Looking at a different truck. Open to all options i guess. New or used is fine by me, ford, gmc/chev is fine. Dodge never had one so not familar with the quality.
Unsure of the eco boosts in fords and the 5.3 AFM oil burners in GM i have delt with, the new 5.3 ecos they have too seem to have issues.
Not sure if i should look for an older HD diesel as i never owned one.
Any input is appreciated.
Just curious, what specific input are you looking for; choosing between brands and/or choosing between new, newer, or used?
What ya towing?
Where ya from? Hill country, Rockies, flatland?
MN, towing a 20ft glass boat, looking for imput on engines mainly and towing.
I have a gmc now with the 5.3 and dont have issues just getting up there in miles.
I drag my 20′ glass tiller with a 2500 Dodge Cummins diesel.
I drive a Chevy Silverado 1500 LT and I really like it. I was in your shoes with my previous vehicle, a 2003 Silverado getting up there in miles, and I was taking it in to get this or that fixed way too often. I’d never bought new before but now that I have I really appreciate having a vehicle in its prime. Of course nothing is perfect, but just going a few years (bought it in 2013) without needing anything major (or anything at all, really) done has been very pleasant.
You can go all kinds of directions with that question. Most people like what they like and present that as an option to people. Do some research online, gas trucks are great but diesels do have many advantages to them but also a slightly higher maintenance cost tier. If I could have afforded it at the time I would’ve gone the diesel route. Not much help I guess. One thing to take into account is a lot of what you read online is because people like to complain about something and it’s harder at times to find quality positive reviews.
I bought a ’15 Chev 2500HD 6.0 crew, 8′ box, gas last fall. I pull a 28′ 5er and sometimes a double. The power is there if your checkbook can afford the gas. . .jerr
They all have their issues and pros and cons. Diesel’s are nice and I’ve owned a few, but they have their issues too. The stink of filling and hassle of dealing with the starting issues in the really cold weather isn’t for everyone. Half tons ride way better without towing anything. 3/4 and 1 tons tons are nice if you tow a lot, but there’s add on’s that help half tons out a lot to mimic the bigger trucks. They all make good trucks and guys can have loyalty to a brand, but it all comes down to what’s comfortable to you and realizing whatever you buy will have some issues. I’ve ridden in and driven dodges fords and gm’s products and it all comes down to personal preference. I drive gm products mainly but like ford’s. Dodge’s are growing on me and they do make a good truck. If someone put a gun to my head and I had to buy a new truck, it’d be a tough call cause all 3 have good trucks and there’s some great features on all of them. Only thing I’d be a little leary of is some of the older eco boost’s and that’s coming from guys I know that drive and like fords. Most of them love the 5.4L and 7.3L’s. The Hemi’s are good solid trucks. Have a friend who loves dodges and had a new one. When it got trashed in an accident, he went to a used year that didn’t have some issues the newer ones are prone too. But that had some some odd front end issues. I don’t like the 2003+ version of the silverado’s. The 6.0L is kinda a generic motor from guys who own them. Not really great power, so not much of an increase from the 5.3L. The 5.3L is an interesting motor, that’s not really great at anything but decent at most things. My kid has a Suburban with an 8.1L he just bought from his inlaws, have used it to pull a 20′ prov and it gets 11mpg’s pulling it, thought that was decent for a gas hog. I have a 4.8L in a silverado and pull a 20′ lund prov with little issues, know I’m pushing it but I drive like a grandpa. Been relatively impressed with that little motor. Everyone assumes it is the 5.3L and is amazed that it pulls a boat that size that well. I wasn’t really interest in the 4.8L but it was a good deal and has been a very surprising little motor that doesn’t use a drop of oil with 230,000 miles on it. But I’m pretty sure it was built on pay day vs Monday and I just got lucky with that. I’d never really heard of the motor till I bought it. Cumming’s, Duramax and Powerstrokes are all good trucks. Not a dodge guy but that newer half ton diesel is a sharp looking truck and interested to see how that holds up. If I had to pick a new half ton, it’s probably be that one.
Once you figure out what you really need in power, how often you need it, and what you’re willing to spend the options limit themselves pretty good from there.
I also have the 4.8l vortec in my 2500 express and the 5.3 in my Tahoe and relatively the same motor. IMO the difference is noticeable in power, but not by much. Have a good friend who also has a much newer 4.8 and he calls it 4-no, bc everytime you step on the gas it goes noooooooo. Lol. He has a suped up 6.0 and an ecoboost at home so the difference is quite substantial for him.
If you want to stick with a gas its important to look at the towing packages and what’s offered. Transmission coolers, beefier suspension, etc.
Good luck whichever route you go, fun starting to think of new toys. 
