Finally bit the bullet and bought an enclosed trailer. I got it from a dealer in Hagerstown, MD on Monday...chosen mostly due to the low inside fender & escape door height, a mere 9.5" on this model. Others like PACE had over 14" of inside fender height! With the lowered stance on my '71 Pro Touring Chevelle, this will be a great feature. The Duramax 2500HD Silverado yanked it up & down every hill in my way like a champ.

Picture here: http://www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer01.JPG

Is it Chevelle-abration time yet? :)

Good choice Gregg! :thumbsup:
I too took the plunge to an enclosed trailer earlier this summer...been very pleased.
Especially when it rains in route to a show...:D First trip with it was to CB'07.

Nice trailer Gregg, thats going to make it really nice for the car to ride in for sure.

Andy

You were in my back yard and ya didn't stop by to say Hi. :pout:

Nice score Gregg

What are these trailers you guys speak of? :D

Nice. I am curious if you will use the driver side door all that much. Mine has it and I don't really use it. Be careful though if you have storage issues, the trailer can become another car parking space :wacko: :D
Mine also gets used for atv hauling and in the winter on the dunes it is a nice place to get out of the weather. Lastly if you have an open trailer don't get rid of it. They all have their uses :)
Congrats on the new trailer :thumbsup:

What are these trailers you guys speak of? :D

Jeff,
Depends on what state you're in when talking trailer talk...takes on a whole new meaning over in Alabama. :D ;)

Especially when it rains in route to a show...:D

You guys with trailers have those rare "melt-in-the-rain" Chevelle's? Bummer :D

Nice trailer, Gregg! Who made it? I use my roadside door all the time. Otherwise ther driver's quarter paint would look swirled up all the time from my jeans. A special issue for those of us with "dun-lap's" disease! :)

Also, any issues with the new fuel and/or the exhaust particulate filter in your '07 Silverado? I hear that if you don't follow the requrements for burning off the deposits - exactly! - the dealer can void your warranty and you're on the hook for about $2K of repairs when it fails and the truck loses power.

I have an '03 duramax and love it - but I'm a little skidish about the new pollution filter stuff. Looking to replace it next fall and am interested in real world experiences with the new truck/filter system.

Thanks.

Andy

I like the trailer and the truck!! I have a 05 2500HD.

You guys with trailers have those rare "melt-in-the-rain" Chevelle's? Bummer :D

Not hardly. :(
Anyone that knows me personally also knows I DRIVE my Chevelles. And have been known to drag race it a little too.
But, I also attend numerous regional ACES events and other shows with the '70 during the year...up and down the East coast.
I'd say a 2000 mile round trip is a little much for a 4 mpg/15 gal cell 540.;)
Hense the trailer.

Great looking trailer Gregg!!!:beers:
Hope to see you in person next CB!!!
rachael anne :waving:

Love all the comments...and to Alan: you obviously haven't seen my '72 Chevelle SS 502! :) Hardly a trailer queen! Much like Bill, I drive the turd out of my cars. That's what they were made for. The trek to Nashville from Vermont begs for hauling on a trailer, I've progressed from open steel to open aluminum, now the box. I am keeping my open aluminum 18 footer for recovery, tractor, loads to tall for the enclosed, etc...

The trailer is a United Trailer 8.5x24 10K GVWR. Dealership is Trailer Enterprises on Maugansville Road in Hagerstown, MD. Nice family team (met the father & son) who have a very clean, organized, large inventory dealership. They made the transaction extremely smooth. The father (Jim) even had a '72 Chevelle story he told me when he learned of my obsession with these cars.

Concerning the Duramax, I only have 5,000 miles on it, have yet to do anything with the filter. The truck (unloaded & on the way down to MD) was getting almost 19MPG. Hooked up the 4,000lb. empty trailer and the MPG dropped down to 15.5, then below 14 up in the hills of upstate NY and into VT. Kinda thirsty....but the trade-off is that with all that torque and the Allison 6-speed automatic, I could pull any interstate hill with the cruise set at 70MPH, and it never waivered.

I do, however, need to drop the truck off at the Chevy dealer Friday AM because the seatbelt latch is busted. Freak thing I guess...

More Pix:

www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer02.JPG
www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer03.JPG
www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer04.JPG
www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer05.JPG
www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer06.JPG
www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer07.JPG
www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer08.JPG
www.71protouringchevelle.com/trailer09.JPG

You will really appreciate the new trailer. I ordered a 28' Haulmark Edge last year with the streetside escape door and quite a few other options.
I always use the side door when loading/unloading the car.

