First Roadtrip: Impressions, Learnings, and Musings

[MattH89]

So we just got back last night from a 1700-mile round trip from Michigan to Augusta, GA and back. Wanted to just jot down some impressions on how the truck performed. For context, I'm sitting right at about 4,100 total miles after the trip.

The Good

• Truck was very smooth and handled a lot of different weather, incline/declines, temps etc without issue. It's very comfortable cruising and has obviously plenty of balls for quicker maneuvers.
• Interior is a dream. By far the most comfortable vehicle I've ever been in. With Android auto I was well stocked with entertainment and navigation at all times
• Massaging seats are NOT a gimmick. I thought I'd never use these but they feel great to wake your fallen-asleep butt up or soothe a sore lower back after many hours behind the wheel
• 33-gal tank keeps you moving. Didn't have to stop for gas as much as you'd think with this vehicle
• The camera system is just awesome. Even when you're trying to squeeze into a tight spot or just see how close you are to something, the 360* view came in clutch so many times.
• Ability for co-pilot to send new routes/stops directly to the main screen is super cool
• Hands-free was very cool. I don't trust it beyond mostly straight passes, but really nice to be able to just sit there and look at the road. No issues at all with close calls or bouncing out of lanes, even when merging or going around curves with traffic in the other lane

The Bad

• This truck hates shifting from 1st to 2nd at stop and go speeds. Heavy clunk that I endured for several hours on I40 when we never got above 10mph. Hoping this isn't causing damage anywhere
• This truck hates shifting into 8th at cruising speeds. Really wants to hold onto 7th unless you lift off for a second to let it hit 8th and then slowly creep back up to speed.
• Either the tailgate or my tonneau (Bakflip MX4) lets a lot of rain in. Only at the tailgate so I'm not positive what is to blame just yet
• She's a big broad. Navigating around downtown Knoxville, parking, etc. are more stressful experiences than you might like. Some of the two track mountain twisties with no barriers were a bit pucker-inducing when another vehicle was oncoming and I had to hug the edge.
• MPG seems identical on freeway vs city. I got 15.0 MPG on this trip, which is exactly what I get around town. Didn't buy this for the fuel economy, but I was kinda surprised that there is virtually no difference.

The Other

• I wish I could hide the battery gauge. This forum has me so screwed up worrying of being stranded with a battery issue so high that I found myself constantly clicking down to check it. At different points in the trip I was showing between 13.8-14.5v while operating. At one point when I parked it was showing 13.8 and then my tailgate didn't work so I was convinced I was coming out in the morning to a dead truck and it was in the back of my head all night. Started right up, of course, but I wish I could turn off the gauge and stop checking it.
• As mentioned above, the tailgate close button did not work during one stop. Had to manually close the gate. It worked every time before and since.
• About 4x during my drive, the electric trailer brake gain screen popped up on the dash as if I was adjusting it. I was not towing anything and was not adjusting it. I just hit any arrow to make it go away, but pretty weird
• I didn't know this truck had a hill assist, but that's pretty cool. Surprised me the first time I didn't roll back pulling away from a hill before I hit the gas.
• I think I'm becoming an adaptive cruise control convert? I've been really outspoken about this but after being forced to use it for an extended time I think I actually might...prefer it?

I think that's it. I'll update if I remember something I wanted to include but forgot.

Overall, I've only come to love the truck more after spending more time in it. Now I just need to shake the worry that something is going to go wrong - which it might, but worrying isn't gonna change it.

 

[Frenzy]

Were you using the trucks navigation or Waze/Google maps when you sent re-routes from the passenger screen to the main?

 

[Deange2001]

Nice review. I get the battery anxiety...that said, I think a lot of us really don't fully understand how these batteries work and what constitutes a good vs bad battery (including myself).

I did some research and found that when your battery is not fully charged, the alternator kicks in and keeps the battery at 14.5V...because it is charging the battery. If the battery is able to fully charge (either from the alternator or maybe you used a trickle charger or something) the battery will sit right around 13.6-13.8V...at this point the alternator goes into a passive mode or float mode so that you don't overcharge the battery.

I don't know how accurate any of this is but it does make sense to me. You don't want to overcharge a battery and the alternator is meant to charge the battery but not overcharge...so it makes sense it would go into a float mode similar to a trickle charger.

