New Truck Recommendations?

[~JM~]

Considering a new truck in the near future. Interested in one of those full size, 4-door, short bed models w/4WD. Probably a 1/2 ton. I'd like to pull a small travel trailer in the 18' to 24' range. Are 1/2 tons up to that type of pulling load?

Which manufacturer offers the most reliable engine/transmission option?

Not looking for a fully loaded rig. Must have comfortable seating though.

I'm accustomed to Dodge Ram/Cummins NV4500 combo. As much as I enjoy shifting & the reliability of a manual trans, it is probably time for an automatic.

Thank you.

 

[2Driver]

< 2021 Tundra

 

[CLdrinker]

Like said above ‘21 and older Tundra

‘23 and newer F150’s have the improved transmission. I would lean 5.0, 2.7 and 3.5 last. Extended warranty would be a must on the turbo engines. Definitely not hybrid

The Ram 5.7 will go through exhaust manifolds if you tow with it. Been there done that.

The baby Duramax is popular I don’t know much about it.

How about a gas 3/4 ton

 

[Done-it-again]

Went F-150 shopping today, mainly to see what is new for ‘25 as I’m coming from a ‘17

 

[Paradox]

Although it’s not a half ton, I bought a 3/4 ton diesel GMC Denali short bed crew cab 4x a few months ago. It’s rated at 18k bumper tow, I’m getting 16 MPG combined driving (not towing of course) and, it has a Cadillac type interior with all the bells and whistles. It’s (so far) been a killer truck and I netted $8k off the MSRP sticker.

 

[Orange Juice]

Have they started adding the dealers Tariff taxes to the new vehicles?

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

So what i have learned from this site is, get an F-150 and you can pull anything you want with it, unlimited towing capacity.

On the serious side, the Checy/Gmc's with the 3.0 diesel's are hard to beat for towing and full mileage.

 

[Done-it-again]

Have they started adding the dealers Tariff taxes to the new vehicles?

Nothing I saw today at a Ford dealer.

 

[CLdrinker]

Have they started adding the dealers Tariff taxes to the new vehicles?

Fords and Tundras are made here so no tariffs. Ram is in Mexico I believe atleast my 2500 was. No idea about Chevy.

 

[NicPaus]

I need to buy a new truck in the next 2 weeks. To replace my 3/4 ton Chevy 6.6 gas that was stolen. I traded in a 1/2 ton chevy for it. The 1500 was nice. But everyone has 1. And they don't tow that great with heavy tongue weight. Like my skidsteer or big dump trailers.

Been looking at every make and probably just go back to what I had.

Problem with all 3 is the push button start. 1 minute or less to steal them.

 

[NicPaus]

Fords and Tundras are made here so no tariffs. Ram is in Mexico I believe atleast my 2500 was. No idea about Chevy.

Friend told me 62% of the parts are from Canada or Mexico on the Chevy trucks. Was going to wait a little while to buy. But now he says expect 12-15k increase in price.

 

[Done-it-again]

Friend told me 62% of the parts are from Canada or Mexico on the Chevy trucks. Was going to wait a little while to buy. But now he says expect 12-15k increase in price.

If that happens, sales will tank. I don’t see it.

Dealers like to say the tarrifs are going to hit to get you to buy now. Just remember the 25% or whatever it is is in on the cost of the imported part not the sale price.

 

[Paradox]

I need to buy a new truck in the next 2 weeks. To replace my 3/4 ton Chevy 6.6 gas that was stolen. I traded in a 1/2 ton chevy for it. The 1500 was nice. But everyone has 1. And they don't tow that great with heavy tongue weight. Like my skidsteer or big dump trailers.

Been looking at every make and probably just go back to what I had.

Problem with all 3 is the push button start. 1 minute or less to steal them.

We keep all our fobs in a faraday box, as well as the spares in a similar box within the safe.

Do you not think it makes a difference?

 

[CLdrinker]

I need to buy a new truck in the next 2 weeks. To replace my 3/4 ton Chevy 6.6 gas that was stolen. I traded in a 1/2 ton chevy for it. The 1500 was nice. But everyone has 1. And they don't tow that great with heavy tongue weight. Like my skidsteer or big dump trailers.

Been looking at every make and probably just go back to what I had.

Problem with all 3 is the push button start. 1 minute or less to steal them.

My truck isn’t push button

 

[PlumLoco]

There really is NO correct answer to this question. Ergonomics, torque, reliability (both real and imagined)style/design, intended usage, etc.
Everybody will evaluate differently.
And they are mass produced from parts built by outside vendors. Lemons happen and engineers sometimes overthink and underthink.

 

[Racer56]

I have a 19 gmc sierra 1500 and will be buying a 25 Denali 1500 in May. Great trucks, especially the new generation. Can't wait to have Super cruise!

 

[NicPaus]

We keep all our fobs in a faraday box, as well as the spares in a similar box within the safe.

Do you not think it makes a difference?

View attachment 1487434 View attachment 1487435

They broke my window and plugged into the OB2 port and away they went.


Those box's work if they are using a signal extender to take them.

Those are the 2 ways they have been taking the push button start trucks.

Where did you buy your diesel for 8k off? I have found 4500 off on diesel for Chevy 2500HD. But the one I liked sold already. Hoping to get my insurance check next week.

 

[SFV2RVR]

I have a 19 gmc sierra 1500 and will be buying a 25 Denali 1500 in May. Great trucks, especially the new generation. Can't wait to have Super cruise!

I just bought this exact truck. I replaced my 2020 Sierra Denali. The Supercruise is the shit!

 

[Racer56]

I just bought this exact truck. I replaced my 2020 Sierra Denali. The Supercruise is the shit!

Looking good! can't wait to get mine.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

If you get a GMC 1500 Duramax, look for the Max Tow option, comes with better rear end and better gearing for towing and better spring package. You'll probably still want airbags to combat the squat if you have a decent amount of tongue weight. But they are great trucks.

 

[NicPaus]

A 24' travel trailer should be in the 5k lb range empty. The short beds are 5.5'. And shorter wheel base. I think any of the trucks Chevy, Ford , Dodge or Tundra would easily handle it. In the wind the 6.5' bed and longer wheel base would help. Finding a 6.5' bed is a little harder.

If I go back to a half ton I would get 6.5' bed with max tow. The 5.3 2018 I had would handle a 24' travel trailer easily. Friend has a F150 with the 5.5 bed and tows a 8k lb travel trailer. Only complaint is when it's windy out.

The little Duramax is your best bet for fuel mileage. If mileage is no concern the 6.2.

 

[Paradox]

They broke my window and plugged into the OB2 port and away they went.


Those box's work if they are using a signal extender to take them.

Those are the 2 ways they have been taking the push button start trucks.

Where did you buy your diesel for 8k off? I have found 4500 off on diesel for Chevy 2500HD. But the one I liked sold already. Hoping to get my insurance check next week.

It was at Tustin GMC. They had a few of them advertised for $4 to $5k off and the one I bought at $10k off. All of them come with BS add ons (like window/Cat edging, GPS tracking, etc.) however, I was able to get them to remove (not charge for) the biggest one which brought my net savings to roughly $8k below MSRP. That said, it came with a wheel/tire package I could have done without. Added plus though, they gave me $3k for my leased Tacoma (which I had prepaid) that I was going to return and would have had to pay a $350 disposition fee and some extra mileage costs.

if you have the time, I would watch their web page. They had a ton of them and I was told they sell in excess of 400 vehicles a month.