Lets Hear Some Opinions...

Marpet · November 8, 2010

I am going to buy a 2006 Silverado 2500hd 6.0 L 3/4 ton 4x4 Crewcab Longbox with 84000 kms (thats about 120 miles for you Americans, LOL). The truck saw some pretty heavy use in the oilfield up in Fort MacMurray, Alberta. From looking at the truck, it is just dirty, and I mean dirty! There are a few dents, nothing serious. No accident history, I checked with CarFax. One owner, GMAC lease return. I figure it would have had a maintainance program behind it and it drove with no concerns. A little vibration in the front end around 60 km/h but it does have the spare on the front ( and no sign of the other tire/rim). Some small issues with the interior and exterior, (missing lock cover, broken door handle, scratches, missing door sill), etc. There is a hitch on the back but no wiring, I assume no towing other then short distance, and it is Fort Mac, where you gonna go? I did put it in 4H with no issues but didn't check 4L.

I intend to use it as my daily driver and as the tow vehicle for my camper and boat.

$10000 CDN plus taxes(12%)

What do you think?

Gord

Prokopchuk_9 · November 8, 2010

i work in fort mac....if it was a mine driven truck DONT buy it man. its probably just been hammered on. the trucks my company gives me we have to return them after 60 000kms cuz the front end is beat out already lol. just make sure it wasnt mine driven.....

jackboss45 · November 8, 2010

I'd have to agree with Chevyboy. I work on the oilfield here in the Alaskan Arctic and would be very wary of any 'work-truck'. Anyone that uses company trucks will tell you that they don't receive the same care a personal truck will, simply for the fact that it is the company paying the bills and not the driver. At the very least, I'd have it gone over thoroughly by a trusted mechanic. Best of luck, whatever your decision.

Marpet · November 8, 2010

Thanks guys, it's going to the shop tomorrow. What kind of front end work should I look out for? Shocks, steering, diff? Pretty much committed, will let you know how it goes. The '91 GMC just can't do the work anymore without a mile of repair. If I am ready to put $5000 into the GMC, why not do it on the Chev and have the Crewcab, 4x4, 6 liter, and 270000 less Km's, and the ablilty to pull both the camper and boat at once.

Replies?

Marpet

revrnd · November 8, 2010

I saw some internal GM pics of GMT400s in use up in the tar sands back in the 80s. I'll add my 2 cents & say stay away.

After so many days the chassis has to be steam cleaned because of the crap sticking to the truck. There was also mention about prototype parts being tested due to the abuse the trucks see.

I noticed in '05 when I was in Alberta & BC (driving from Edmonton to YT) that most if not all service/work trucks were Fords & Dodges while the personal trucks were GM. A friend who has worked in Calgary & now Ft. Mac has confirmed my comments.

I'd have to say that any work trucks are probably beaten pretty hard up there.

To the guys that have worked in the tar sands, is getting a truck "stuck" common place? From what I could see the traction didn't look that great. Could be hard on trannies.

Stranger ranger · November 10, 2010

around where i live, there are plenty of "fleet" trucks that travel daily around to different gas wells. I know of a few guys who work for the company and each and everyone of them beat the living crap out of the truck, basically because its not theirs. they dont care if something breaks, its not on their dime to fix it. However, with that said, many of the trucks on that fleet are pushing 200k and still run on original drive train. The motor and trans and 14 bolt should handle it, but the front end, well thats a different story.