In the market for a TRUCK.. can you truck guys lend some advice?`

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Truck guys..


I dont know anything about trucks and such but ive come to a point to where it would be in my interest to buy one.

the basics that are a MUST.

- must have a crew cab for my new baby on the way.

- MUST be able to tow my camaro and trailer.. wont be that much towing but i want that option.

- must be good for my work, hauling paint, small ladders and such.. not the huge construction ladders.. smaller stuff..

- must have somewhat deicent gas mileage.. or i will resort to Mad Max tactics.. so no duallys.

- and finally must be alittle wife friendly.

id like to stay bowtie also.. but i like the dodge trucks also.. lol

so you guys please tell me your opinions on your trucks!

thanks guys!!!

[DAWG]

I got a silverado 2500 with all the above and love it.
its a 1999 and still runs like a top.
my wife drives it too and she is a real short girl.

[McssGmachine]

I have a 02' GMC Sierra ext cab that I bought brand new. It has 87k on it with now problems at all. I towed my Monte with it several times. I was looking at the new Sierra today, Man I want one so bad!!!

[ironworks]

I'm a superduty guy, lots of room for tall guys like me, 6'6"

Rodger

[novanutcase]

Don't listen to Rodger! You need a rope ladder to get into his truck!:lol:

Just Kidding! Why not buy a 70's crew cab truck that doesn't run and have the entire drive train yanked out and replaced. You're not looking for a truck to show right? You want a nice cruiser that you can pull your car to shows with but has the street manners and room for your family? 70's CC trucks are relatively cheap and if it isn't running even better! You can drop a fresh driveline of your choice that you will know is reliable and brand, spankin' new!

John

[ProdigyCustoms]

Are we talking new? Barely used? Older? To be honest, I am a Bowtie guy through and through, but all the new trucks are great. Obviously a 2500 makes the best tow rig, but A 1500 would do what you want to do. I use a 2500 Duramax to pull my closed trailers, but I pull a open trailer with Lisa's Avalanche often (like next week for Year One I will have all of them going), pulls fine, and she loves the "car like" trucky feel. If the wife is going to drive it, and if the bed size is not a big issue (re, needeing a large bed), I would look seriously at a Avalanche. The shorter bed makes it mall freindly, and she can park it straight in instead of backing in like you have to with a short bed crew cab.

[TravisB]

I have a 94 dually bagged on 22's it will pull the boat but its worthless for anyhting else other than looking cool.

When it come to actually pulling, nothing will out pull a super duty IMO.....not trying ot start anything thats why the IMO is there!:thumbsup:

[almcbri]

I think the question would be whether or not you want a diesel or gas burner?

I have an 03" chevy z71-5.3L vortec that pulls great for a 1/2 ton pick-up. I have pulled cars and trucks with it and it does great for a 1/2 ton.

As far as a diesel truck. I drove a dodge w/ a cummins for 4 years and absolutely loved it. The only thing with a dodge 2500, is the ride quality. They don't ride great, but the trucks are tough.

My father has a crew can 2500 duramax. Great truck and plenty of power and is a comfortable truck to drive.

Ford powerstrokes, not a fan of the engine. My family all owns contruction companies and we have ran various trucks, and we have had a series of problems. Nice riding trucks, but that doesn't help make it go.


It looks as though you don't need a heavy hauling truck. I would go with a crew cab chevy 1/2 ton or a dodge crew cab. Like Frank mentioned, the avalanche is a family friendly type truck as well.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

im going for something used... the duramax and avalanche sound nice..

i was wondering how well the AVA pulls..

[RussMS]

No big preference on the brand. I think if you plan on doing any long range hauling, you should get a diesel.

My 2 cents anyway.

[mdprovee]

I have a Dodge Ram 1500 with the 4 doors. Great to get kids in and out, that's why we bought it. But it rides like a truck. The Hemi gets about 14 mpg.

I had a 98 chevy prior to the dodge. Much better ride quality & milage.

[fsstnotch]

I prefer powerstroke. But do not buy a 6.0 powerstroke. Plagued with problems! Even the diesel mechanics at the ford dealership will tell you not to buy one. I have a 2000 7.3 Crew cab 4x4. It pulls great, has the towing package with brake controller and everything. about 18mpg highway and 14 city. My wife loves driving it, she's "on top of the world" in it!

I'd think the AVA is more in your ballpark for what you want it for though. If not that, then a 1500 will be more suitable than a 3/4 or 1 ton. Especially if you want to stay GM. Gotta love them new TT powerstrokes though! haha

Josh

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

hmmm...

anyone have any info on some SUVs?

like the Tahoe and such?.. any pullable?

[fsstnotch]

I also have a 2003 EB Expedition 4x4. It has the 5.4 V8 and towing package. I pull mostly with the superduty but do on accasion pull with the Expedition as well. I've pulled an 18ft car trailer with a lifted 79 bronco on it about 400 miles. I averaged around 15mpg all on the highway. this is my wifes vehicle. it gets poor mpg!!! About 12city and 15-17 hw. About the best thing I like about it is the A4x4 function! You can nearly stand on the gas pedal in heavy snow and not break traction! It's awesome.

