Looking at new truck

[kevinwak]

The time has almost come to buy a new truck for the family. I was hoping to hold off until December 2016, but after a recent trip pulling the camper 2000 km I think it needs an upgrade before the next big trip. I am looking at a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel. Needing a crew cab for the family. Up until last week I assumed that it would probably be a Ford super-duty, or maybe on the off chance a ram. That may have all changed last week when I test drove a GMC 2500 HD Duramax. Wow, I was surprised how much I liked it! Nice and quiet. Smooth ride. Only issue was the 2400 pound payload rating. I think I need to step up to the 3500, because the 2500 leaves me with not much more capacity then a max payload F150. I didn't get a chance to drive the 3500, but I am hoping the ride isn't that much stiffer. I will then have to take the cute wife and drive all three in a row, Ford, Ram and Gmc.

Anybody have any input on the 2015 GMC Sierra Hd's? I never really considered one before, so I don't know as much about them as the Ford and ram.

 

[timswi]

What's the weight of the camper? I pull a 32' TT that goes around 8k empty and around 9.5k gross. I do it with a 2013 GMC Denali crew 6.2 and it does great even with a bed load of camping stuff---Even pulling in the PA mountains. ..

Actually after driving a 2015 5.3 the unloaded performance isn't much different to be honest...Rental truck there. Got hit by a dude on a bicycle sadly, so my preferred truck is in the body shop. Can't say what it would do under load though.

Diesels nowadays are very expensive and even more to maintain due to gubment crap..I've had diesels in the past, but I'm holding back now due to all of the problems across ALL manufacturers over the last decade. Gassers are pretty good these days...

Going to a 3/4 or 1 ton GM gasser would be fine if you stay in the weight limits.

 

[kevinwak]

What's the weight of the camper? I pull a 32' TT that goes around 8k empty and around 9.5k gross. I do it with a 2013 GMC Denali crew 6.2 and it does great even with a bed load of camping stuff---Even pulling in the PA mountains. .. Actually after driving a 2015 5.3 the unloaded performance isn't much different to be honest...Rental truck there. Got hit by a dude on a bicycle sadly, so my preferred truck is in the body shop. Can't say what it would do under load though. Diesels nowadays are very expensive and even more to maintain due to gubment crap..I've had diesels in the past, but I'm holding back now due to all of the problems across ALL manufacturers over the last decade. Gassers are pretty good these days... Going to a 3/4 or 1 ton GM gasser would be fine if you stay in the weight limits.

The camper is nice and light, just a touch over 6000 pounds on the axles loaded down for a two week trip. Unsure of the tongue weight as I didn't get a chance to weigh the truck other then when we were loaded and rolling. I know I don't need a diesel, or even a truck bigger then A half ton for the camper. I do also haul water about thirty miles to our house. It is this use that I want the bigger truck for, so I can maximize my water load and minimize trips to the load station. The 2500 is great if I plan on staying with bumper pull. But judging by the weight ratings I would be really limited if I went gooseneck to pull water.

To me I do t really want to go through the gas vs diesel debate. It is a luxury that I want to pay to have. I will gladly take cloth seats and a diesel motor over loaded leather and a gas job. Sure dollar for dollar, mile over mile, diesel may not pay itself back. Oh well, people argue those numbers daily on this and many other forums. In Canada diesel is an $11,000 option, and leather seats are a $9,000 option. I never see people arguing about justifying the leather cost or the payback.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Why not order what you want and need. I personally like 1 ton single rear wheel trucks. My F350 SRW has 3900# payload.

Chris

 

[farm boy00]

I'm sure this won't help but I got a 2005 duramax 2500. It's a good truck and all but the ride is horrible. They try to sit you like a car

 

[groundcover]

Not sure if the diesel is a luxury or an albatross ! They have their place but after over twenty years of diesel I'm back to a gasser and couldn't be happier . ( F350 6.2 ) what ever you go with the one ton.
The new diesels make crazy power but want to be working. Ongoing costs are substantially higher and that's if everything goes right !

 

[700R]

Not sure if you are up to date on the latest diesel emissions...but they do need to go through a re-gen process every so often. This means you will need to drive it at highway speeds for up to 30 minutes or so when it needs to do it's thing (something like that...I refuse to own new vehicles, so I don't know the specifics).

GM's are the cars of the truck world. If you are all about the interior and the ride quality...then go for it. If you want a truck for what a truck is meant for, then stick with Ford (or Ram).

 

[kevinwak]

. GM's are the cars of the truck world. If you are all about the interior and the ride quality...then go for it. If you want a truck for what a truck is meant for, then stick with Ford (or Ram).

I am not that into interior, going to be buying a fairly basically optioned out truck. Just realistically realize that a heavy duty pickup is not an off road vehicle. So since the majority of its miles will be highway I think gmc is a worthy option to look at.

 

[schmism]

From my experience, hauling boxy trailers (enclosed trailers, RV's etc) its not the weight that is a "design" limit. its the wind area. power and truck weight are your friend when pulling against wind (not just total trailer weight)

 

[crashz]

The GM trucks will do all that the others will do. Sheesh.

The 2500s are limited in payload by trying to keep under the 10,000 weight limit. Some states require commercial plates at that point. In MA you need a waiver to register an F350 with personal plates now.

