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 Chevy/Gmc's with the 3.0 diesel's are hard to beat for towing and fuel 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.

 

[Chili Palmer]

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. View attachment 1487529

Watch out for Tustin GMC - my son tried to buy a used truck from them. I went with him for support. When he agreed to the price I told the sales guy to show me the out the door price. He showed me the bottom price which was about $3k more than I calced. So I looked at the charges and saw $3000 for “additional”. I asked about the charge and he said it was for GPS. I told him that truck comes with OnStar and has nav, as well as CarPlay. I don’t want it. He said it was already installed. I told him to take it off or I won’t buy the truck. He walked out and was back in 30 seconds and said the manager won’t take it off. I said, okay fine, I’m out of here. And we walked out. He kept calling my son for a month to see if he was still interested in the truck. I’m glad they worked out for you. All I can say is F Tustin GMC!

Edit: Dutton Dave saw my vent that I had posted in here and let me know that he just received a super clean trade- in. The only thing it was missing was the Denali package and a sunroof. It was only about $1500 more than the other truck and was better equipped. I let my son know and he jumped on it.
Dutton Dave for the win!

 

[NicPaus]

A day late just left a Chevy dealership. Guy was signing papers on the truck I went for. $8500 off and diesel.

 

[NicPaus]

 

[Chili Palmer]

If you want a ½ ton white Denali with a 6.2. Costa Mesa GMC had one for about $65k plus fees. I almost did it, but the new V8 engines scare me. I’m still not sold on the 3.0 diesels yet.

New GMC Cars, Trucks & SUVs For Sale In Orange County

Search Costa Mesa GMC's online listings for a new or used GMC vehicle in the Orange County area.

www.costamesagmc.com

 

[River Dirt 2]

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.

View attachment 1487428

Good looking truck!
What shell is that and do you like it? what did they do with the rear view camera?
I have a 2020 and looking to add a shell

 

[Mini Kat]

I really don't want people trying to lowball me I know what I got.

 

[Paradox]

Watch out for Tustin GMC - my son tried to buy a used truck from them. I went with him for support. When he agreed to the price I told the sales guy to show me the out the door price. He showed me the bottom price which was about $3k more than I calced. So I looked at the charges and saw $3000 for “additional”. I asked about the charge and he said it was for GPS. I told him that truck comes with OnStar and has nav, as well as CarPlay. I don’t want it. He said it was already installed. I told him to take it off or I won’t buy the truck. He walked out and was back in 30 seconds and said the manager won’t take it off. I said, okay fine, I’m out of here. And we walked out. He kept calling my son for a month to see if he was still interested in the truck. I’m glad they worked out for you. All I can say is F Tustin GMC!

Edit: Dutton Dave saw my vent that I had posted in here and let me know that he just received a super clean trade- in. The only thing it was missing was the Denali package and a sunroof. It was only about $1500 more than the other truck and was better equipped. I let my son know and he jumped on it.
Dutton Dave for the win!

It was the GPS that they did not charge me for. It made a significant difference in the net pricing.

 

[Paradox]

Good looking truck!
What shell is that and do you like it? what did they do with the rear view camera?
I have a 2020 and looking to add a shell

It’s an ARE and it’s decent. Unfortunately it blocks the bed view camera however, the hitch and other cameras are not impacted.

Even though the bed is factory spayed, I added a molded bed protection mat and I installed a full width in bed lockable storage box made out of material similar to that used on heavy duty pelican cases. Great for storing hitches, tools and the like when on the road.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

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.

Except the seats are the worst in class and it’s not even close.

 

[NicPaus]

Went to 2 chevy dealerships today. Was going to check out Ford but they closed earlier than I thought.

Chevy for some reason the dealership doesn't order many half tons with a standard bed 6'6". Hundreds of no beds in stock only 2 with a standard. Not sure if i want to go back to a 1500. They did have $8-10k off msrp on them. Which puts me a little lower out the pocket from what insurance wants to give me.

 

[satellitemike]

Went to 2 chevy dealerships today. Was going to check out Ford but they closed earlier than I thought.

Chevy for some reason the dealership doesn't order many half tons with a standard bed 6'6". Hundreds of no beds in stock only 2 with a standard. Not sure if i want to go back to a 1500. They did have $8-10k off msrp on them. Which puts me a little lower out the pocket from what insurance wants to give me.

8 to 10k off, where?

 

[NicPaus]

8 to 10k off, where?

Chevy of Carson. They were selling while I was there. Next dealership was dead. 10 salesman waiting for customers. They said they would match prices when I mentioned the deals.

Just be ready to walk if they try and add anything extra. The truck I wanted they took off the extras. I talked to the Guy for a while buying it and he showed me the otd.

 

[~JM~]

Any updates on the variable rate lifters failing on the GM gas engines?

 

[CLdrinker]

Is this what you’re looking for?

2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Crew Cab 4WD - $63,370

Save $12,967 on a used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD near you. Search over 37,500 listings to find the best Apple Valley, CA deals. We analyze millions of used cars daily.

www.cargurus.com

 

[NicPaus]

Is this what you’re looking for?

2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Crew Cab 4WD - $63,370

Save $12,967 on a used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD near you. Search over 37,500 listings to find the best Apple Valley, CA deals. We analyze millions of used cars daily.

www.cargurus.com

Similar. The one I would of bought today. Was sterling grey metallic, leather with a front bench. Msrp around 74k. Found a few of them with diesel. Was looking for gas. But now thinking I should probably just get diesel to switch it up. With the 8500 off was not much more than gas.

The find my chevy truck app is super easy to use. More Diesels available how I like it. A white trail boss would work also. Victorville has 1 for 11k off but it's cloth. I would do cloth at that price.

 

[NicPaus]

 

[rivermobster]

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.

To answer your question...

I think it's pretty well known the Dodge/Cummins combo is probably the most reliable drive train. But it's also pretty well known the truck it's self will fall apart!

Next would be the Ford/Powerstroke combo. I Personally like the fact that they make the power train themselves.

GM is always on the bottom of my personal list. If I had to choose GM or Toyota, I'd absolutely go with the Toyota.

Towing is a whole different issue...

You Have to scale a vehicle/trailer to know if you're going to exceed the GCVWR. Towing capacity is just for advertising purposes. Lots of homework is necessary to figure out the towing issue. Also, the longer the wheelbase, the better.

 

[wishiknew]

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.

call jason holley

 

[NicPaus]

call jason holley

I have been messaging him. He does have a few coming in that I like. Bought 2 trucks previously from him and easy deals. He doesn't have exactly what I was looking for.

Dealer I went to today I have used for service quite a few times. They sent me there special flier. $8500+ off was best price I have seen. Exactly what I wanted but diesel. With the discount got my wheels spinning on just buying a diesel.

The 2nd dealer I went to I have bought trucks there long time ago. They had the exact truck I missed out on on there site but was still in transit. They wouldn't talk pricing until it arrives. But said they would match it.

 

[attitude]

Any updates on the variable rate lifters failing on the GM gas engines?

Lifters are still bad on 5.3 & 6.2. But now the 6.2 has a main bearing issue that is causing catastrophic failures.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/01/nhtsa-opens-investigation-regarding-gm-6-2l-v8-engine-failures/amp/

 

[HNL2LHC]

I really don't want people trying to lowball me I know what I got.

Looks like up in Wahiawa!!!!

 

[boatpi]

I’m not a Chevy guy because my purchases in the past I’ve always had issues with alternators starters, water pumps air conditioning compressors nothing last more than 70 500,000 miles

Time changes of course it would be very wise to drive that diesel half ton especially the 2025 model, which is greatly improved.