New truck help please...

Jojos · January 15, 2021

Hello forum. First post here! I'm in the market for a new pickup and don't have any owner's experience with full-size pickup trucks. Two trucks ago I had a Tahoe and now drive a midsize pickup. I've been doing my research on these new trucks and have narrowed it down to a Silverado 1500 crew cab with a standard bed and 4x4. I'm not looking for all the bell and whistles so most likely it will be either a custom trail boss or an LT. I also want to point out that this truck will be used as my daily driver to work (60 minutes roundtrip) and also as the family vehicle for road trips mainly transporting bicycles and gear and 5 passengers. Will occasionally be pulling an enclosed 5'x8' trailer, but no campers, etc. so tow capacity is not on the top of my list. My existing pickup has over 200k miles, so I plan to keep this new truck for 10 years, so longevity and reliability are very important.

My first choice, mainly driven by looks, is the custom trail boss. The cons I found so far are lower fuel mileage I guess between the lift, tires and AFM engine and also the manual driver's seats compared to the LT. The other choice is the engine/tranny. I would most likely go with the 5.3L AFM over the 6.2L, based of not needing the extra power and the extra money spent on premium fuel over 10 years. What are the thoughts on that 5.3L with a 6 speed? What about the 4.3L V6? Any good or skip? A local dealer told me that the 10 speed tranny is a 6 speed and the remaining 4 gears are manual? My initial thought was to go with the 6.2L based mainly on the tranny choice, but those motors are very hard to find nowadays and again, definitely overkill for minimal towing.

The LT comes with power seats and as far as engines go, it would be between the 5.3L DFM or the 3.0L turbo diesel. Immediately I was all over the duramax because of fuel mileage, but when I found out about the 150k mile oil pump belt inspection/replacement, I starting thinking twice. People online were being quoted around $2500 from the dealer to replace and this is a job above my skill set, so I would have to pay to get it done. If the belt issue didn't exist, then that would make my decision much easier. Any thoughts on the 3.0L vs the 5.3L?

Also in reading Chevy's catalog comparing the engines, besides the 3.0L, the rest all have similar fuel mileage. I can't see how all the rest of these engines get similar gas mileage (give or take a couple of mpg's). Any real world numbers that disagree with theirs? Also living in the Northeast, any real issues in snow/ice between these models?

I'm open to any and all opinions on a model as long as the MSRP is in the $40k's.

Thanks!

OnTheReel · January 15, 2021

14 minutes ago, Jojos said:

What are the thoughts on that 5.3L with a 6 speed? What about the 4.3L V6? Any good or skip? A local dealer told me that the 10 speed tranny is a 6 speed and the remaining 4 gears are manual?

This is totally wrong. The 10 speed is a completely different transmission co-developed by Ford and GM. It shares nothing in common with the 6 speed.

My opinion, for drivability and creature comforts, the LT would be the better choice. The Custom Trail Boss is really a work truck interior which is fine if you don’t mind the spartan, completely drab look. I think the LT interior is much nicer with better contrasting finishes and materials, and much better equipped. LTs have a bigger infotainment screen, nicer gauge cluster, etc. Most will also have keyless go, remote start, heated seats and steering wheel, power seat, dual zone climate, etc.

I feel that DFM is a far smoother system than AFM. You really can’t tell when it’s dropping cylinders unless you have aftermarket exhaust. I think it’s a great set up and they did make some changes for 2019 which should improve durability long term. In my opinion, the 5.3 8 speed is a very nice driving combo even though I did buy a 6.2 10 speed.

If economy and purchase price is a concern, don’t overlook the 2.7 turbo either. Impossible to know the long term outlook on either the 2.7 or 3.0 diesel since both are new, clean sheet engine designs. But both return much better fuel economy numbers than the V8s.

TNTSierra · January 15, 2021

I posted on the other page but I’ll copy and paste here for you as well on this post

If you go with a Custom Trailboss and get the older style 5.3L with AFM and 6 Spd you can tune it and get rid of the AFM and never have any issues with that motor. I bought a Hypertech handheld tuner for $300 at AutoAnything on my 2018 Sierra with AFM and it ran so much better and also got better fuel economy, if I stayed off the gas!! And you don’t have to tune it for 91+ octane. They have a regular 87 tune for 11HP and 9TQ. You can also play around with the transmission for better shifting as well. And when you take it into the dealership for work just reset it to stock. I never had an issue with mine going in for work.