I need to upgrade soon as my 97′ K1500 Chevy is getting pretty rough. If going the half ton route, my “research” tells me that Toyota Tundra, or Ford F150 are the best choices. I am not a fan of the AFM technology in the Chevy motors, which is all of them now. Dodge with the small diesel sounds like a good idea, but they are $50,000 minimum based on the prices I’ve seen, and seems to be a lot of issues with Dodge.
An interesting point was brought up to me today. ’07 and ’08 were the two years prior to the Government takeover of GM and Chrysler. Both companies were on the verge of BK during this time and were making last ditch efforts to boost sales with the government pushing hard for fuel economy….tax breaks for buying a fuel efficient vehicle, etc. Along comes AFM which had previously not been reliable….and then…who took over and was running GM for the few years after that and owned over 60% of the stock?
Yep…the Gubment. Anyone remember the Chevy Volt fiasco? If not, here is a link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/bu…pagewanted=all
“Once-proud GM had lost $40 billion in 2007, and in 2008 alone saw its sales decline by 45%.” The Auto Bailout and the Rule of Law > Publications > National Affairs
You think they could afford a massive recall during all of that?
Chevy forum guy. Kind of my sentiments towards the newer Chevys. Know quite a few guys who had just this lifter problem with the 07-09 motors. Complete overhauls on their engines well before 100k. Hopefully they figured it out. Also know couple guys who have 1-2 yr old Chevy’s and love em. Too new to tell.
The AFM problem is not just the 07-09’s
My 2011 has it as well.
Probably worth looking at the Nissan titan with the Cummings diesel. Can’t imagine it not being pretty good.
2011 Chevy 1500 with 5.3 I tow a full windshield glass boat at 75 mph 12 to 13 mpg at 65 mph 15 to 16 mpg. Doesn’t use any oil has 110,000 and only put spark plugs in it. Best vehicle I have owned.
All the new trucks are really nice. Not one brand I wouldn’t own.
2011 Chevy 1500 with 5.3 I tow a full windshield glass boat at 75 mph 12 to 13 mpg at 65 mph 15 to 16 mpg. Doesn’t use any oil has 110,000 and only put spark plugs in it. Best vehicle I have owned.
All the new trucks are really nice. Not one brand I wouldn’t own.
X-2
mine is a 2000 K1500 Suburban with 5.3, tow a V1898 Warrior
65-75 get 13mpg with travel cover on. Very little oil usage.
but then I use Mobil 1 and change it 7500 – 10,000miles.
She has 110,000 on it and has had the transmission fluid change at 60,000 and fuel pump change at 75,000. reason for fuel pump was they have a better one out now and I have had and heard of them going out on Chevy’s around 80,000. Good preventive maintenance.
When it happen to he on my pickup. There I set. Tow truck and 1000 bucks later, back on the road. Cost me a lot less then that by doing it before it happens.
Can not say enough on how much we LOVE the Berm!
Depends on how often your towing. Was lucky enough to have a big diesel work truck for a bit was fun to drive and I looked cool. But spent a lot more time driving it like a normal car than pulling things. It was a lot nicer driving a half ton gas after diesel truck was gone.(when it came to just driving and hunting versus pulling stuff. Didn’t need a step ladder to get in and out, didn’t get fuel on everything each time filling, could park everywhere, didn’t urine off neighbors every time I started it
Long time GM owner here, drove mostly suburbans. In 2014 looked real hard at the totally redesigned Chevy and was not impressed which left me disappointed. Ended up buying a new Ram Eco diesel and have never looked back. Currently have 45,000 miles on the truck and just love it. Best mileage 28.4, towing my ranger 18.2. Mostly though 26 hwy & 19 city. Like op said, there all built by humans so anything can break at any time.
Good luck!
The way I feel about all auto makers cutting corners / cheapening everything up and the advertising them as “heavy duty……” almost rather have a team of horses. I have a 2001 and 2004 duramax GMCs. The 01 is at 488,000 miles and the cab is rusting out because of a stupid design flaw. Of coarse, I have no way of holding themy accountable. I love the reliability I have with them. Just wish they were built the way they were advertied.
I have always been a Chevy guy and I still like them. I bought a newer F-150 with the 5.0 paired with a 6-speed. I’m happy as a clam with it and it pulls much better than my 2006 5.3 Silverado.
The Silverado pulled just fine but I found that the shift points seemed to be off when pulling trailers in the 2,500-3,000lb range. If I was pulling a heavier trailer, it worked great. I have no issue trying different brands now, most have stepped it up significantly.
I have no issue trying different brands now, most have stepped it up significantly.
Totally agree.
