Thoughts on truck selection...

[Diamondpilot]

Your first post sums up my views of the offerings to a tee. I know they all have the strong weak / point fight it comes down to which one has the features you like and will fit your needs the best. I had been Ford loyal most of my life owning 1 GM truck, 1 Dodge, and something like 10 Fords but just in the last month went with a Nissan Titan. Simple fact is I like the features, styling, and I felt it was the best offering in a Gas 1/2 ton at this time. Many others have different views. I still own 2 Ford diesels, a 04 and a 06 and love them also.

At the end of the day its you driving it and your money.


Chris

 

[shakin]

how could i have forgotten about yota. if it's a gas job and towing capacity you want the stats are in favor of yota. though they are a pig at the pump.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

if Chevy had a decent site that actually listed more then the standard features then we could compare that too.

The Maximum height for all Single Rear Wheel GMC pickup depending on model (from 1500 - 3500HD - SRW) is given as 76.4" for 2008 and 76.0" for any 3500HD Dual Rear Wheel. Don't have Chev specs, but don't see why they would be different. As others have posted the 4x4 will sits highest, so if you don't need 4x4 the measurement will be lower.

 

[jcmseven]

I know the GM trucks will fit into the parking deck. My friend has a GMC and he gets in easily. His 2500 GMC is about 3" lower at the roofline than mine and mine clears the entrance bump by less than 1", and will not clear any of the turns (I have to back out of the deck). In fact, the 2500 GMC my friend has is less tall than my other buddy's KR 150 2008 with the 20" wheels, and it's a half ton.

I also was curious to know with the GM product, GMC v. Chevrolet?? Is there anything with the potential Chap 11 of this company that would make one favor a Chevy due to GMC potentially going away??

John M

 

[Charlesaf3]

govt was trying to get them to lose GMC, but purportedly GM won that and will keep both.

Think the odds of GM going bankrupt are pretty high, but doubt customers will really notice in truth.

I love my 2008 toyota tundra. No problems parking it anywhere yet. And its pretty good on gas

 

[Turbys_1700]

Here is a completely different take on the situation.

My current truck, an F350 dually 4x4 crew cab, is an absolute beast to drive and park. No way is it a great commuter vehicle but it pulls my 5th wheel camper great. Just like you, I don't tow that often but love the stability and load handling capabilities of the truck.

With that said, I would consider keeping your current ride and purchase a commuter vehicle to drive back and forth to work. The advantages are increased fuel economy and much easier egress in and out of the parking deck while still having the F250 for the occasional towing duties. The only disadvantage that I can see is the added cost of the second vehicle.

The only reason that I mention this possible alternative is that I am going purchase a commuter car to drive back and forth to work but keep the dually for my towing needs. The added cost of insurance, taxes, tags, and maintenance for the dually, at least in my opinion, is worth it.

Just food for thought.

 

[jcmseven]

Darris,

I appreciate your thoughts. Unfortunately, the wife has said "one vehicle for you, sir." I already have an F150 my dad lent me to drive if I did not want to drive my big truck. It is high mileage and he wants it back to use on the "farm" (They really don't have a farm, just think so). Part of my owning a new vehicle is enjoying driving it the 80 miles round trip to and from work. I found with my dad's loaner, that the very expensive truck I bought sat more than I wanted it to. This seemed wasteful to me. If I trade often, the least I felt I could do is put a lot of miles on the vehicle I purchased, thus my wife and I agreed on one "do it all" vehicle for me. I have owned Ford's all my driving life. Interestingly, when I look at my current "perceived" need--which seems to change moment to moment--Ford does not offer something that fits exactly with my current need. The only other issue is that I really doubt I would find someone in 20,000, 30,000 or more miles to give me the same pro-rated offer I am being offered by my neighbor right now. I am thusly faced with a decision to either trade now when the deals are quite good, or keep the truck and plan to keep it a while. My neighbor has said repeatedly he wants the truck and I know he has the means to buy it, a boon in this economy. I might end up keeping it, but I would say the chances are far greater I will trade and get my dad's loaner back to him so he will quit calling me about it. I will keep all posted, and all the comments have been very helpful.

