sat there and spun one back tire.

About 1 hour later, with my 12 year old daughter and a flashlight - I finally got it backed down my narrow curvey drive way to the bottom of the hill. There was no way I was unloading those calves - (I'd never get them caught again), so I end up floorboarding it from way back and just "Dukes of Hazaarding" it all the way to the top of the hill. It shifted twice before I got to the hill and had enought momemtum to crest the top. My daughter thought it was "cool", but I was mad.

I've always ran Ford diesels, but when fuel was so high I decided to try gas. I am very disappointed in this truck. I am trying to like it but it seems like its gutless. The calves weighed 8,000 lbs and I suppose the trailer weighs 3,000.

Should this thing at least spin out in drive? I had the trailer/tow mode on. I was just easing out - I didn't have any run at the hill, but I didn't expect it to just stop.

Any thoughts? Would a chip help? Does it sound like I have engine/transmission issues? It pulled it ok once I got to the highway. It didn't like it, but it wasn't too embarrassing.

P.S. It does ride really nice, and the radio works.

yukon25008.1 · August 7, 2009

Does this scenario sound right to you guys? I have a 2004 2500HD 6.0L automatic with 4:10 gears. I bought it for a work truck. It has a work truck package (roll up windows, rubber mat, ect), it has a steel flatbed on it. The fuel mileage stinks at around 11 empty and 8 pulling anything.

The other night I loaded calves in the stock trailer and headed to the sale barn. Bad idea.

My driveway is gravel (of course) and is fairly steep on the way out. I get halfway up the biggest hill and the truck just dogs out and stops with my foot on the floor! Holy cow (no pun intended). There I sat with a 24 foot gooseneck trailer stalled on the hill. I let my foot off the brake and then I started sliding backwards down the hill with the front tires locked up, and no way to steer. I finally came to a stop and grabbed 4 low thinking I'll just crawl out. Well the little 4 wheel drive light didn't come on, and I had no front end pulling. It just sat there and spun one back tire.

About 1 hour later, with my 12 year old daughter and a flashlight - I finally got it backed down my narrow curvey drive way to the bottom of the hill. There was no way I was unloading those calves - (I'd never get them caught again), so I end up floorboarding it from way back and just "Dukes of Hazaarding" it all the way to the top of the hill. It shifted twice before I got to the hill and had enought momemtum to crest the top. My daughter thought it was "cool", but I was mad.

I've always ran Ford diesels, but when fuel was so high I decided to try gas. I am very disappointed in this truck. I am trying to like it but it seems like its gutless. The calves weighed 8,000 lbs and I suppose the trailer weighs 3,000.

Should this thing at least spin out in drive? I had the trailer/tow mode on. I was just easing out - I didn't have any run at the hill, but I didn't expect it to just stop.

Any thoughts? Would a chip help? Does it sound like I have engine/transmission issues? It pulled it ok once I got to the highway. It didn't like it, but it wasn't too embarrassing.

P.S. It does ride really nice, and the radio works.

there definitly is something wrong i had two 6.0l trucks an 04 silverado ext cab short bed an a 05 gmc sierra 6.0l extcab long bed

both trucks were plowed with and pulled small trailers. and i never had a problem. that truckshould definitly go to the dealer to be checked over mygas was always 9-11 or 13-14 mpg

mkelly · August 7, 2009

Not knowing the slope or condition of the driveway I cant really say if your expectations were in line or not............

Did you remember to put the truck in neutral when you tried to shift into 4 low?

nbscanuck · August 7, 2009

There is something else wrong here, I've pulled that much with the 5.3l half ton, granted a short distance but with the air bags blown up good, I handled it ok. Check into your fuel system, filter,pump, regulator, injectors. They can all have an effect on mileage and power.

Draenor · August 7, 2009

I have a '04 with the 6L. I have towed with a same sized trailer. I can tell you unless you have an Exiss or some other aluminum trailer, a good steel open cattle trailer will weigh in at 5K. It should also have a 14K weight limit, 1 ton beyond the towing capacity. If you were close to this and on a incline, I can see how you had problems.

yukon25008.1 · August 8, 2009

I have a '04 with the 6L. I have towed with a same sized trailer. I can tell you unless you have an Exiss or some other aluminum trailer, a good steel open cattle trailer will weigh in at 5K. It should also have a 14K weight limit, 1 ton beyond the towing capacity. If you were close to this and on a incline, I can see how you had problems.

