Getting wife a new truck

bldrman · October 6, 2020

Hey All,

I am currently looking for a new truck for my wife. Right now she has a 2018 F150 2.7 that hasn't been problem free but hasn't been terrible either. We need another 3/4 ton truck for our construction business which is why we are looking to sell her current rig. I have always been a Ram guy so I don't know a whole lot about Chevy's but I do know that I can't stand Fords and am determined not to have her get another one. I am about ready to pull the trigger on a 2020 2500HD LT Crew Cab Duramax but just had a couple of questions first.

1) Is the frame issues I see online as big of deal as they are made out to be? We live in NE Oregon where salt is used and our house is snow bound for 3-4 months every year so it's difficult to keep the underside of the truck rinsed off.

2) There seem to be a lot of threads about light bulbs and glitchy electronics but I couldn't tell if it was a real problem either.

3) Anything else I should be looking out for?

Thank you!

Edited October 6, 2020 by bldrman
Typo

Njmurvin · October 7, 2020

I was a RAM guy as well. I had a 2004.5 3500 since new before buying this truck. There are certainly trade-offs. I can attest that this truck pulls my 12K lb fifth wheel like a beast and the 10 speed Allison shifts like butter.

1) I live in So Calif. So, I can't help with this one. I'm not familiar with complaints about frame rust.

2) I haven't experienced any light bulb or electronics issues. My fifth wheel has LED lights. So, I was concerned that I might have the trailer light issue that some have complained about. Apparently, I have enough of a load on my trailer lights that it doesn't cause this issue. It might be a problem for smaller trailers with less lights? Not sure there. But there is a fix for it by purchasing an adapter (I believe it's made by Reese) that adds some resistance. You can find it in a thread on this forum.

3) If LED head and tail lights are really important to you, then consider moving up from LT to LTX trim. Or, look at the GMC lineup. I believe some of the lower trims on GMC offer LED lights. A lot of people complain of a thumping at idle - something apparently associated with the new accessory belt drive mechanism. I either don't have it yet or it doesn't seem to bother me. I did take it in for a DEF leak. While in for that, they found and fixed an oil leak near the oil filter housing.

Consider waiting for the 2021 model as it is expected to have (among other improvements) adaptive cruise and wireless CarPlay (if those appeal to you).

greatmizzou · October 8, 2020

In missouri im noticing small areas where the wax has failed over the last year and basic frame rust is starting. Everything else looks factory fresh still underneath. I cant imagine the frames ever rotting out on me, id be more worried about rust forming on brake lines, body work, and other mechanical pieces.

if I were deep in the salt belt Id do quite a bit of underspraying prep for the winter if you dont like the "cosmetic rust" issues.

JimBuck · October 8, 2020

We had a 2002 Suburban and the brake lines all rusted and the frame was pretty bad.

bldrman · October 9, 2020

I appreciate all the replies. Given the lack of 2020 inventory I think I will order a 2021, I am assuming the only way to find out more info on them is to go to a dealer as Chevy's website doesn't seem to have any updates.

The frame rust is the only thing that is still holding me back. I have been paying close attention to Silverado's in town the last few days and it seems to be hit or miss on the rust. One of the trucks I saw was a 2018 and the frame already looked 10yrs old. I realize it may be cosmetic but a $65K vehicle shouldn't have rust all over the place in just two years. On the flip side I suppose it's better than my wife's F150 that the door locks don't work when its below 30 degrees!

Ray Pickle · October 9, 2020

I live in the midwest where salt is heavily used and have never seen a frame rust through on a Chevrolet/GMC truck. Brake lines, fuel lines, yes. Poor material sourcing during those lean years prior to bankruptcy? Looking at the big 3 at 10 to 15 years on midwestern roads I observe the most body rust on Rams and roughly equal on Ford and GM. No frame rust through on any.

gSwift · October 9, 2020

On 10/7/2020 at 1:01 PM, Njmurvin said:

Consider waiting for the 2021 model as it is expected to have (among other improvements) adaptive cruise and wireless CarPlay (if those appeal to you).

Apparently this isn't happening. At least according to other threads here that I just read.

Njmurvin · October 9, 2020

On 10/9/2020 at 9:14 AM, gSwift said:

Apparently this isn't happening. At least according to other threads here that I just read.

Yeah. I just saw that thread. For me, adaptive cruise would be a "nice to have". Maybe GM thinks the same way. We have it on my wife's car and it has its peculiarities - especially climbing hills on curves. Sometimes it locks onto cars in the next lane and makes rather abrupt adjustments when things straighten out. Still, on balance, I'd like to have the option.

Edited October 10, 2020 by Njmurvin

jlong1984 · October 9, 2020

On 10/7/2020 at 2:01 PM, Njmurvin said:

Or, look at the GMC lineup. I believe some of the lower trims on GMC offer LED lights

All of the GMCs have LED lights, even the absolute base models.

redwngr · October 9, 2020

5 hours ago, jlong1984 said:

All of the GMCs have LED lights, even the absolute base models.

2020 and 2021 HD's:

Higher trim GMC's get the 2nd version:

Headlamps, LED reflector with incandescent turn signals and LED signature Daytime Running Lamps
Headlamps, LED reflector (high intensity) with LED turn signals and LED signature Daytime Running Lamps

Higher trim silverado's get the 2nd version (-- and they are optional on LT)

Headlamps, halogen reflector with halogen Daytime Running Lamps

Headlamps, LED reflector (high intensity) with LED signature curtain Daytime Running Lamps
On LT - Included and only available with (WJP) Midnight Edition, (WEA) Z71 Sport Edition, (WBL) Z71 Chrome Sport Edition.

redwngr · October 9, 2020

5 hours ago, Njmurvin said:

Yeah. I just saw that thread. For me, adaptive cruise would be a "nice to have". Maybe GM thinks the same way. We have it on my wife's car and it has its peculiarities - especially climbing hills on curves. Sometimes it locks onto cars in the next lane and makes rather abrupt adjustments when things straighten out. Still, in balance, I'd like to have the option.

Good summary.

Some situations it's great, and sometimes it's annoying.

We have 2020 Acadia with it. It's another tool in the kit.

When I drive it sometimes I use adaptive, sometimes I use regular cruise -- and sometimes I just drive.

We've ordered a 2021 1500 and it will have it.

I guess that means we like it well enough on the Acadia to pay for it on the pickup.

Did I read that on earlier fullsize GM suv's that if they had adaptive cruise that regular cruise was not available?

If it was an either/or situation, I'd take the regular cruise.