John M

 

[nmu98]

JCM
I have a 2008 GMC 2500 4 door with the duramax. I had a hard time making up my mind when buying the truck. I really liked the ford interior better than the GMC. There was more room, and I felt more upright than laid out. I am 6'3" and the leg room of the Ford was better. The metal on the body was thicker, and I liked the solid front axle.

When it came time to buy, I ended up in a GMC. Why... The 6.4 was brand new when I was looking. I already had a 6.0 and was not going through that again. Back in the day... I had a 2003 dmax, and loved the truck. So I went back.

I really like this truck alot. I can get 22-23mpg if i drive right on long trips, and I have power. I still hate the torsion bar sprung front end. I hate the thin metal body. I hate the doors squeeking.... But I like the truck...

I will tell you that my next truck will be a Ford. I hate the simple stuff that happens to GM trucks.... Like the tranny cooler lines that leak. Itrs been a problem since 2005, and its still an issue now.

I look at the styling of the Ford, and I like it... I don't want the 6.4, and I will not buy the first year of the new motor... but in 4 more years, I will probably go to Ford to get more of a truck.... If for no other reason than they have not taken tax payer money right now. I think GM has burried itself with crap, and I want nothing to do with them, or the long list of POS dealers in my area.

Hope that helps...

 

[CrownHawg]

Sounds to me you are trying to justify driving your HAULER as a COMMUTER. I assume you are doing well (trade every 2 yrs) and can afford what you want (and need). I was in a situation similar to yours about a year ago. I moved (well my wife moved while I was deployed) 30 miles away from my workplace. I have a 2004 GMC 2500HD /Duramax and could not see driving this beast every day, putting unnecessary miles on it not to mention skyrocketing diesel prices. I still needed the towing capacity of the truck, but not everyday. I simply found an affordable, comfortable CAR I could drive back and forth to work and save the truck for it's intended purpose. I would hate to think I had to park my HD in a parking deck everyday, it would look like a demolition derby in no time.

Just my opinion of course, you should go with YOUR choice in the end. You are the one who will live with whatever you choose. (at least for 2 years)

 

[Builder]

I don't know how old the O/P is, but I can also tell you that "older" guys tend to drive GM's and Ford tends to appeal to younger guys. NOT ALWAYS, but in the majority of cases.

I think there is a marketing strategy here that is plainly obvious. Fords look like "lifted" trucks. They sit higher, they have big spring perch blocks and taller tires. 99% of their buyers will never need the axle articulation or fenderwell clearance Ford offers. They look baaaddd. I think this appeals to the younger macho, lifted truck guys. I was one of those guys and that used to really appeal to me, too. OTOH, GM's sit lower allowing easier ingress/egress and loading/unloading (hence less need for the Ford tailgate step).

Now that I'm an older "tough-guy" little more gray hair, but more wisdom, I appreciate the lower step height, better ride and the better/more reliable, more gears drivetrain with longer warranty. I also like to drink my coffee without wearing 1/2 of it. I like to step out of my truck, instead of jump out of my truck. My little kids can get in/out of my truck without rolling an ankle. I can get my tools out without a step ladder, yet I can still handle the typical off-road situations I see on the jobsite, some snow, etc. You have to ask yourself "How many times will I need the Ford's off road capability, and will this offset the advantages the GM has" ?

I think is what it boils down to. Ford also has a towing capacity advantage. The more I understand/read however, the less this advantage really is.

Most Ford guys would never be able to use the Ford's capability off road. Clearance wise-Ford beats GM. However, my GMC's locking rear would beat my Ford's feeble l/s in off road slippery situations. Also, my GM SRW rear is just bigger & strouter at 11.5". Fords would be better at clearing logs, creeks, etc. If I have to drive through relatively level slippery situations, with the same tires, the GM will beat the Ford easily because the rear in these HD's is an off-roaders dream. The IFS tends to hug minor-moderate imperfections in the ground while Ford's SFA will lift one tire in the air. I don't do all the sexy off-roading you see in the kids magazines. I do my off roading in snow or on a muddy building lot, to get firewood, drive across fields, etc., so Gm is actually a better truck off road for MY particular off-roading needs.

As you get older, have kids, etc., the GM's are more appealing. You become more conservative and less likely to be driving across rock-strewn gorges at 25MPH and more likely to spend most of your time commuting to work, towing a trailer on road and maybe doing a little 4x4 work off in the weeds, light mud, etc.