[tyoneal]

I have a 97 2500 4X4 Suburban.

Awesome truck. I pull car trailers, Tractors etc. It will do it all. I like having the bed closed in because I can lock up anything inside. I put a rubber bed liner in it so anything greasy, muddy, bloody etc. won't be difficult to clean up. (BTW: for DEER HUNTING!)

It will haul 6 easily and if you decide you need more, there is an extra seat you can put in so you can haul 8 plus all their stuff on vacation or to and from the airport.

My wife is small and she likes it because it is easy to park and makes a good kid and grocery getter or Home depot "Stuff" getter.


I've had the pickups, but having things enclosed had been a lot of help. If I need an open bed, I just pull a trailer.

Hope this helps,

Ty

[96z28ss]

I have an Avalanche and I use it to pull an open car trailer and it pulls it no problem. I also like the fack I can fold the rear seats down and open the back up and have plenty of room for sheets of plywood.

[jeff hanson]

For everything you mentioned that you want it to do, like room for the family, room for your job, occasional pulling, nice for your wife, and these days most of all, mileage, you can't beat a Chevy/GMC 1/2 ton crew or Avalanche. They have excellent ride and handling, good towing capability, and aren't sitting up to high for the wife. The Tahoe/Suburban route would also work well, you just would have to be alot more careful with your job. The truck beds are nice for anything and everything. I am currently driving a 07 new body style crew cab GMC sierra 1/2 ton crew and love it. I had the old body style before this one and they are both great trucks. I pull a 22' enclosed trailer with no problems. I personally feel that they are a little under rated as far as towing capabilities. If you're going used, I'd look for a 03 to 06, they made some nice minor changes in 03 on the trucks. I should probably mention that I sell these things for a living so I'm probably a little bias.lol. However, I have driven all of the competition and they don't even come close to these trucks ride quality. I should also mention that a 2500 will indeed pull better, but you completely lose any hopes of decent fuel mileage(except diesel) even when not towing, and they do drive a little more "trucky", something your wife will not be thrilled with. Good luck and hold out for the cream puff!

[130fe]

I have an Avalanche and I use it to pull an open car trailer and it pulls it no problem. I also like the fack I can fold the rear seats down and open the back up and have plenty of room for sheets of plywood.

I also have an 04 avalanche and it is great. The interior space is great and with the folding down back seat it can provide alot of space. I don't use mine as a "work" truck per say, but if you don't need an 8 ft bed all of the time, then look into them. It has the 5.3 in it and it has pulled an open car trailer several times on 500 mile trip without problems.

[TA219]

I have a 01 Tahoe with the 5.3 and it is a champ in my opinion.

I just got done moving in to a new house and i was able to tow everything easily, if your load is really heavy put it in tow/haul mode and it will hold you in gear a little longer and give you firmer shifts.

I had to go to the dump with the trailer and they weigh you before / after and i learned that with an empty trailor i was weighing in at ~7450 (truck and trailor) and i hardly knew the traior was back there.

When i was pulling the Camaro (full weight minus front end sheet metal) i actually had to stop on a hill to double check something and i was plesantly suprised at how easily it got going from a dead stop on a hill.

A buddy of mine pulled a rock crawler jeep with a heavy trailor attached to the back of his Silverado SS (6.0l) and he didnt have any problems but he did eventually trade up to a diesel because the MPG was horrible when towing (and he was towing alot)

I really dont think you can go wrong with a 5.3 or better :thumbsup:

You might do some reading on which years are better, i have heard that 01+ got better heads and it feels that way when i compare my Tahoe to my parents 00 Silverado w/ 5.3... i think they may have seen an engine improvement in 04 but i am not certain.

EDIT- I just read Jeff Hansons post and that reminds me that he is 100% right, the 03s did see some neat improvements and new gadgets, the part i REALLY wish i had was that double din bose radio. If you find one with a bose sound system you can go on e-bay and pick up the factory navigation and an antenna and it is pretty much a plug and play deal!!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

i was REALLY wanting to know someone with ^ setup.. kinda puts my mind to rest on that.. since im not going to tow alot.. just mostly work stuff and the occational haul of my camaro..

i can see getting the dually for the bonnie might kill the little tahoe!... lol

[HRBS]

I may get burned for this post, but if i read you right, your looking for mostly a daily driver that can occasionally fit the kids, ladders and tow?
If so check out the Toyota Tacoma Crew 4x4.
Its got plenty of room (full 4 drs), tows 6500lbs (plenty for the camaro on an open trailer), and gets 18 mpg.
This is my daily driver and i use it to pull stuff around the shop with an open trailer etc.
I also have a 2006 3/4 ton Suburban 4x4 and a 28ft box trailer for when i need it. (comes in handy for long trips with finished cars):lol:

[ZZ3ElCamino]

Believe it or not, I would buy a new Tundra with the 5.7L over an F-150 or a Silverado. The Tundra is flat out a beast compared to the other two. I have driven all three and loved the Tundra. Even though it is one of the nasty imports :lol:

[rocketman]

I'm looking at a 07 Chevy 1/2 crew cab with the 6.0 engine(vortec max package) the new is very nice that engine will pull about anything.with in reason for a 1/2