One of the advantages of owning a diesel truck is their proven longevity track record; simply put: diesel vehicles last longer than gassers. The reason for their durability ranges from the superior design of the engine, to the constructing a vehicle that can be used to pull and tow other vehicles. Given the stresses that the vehicle will be under, diesels are constructed to a much higher standard than their gasser counterparts; however, even acknowledging that it is still rare to encounter a truck that has rolled over a million miles in seven years and still consistently operates.
Tammy and Hugh Pennington racked more than 1,220,935 miles on their 2006 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD in just seven years. That’s right, 1.2 million, with an “M”, in less than a decade. After noting the miles reading on the odometer, Hugh remarked, “It’s still kicking pretty good.” If only all trucks could be so lucky, used, and well maintained.
To hit this momentous mileage on their Silverado, the Penningtons drive their truck an average of 500 miles every day. The miles add up quickly because the Penningtons use their truck in a long haul business they operate, moving trailers and campers across Canada and the US, and, of course, they also use their truck to transport their boat from lake to lake.
"We still like to take adventures together," Hugh said. "I'm getting paid to see the world."
When asked how they managed to drive their diesel over a million miles they responded very pragmatically, “Keep up on the maintenance. Change the oil religiously, and change the filters at the same time.” While they didn’t mention it, purchasing a solid vehicle known for its dependability helped considerably. In 2006, GMC worked out earlier injector and cooling problems that troubled earlier model Duramax trucks from ’01 to ’04. Another bonus is that the ’06 LBZ was not equipped with emission control devices now common on all diesel trucks ’07.5 to present.
Listing off all the different ways in which the Hugh and Tammy have cared for their truck, including regularly checking fluids and washing the truck of salt and grime, perhaps the most important aspect of keeping their truck running, so they mention, is having a trusted mechanic. By practicing restraint and preventative maintenance and resolving problems as they first appear, the Penningtons have entered into the million mile club, and it looks like they will continue to roll on through.