Get a Crew Cab Sierra or keep a Tahoe?

RHStansbury · June 6, 2015

Ladies and Gents,

I'm at the point where I can probably keep the same payment whether I keep my 2012 Z71 Tahoe, or move to a 2015 Sierra Crew Cab. Has anyone made a similar jump? The local GMC dealer has the truck I want (Black All Terrain) minus a sunroof, and they'll treat me right on the trade since I bought it from them a couple of years ago.

Any input on why or why not to make a move would be appreciated. Financially it's a wash as I know I'll always have a payment.

RHS

jamin87ss · June 6, 2015

Hard to say w/o knowing how u use your truck, if your warranty is up on the Tahoe, and u can move into the sierra for the same payments I'd probably do it depending on your needs,

Victor Ferreira · June 6, 2015

I have a Crew Cab Silverado, and never owned a Tahoe. However, I have driven at least 5 different 2012-2014 Tahoes and Yukons, accounting for about 4 months I've spent with them. So please take what I say with a grain of salt.

Practicality set aside, the new generation trucks ride and drive better than any of the previous generation SUV's I drove. It's more comfortable, more precise, agile, and has way better finish quality (interior mainly), over the previous gen. The reason I didn't get a GMT-900 truck was because I could not live with the interior being 110% cheap noisy plastic. That's not the case in the new trucks, they've really stepped up the game.

Essentially, I would say that if you can afford it comfortably, and don't need the extra seating the Tahoe provides you, it's a good trade. It'll take you two weeks at most to get used to the light rear end, and then you'll be golden.

RHStansbury · June 6, 2015

Great input so far, thank you. The Tahoe is out of warranty so that is definitely something to consider. My biggest concern is being able to waterproof the bed with a multi piece cover. We tend to use my vehicle for family trips as I am not to keen on the wife's XC90.

Second biggest concern is in regards to size. I know I'll want to level it and run 33s, but I don't know exactly how much taller a truck with that set up sits. Will I still be able to fit in a standard garage? Will I have to only park in surface lots in the city? I'm in the suburbs, but frequently find myself in parking decks.

Victor Ferreira · June 6, 2015

For your parking concerns, I'll say you'll mostly be fine. I live in the suburbs, my truck clears my garage safely (the garage is not huge). The problem with it is length, not height. I have made measurements with data from the forums, and my truck would still clear my garage (albeit with a little over just an inch to spare) on 33" tires and the RC 2.5 level. But again, the gate wouldn't close due to length.

I drive to Miami often, and have had no issue parking my truck 99% of the time. There were a few instances where it wouldn't fit in parking garages, but I found that, in those particular cases, a Tahoe sized SUV (Yukon, Expedition) wouldn't have either. My friend's 2014 Explorer barely fits in those.

In short, yes, it will not fit in some garages, but I wouldn't name it a concern, because it will fit just fine everywhere your Tahoe went.

As for waterproofing the bed, a good tonneau cover and you're good to go!

bigsam94 · June 7, 2015

Great input so far, thank you. The Tahoe is out of warranty so that is definitely something to consider. My biggest concern is being able to waterproof the bed with a multi piece cover. We tend to use my vehicle for family trips as I am not to keen on the wife's XC90.

Second biggest concern is in regards to size. I know I'll want to level it and run 33s, but I don't know exactly how much taller a truck with that set up sits. Will I still be able to fit in a standard garage? Will I have to only park in surface lots in the city? I'm in the suburbs, but frequently find myself in parking decks.

Ive had both. Unless you want a fiberglass one piece cover (and not be able to put large items, ie furniture back there), it wont be water proof or completely secure. Those rolling/folding covers everyone buys stops most of the water but some will get in and they arent really that secure (a determined theif will get in any cover).

A suv is much better for taking the whole family + gear while being waterproof and secure. I dont have kids so thats why i traded my denali in for the truck; if i had kids, dog, ect. I would most definetly go with an SUV. Unless you use your tahoe to do more serious offroading, id look at getting a suburban or a yukon XL. They can handle anything you'd run into on a regular basis (the denali AWD was fantastic and idiot proof) and you get alot more room with them because in the newest ones the rear seats fold flat. If all you're doing is towing a 7k lbs boat twice a year and a trailer hear or there and dont need the truck bed to move mulch/supplies/atvs/ect, you'd be way better off with a large suv. Just my humble opinion

Spurshot · June 7, 2015

Just my 2 cents. I think Bigsam has some points worth considering. Also, a crewcab truck is 2-3 ft longer than a Tahoe, depending on bed length you chose and the wheelbase is similarly longer. A crewcab truck has a much larger turning radius and pulling into a parking space is not a one shot deal if its in a narrow row where you can't swing way out. Consequently, I back my truck into almost all parking spots, since it's easier to get the truck squarely into a spot backing in. It's not anywhere as easy to park around town as a Tahoe or even a Suburban. That will be the first thing you notice if you use it around town. A tight drive-thru can be challenging too.

But, the good part is that there is a bed for the dirty stuff. I have a topper on my truck and have had them on the past 4 trucks. It works for my needs.

BIGBRD7 · June 7, 2015

I went from an '07 Suburban to a '14 Sierra Crew, standard bed and 6.2l engine. You are correct that you will miss some of the secure storage, seating for 8 and it is more difficult to maneuver when parking - BUT you will love the comfort, the quiet ride, the power, and much better mileage both towing and solo. I get better MPG than I ever got with my Suburban (also with AFM). My 1st towing trip average 10 MPG and my best my last 50 avg MPG was 24.3 (see attached photo for proof, but It was on flat surface and 55 - 60 MPH) Love my new Sierra!

bigsam94 · June 8, 2015

Just my 2 cents. I think Bigsam has some points worth considering. Also, a crewcab truck is 2-3 ft longer than a Tahoe, depending on bed length you chose and the wheelbase is similarly longer. A crewcab truck has a much larger turning radius and pulling into a parking space is not a one shot deal if its in a narrow row where you can't swing way out. Consequently, I back my truck into almost all parking spots, since it's easier to get the truck squarely into a spot backing in. It's not anywhere as easy to park around town as a Tahoe or even a Suburban. That will be the first thing you notice if you use it around town. A tight drive-thru can be challenging too.

But, the good part is that there is a bed for the dirty stuff. I have a topper on my truck and have had them on the past 4 trucks. It works for my needs.

Spurshot's right; this is my first truck and its much harder to park/manuever than my Denali xl. with these trucks you cant make tight uturns or easily cut into tiny parking spaces like you can with the tahoe. I will say i love my truck but I just know if I had kids i would most definitely also have a dog and then there would be nowhere to put the mutt with the kids in the back. Plus you can always get a basic trailer for the bigger stuff, they're pretty fairly priced for what you get.

I went from an '07 Suburban to a '14 Sierra Crew, standard bed and 6.2l engine. You are correct that you will miss some of the secure storage, seating for 8 and it is more difficult to maneuver when parking - BUT you will love the comfort, the quiet ride, the power, and much better mileage both towing and solo. I get better MPG than I ever got with my Suburban (also with AFM). My 1st towing trip average 10 MPG and my best my last 50 avg MPG was 24.3 (see attached photo for proof, but It was on flat surface and 55 - 60 MPH) Love my new Sierra!

mileage.png

You might get better gas mileage (the truck weighs less than the suburban) but man have you ridden in one of those with the magnetic ride? You dont feel a single bump in the road, and the interior is very nice; on par with german brands in comfort (maybe not appearance). I actually looked at them first but the price point has gotten crazy high (75k for a denali?).