One thing you will really worry about is severe storms, especially hail. Unfortunately, a nasty hail storm went thru here a few weeks back and did sufficient damage to my trailer's roof, streetside, and rear ramp door. We are still fighting the insurance company on it.:mad:

Here is a couple shots of it and my truck before the storm.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/ramair468/CIMG0399.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/ramair468/CIMG0398.jpg

chosen mostly due to the low inside fender & escape door height, a mere 9.5" on this model. Others like PACE had over 14" of inside fender height!

Not true with all Pace trailers Gregg. You simply have to order the right options to get the lower inside fender height. My Pace has the 9" high inner fenders, and the left side escape door. I use the door every time I pull the car in and out of the trailer.



Also, any issues with the new fuel and/or the exhaust particulate filter in your '07 Silverado? I hear that if you don't follow the requrements for burning off the deposits - exactly! - the dealer can void your warranty and you're on the hook for about $2K of repairs when it fails and the truck loses power.



Andy...I have the new body style, Silverado with the Duramax/Allison combo. I've read just about all the info on the new emissions system and there is really nothing to do to maintain it. The filter is in the exhaust system, which collects the particulate's. The computer periodically burns off the system sorta like a self cleaning oven. The burning off occurs at speeds around 55 MPH, so the driver doesn't even feel it happening. From everything I've been told, and read, there is no reason to do anything to maintain the system. The filter is welded into the exhaust and doesn't require changing.

Not hardly. :(
Anyone that knows me personally also knows I DRIVE my Chevelles. And have been known to drag race it a little too.

Love all the comments...and to Alan: you obviously haven't seen my '72 Chevelle SS 502! :) Hardly a trailer queen!

I was just joking Bill and Gregg, hence the :D . I've been on here long enough to know that you guys drive your cars like you stole 'em. I've always admired your cars and the work you guys do on your Chevelles.

BTW, that's a killer trailer Gregg. That'll get the job done in style!

Rock on :thumbsup:

Very nice Gregg. I'll be heading up your way (well, Burlington) Friday morning.

Very nice Gregg. I'll be heading up your way (well, Burlington) Friday morning.
What brings you to VT Johnny?

....

Andy...I have the new body style, Silverado with the Duramax/Allison combo. I've read just about all the info on the new emissions system and there is really nothing to do to maintain it. The filter is in the exhaust system, which collects the particulate's. The computer periodically burns off the system sorta like a self cleaning oven. The burning off occurs at speeds around 55 MPH, so the driver doesn't even feel it happening. From everything I've been told, and read, there is no reason to do anything to maintain the system. The filter is welded into the exhaust and doesn't require changing.


Thanks for the insights, Bill. That's what I was hoping for. Something reasonably idiot proof.

Rumor had it that you have to assist the computer with the burn off, at specific mileage points, by running the motor at high rpm's, while parked - even if that means pulling off the road mid trip! If you miss the mileage mark, with very little margin for error, the truck will lose power because the filter is clogged. Only way to fix it once that happens is to replace the filter and related parts and that repair is not covered by warranty unless the vehicle computer has a record of the operator assisted burn-off's at exactly the right times. Supposedly a $2,000 repair. :eek:

Was also told this was not something salesmen tell you about, but is buried in the owner's manual.

Have you ever heard of this, or have you had to do anything like that?

Thanks again.

Andy

Have you ever heard of this, or have you had to do anything like that?

Thanks again.

Andy

I will read all the info again, but I was told by the service dept, that there was nothing for the truck owner to do to maintain the system. As I said, the filter in not replaceable. It's welded into the exhaust. It is true, that the burn off happens at higher rpm's, but the computer waits till the truck is on a highway and does it then. It's not that urgent. It's not like it needs real high rpm's to do the job. I was told 1500 is the number. Cruzing at 55 will do that.

Here's a bit of explaination, cut & pasted from "TheDieselPage.com":

The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) uses a dual-stage DOC-DPF design with active regeneration. GM indicates that "the regeneration process uses heat to burn off the soot and, in most cases, is performed automatically. An onboard computer controls fuel injection and oxygen content to adjust the exhaust energy to the appropriate level to clean the particulate trap. Periodic servicing of the filter is required to remove accumulated ash." This could mean that fuel is periodically injected during the exhaust stroke, to "light-off" inside the particulate filter, which increases temperature and oxidizes any soot particles.

That's really nice! Makes me want to go push my 3rd owner, mobile home axeled, no spring open wheeler in the lake. Tracks aren't too far away though. It'll just have to do.

Danny

I've been researching the "burn-off" issue in the last couple weeks because my '05 F-350 King Ranch was stolen on my birthday (9/2). This only pertains to '08 diesel-powered models that are required to have a particulate trap in their exhaust to meet emissions requirements

The GM and Dodge products do their cycle while going down the road over 35 mph. This will occur at least once or twice per tankfull, and will be about 30 minutes in duration. Once the burnoff begins, you must continue to drive the vehicle in excess of 35 miles per hour for about 30 minutes.