I forgot to tell you in my last reply, two other older gmc/chevy box trucks i had,had the same symtoms the one i found out after removing it had a packed solid cat converter once removed the truck ran like a new one w/ double the mpg. Also that model an year doesnt have a fuel filter try a (motorvac) service not mant place do it. but its a computerized macine that hooks to you fuel system w/ A chemical/cleaner to clean the entire fuel system. Besides maybe a high flow air filter so its breathing a little better. do a complete tune up.

pm26 · August 8, 2009

That situation called for use of 4WD low to crawl up that gravel driveway hill with such a heavy trailer. 4WD low essentially doubles the torque at the rear wheels. Also, there could be some issues with the truck as others remarked.

akkeith · August 9, 2009

How many miles on the truck? I agree with other posts about fuel system. I pull a 12 ton trailer hauling equipment with my 04 2500hd 6.0 and never had any issues. And thats with going up a 6% grade for a couple of miles. Take it to the dealer so they can check it out. Good luck.

cvandegna · August 10, 2009

I don't think you have a lemon, but I think you have some PM to do.

As others have mentioned - check your fuel system. A fuel injection cleaning is probably in order - although make sure you go to a reputable shop so you aren't overcharged or sold replacement injectors when they aren't needed. Also make sure to swap the fuel filter - no sense having clean injectors and still passing a bunch of junk through.

Remember that you also need to ensure a clean supply of air for good combustion. You probably have some dusty residue built up in there, especially if you are running an oil impregnated filter. I'd remove and clean out your airbox and ducting - I use a rag sprayed with Simple Green. Make sure you don't touch your mass airflow sensor with fingers or the rag - but I would also clean it off using an aerosol MAF cleaner. Don't try to use brake or carb cleaner - MAF cleaner is about the same price and it's not worth saving a couple bucks to potentially ruin the sensor. Make sure you have a fresh filter or a cleaned and recharged one.

New plugs would be another good service point. Make sure you gap them when you put the new ones in.

You didn't really specify whether the engine was lagging (indicating not running right), or if it seemed the drivetrain wasn't cooperating, so here's a laundry list of other possibilities working from front to rear.

Transmission - when was the last time (if ever) you had the transmission serviced? Make sure the fluid is in good shape: not burnt (you can smell it) or dirty (you can see/feel it). If the engine is running fine, you are maintaining reasonable RPMs, but you are not getting power to the ground, your torque converter can be toast or your transmission may not be shifting down into 1st. In either case, a trip to a transmission shop might be in your future.

Transfer case - don't think you really have an issue here. Was the truck in neutral and rolling slightly when you attempted to shift from 2H to 4L? If not, that's probably your issue there. Can't remember if the owner's manual says under 30 mph or 20 mph, but I don't ever try and shift in or out of 4L over 10 mph.

Rear differential - if you are sure you have 4.10 gears that truck should darn near climb a wall. Verify that on the RPO codes on the sticker inside your glove box. The gears should be GT5, GT8 or GW8. Slipping one wheel will be normal, unless you also have the locking rear differential (RPO is G80 for that one). If you have the G80 and one wheel is slipping, it could be that someone added a friction modifier to the rear diff when they should not have. Hopefully you can figure out what you have and what's been done to see if this is a possibility.

My truck is similar to yours (except for trim level), and even with 35 inch tires my truck dragged my 8000+ pound travel trailer up a 40% grade in Arkansas. It worked at it, but it pulled.

txab · August 10, 2009

Did you get all your DTCs that you mentioned in a previous post cleared up?

MarkD · August 10, 2009

One other thing...If you are expecting a gas 6.0 to pull with a PStroke, you are probably gonna be disappointed. You might want to try a D-Max (if you want to be impressed).

Also, pulling a loaded trailer on gravel, you might want to consider your trailers tire pressure. 11k might tend to "plow" in gravel.

Russ G · August 15, 2009

Another thing to consider is "Torque Management". It made a noticeable difference when I got rid of mine. I am not saying that that IS the problem but to just consider it.