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La Paix

Fuck this place
First 100
Jan 14, 2015
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So I've recently posted my truck for sale but haven't committed to get rid of it for any less than asking price which is a touch high for what it is. I have a 2008 GMC Duramax 2500 SLT 4X4 4DR regular box with relatively low kms. We bought this so we'd have a great truck to tow a big travel trailer and it's served me very well, I love it. The reason why I'm considering to sell is that we plan to be moving into a townhouse soon and we don't have any cross country trips lined up yet. I try to be practical with my possessions and I don't need that much truck for day to day use but I do love it. I'd be interested in getting another GM or Toyota but a half ton gas 4dr 4x4 shortbox as they're noticable smaller but still a great truck for our needs.

Give me your pros and cons for keeping a 3/4 ton diesel when may only tow 8-10 times tops annually.
 

SC MMA MD

TMMAC Addict
Jan 20, 2015
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So I've recently posted my truck for sale but haven't committed to get rid of it for any less than asking price which is a touch high for what it is. I have a 2008 GMC Duramax 2500 SLT 4X4 4DR regular box with relatively low kms. We bought this so we'd have a great truck to tow a big travel trailer and it's served me very well, I love it. The reason why I'm considering to sell is that we plan to be moving into a townhouse soon and we don't have any cross country trips lined up yet. I try to be practical with my possessions and I don't need that much truck for day to day use but I do love it. I'd be interested in getting another GM or Toyota but a half ton gas 4dr 4x4 shortbox as they're noticable smaller but still a great truck for our needs.

Give me your pros and cons for keeping a 3/4 ton diesel when may only tow 8-10 times tops annually.
A reliable truck that you know the history of , is a diesel, will likely run for at least another decade, and presumably have paid off -vs- spending money on a smaller truck since it will be a little easier to park? If you are used to towing with the Duramax, you are going to hate towing with a gas engine again.
I would keep the truck you have.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
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Jan 14, 2015
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A reliable truck that you know the history of , is a diesel, will likely run for at least another decade, and presumably have paid off -vs- spending money on a smaller truck since it will be a little easier to park? If you are used to towing with the Duramax, you are going to hate towing with a gas engine again.
I would keep the truck you have.
This is my leading thought process as of now. The truck has been great to us. I'm arranging to do a sort of test park in our new place to see how cramped it feels.

I just left the GM dealer looking at what an extended cab has for room in backseat and that's too small with kids I think.
 

SC MMA MD

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Jan 20, 2015
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This is my leading thought process as of now. The truck has been great to us. I'm arranging to do a sort of test park in our new place to see how cramped it feels.

I just left the GM dealer looking at what an extended cab has for room in backseat and that's too small with kids I think.
You are correct about the extended cab being too small for kids. That is why I have the 3500 crew cab, long box dually I drive now. I had a 1500 extended cab, and one car seat fit great in the middle, but when child #2 came-it was a no-go. The only issue I ever have parking my truck is height restriction in parking garages (some of the garages in Charleston are 6'6" and I need 7' to be sure to be able to clear the ceiling at the beginning and end of ramps)- and that is not a frequent issue at all. As a general rule, keeping the vehicle you have (if in good condition) is a better value than replacing it.
 

Splinty

Shake 'em off
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
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I want to buy a truck next year.
Just starting to read and learning the what's what....Input appreciated.

Uses:
  • Tow a trailer with a car on it
  • Various work around a hobby farm size piece of property.
  • Commute a short distance around on open roads. Maybe 30 miles each day.
 

SC MMA MD

TMMAC Addict
Jan 20, 2015
5,715
10,841
I want to buy a truck next year.
Just starting to read and learning the what's what....Input appreciated.

Uses:
  • Tow a trailer with a car on it
  • Various work around a hobby farm size piece of property.
  • Commute a short distance around on open roads. Maybe 30 miles each day.
Any full-sized truck will handle that easily. If you are going to use it for farm work, get an 8' bed, and if you live where it ever snows or if you ever see the truck going off pavement, get a 4x4- there is no substitute for all wheels turning in mud/etc. If kids are planned in the future, aim for a crew cab. Think long term, full sized trucks last a long time. I am in my 40's and am only on my second truck ever; and I replaced the first one only because the cab was too small.
 

SC MMA MD

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Jan 20, 2015
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With the growth in truck size over the last decade, I've got no clue what that constitutes anymore
Any "half-ton" 1500/150 US truck or Toyota Tundra.

If you are going to haul loads or tow a lot, you might consider 2500/3500, but the payload capacities of the 1500's is high enough now that it will be plenty unless you have a good sized trailer or plan to install a work body and haul a lot of tools around all the time.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
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Jan 14, 2015
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With the growth in truck size over the last decade, I've got no clue what that constitutes anymore
What's your car/trailer combo weigh? If you plan to be habitually towing a diesel can't be beat.

Typical amount of passengers? I less you k ow it's going to be a secondary vehicle crew cab is the way to go. I just checked out a 2011 GMC 1500 extended cab and it's far too small for even 2 young kids. Good for a gym bag and shit but for seating it's very tight IMO.

