Love these trucks!

Grumpy Bear · July 25, 2018

21 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

CYA

Unfortunately the way of the world.

When I bought my used 2012 in 2015, the dealer let me take it home overnight.

I did a thorough test drive, you should to.

It's mandatory for me to get the Buick 24 hour test drive. I've never been disappointed when I did and always regretted it when I didn't. Slow learner. Great advice!

DONWT15 · July 25, 2018

It's good to hear from someone who is happy with their truck!

Some of this stuff in this forum will make you paranoid if you don't take it with a grain of salt.

Jchoi · July 25, 2018

Congrats on your truck. I have an 18 and enjoy mine as well. I had read some of the criticisms, but as others have said, many are happy with their trucks. Enjoy.

Donstar · July 25, 2018

27 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

CYA

Unfortunately the way of the world.

When I bought my used 2012 in 2015, the dealer let me take it home overnight.

I did a thorough test drive, you should to.

I agree that it is imperative to test drive and have a third party thorough inspection on a used vehicle. I expect that a new vehicle should not require the same consideration. I will take any vehicle I buy for a test drive but my point is that it should not be necessary for me in this situation. It is probably a requirement by the dealership anyway. I am sure most of the members on this forum with complaints about shaking and clunking also took their trucks for a good test drive... ;-)

TXGREEK · July 25, 2018

It's good to hear from someone who is happy with their truck![emoji3]
Some of this stuff in this forum will make you paranoid if you don't take it with a grain of salt.

I’ve owned a few Fords, couple of Rams too having had some serious issues with those but never with my GM twuck

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twoheeldrive · July 25, 2018

Me too! I love my truck! It is perfect; zero defects just like my last three (2009,2010,2015).

I was surprised at the number of differences the 2018 has from my 2015, both are LT's and optioned the same way (All Star Package). I like all the changes except the capless fuel filler. Here are the changes that I have noticed (in no particular order): hood and grill is more sculpted, HID head lights, LED fog lights, headrest doesn't move fore and aft, locking tail gate, apple car play/ android auto, exhaust sounds different (lower tone, more aggressive). The six speed transmission seemed to learn faster... it was only sluggish feeling for the first 500 miles... maybe to encourage an easy break-in. It took several thousand miles for the 2015 (and 2010) to learn how to shift right.

I was perfectly happy with my 2015, but the deal on the 2018 was too good to pass up.

These are great trucks.

Paul_Aris · July 25, 2018

3 hours ago, spenpet said:

I'd recommend a Bakflip MX4 when you start looking at tonneau covers...I loved mine before I switched to a topper...(or just get you a topper, you wont regret it!)

I will look into that cover. I'm not a Topper guy. I like the looks of a bed and I already have a suburban my wife drives if I need to keep things big inside.

Paul_Aris · July 25, 2018

3 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

Congratulations, looks great! A bit of advice, my truck came with 20” wheels, I leveled which then I put on one size larger tires causing rub, purchased new 20” wheels with different offset and now no issues “but” I wish I had bought 18” wheels for smoother ride and more sidewalk to protect the new rims better.

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Thanks for the advice. These wheels and tires would be run 5 months out of the year and then back to the stockers for Winter and mud season. My main concerns with going with a leveling kit and larger tires are:

1. When towing is the front end going to look extremely high

2. gas mileage. Probably not a big deal for the amount I drive in summer months

3. Money: going to have to save some money to get a sweet set-up

4. Tire rub and triming.

5. WIll the rob power and ride quality

TXGREEK · July 25, 2018

Thanks for the advice. These wheels and tires would be run 5 months out of the year and then back to the stockers for Winter and mud season. My main concerns with going with a leveling kit and larger tires are:

1. When towing is the front end going to look extremely high
2. gas mileage. Probably not a big deal for the amount I drive in summer months
3. Money: going to have to save some money to get a sweet set-up
4. Tire rub and triming.
5. WIll the rob power and ride quality

My level is a two pc, billet aluminum 2.25” level in front and 1” rear added block. Installed BFG KO2’s one size up causing rub (after leveling is what I hear) because of the new upper control arms being stamped steel now and not aluminum, different angles when leveling.

I had to get new wheels with +18 offset barely sticking out which is exactly the look I wanted using same 275/60/20 BFG KO2’s.

