2011 Silverado HD

[George2615]

Maybe some one can comment on the use of 4X4 Chevys for the comparisons against 2WD Fords and Dodges. I don't understand that.

I looked at the link quickly but did not see any reference to whether any of the trucks compared were 2 or 4 WD.

All I can say is that IF the link posted is comparing the new 2011 Chevy 2500 as a 4x4 compared to Ford and Dodge 2WD's then they must have done something right .

4x4's usually have a lower tow capacity than 2WD due to the extra weight of the 4x4 drive train parts and IF the poster is correct that doesn't say much for Ford and Dodge since their 4x4's would have less tow capacity.

 

[Duffster]

It is not a straight up comparison either way since it is the '10 Ford.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I did not say it would not work. I said its no comparison to a solid front axle. 7.5' 8' plows around here are on 1/2 tons. 8' is on the light side of things for a 3/4 and 1 tons around here. Everyone runs Western and Boss V Plows that are 8' plus. We see very little Meyer, Curtis, and Blizzard plows.

I honestly think its the best looking truck and most capable thing put out by GM ever. They finally got the tow rating, chassis, GVWR, brakes, and accessory's right. If they could just get the front axle right and get rid of them big ugly square wheel wells and hide the frame while they were at it they would have hit the nail on the head.



Chris

It's been said that differences of opinion make for good horse races. I think that applies here.

To me, I guess I don't see the big deal if the front axle is independent as opposed to a live axle as long as the IFS can handle the same load that the live axle does. If I'm reading the article correctly it appears that even though the GM has IFS, it can still handle the heaviest duty plows. As for me personally I wouldn't run a 9 foot plow on a pickup no matter what it can handle, 8 foot is about ideal for me. Around here things are a little more compact in some areas and a 9 foot blade is often just too big and either can't get into some tight places or is overly large for transport. Honestly I don't intend to put a plow on any truck I own. My ATV does an awesome job plowing snow 95% of the time and is super fast. For the remainder of the times where I wait too long to plow when we're getting a lot of the real heavy wet stuff I've got my tractor to get the job done. I think I may even look for a 3 point blower in the off season as there are likely to be some used ones cheap since we can't seem to get any snow this year. The 3 point blower on the back and the FEL on the front would make super quick work of my driveway and around the house in general and I can't imagine a pickup doing the job better anyway.

The other thing that I like about the IFS on the GM's is the ride quality. I understand and appreciate that if something is just a work truck you may not care about ride quality. For me, my truck is pretty much a recreational vehicle 95% of the time and only gets used for work very infrequently so ride quality is very important to me. The only thing I routinely tow is a two place enclosed snowmobile trailer. I don't even drive my truck to work as I have a take home vehicle from work. So to me I wouldn't consider a truck that doesn't ride comparably to what I have now, it's the biggest reason why I own a half ton truck to begin with. I actually am interested in this new release if it can maintain ride quality and still pull like a diesel powerhouse it might be nice to have around for towing my sled trailer and occasionally moving my tractor. It looks like they've found a way to make the emissions equipment generate better fuel economy with these new diesels as opposed to the overall decline in fuel economy that all my friends have seen in their diesel trucks.

Oh and just in the interest of full disclosure, I've had a lot of good luck with GM products. I currently drive a 2009 Chevy 1500 crew cab Z71 and my wife drives a 2008 Honda CR-V. I've not had any repairs in excess of $500 in any Gm truck that I've owned in the last 14 years. I really like my current truck. With that said, I almost bought a Toyota Tundra instead of my current truck. I really liked the Toyota and the Chevy about equally and thought that each truck had some advantages over the others. I really liked the power of the Toyota and its engine in general, but preferred the ride of the Chevy for example. With all of that said though what I'm getting at is that I'm not really brand loyal. If I think something else is better then I'll buy it. Sure I've had good luck with GM and that weighs in on my buying decisions but if I liked a Ford or Dodge or Toyota or even a Nissan better I'd buy it. I do think that GM has a hit on their hands with this new truck, it's probably the best chance of pulling a buyer like myself that wouldn't mind a little better pulling power and towing fuel economy away from another half ton truck. It is interesting to see everyone's point of view though.