Is 4x4 needed? Up here I'd never buy a 2x4 but I'm not sure if that's necessary for you.

If this is your first truck I'd suggest spending around $20,000 (at least that's where the nicer trucks start in Canada in the west) and after 2-3 years upgrade knowing specific wants/needs compared to the first.

I've never sworn an oath to any brand but I can't say enough good things about my GMC I described in OP. If you decide to go test drive some please post your experience here.

My trucks getting serviced right now and owner gave the keys to his 2017 F350 Super duty, very impressed. Right away you notice the massive sunroom that opens up majority of it all the way to the back seat. Really nice dash and interior and before I left the parking lot I could start to feel the heated steering wheel. I was pretty surprised at how quiet it was inside too, great truck but I could never sleep of I paid $85k+ for a truck.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
First 100
Jan 14, 2015
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I second the vote for GMC- I have had 2 since 1999 with 0 unexpected problems.
After our 8 month long 20,000 kms trip all we needed was an alignment after towing 7500lbs or so almost every day. If I do sell I'll be getting the same truck in a 1500 gas.
 

BeardOfKnowledge

The Most Consistent Motherfucker You Know
Jul 22, 2015
60,547
56,268
I want to buy a truck next year.
Just starting to read and learning the what's what....Input appreciated.

Uses:
  • Tow a trailer with a car on it
  • Various work around a hobby farm size piece of property.
  • Commute a short distance around on open roads. Maybe 30 miles each day.
Only 1 manufacturer builds trucks in Texas...
 

BeardOfKnowledge

The Most Consistent Motherfucker You Know
Jul 22, 2015
60,547
56,268
I think BeardOfKnowledge @JohnyHendricksBeard could give some good info.
If you're looking to tow, get another Duramax (or keep yours) and don't look back.

If you're going full size gas, get an extended cab Tundra. I've met a lot of people who went from a traditional domestic to Toyota truck and swear they'll never go back. I've also met a lot of people who bought a Toyota truck and said "Wasn't big enough, needed HD" I've never once though, in 15 years as a tech, met someone who said "I bought a Tundra/Tacoma, and I'll never do it again." The fit, finish are on a different level.

Don't buy on price tag alone. It's the biggest mistake a car buyer can make.
 
Last edited:

Nemo?

Too weird to live, too rare to die.
Dec 2, 2015
4,714
7,898
If you're looking to tow, get another Duramax (or keep yours) and don't look back.

If you're going full size gas, get an extended cab Tundra. I've met a lot of people who went from a traditional domestic to Toyota truck and swear they'll never go back. I've also met a lot of people who bought a Toyota truck and said "Wasn't big enough, needed HD" I've never once though, in 15 years as a tech, met someone who said "I bought a Tundra/Tacoma, and I'll never do it again." The fit, finish are on a different level.

Don't buy on price tag alone. It's the biggest mistake a car buyer can make.
I've met one and he didn't like the gas mileage on the Tundra(2009 V8 I believe).

That's the only complaint i've heard.

That and they are japanese haha.
 

BeardOfKnowledge

The Most Consistent Motherfucker You Know
Jul 22, 2015
60,547
56,268
I've met one and he didn't like the gas mileage on the Tundra(2009 V8 I believe).
What did he drive previously? I've only ever heard that from people who went from cars or smaller SUV's then into trucks.
 

Judobill

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Jan 15, 2015
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I've got a Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab. I love it. Plenty of room in the back for the kids, however, the seatback doesn't recline at all, so when they fall asleep, they flop to the side and it looks uncomfortable as hell.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
45,415
57,815
I went out truck shopping yesterday. It's time.
My '02 Silverado Z71 is on its last legs. I'm not tied to Chevy, but I started looking there just because my current truck has been so reliable (250,000+ miles).

I like the recent move to darker trims on vehicles instead of all the chrome. Looking at the Z71's, that funneled me to the Trail Boss. I like their look, but - as far as I can tell - they are just Z71's with a 2" factory lift at a higher price point.

Trail Boss:


The regular Z71's look just like the above truck except there is chrome on the grill and wheels - which I don't like as much. Mechanically, everything else is identical except for some different shocks (it had Ranchos on it, which I didn't even know they still made. LOL). So instead of paying extra for a 2" lift that I don't even care about, I'm thinking about buying a regular Z71 and slapping my own wheels on it. Plus that will keep me from having to remove that tacky "TRAIL BOSS" sticker from the bed.

I test drove one yesterday. Nice truck. Drives smoother than I thought it would with those off-road tires. It has an 8 speed transmission, and I swear in the first 1/4 mile of driving it noticeably slapped through about 5 gears. It was a touch annoying, but I guess I'd get used to that. So the truck itself was OK - but the interior didn't impress me that much. It honestly doesn't look all that different than my '02 other than the LED display with backup cameras. It was underwhelming. Shame on you Chevy.

So now I'm looking at other trucks.

This is an older thread - but did anyone get a new truck recently? I'd love some feedback.

