Work Truck for a Suit?

Gary K · January 12, 2016

It looks like it's time to replace the 1991 Silverado 2500. My starting point is to get another 2500, just because my dad always said to go heavy duty with trucks. Someone nearby is selling a white, low mileage 2015 Silverado 2500HD in the Work Truck trim.

My question is, what do I really gain by going up above the WT line (the websites comparing trim lines suffer from an excess of information)?

I live in the city and wear a suit to work. The only thing I haul for my work is a briefcase. But, I tow a 2000# boat (no big deal), have camping, gardening, and woodworking hobbies, and am a Scout leader. I have towed my other car across the country. I want another real truck.

I also tend to be a bit cheap and don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a truck. I'm not into all the entertainment technology of the high end trucks – I've reached that age where I often drive with no radio/sound system on. I want to have to put a real key into an ignition switch for the truck to start. I find white to be a perfectly good truck color. Non-carpeted flooring appeals to me. I intend to put a fiberglass cap on this one, like on the 1991, and bolt roof racks on the cap. I need a rear seat but don't want the full crew cab. My 1991 has a 6'6" bed and I think I want that again. Four wheel drive would be useful but my current truck is 2WD and that hasn't held me back in a big way. A rear camera would be great but I wouldn't let that drive the deal.

Would I regret getting a WT? I have pretty much answered my own question, but I'm interested in other peoples' experiences with this decision.

Also, do the WTs resell any better or worse than the higher trim lines?

newdude · January 12, 2016

If you want a power seat you will regret it. LT and LTZ have better resale than WT trims. You can still get power locks and mirrors in a WT, and you can even get the small color radio with the MyLink system. If you want a detailed driver info display, you'd have to get an LT. Fog lights? LT. They all have a real key, WT all the way to High Country. No pushbutton for any Silverado.

A WT with the WT convenience package would probably "suit" you well (sorry I had to haha). It gets you:

WT Convenience Package
1 - Includes (AKO) tinted windows, (KI4) 110V outlet, (AQQ) Remote Keyless Entry, (UVC) Rear Vision Camera and (DL8) outside, heated power-adjustable mirrors.

With the factory keyless you can get the accessory remote start (great if you are somewhere where it gets cold) as well. Power mirrors are always nice as well. WT double and crew cab all come with power windows. And the backup camera is great with the real high tailgate these trucks have now.

Nathan79 · January 12, 2016

I have a 2015 Sierra 2500HD work truck trim. It had all I needed (bluetooth and backup camera were biggies). I would suggest to see what options it has and check for yourself. I believe there are still some options you can choose even in work truck trim so best to check the details.

Big Whiskey · January 12, 2016

Based on what things are important to you, it sounds like a WT will be just fine. As 15HDriver stated, resale value probably won't be as good on the WT, but if you keep your new truck for a long time, that may not be as much of an issue. And, like he said, the WT convince package adds a few nice options to the base WT trim. Have you seen the original window sticker/build sheet of the truck you're looking at?

slj2008 · January 12, 2016

Why not a1500 LT - just a few more extra's . YES the 2500 are nice - if you need it for work, bobcat /trailers, large travel trailers, ect. cost more . its what will make you happy .

KMGZ400 · January 12, 2016

Why not a1500 LT - just a few more extra's . YES the 2500 are nice - if you need it for work, bobcat /trailers, large travel trailers, ect. cost more . its what will make you happy .

Agreed... A current gen 1500 is more capable then your 1991 2500, but if you can get a good deal on the 2500 go for it. As long as it has power Windows it dosent seem like you will have an issue with the WT

robvas · January 12, 2016

I had a NNBS WT...I liked it, and could have customized it to fix what I didn't like.

Bad: 4.3 V6, sucked on the highway

Bad: roll up windows and manual locks, would have rather had power/remote

Bad: basic stereo, can fix with an aftermarket deck + speakers, but it's not cheap

I liked the rubber floors Take that over carpet any day. Didn't mind the lack of power seats. Liked the low price.

Gary K · January 12, 2016

I think this one has power windows, which would be important. I'll take a look at the 1500s. Today was the first day of looking, after the third or fourth disabling of the 1991 in the last three or four months. It's time to pay for some reliability.

wandern · January 13, 2016

It looks like it's time to replace the 1991 Silverado 2500. My starting point is to get another 2500, just because my dad always said to go heavy duty with trucks. Someone nearby is selling a white, low mileage 2015 Silverado 2500HD in the Work Truck trim.

My question is, what do I really gain by going up above the WT line (the websites comparing trim lines suffer from an excess of information)?

I don't know if the sound dampening materials (well wheels, etc.) that are installed on the LT and higher trims are available on the WT trucks. The cab was extremely (obnoxiously) loud on the WTs that I've driven.