I have a 2001 and 2004 duramax GMCs. The 01 is at 488,000 miles and the cab is rusting out because of a stupid design flaw.
I hate the rocker panel, wheel well and other rust issues on all trucks, so beyond irritating that the body on so many trucks is going to rot out before the trucks motor does.
My F-150 is a 2011 with 40k on it and my tailgate is already beginning to form rust bubbles in the corner…Basseyes is right, no trucks are safe from rust.
Every manufacturer is known for a specific spot or two that form rust fast. Chevrolet is known by far for the rockers and the reason I had to sell my 2006.
I will throw in my 2 cents worth. I have always been a GM guy but do like dodges as well. I looked hard at the new eco diesel rams but couldn’t justify the additional cost over a gas chevy. I traded my ’06 silverado for a ’14 silverado due to the mileage getting high but wasn’t having any issues with it at all yet at 216XXX miles. I got the new one with the 5.3 ecotech motor in it which after using it for a year or so I can honestly say that it has more power and torque throughout the range of rpms compared to the old 5.3 vortec that my old truck had. If you have a GM truck that has the vortec in it and you are happy with it then you will love the new ones. I am getting 22 mph highway not pulling anything out of this truck. The only downside to it that I have found so far is that it takes 8.5 quarts of 0w-20 synthetic oil which drives the cost of an oil change up a bit from the old truck. Hope this helps
Long time GM owner here, drove mostly suburbans. In 2014 looked real hard at the totally redesigned Chevy and was not impressed which left me disappointed. Ended up buying a new Ram Eco diesel and have never looked back. Currently have 45,000 miles on the truck and just love it. Best mileage 28.4, towing my ranger 18.2. Mostly though 26 hwy & 19 city. Like op said, there all built by humans so anything can break at any time.
Good luck!
how many miles between oil changes? Is it true they are between $150 and $175?
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bclii wrote:</div>
Long time GM owner here, drove mostly suburbans. In 2014 looked real hard at the totally redesigned Chevy and was not impressed which left me disappointed. Ended up buying a new Ram Eco diesel and have never looked back. Currently have 45,000 miles on the truck and just love it. Best mileage 28.4, towing my ranger 18.2. Mostly though 26 hwy & 19 city. Like op said, there all built by humans so anything can break at any time.
Good luck!how many miles between oil changes? Is it true they are between $150 and $175?
Going with the owners manual on oil change intervols at 10,000 miles. Say what you want about going that long between, but I see no different as that’s manufactures specs. All changes are done at purchase place which is Hastings Chrysler at $125!
Recently bought a newer truck, it was going to be a ’14 chevy. Test drove it and it road super nice, a little light on power but a really nice ride. There happened to be a recall which put all ’14 chevy sales on hold for about a week. Went over and test drove a dodge and it was night and day difference in power. Went with the Dodge in the end. Get 17 mpg on an average tank. RAMs sit higher and are a little rougher ride, Chevys are a lot smoother and quiet. Had to take the back headrests out of the the Dodge because I couldn’t see a thing out the back window. Not much room for in cab storage on the ram either. Backs seats only flip up and the backs don’t flip down. With all that being said, wish I still had my ’06 Cummins.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>MnPat1 wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bclii wrote:</div>
Long time GM owner here, drove mostly suburbans. In 2014 looked real hard at the totally redesigned Chevy and was not impressed which left me disappointed. Ended up buying a new Ram Eco diesel and have never looked back. Currently have 45,000 miles on the truck and just love it. Best mileage 28.4, towing my ranger 18.2. Mostly though 26 hwy & 19 city. Like op said, there all built by humans so anything can break at any time.
Good luck!how many miles between oil changes? Is it true they are between $150 and $175?
Going with the owners manual on oil change intervols at 10,000 miles. Say what you want about going that long between, but I see no different as that’s manufactures specs. All changes are done at purchase place which is Hastings Chrysler at $125!
I haven’t paid for an oil change yet, but I bought my 2015 Silverado new in November. 
Yeah, those are going to be pricier oil changes, but the interval makes it almost a wash.
I had my first oil change done at 7000 miles because I just didn’t feel good about it going that long and they said “why are you here already?”
Absolutely love the truck. Excellent mileage, my highest was 23.5 unloaded driving 70MPH on 4 lane road (not interstate).
I replaced a 2007 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2 engine, and while the new 5.3 doesn’t tow quite as good as the 6.2, it certainly holds gear better at highway speeds when towing. There has to have been some recalibration done within the tranny because my Denali liked to shift when towing a little bit, but the Silverado maintains top gear.
Dodge is a sure bet buddy .
2003 ram 1500 4.7 v8 good driver great for tugging boat . Back to back motortrend truck of the year ….guts, glory, RAM’
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