Wussification II...Brutis

So, with the new plan hatched it was time to look into how to make it happen.  We, ummmm I mean I, started looking at toy haulers to see what was out there.  Looking at the numbers I knew I had to have at least a ¾ ton truck to pull something like that.  Then there was that little story my soon to be step-son had told me shortly after the engagement last year…. “I have a problem with you.  You have to get rid of that damn Dodge because we are a Chevy family and I don’t like that crap in front of our house.”

We talked about trucks and for pulling power and longevity I decided I wanted a diesel.  The hunt began.  Craig’s List was consulted on a daily basis.  The folks selling diesel trucks sure were proud of all the miles and abuse they had put their trucks through.  It seemed like every dent and ding added at least a grand to the asking price.  Asking for maintenance records were met with gaffs and you must be joking replies.  Going to the dealer lots to try and find a newer used truck was an even bigger shock.  Two year old experienced trucks were priced $3,000 – $5,000 more than MSRP of a new one.

So, on a Sunday morning after breakfast Linda and I stopped by a closed Chevy Dealer and looked at a new Silverado Diesel.  It had a price $6,000 under MSRP on the window.  We came home; I looked it up online and sent them a quote request.  About 45 minutes later the phone rings and it is the Dealer asking what they can do to help me.  I asked the guy for a best price on the truck if I came down in 30 minutes and signed the papers and that I wouldn’t come down and play any stupid Dealer games.  He said just a minute, came back on the phone, knocked off another $4,500, I asked him to repeat the price again, questioned him again, told him we would be there in 15 minutes, and found him standing next to the truck when we arrived.  After a test drive it was in to sign the paperwork and we were on the way home after only a total of 90 minutes from the phone call without that ‘damn Dodge’.       

The result is Brutis, a ¾ ton, 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel, Allison 6 speed transmission, 17,000 pound towing capacity, stump pulling, Z71 4 X 4, monster of a truck. This is a new generation engine that makes a total of 397 hp at 3,000 rpm and a peak torque of 765 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm. With all of that power if I keep my foot out of the accelerator it gets 20 mpg on the highway empty, close to 16 mpg in town, and just under 11 towing on the highway.