The Fords, OTOH, do their cycle at idle for whatever reason, and must be high-idled for the entire cycle. If you put your foot on the brake to put the truck in gear, the cycle stops and idle returns to normal, but the cycle has been interrupted and has to be repeated. The high idle cycle lasts about 20-30 minutes.

Both of these scenarios result in greatly reduced fuel mileage (confirmed to me by various dealers) because the injected fuel necessary for burnoff IS NOT used to propel the truck down the road. It is strictly used to generate the high heat necessary to burn the soot particles.

In all cases, eventually the particulate trap fills up with ash from the burnt-off soot, and must be serviced or replaced.

Thank GOD my F-350 was recovered completely intact this past Monday night, and will be back from the body shop today. I won't have to deal with all the emissions BS for a while, hopefully. :hurray:


Randy

All the reasons noted above is why I bought my Dodge new in '06...no emission hassles. 2007 models and newer will be required to have annual emission inspections in GA.

I'm pretty sure each of the big 3 have their own particulate filter systems. Ford's has had issues. Saw a video of fire coming from the tailpipe due to raw fuel getting into the high temp filter burn-off process. Actually started some brush fires! Looked like a blow torch!!

As for GM's, maybe Gregg has the issue I heard about - Ash removal. Anything in the Duramax owner's manual about how that's done? How often? Who does it? Covered by warranty?

(Sorry for messing up your thread, Gregg!)

Thanks again.

Andy

Lots of misinformation out there on the DPFs. I'll try to correct as many as I can.

First, the basics. The DPF is a filter (diesel particulate filter). It catches all of the soot particles produced by the engine. These particles are primarily hydrocarbons (HC). Under certain conditions, these hydrocarbons will burn off as H2O and CO2. Periodically, the engine controller will force the engine to create the necessary conditions for a burnoff. This is an active regeneration event, or regen for short.

The DPF will eventually require servicing. Ash will accumulate that cannot be burned off from a regen. However, the DPF should last at least 150k miles.

Some medium and heavy duty trucks require specific procedures to regenerate. However, they typically regen less frequently because of larger traps and their duty cycle (heavier loads). All pickups do not require this.

I have heard rumors that the GM and Dodge (Cummins) systems do not regen below 35mph, but I don't think this is true.

The Ford system will regen at idle. With the truck in park, the idle speed will be raised to make the regen more efficient. Putting your foot on the brake will reduce the idle speed, but it will not stop the regen.

You do not have to wait for the regen to stop before shutting down. It will start back up next time you start the engine.

CJ-4 oil and ULS fuel is required. The reason is that they reduce the amount of ash build up in the DPF. They will not lead to more frequent regens.

The Ford flamethrower was due to a programming issue. If there is a failed injector or large amount of oil in the exhaust, the DPF will overheat. The ECU did not have a strategy to detect this overheat condition at first. This was added and the issue was corrected.

Some of the Ford DPFs have been cracking, allowing for soot to pass through unfiltered. Some of the Dodge DPFs have been plugging with soot. I have not heard any issues with the GM systems.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Great trailer Gregg, now you can save money on your Red Roof room next year, just sleep in the trailer! :p I know I don't have an enclosed trailer worthy car, but it sure would be nice as I can spend a couple of weeks getting the car ready for CB just to pull it through a rain storm on the way down. :sad:

Thanks, Randy! That helps alot!! I was getting concerned that this was like the early'70's with the first generation of pollution controls. That was terrible! Nothing ran right!!

Hopefully, the systems will get more reliable/better/less prone to ash build up with each model year.

Andy

ps Do you know what the specific procedures are for medium and HD trucks?

Jeff,
Depends on what state you're in when talking trailer talk...takes on a whole new meaning over in Alabama. :D ;)

Hey Bill, I resemble that remark!:thumbsup: Nice Trailer Greg. You will enjoy it when traveling on long trips and bad weather comes up. Ask me how I know. Like mentioned above the Pace can be ordered to give you the clearance. I will drive my 67 locally, but will trailer it out of state. Good luck with your purchase.:yes:

Thanks, Randy! That helps alot!! I was getting concerned that this was like the early'70's with the first generation of pollution controls. That was terrible! Nothing ran right!!

Hopefully, the systems will get more reliable/better/less prone to ash build up with each model year.

Andy

ps Do you know what the specific procedures are for medium and HD trucks?