MPG is with a 6.2 @ 22-23 hwy and approx 12-15 city because it’s a 6.2 [emoji39]

Haven’t towed anything heavy but I switched out the crap Ranchos and put Bilstein 5100’s all corners which dramatically improved the ride quality.

I’m pretty sure depending on tongue weight may need the half ton air bags. I had them on my 16 DMAX

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TXGREEK · July 25, 2018

If you do the airbags make sure to get the in-cab remotes. They light up and you’ll have one for the left and right fill and release for each. The reason I’m bringing this up is cause you don’t want to be outside in bad weather trying to use a fill hose. When I traded my DMax I got a call from my sales guy telling me there was a bid war going on between 3 potential buyers for it primarily cause of the suspension setup.

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TXGREEK · July 25, 2018

I will look into that cover. I'm not a Topper guy. I like the looks of a bed and I already have a suburban my wife drives if I need to keep things big inside.

I’d avoid the BakFlip like the plague! Thin aluminum with styrofoam inner built extremely cheap and Covers whole back window when you’re using full bed never knowing what’s going on behind you and your load as driving. Mostly garbage. Look st RollNLock or Retrax, I’ve owned both for years with never having any issues at all.

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TXGREEK · July 25, 2018

Thanks for the advice. These wheels and tires would be run 5 months out of the year and then back to the stockers for Winter and mud season. My main concerns with going with a leveling kit and larger tires are:

1. When towing is the front end going to look extremely high
2. gas mileage. Probably not a big deal for the amount I drive in summer months
3. Money: going to have to save some money to get a sweet set-up
4. Tire rub and triming.
5. WIll the rob power and ride quality

Oops, almost forgot about price: 18” are cheaper than 20” but wheels and tires alone with new wheel locks approx $2800. There are cheaper wheel and tire setups too but I definitely wanted my BFG KO2’s and a proven off-roading wheel.

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spenpet · July 25, 2018

35 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

I’d avoid the BakFlip like the plague! Thin aluminum with styrofoam inner built extremely cheap and Covers whole back window when you’re using full bed never knowing what’s going on behind you and your load as driving. Mostly garbage. Look st RollNLock or Retrax, I’ve owned both for years with never having any issues at all.

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I respectfully disagree with your comments...

1) at least you can use your full bed with the bakflip, with the rollnlock and retrax both take bed space (just about foot) and in a crew cab, there isn't much bed space to spare.

2) also the bakflip is 1/2-1/3 the cost of the ones you suggested...

3) when i had my bakflip, i was able to stand on the cover...so...to say 'extremely cheap' is a bit misleading...

ALL covers have pros and cons...for me, the backflip MX4 was (and if I were to get one now still is) the best value cover...

TXGREEK · July 25, 2018

I respectfully disagree with your comments...

1) at least you can use your full bed with the bakflip, with the rollnlock and retrax both take bed space (just about foot) and in a crew cab, there isn't much bed space to spare.
2) also the bakflip is 1/2-1/3 the cost of the ones you suggested...
3) when i had my bakflip, i was able to stand on the cover...so...to say 'extremely cheap' is a bit misleading...

ALL covers have pros and cons...for me, the backflip MX4 was (and if I were to get one now still is) the best value cover...

No disrespect towards you but BakFlip has little cheap plastic spring activated locks, stamped and riveted into paper thin aluminum. I had one bag of 15lb mulch in the back of mine and went over a speed bump at Home Depot causing the bag to bounce up ripping the rivets from the paper thin aluminum. The whole locking assembly is like something you’ll find in a Cracker Jack box. The BakFlip LSU’s on top of the bed caps allowing gaps for a large screw driver to snap it open. I do agree with the weight capacity once it’s closed as the cross beams extend across each fold and onto the aluminum rails attached to the truck bed.
My RollNLock on the other hand rolls inside a container channel, with full 1/4” interlocking aluminum panels and best of all the locking mechanism isn’t riveted it’s molded over and around the “steel” locking mechanism and not only locks itself onto bed sides but tail gate as well.

Here’s an old photo I found after it was professionally installed

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TXGREEK · July 25, 2018

Does anyone see any gaps here, anywhere? Nope! We buy covers for security purposes not just out of sight out of mind. The 10” box of either RollNLock or Retrax still allows at least a foot or more underneath them allowing that much space of usage along with remaining bed area.

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