sheath

Love seeing trucks "working for a living".

Bummed for you. Hope you get resolution soon. Years ago I custom ordered a Lexus, and the same thing happened. It was a gift for my Mother and new Father-in-Law, so I was all over trying to get resolution. Frustrating situation to be in. Vehicle finally showed up, extremely late. Never could get a clear answer on what went wrong. I decided not to get involved with the order on this truck. I simply set a time limit as to when I'll accept delivery. If the deadline isn't met, I'll cancel the order, and keep my current truck until I find a suitable truck on a lot somewhere. Eventually we will get past this, but I've heard everything up to 3 years from now before we will get a "normalized" global supplier situation again. Probably in time for the next dock worker strike on the west coast... lol

Had a similar thing happen, but not a Chevy camera. We used PVC as a conduit to protect a video cable from wind and UV. It created some weird Video issues. Make sure the PVC you are using is grounded. The wind can generate static on the PVC pipe, that really screws with video. A few metal clamps around the PVC to the frame, with a screw through the clamp to the inside of the PCV so you get surface static off inside and out should do it. Hope this helps.

If you don't find what you need, you could always use some black shrink wrap to cover the exposed threads. That gives you lots of options for caps. I like those in the amazon link.

Similar, but not on the Chevy system. A few years back we used PVC pipe to run the video cable through. The area was really windy, and we didn't want the cable damaged. Problem was, the wind generated static electricity in the PVC, it would build up and create weird video issues. We ended up grounding the PVC to stop the issue. Might be worth trying to ground the PVC to the frame of the 5th wheel, if it isn't already. Probably a few metal clamps along the pipe would do. Cheap thing to try. Good luck, and happy trails.

double post... Sorry!

looking forward to this!

Great input. Thank you. Yeah, I have to dump the air bags and tire pressure substantially when not loaded. Otherwise I'd need a kidney belt... lol Happy Trails.

Did you notice any additional "bounce" at the rear of the truck with the airbags, when towing your 5th wheel? Reason for asking is, I have air bags on my ram, and the rear bounces more when towing heavy. There isn't a shock that will handle the additional bouncing for the Ram (tried a few). I still wouldn't tow without the airbags, as I can get the truck leveled like when not towing, so headlights are at the correct height (except when hitting bumps that cause the "bounce"... lol). Have a new 3500HD on order, so your input would be helpful. Thanks!

I used a version of the roller ball seat cushion on a really stiff motorcycle seat with great success. Might be something to consider. looked goofy as heck, but worked. https://www.amazon.com/Zento-Deals-Beaded-Comfort-Cushion/dp/B017WFF1OA Hope you can find comfort.

Based on your post I'd wait until at least 2024. I have a 2022 on order. If it gets delayed I'll cancel and wait a few years.

Something else to consider, for those of us cheap bastages. Chevy tows max capacity on 87 Octane. Ford tows max capacity on 93 Octane. That is a big difference in cost, when you also look at the lower fuel mileage. I'd be happy to find a gear that lets the Chevy cruise in the 4-5K rpm range on a heavy climb, and what ever speed that equates to, is how fast we'd go. All said, the Ford is one heck of a truck. Huge respect!

I thought the trailer was about 1 ton heavier for the Chevy as well, since it was a "Super Ike" test. I'd have to go back and watch them again, but I thought the Ford and Dodge trailers were just over 14,000 lbs, and the Chevy a bit over 16,000 lbs. If that is correct, that would definitely skew the results in doing direct comparisons. But definitely fits the theme of the "Super Ike" test. I like the way they do the testing, as it represents kind of a "worse case" scenario. Edit to add: went back to watch the videos. Ford and Chevy same weight, same trailer. Only real difference was Ford was run on a very cold clear winter day, where Chevy was a warmer spring day. So air density, would slightly influence to the Fords favor (not three minutes worth... lol) Dodge pulled a 14,300lbs trailer with a clean roof, so not comparable (imo).

This advice worked for me. Dealer called mid December and said he could place the order if I could live without the marker lamps option. I said... "Yes, please order without Marker Lamps". Glad I did, because now the bed side box option isn't available, and that would have me postponing the order indefinitely, and probably making a completely different decision.

Try this GM website, for their weight calculator. Newest weight calculator I found is from 2020, but this should give you a ball park figure. https://www.gmfleetorderguide.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2020&regionID=1&divisionID=2&type=0&vehicleID=21725&section=modeloptionweight&page=&butID=21 Good luck!

That looks awesome! Beefy look that matches the design of the truck, protected valve stem, and nice sidewall height for a 20". Great choice all around! Did you lift the truck?

Good question. I can't remember a dually without marker lamps. Just for fun I went to the build page, and selected the dually option. As soon as I did, it added Cab marker lamps, and gave the warning about availability issues. Would need a dealer to advise if the truck could be ordered. Just for fun I built the same truck as what my order is, except as a long bed dually. What a sexy beast!

Yes, and no. If it was a requirement the OEMs would be required to install them as standard equipment. Here's a somewhat decent written article aimed at pick up trucks: https://jalopnik.com/why-some-trucks-have-five-little-lights-on-the-roof-1830914130 If you still have questions, your local State Trooper/Highway Patrol office can explain further. Hope this helps, as it's pretty murky and could use an update to the CFR now that our trucks have grown as wide as our office chair asses.

Yeah, if at all possible, don't sell your current truck until you've got keys in hand for the new one. I went through a large dealer in Utah. It took a bit to get an LT slot that didn't create conflict with restricted options. Different options were restricted, and then released to order again (like the 5th wheel option). We started looking to place an order in October, finally got it placed in December (I had to give up the marker lamp option), and the dealership was provided a tentative build date in February. Since it isn't even close to "build" yet, no information available on when it could possibly ship, or even it it will actually build in February. So many environmental uncertainties; Weather, Port issues, vendor supply issues, current political issues. It is all very fluid, and changes daily. Can you imagine working in logistics? What a roller coaster that would be.

Great answer!

GM was over taken by Toyota for number one in sales. Mostly based on their inability to deliver trucks. That speaks volumes as to the lethargy behind the wheel at GM. Their biggest profit maker, and they failed. Freakin' Morons! https://www.autoblog.com/2022/01/04/2021-december-auto-sales/ I'm so pissed off by this news. First time I get notice of a delay in the build, will be the last. This truck was just a "retirement present", not a necessity. I genuinely feel for those not in a similar position, and wish everyone the best.

Same here. It's been off the list for a couple of months now.

Thank you Sir! I had watched this video about a year ago, and totally forgot about the transmission section. Really appreciate you posting this up!

If the wheels are SAE rated to match the HD ratings of the stock wheels and are hub centric with the correct offset, they should be fine. Also make sure you can get a heavy wall socket on the lugs. I bought a set of wheels for an F350 that could only use a thinwall socket. Broke a socket trying to change a tire on the side of the road. Was not a happy camper... lol Also make sure your tire choice supports your load ratings. A quality tire shop will steer you in the right direction on choices. The black wheels on a red truck should look pretty stunning. looks are subjective, but I like something like this: https://www.methodracewheels.com/collections/wheels/products/312-matte-black Good luck with your choice!

I'm interested in this as well. I've been a fan of this series of transmissions. I didn't realize all the updates that have been made over it's production run. Here are historic updates. Guessing this pdf is from before 2020. https://atracom.blob.core.windows.net/webinars/gm/6l50_80_90_updates.pdf