That said, again, I still get the concern and anxiety. I have it too with this truck and, unfortunately, I think it puts me on high alert even when it is functioning properly. To add to this, with my BMW, I had a number of times where my AEB or ACC would turn off, seemingly randomly (no bad weather, nothing covering sensors, etc.) but because I had hardly any issues with it, especially for the first 2 years, I never thought anything of the random hiccups that occurred.

 

[slipperfox]

So we just got back last night from a 1700-mile round trip from Michigan to Augusta, GA and back. Wanted to just jot down some impressions on how the truck performed. For context, I'm sitting right at about 4,100 total miles after the trip.

The Good

• Truck was very smooth and handled a lot of different weather, incline/declines, temps etc without issue. It's very comfortable cruising and has obviously plenty of balls for quicker maneuvers.
• Interior is a dream. By far the most comfortable vehicle I've ever been in. With Android auto I was well stocked with entertainment and navigation at all times
• Massaging seats are NOT a gimmick. I thought I'd never use these but they feel great to wake your fallen-asleep butt up or soothe a sore lower back after many hours behind the wheel
• 33-gal tank keeps you moving. Didn't have to stop for gas as much as you'd think with this vehicle
• The camera system is just awesome. Even when you're trying to squeeze into a tight spot or just see how close you are to something, the 360* view came in clutch so many times.
• Ability for co-pilot to send new routes/stops directly to the main screen is super cool
• Hands-free was very cool. I don't trust it beyond mostly straight passes, but really nice to be able to just sit there and look at the road. No issues at all with close calls or bouncing out of lanes, even when merging or going around curves with traffic in the other lane

The Bad

• This truck hates shifting from 1st to 2nd at stop and go speeds. Heavy clunk that I endured for several hours on I40 when we never got above 10mph. Hoping this isn't causing damage anywhere
• This truck hates shifting into 8th at cruising speeds. Really wants to hold onto 7th unless you lift off for a second to let it hit 8th and then slowly creep back up to speed.
• Either the tailgate or my tonneau (Bakflip MX4) lets a lot of rain in. Only at the tailgate so I'm not positive what is to blame just yet
• She's a big broad. Navigating around downtown Knoxville, parking, etc. are more stressful experiences than you might like. Some of the two track mountain twisties with no barriers were a bit pucker-inducing when another vehicle was oncoming and I had to hug the edge.
• MPG seems identical on freeway vs city. I got 15.0 MPG on this trip, which is exactly what I get around town. Didn't buy this for the fuel economy, but I was kinda surprised that there is virtually no difference.

The Other

• I wish I could hide the battery gauge. This forum has me so screwed up worrying of being stranded with a battery issue so high that I found myself constantly clicking down to check it. At different points in the trip I was showing between 13.8-14.5v while operating. At one point when I parked it was showing 13.8 and then my tailgate didn't work so I was convinced I was coming out in the morning to a dead truck and it was in the back of my head all night. Started right up, of course, but I wish I could turn off the gauge and stop checking it.
• As mentioned above, the tailgate close button did not work during one stop. Had to manually close the gate. It worked every time before and since.
• About 4x during my drive, the electric trailer brake gain screen popped up on the dash as if I was adjusting it. I was not towing anything and was not adjusting it. I just hit any arrow to make it go away, but pretty weird
• I didn't know this truck had a hill assist, but that's pretty cool. Surprised me the first time I didn't roll back pulling away from a hill before I hit the gas.
• I think I'm becoming an adaptive cruise control convert? I've been really outspoken about this but after being forced to use it for an extended time I think I actually might...prefer it?

I think that's it. I'll update if I remember something I wanted to include but forgot.

Overall, I've only come to love the truck more after spending more time in it. Now I just need to shake the worry that something is going to go wrong - which it might, but worrying isn't gonna change it.

I’m on a current road trip as well, Medford OR (where I bought the beast) through ID and MT up into Alberta and then back down to ID. I’m averaging 13.4mpg and that’s combined city and highway. But agreed didn’t buy this for the mpg!

So far haven’t had any of your issues, just doors not locking / unlocking this am but after a 3hr sit it seems to be working again .