I believe it varies depending on the make. Typically, there are a series of idiot lights on the dash. The first light means that you need to run at highway speeds for an extended period of time. The next light or two mean that you should pull off the road so that it can do a parked regen. The last light means that your DPF is toast and you need a tow to the dealer for service. :(

nice trailer Gregg

Andy,
find an 07 Classic body with the LBZ motor and buy now, so you dont have to worry about the filter.

Bill,
did Albert hook you up with the guy for a GMS discount?
do you miss the ford?

What brings you to VT Johnny?

Going up to Burlington for the NSRA show. They decided they would now admit cars up to 1977. I always loved the show anyway, so this time Im going up with my car. I'll have pics for you guys.:thumbsup:

Sorry Gregg, didn't mean to hijack your thread with truck talk. I guess it's all related. A trailer is no good without a truck to pull it with.


did Albert hook you up with the guy for a GMS discount?
do you miss the ford?

Donny, no discount was necessary in my opinion. The truck was on a lot, because someone ordered it, and backed out of the deal. The Chevy dealer wanted to move it, and I was in the right place at the right time. The standard mirrors on it were worthless trying to see around the trailer. I ordered the towing/optional mirrors, and they are on the truck now. Heres the new hot rod, with the old mirrors/new mirrors.

Can't really say I miss the Ford. Funny how a new truck can make you forget the old one.



http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/truck.jpg
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/mirrors.jpg

Donny - It was JoAnn's turn this year for new wheels and Mike wants to buy the '03 from me but can't swing it till next year. Plus - just between you and me - if all goes well, I'd like to switch out the trailer for a 5th wheel shortly after the pick-up swap. :secret:

Bill - How wide are your garage doors? A dually would be nice, but not sure how much extra room I have to squeeze that beast inside.

Bill - How wide are your garage doors? A dually would be nice, but not sure how much extra room I have to squeeze that beast inside.

My doors are 9' wide/8' high. With the dually being a bit under 8' wide, it leaves me about 5 inches on each side with the door stops/trim. A little tight, but if I use a little care, it fits. The big problem is washing it. No car washes have provisions for the dual rear wheels. Thats why it's kept in the garage a lot.

My doors are 9' wide/8' high. With the dually being a bit under 8' wide, it leaves me about 5 inches on each side with the door stops/trim. A little tight, but if I use a little care, it fits. The big problem is washing it. No car washes have provisions for the dual rear wheels. Thats why it's kept in the garage a lot.


So I assume that means you have to manually fold the new side mirrors to get inside? Thanks for mentioning the car wash. Would have never thought of that. Been debating about a SRW vs Dually in a 1 ton. Gets way too cold & salty in winter here not to be able to get it washed off.

Last year when I was in the market for a new diesel truck, I had a very difficult time finding a single rear wheel, two wheel drive 2500/3500 series vehicle.
Not crazy about driving a dually around town and didn't see the need for 4wd here in the South.

GM makes a 1 ton SRW but probably have to order one. Haven't seen one on a lot around here yet. I'm also hoping they bring back the 6 speed manual option with the Duramax next year. I'm not fond of automatics in a truck.

My new Haulmark trailer and 3500HD Crew cab

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q146/VINNYLSS572/racrtrackpics012.jpg

Vinny

My new Haulmark trailer and 3500HD Crew cab

Wow...nice trailer Vinny!
Same color and model as the one I bought this past June...picked it up at the Haulmark factory in South GA. :cool: Been up and down the East coast with it so far this year...It tows nice, BTW.

Thanks Bill,its was well worth the money and I needed the extra garage!
Vinny

So I assume that means you have to manually fold the new side mirrors to get inside?
No need to fold the mirrors. Like I said, it's tight, and I have to be somewhat careful. With 9' doors, it goes right in.

GM makes a 1 ton SRW but probably have to order one. Haven't seen one on a lot around here yet.

We have the exact opposite situation around here. The single wheel trucks are everywhere. It's the dually's that are scarce.
When I started looking, I went to every Chevy/GMC dealer that I could get to, and only found two dually's. I must have seen 100 single wheel 3500's. I had more salesmen trying to talk me out of the dually option. Personally, it's my favorite looking truck. Kinda has that pro-street look.

You will really appreciate the new trailer. I ordered a 28' Haulmark Edge last year with the streetside escape door and quite a few other options.
I always use the side door when loading/unloading the car.

One thing you will really worry about is severe storms, especially hail. Unfortunately, a nasty hail storm went thru here a few weeks back and did sufficient damage to my trailer's roof, streetside, and rear ramp door. We are still fighting the insurance company on it.:mad:

Here is a couple shots of it and my truck before the storm.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/ramair468/CIMG0399.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/ramair468/CIMG0398.jpg

Nice looking truck and trailer. Did the hail do any damage to the truck? We had a hail storm (big hail storm around here) and the hail didn't do any damage to our F150.