 

[Ford850]

The 2011 Ford Super Duty Trucks - Coming Spring 2010 | The Official Site of Ford Super Duty Trucks

 

[nmu98]

The 2011 Ford Super Duty Trucks - Coming Spring 2010 | The Official Site of Ford Super Duty Trucks

I cannot wait!

 

[radman1]

I cannot wait!

I am a ford guy, but that new diesel has me sitting on the sideline for the first 1-2 years.

 

[nmu98]

I would not dive into the diesel either. I want the Gas 6.2......... AND I still hope to wait to Job 2 or 3....

 

[jayste]

I am a ford guy, but that new diesel has me sitting on the sideline for the first 1-2 years.

I would too! Take it from a guy who bought a first year 6.0 powerstroke! I bought it in 2006 and it's a 2003...yes I was in the "slow lane" on the information highway! I've not had any real issues with it but I've tried to sell it and people seem to only dwell on the year and engine thing!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am a ford guy, but that new diesel has me sitting on the sideline for the first 1-2 years.

Same thing here. I have done that with all my vehicles and its been a good move on the most part.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would too! Take it from a guy who bought a first year 6.0 powerstroke! I bought it in 2006 and it's a 2003...yes I was in the "slow lane" on the information highway! I've not had any real issues with it but I've tried to sell it and people seem to only dwell on the year and engine thing!

World of difference in peoples eyes when dealing with the 6.0 My late 04 has different wiring under the hood than the 03 and early 04's. I could not tell the difference but the guys in the know can tell before the hood is fully open.

Chris

 

[crbr]

Maybe you are the one who should listen a little better. Everything I have read is they are only paying back a very small part of the money given back. Of the 50 billion plus given they are only paying back 6.7 billion. The way the bankrupcy was handled was really not right either. Basically a gift to the unions. Bond holders and other secured investors were stuck with both GM and Chrysler. GM is now government owned and will be for a very long time. I also will not be buying anything GM or Chrysler due to the way it was handled.

Morning Report: GM Will Pay Back Loan Early; TARP Likely To Remain Through 2011 - Planet Money Blog : NPR

Bondholder furious over GM bankruptcy amFIX - CNN.com Blogs

GM Bankruptcy Watch: The ?Main Street? Bondholders - Rick Newman (usnews.com)

Thank you. Seems like I have heard this previously.

A dose of the real deal. It's still a bottomless pit. Talk to the O in D.C. now..... He's your new GM CEO.

Don't get mad at me. I didn't vote for him...

 

[JasG]

As for the IFS it has its place. 1/2 ton trucks! If you want a good ride buy a Lincoln. Put a plow or use a truck like the guys around here do and it does not hold a candle to the solid front axles like Ford and Dodge use.

Chris

I have many friends that plow. I do agree with you on this. It's one thing if you have static load (winch, push bar etc.) A good plow like a Boss with the V set up does seem to wear the front end out. The IFS as the load is added the front squats and pushed the wheels out. When you drop the plow the wheels come in. You can be moving to minimize the stress when going forward, but lifting the plow, most of the time you are stopped. I do know a few people who had front end issues at 60000 miles. Now these are guys who plow a lot.
Hopefully Chevy has worked out there own tranny issues. I can understand why, when they owned Allison, it seemed like there non allison didn't hold up to plowing. I have heard the last couple years that may not be an issue now. The company I work for after 20 years of having Fords, and all but 1 a Diesel, 1 year ago switched to a Chevy 3500 gas. This truck is used manly to get parts, and plow the parking lot and a hand full of driveways. It will be interesting to see how well it hold up witha 9' Boss on the front.

 

[oldtractors]

Chevy screwed up the GVW on the duallys, just like Ford. Mine has a GVW of 11,400. I can pull a bumper pull or gooseneck trailer with 2 7000 lb axles (GVW = 14,000). That is a total of 25,400 which means no CDL required. Now the GVW of the truck is more than 12,000 you need a CDL with that common trailer.