Uses:
Daily commuter
Towing a utility trailer with mower and quad
Pulling fallen trees out of the woods when I'm too lazy to cut them to smaller sizes for the quad
Hauling gravel, firewood, mulch.

It's a truck. It will get treated like a truck.
 

Grateful Dude

TMMAC Addict
May 30, 2016
8,925
14,261
I went out truck shopping yesterday. It's time.
My '02 Silverado Z71 is on its last legs. I'm not tied to Chevy, but I started looking there just because my current truck has been so reliable (250,000+ miles).

I like the recent move to darker trims on vehicles instead of all the chrome. Looking at the Z71's, that funneled me to the Trail Boss. I like their look, but - as far as I can tell - they are just Z71's with a 2" factory lift at a higher price point.

Trail Boss:


The regular Z71's look just like the above truck except there is chrome on the grill and wheels - which I don't like as much. Mechanically, everything else is identical except for some different shocks (it had Ranchos on it, which I didn't even know they still made. LOL). So instead of paying extra for a 2" lift that I don't even care about, I'm thinking about buying a regular Z71 and slapping my own wheels on it. Plus that will keep me from having to remove that tacky "TRAIL BOSS" sticker from the bed.

I test drove one yesterday. Nice truck. Drives smoother than I thought it would with those off-road tires. It has an 8 speed transmission, and I swear in the first 1/4 mile of driving it noticeably slapped through about 5 gears. It was a touch annoying, but I guess I'd get used to that. So the truck itself was OK - but the interior didn't impress me that much. It honestly doesn't look all that different than my '02 other than the LED display with backup cameras. It was underwhelming. Shame on you Chevy.

So now I'm looking at other trucks.

This is an older thread - but did anyone get a new truck recently? I'd love some feedback.

Uses:
Daily commuter
Towing a utility trailer with mower and quad
Pulling fallen trees out of the woods when I'm too lazy to cut them to smaller sizes for the quad
Hauling gravel, firewood, mulch.

It's a truck. It will get treated like a truck.
I got a great deal on a 4-door F150 4x4 last summer with the eco boost. I love it so far. I traded my Tacoma TRD on it. I miss the Toyota some, I drive off road a lot at work and it was better for that, but it was small and gas mileage sucked. Super capable truck though.

The Ford is more comfy and has tons of room, so it’s better for family stuff and trips. And it still does everything I need at work. I can get as high as 22-23 mpg with this truck, and it has ample power (fast too!) for what I need (I don’t tow anything big).

I’m on the road in it now on our way back from Moab. 8 bikes, bed full of gear and luggage, and 4 dudes and I’m averaging about 17mpg with it loaded like this. Not bad IMO

 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
45,415
57,815
I got a great deal on a 4-door F150 4x4 last summer with the eco boost. I love it so far. I traded my Tacoma TRD on it. I miss the Toyota some, I drive off road a lot at work and it was better for that, but it was small and gas mileage sucked. Super capable truck though.

The Ford is more comfy and has tons of room, so it’s better for family stuff and trips. And it still does everything I need at work. I can get as high as 22-23 mpg with this truck, and it has ample power (fast too!) for what I need (I don’t tow anything big).

I’m on the road in it now on our way back from Moab. 8 bikes, bed full of gear and luggage, and 4 dudes and I’m averaging about 17mpg with it loaded like this. Not bad IMO

Nice!
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
First 100
Jan 14, 2015
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I ended up trading my truck in and getting a Tacoma. With the cash back I raised it up 3" and put some new rims and 33s on it. I'm loving the blue and bronze.


 
M

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I ended up trading my truck in and getting a Tacoma. With the cash back I raised it up 3" and put some new rims and 33s on it. I'm loving the blue and bronze.


I’m a huge Toyota truck guy. Can’t decide right now between a Tundra or Tacoma. Them and GMC/Chevy are the best. I like the blue and bronze too.
 

La Paix

Fuck this place
First 100
Jan 14, 2015
38,273
64,597
I’m a huge Toyota truck guy. Can’t decide right now between a Tundra or Tacoma. Them and GMC/Chevy are the best. I like the blue and bronze too.
I went with the smaller one as I have no need for aafull size. I was skeptical on the shortbox but it's been about six months and it's worked out great. I love the six speed manual and I got a rear facing camera to help see when my canopy is on. As of now if I sold it would be to get the same truck in the newer body style. I'd probably test drive the Canyon/Colorado too as I like the interiors .
 

Tiiimmmaaayyy

First 100 ish
Jan 19, 2015
7,990
9,940
my advice would be keep the truck if you are happy with it. I’ve made the mistake of settling for less expensive or more practical. I’ve seen plenty of other people do it and wouldn’t have it any other way. However, i consider myself to be a car guy. I wasn’t happy when i settles for less than what i want/like. That’s more imprrtant than “need”. I ended up keeping cars for a short time and losing my ass on trade instead of getting what i wanted the first time.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
45,415
57,815
I ended up trading my truck in and getting a Tacoma. With the cash back I raised it up 3" and put some new rims and 33s on it. I'm loving the blue and bronze.


I like that blue/bronze too. Sharp.