The 2019 GMC Sierra's Tailgate!

[two_bit_score]

Most larger dealerships have two very different sides. The retail side and the fleet side. I recommend anyone looking for a real truck to stay out of the showroom and make an appointment with the fleet department.

 

[4570Man]

When shopping for trucks a few years back, I was annoyed that almost everything on the lot had that short 5.5' bed. I figured that maybe people bought them for towing, then noticed that most of them had no tow package and the wrong gearing to even be useful for towing. So I was left wondering who buys all those short bed trucks with pitiful tow ratings. I came to the conclusion most people are buying/using them as cars and want the short bed to fit in their garage. They sure ride comfortable, like an old body-on-frame full size car. Anyhow, I had to work hard to find something with a usable bed and tow package, which seemed opposite of my expectations for truck shopping.

I was looking at the Dodge 4500 trucks because they’re one of the few trucks actually built for work. I ended up buying a way cheaper Chevy 3500hd project truck instead.

 

[Oldoak]

When shopping for trucks a few years back, I was annoyed that almost everything on the lot had that short 5.5' bed. I figured that maybe people bought them for towing, then noticed that most of them had no tow package and the wrong gearing to even be useful for towing. So I was left wondering who buys all those short bed trucks with pitiful tow ratings. I came to the conclusion most people are buying/using them as cars and want the short bed to fit in their garage. They sure ride comfortable, like an old body-on-frame full size car. Anyhow, I had to work hard to find something with a usable bed and tow package, which seemed opposite of my expectations for truck shopping.

Most larger dealerships have two very different sides. The retail side and the fleet side. I recommend anyone looking for a real truck to stay out of the showroom and make an appointment with the fleet department.

Precisely why I always order a new truck equipped exactly like I want it rather than trying to find one on the dealer's lot when I am in the market for a new truck.


A pretty simple solution.............:confused3:

 

[Jstpssng]

When shopping for trucks a few years back, I was annoyed that almost everything on the lot had that short 5.5' bed. I figured that maybe people bought them for towing, then noticed that most of them had no tow package and the wrong gearing to even be useful for towing. So I was left wondering who buys all those short bed trucks with pitiful tow ratings. I came to the conclusion most people are buying/using them as cars and want the short bed to fit in their garage. They sure ride comfortable, like an old body-on-frame full size car. Anyhow, I had to work hard to find something with a usable bed and tow package, which seemed opposite of my expectations for truck shopping.

I think that you are right. Years ago somebody decided that what we drove is bad and everybody should drive small cars; which started people looking at truck based vehicles. OTOH in another thread I questioned the safety of carrying things such as propane and gasoline on those racks which go into a receiver hitch. That small 5' bed is more than adequate for that and other things which really shouldn't be carried in the passenger cabin... muddy dogs, for instance.

 

[crazyal]

I'm thinking you best keep it locked as thieves are going to love walking away with a part that expensive. May not be able to sell it as scrap like a cat but it'll still have value. I'm sure it's designed for the guy who waxes the inside of his bed and cringes when he has to put a bag of trash back there.

 

[Industrial Toys]

There was a big crime wave of tailgate thefts around Ontario some years back

Or, buy a cab-n-chassis and get out the skill saw!

 

[4570Man]

I saw a post on Facebook about putting a hose clamp around the hinge. It still wouldn’t be high security but they probably aren’t carrying a screw driver or wanting to deal with unscrewing it.

 

[two_bit_score]

Precisely why I always order a new truck equipped exactly like I want it rather than trying to find one on the dealer's lot when I am in the market for a new truck.


A pretty simple solution.............:confused3:

Do you go through the fleet dept? It’s faster, cheaper and easier than dealing with a Showroom Sam.


.

 

[Oldoak]

Do you go through the fleet dept? It’s faster, cheaper and easier than dealing with a Showroom Sam.
.

No, I get a discount code from the company I retired from and go on-line and know exactly what I am going to pay before ever setting foot inside the dealership. All I do is take the print-out with me and no haggling with "Showroom Sams".

 

[two_bit_score]

No, I get a discount code from the company I retired from and go on-line and know exactly what I am going to pay before ever setting foot inside the dealership. All I do is take the print-out with me and no haggling with "Showroom Sams".

You definitely want to avoid that guy!

 

[timswi]

All this slamming of 1500 short beds--Ugh. I use my truck as a truck...Hauled a ton of wood pellets in the bed, tow a car trailer and an 8000# TT with mine. I'm looking at 2500's for necessity but still will be a short bed. I can haul 10-12 ft stuff in my bed with no problem, if I need more, I take the trailer. My needs necessitate a crew cab which makes the 8 foot bed trucks difficult in the city parking wise...I can't justify buying a car just for my 70 mile commute when my current truck does just fine...And a 2500 will do the same. Some of us are rural folk but work in the city so there's a compromise sometimes. Geez.

 

[4570Man]

I think any pickup bed is a complete joke. They would be destroyed in an hour with what I do with my truck. My Suburban is way more useful than a 1/2 ton pickup.

 

[two_bit_score]

I think any pickup bed is a complete joke. They would be destroyed in an hour with what I do with my truck. My Suburban is way more useful than a 1/2 ton pickup. View attachment 587240View attachment 587241View attachment 587242

You got me on that one!

 

[nikerret]

All I can think about is all the moving parts that are going to not line up right after they get caked in dust and rust. Neat gimmick, but a detriment to the overall functionality and longevity of a truck.

 

[4570Man]

All I can think about is all the moving parts that are going to not line up right after they get caked in dust and rust. Neat gimmick, but a detriment to the overall functionality and longevity of a truck.

Imagine what a minor hit to the back end is going to cost.

 

[ovrszd]

Should be perfect for the mall-crawlers & suburbanites. :laughing:

Totally. Trucks are so domesticated.

GM is the leader in that. "Real people, not actors".