No problem! You shouldn't have any issues pulling a 7000lb camper around, these trucks can pull and pull and pull!! One of the most overlooked things on a diesel is the fuel filter. These should be replaced every 15,000 miles, the VP44 on our trucks are known to fail in low fuel pressure situations and arent the cheapest thing to replace, a clogged fuel filter can result in low fuel pressure and can take out a pump pretty quick, drain the fuel out of the filter with the plunger at the bottom, relace filter hook everything up and turn the key 10 to 15 times (don't start the engine) to prime the filter, than start up and go. If you dont know when the last time it was changed it dont hurt to open it up and look if its pretty clogged and dirty replace it. On another note, i like to use Diesel Kleen every time i fuel up, although not really necessary i feel better using it, diesel fuel lubricates our pumps and the ULSD isn't as much of a lubricant as the higher sulfer diesel was, i just feel better using it as our VP44 pumps like to go without warning. Hope this helps!!

 

Ok. I will look at that and see if it's clogged or dirty. Where shouts is it on the truck? I'm totally new with the Cummins engine. Bare with me please... Lol! I'm willing to learn everything I possibly can. I appreciate it.

 

No problem! Its on the drivers side of the engine with a round top, it looks like a little container. You might have the filter that looks like a oil filter, mine is the internal filter though.

 

Alright. I will check that. I think I might replace that anyway. I'm hoping this truck last me a long time.

 

Can you really get a million miles out of these engines?

 

I know of a 91 Dodge Cummins up here in Canada, the guy ran a company pulling R.V's up from the States to Canada has over 1700,000 kms on it, thats a bit over a million miles, went through 3 transmissions a rear diff replaced almost every body panel due to rust in our winters, a VE pump 2 injectors and a turbo, engine was never touched internally. An old farmer i knew up here had a '89 Cummins non intercooled, He bought it brand new, the odometer quit in about 1995-1996 at over 600,000 kms, he used that truck hauling firewood hay for his cattle horse trailers gravel and equipment. He easily had over a million hard miles on that truck when he passed away. The truck was in very sad shape body wise, that motor still ran good though. The motor has proven time and time again that it will out live the truck and the sad thing is the biggest problem with our trucks is the Dodge surrounding it. Now keep in mind those 89-93 dodge 12 valves were entirely mechanical, they had no emissions or electronics on it to fail. Our ISB 24V trucks are electronically controlled more emissions friendly and with 24 Valves more moving parts and 12 more valves to go wrong. I'm not saying our trucks are bad in any way shape or form, it's still a Cummins, but on our trucks we do have more that can go wrong. Any engine is a wear item and all the maintenance in the world is not going to stop them from wearing out, but regular maintenance can definatly pro long the life of our diesels. My uncle had a 98.5 24 Valve He had 370,000 Miles when he sold it, had to replace a few things but the engine ran great.

 

Wow! That's amazing! Well I'm happy to know I have a great truck!

 

They are an awesome truck! Should give you years of trouble free service. If you want avoid premature turbo failures, always cool the truck down before you shut it off, our trucks dont like being driven to the grocery store and instantly shut off, its hard on our engines and our turbos, let it sit 5 minutes at least before you shut it down. A diesel uses way less fuel to let it idle than it does to start it up, keep that in mind. I used to work in a Cummins service shop and i seen many trucks with cooked turbo's that would have been fine if the owner cooled it off properly!

 

It sounds like I have a great truck and great people who know what they are talking about. I'm going to keep on learning and learning. I'm a retired Combat Veteran with four tours in Iraq. (Wounded). I have always wanted one but it seems I have tons to learn HA! I'm happy I have the truck and I'm gonna try and take care of it to the best of my ability. I bought a new MOPAR Fuel Filter today. A new Power steering pump and a new air filter. I also bought Amsoil Synthetic 15/40 and Amsoil Severe gear 75/90 for the diff. I'm gonna change everything this week. Thoughts on these products?

 

Don't forget the oil filter I like the NAPA gold it is my filter of choice cant remember the number off the top of my head.

Thanks for your Service to this great country.