ive had a few new gm trucks. best one was a 94 2500 light duty (heavy half ton). didn't need a step ladder to get in. no running boards or steps needed. on a trip driving 75 0r more got between 16 and 21 for mileage. speedo only went to 85 so lots of times you never knew how fast your going. very few problems. original clutch lasted to 175000 ,with a snowplow and pulling an 18 ft tool trailer and a 14 ft dump trailer. I had a 04 duramax and it had a lot of little problems. fuel lines and fuel cooler rusted right out. had to change all of them and the brake lines also. kept locking with the keys in the ignition. had to reprogram. I had a 92 that kept having manual transmission problems. now I have a 17 hd 6.0 gas. its so high need a stepladder to reach anything in the engine compartment. even to check oil.to put anything in the box you have to lift it almost over you head. tailgate height is 6 inches higher than my 04 duramax which was 6 inches higher than my 94. where is gm going? to the moon? if you buying a truck to haul stuff, you had better eat your Wheaties in order to be able to lift that high. they call this progress! they must be making trucks to just look at. as far as using a new hd for work they are useless.have to climb a mountain to get in, carry a stepladder to access the box. crank the trailer four feet up to hook it up. every time you get a new truck you have to get a new(very expensive) topper. old one wont fit new truck.