Also dealer told me to not use active cruise for more than 1hr until the truck is broke in ( after 10k miles) I thought that was Bullshit but haven’t that used it that much yet.

 

[MattH89]

Were you using the trucks navigation or Waze/Google maps when you sent re-routes from the passenger screen to the main?

I prefer Google maps and use that primarily, but that function only works when you use the trucks nav. So if you get a new stop request you have to temporarily swap to the other nav.

I wish it worked with Google but I can see why it doesn't.

 

[MattH89]

Nice review. I get the battery anxiety...that said, I think a lot of us really don't fully understand how these batteries work and what constitutes a good vs bad battery (including myself).

I did some research and found that when your battery is not fully charged, the alternator kicks in and keeps the battery at 14.5V...because it is charging the battery. If the battery is able to fully charge (either from the alternator or maybe you used a trickle charger or something) the battery will sit right around 13.6-13.8V...at this point the alternator goes into a passive mode or float mode so that you don't overcharge the battery.

I don't know how accurate any of this is but it does make sense to me. You don't want to overcharge a battery and the alternator is meant to charge the battery but not overcharge...so it makes sense it would go into a float mode similar to a trickle charger.

That said, again, I still get the concern and anxiety. I have it too with this truck and, unfortunately, I think it puts me on high alert even when it is functioning properly. To add to this, with my BMW, I had a number of times where my AEB or ACC would turn off, seemingly randomly (no bad weather, nothing covering sensors, etc.) but because I had hardly any issues with it, especially for the first 2 years, I never thought anything of the random hiccups that occurred.

Yeah for sure. I don't claim to have any idea what a good battery would be doing, which is why I wish I couldn't even see it. Out of sight, out of mind.

 

[RHO-DADDY]

Yeah the gauge is really more indicative of how the battery is being charged. Not really useful for determining battery life.

 

[seadog32073]

Nice review. I get the battery anxiety...that said, I think a lot of us really don't fully understand how these batteries work and what constitutes a good vs bad battery (including myself).

I did some research and found that when your battery is not fully charged, the alternator kicks in and keeps the battery at 14.5V...because it is charging the battery. If the battery is able to fully charge (either from the alternator or maybe you used a trickle charger or something) the battery will sit right around 13.6-13.8V...at this point the alternator goes into a passive mode or float mode so that you don't overcharge the battery.

I don't know how accurate any of this is but it does make sense to me. You don't want to overcharge a battery and the alternator is meant to charge the battery but not overcharge...so it makes sense it would go into a float mode similar to a trickle charger.

That said, again, I still get the concern and anxiety. I have it too with this truck and, unfortunately, I think it puts me on high alert even when it is functioning properly. To add to this, with my BMW, I had a number of times where my AEB or ACC would turn off, seemingly randomly (no bad weather, nothing covering sensors, etc.) but because I had hardly any issues with it, especially for the first 2 years, I never thought anything of the random hiccups that occurred.

I would be happy to see those high numbers in my truck. I just drove 750 miles from MD to Florida and the highest recording on the battery was 13.1, mostly was at 12.9 I went to my local dealer today to order running boards and casually asked the manager in service about it and he said "on these trucks, if it starts your battery is good".

I'm still confused, but I'm moving ahead not caring about it and if it leaves me stranded then I'll talk crap on here.

 

[Adub]

I would be happy to see those high numbers in my truck. I just drove 750 miles from MD to Florida and the highest recording on the battery was 13.1, mostly was at 12.9 I went to my local dealer today to order running boards and casually asked the manager in service about it and he said "on these trucks, if it starts your battery is good".

I'm still confused, but I'm moving ahead not caring about it and if it leaves me stranded then I'll talk crap on here.

I've bought a Noco AX65 jump and about to buy a Noco Genius 10 (or 5x2, which some of the other owners have) to ease my mind for when the truck arrives.

 

[Banger]

asked the manager in service about it and he said "on these trucks, if it starts your battery is good".

Yeah. That’s like saying: if your sump pump just kicked on, it’s good. Sure it is. Until it doesn’t kick on next time and your basement floods.

 

[Scottie2Hottie]

Others here have reported a clunk from the drivetrain. Hope you get it figured out.