The 3500 is nearly same, just with rear overload springs. Ride is the same. I think axle choices and trim packages are limited though.

Get the 3500. You'll be happy you did.

 

[Junkyard Jim]

You can add air bags to the rear of a 2500 to level out the ride and stay out of that commercial vehicle rule. I have a set on my '05 2500 GMC and love it. The motor, tranny and gear ratio is where you get your power. Suspension gives you stability. The rest is just wrapping paper. Since I only haul heavy half the time, it works out good to have the ability to air up when needed.

I bought an '05 because it was after the injector issue and before the re-gen stuff started. Research that re-gen stuff on the different makes. I was talking to a guy that says his goes into "limp" mode and he has to pull over for it to do it's thing. I wouldn't like that. I believe he had a Dodge. They may all have to do that by now, but it is definately worth looking into.

 

[schmism]

2500 plus airbags does not get you bigger bearings, or brakes or tires or rear GAWR all of which is key when your pushing heavy pin weights from 5th wheels

You can add air bags to the rear of a 2500 to level out the ride and stay out of that commercial vehicle rule. I have a set on my '05 2500 GMC and love it. The motor, tranny and gear ratio is where you get your power. Suspension gives you stability. The rest is just wrapping paper. Since I only haul heavy half the time, it works out good to have the ability to air up when needed.

 

[farmer2009]

Research that re-gen stuff on the different makes. I was talking to a guy that says his goes into "limp" mode and he has to pull over for it to do it's thing. I wouldn't like that. I believe he had a Dodge. They may all have to do that by now, but it is definately worth looking into.

Ha. That's good to know. I've talked to semi drivers that say they have to pull over or stop unloading to regen. Hydraulic unloading trailers. They hate them. I didn't think pickups had that problem.

I've got an 06 Chevy gasser. You'll love the ride quality. I can't walk after a two hour trip in a F250. Back kills me. No problems with the Chevy after 4-6 hours. GM trucks can do the same as the others. They just ride better. It's all in setups. Happy shopping.

 

[Fordman1981]

2500 plus airbags does not get you bigger bearings, or brakes or tires or rear GAWR all of which is key when your pushing heavy pin weights from 5th wheels

I don't know about other manufacturers but I do know ram 2500 and 3500 SRW are identical except for the rear springs. Same part numbers for brakes, bearings, or everything else except the rear springs. It's a shame a 2500 can't be taken to a dealer or an up-fitter and have the rear springs changed them have it re classified as a 3500 if the need arises for people who bought a 2500 and later finding they need more payload and don't want to buy a new truck.

 

[Junkyard Jim]

Fordman1981 beat me to the response I would have given schmism.

Although it hasn't come up yet, the next thing I usually hear is that the newer Allisons have the six speed tranny so they pull better. For the record, gear ratios in the five speed and six speed are the same through the "first" overdrive. The sixth gear is a higher geared overdrive, so it has nothing to do with pulling, more to do with fuel economy when empty.

 

[Btown]

The GM trucks will do all that the others will do. Sheesh. The 2500s are limited in payload by trying to keep under the 10,000 weight limit. Some states require commercial plates at that point. In MA you need a waiver to register an F350 with personal plates now. The 3500 is nearly same, just with rear overload springs. Ride is the same. I think axle choices and trim packages are limited though. Get the 3500. You'll be happy you did.

That's news to me. A duelly in MA needs commercial plates due to the definition of commercial vehicles in MA. More than 4 tires touching the ground is commercial (there is more to it) . A single rear wheel one ton does not meet that definition so it should not need to be registered commercial. Unless there was a change in the law that I'm not aware of. Some of the inspection stations will try to scam the more expensive inspection for vehicles over 10K, but if it is not registered commercial it should be $35.

 

[crashz]

I think Ford started this in 1999 with the first generation SuperDuty trucks. GM and Dodge followed suit. Makes sense, derating the 3/4 ton trucks as it simplifies the parts stream, no additional support or design needed, and markets well.

 

[ch1ch2]

I have a '05 Chevy 2500HD and have been looking at getting a new truck. It pulls great except when I get into the mountains, the diesels run off and leave me behind. I have decided to buy Chevy or GMC. Tossed around 2500 or 3500 and the only difference would be the rear springs. Now the 2016 are coming out and I understand they have made changes in the engine so I am waiting to see more on them, I get confecting stories from dealers.

So, to help you I can say unless you are going to be hauling in high altitude, go with gas, and definitely consider Chevy/GMC.

 

[Diamondpilot]

2500 plus airbags does not get you bigger bearings, or brakes or tires or rear GAWR all of which is key when your pushing heavy pin weights from 5th wheels

Agreed. It may handle the load but get pulled over withe the GVWR exceeded and your busted.

Chris

 

[Billrog]

Here's an independent reliability study.
Four Brands Encompass Nearly 70% Of The Vehicles With Over 200,000 Miles: If you stick with Chevy and Ford full-size trucks and SUVs, Honda cars, and Toyota everything, your chances of having that vehicle past 200k is about two and a half times the industry average. Reliability Ford F-150
LONG TERM QUALITY INDEX: Seven Facts That Shatter the Myth of Reliability | Best Ride Blog