The new 5.3L and 6.2L truck have DFM and it seems to be better than the old AFM. I haven’t seen or heard of anyone having oil consumption issues like AFMs did. My stepdad has a new 5.3L with 10 spd combo in a GMC SLT and it’s awesome, but it’s very limited on the Chevy on how to get it. Chevy makes you still get the 8 spd on most truck trims for some stupid reason, and that is a coin toss on whether you will have issues or not with that transmission.

I can speak for the 6.2L and 10 spd combo. I absolutely love it. It has tons of power but yes if you want ALL 420HP you have to spend it on premium. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but it is “annoying” at times having to pay for it; especially when I fill up the wife’s new Acadia with regular gas and see the price difference. It’s about $12 each time. Not “huge” when your paying the amount of cash for these vehicles nowadays, but over time it does add up!

I don’t have any experience on the 3.0L except for driving it and it was very nice. The power was linear and solid. You have to take into affect diesel prices and DEF with diesels. Also over time their maintenance is much higher if anything goes wrong. The belt I have heard is an issue at 150k but maybe with it being out for a few more years local shops instead of dealerships will have a few cracks at it and won’t charge the higher prices that dealerships do??

Good luck with your decision and if you go the GMC route you can get the 5.3L and 10 spd combo in a few more choices. My next truck will be another GMC because they to me they feel more refined and quieter. I had 3 GMC Sierras before this Silverado.

Edited January 15, 2021 by TNTSilverado

PPK · January 15, 2021

I also had a Yukon a ways back... it had a 5.3 and was decently powerful, but a bit of a gas hog. Mine was a 2005, I recommend to get the 5.3 as i get 5 mpg more than the Yukon with the same driving style. Its a fine motor - and still simple enough to be reliable. Now i would not dream of modding the truck - lifting or doing anymore than going up a size on tires on stock rims. It comes down to blowing a lot of money and shortening the life of the ball joints, spindles and brakes... daily driver is best kept as GM builds it... imo.

redwngr · January 16, 2021

The 3.0L will get you the 10 speed in an LT.

(with the 5.3 or 2.7 it would have the 8 speed, and as you pointed out the 6.2 L isn't available in an LT))

The combo is very nice to drive, and gives great fuel economy.

I'm one of those 'record every tankful' types. Doing the same daily driver job, I'm getting about 20% better than I did with 6.2 and 5.3 that I ran for a couple years.

Except for that couple years, I've been running mostly duramax trucks for 15 years, and am yet to come across all the extra maintenance expense that is always mentioned in these threads.

They've reduced the 3.0L pricing. It was same as the 6.2L, but was reduced (by $1500) and is now about $1000 over the 5.3L.

I've not driven either one, but there lots of owners happy with both the 4.3L and the 2.7L.

If you haven't found it there is a thread about towing with the 2.7L Turbo that you might want to read.

I'm really liking the 3.0L / 10 speed.

Edited January 16, 2021 by redwngr

JoJo1 · January 16, 2021

8 hours ago, OnTheReel said:

This is totally wrong. The 10 speed is a completely different transmission co-developed by Ford and GM. It shares nothing in common with the 6 speed.

My opinion, for drivability and creature comforts, the LT would be the better choice. The Custom Trail Boss is really a work truck interior which is fine if you don’t mind the spartan, completely drab look. I think the LT interior is much nicer with better contrasting finishes and materials, and much better equipped. LTs have a bigger infotainment screen, nicer gauge cluster, etc. Most will also have keyless go, remote start, heated seats and steering wheel, power seat, dual zone climate, etc.

I feel that DFM is a far smoother system than AFM. You really can’t tell when it’s dropping cylinders unless you have aftermarket exhaust. I think it’s a great set up and they did make some changes for 2019 which should improve durability long term. In my opinion, the 5.3 8 speed is a very nice driving combo even though I did buy a 6.2 10 speed.

If economy and purchase price is a concern, don’t overlook the 2.7 turbo either. Impossible to know the long term outlook on either the 2.7 or 3.0 diesel since both are new, clean sheet engine designs. But both return much better fuel economy numbers than the V8s.

Thanks for the info. In reading through the other posts on my questions, others mention possible reliability issues on these trucks. I'm new to full-size pickups, but my Frontier has 215k miles on it and has been very reliable and has been mainly just normal wear and tear parts replaced. I'm pretty ****** with keeping up with scheduled services and stuff. I just hope that this new truck is realistically a long-term keeper. Is it normal for these trucks to last 200k on a stock engine, tranny, etc. or rebuilds? What are the average lifespans of one of these trucks which have been maintained?

JoJo1 · January 16, 2021

2 hours ago, redwngr said:

The 3.0L will get you the 10 speed in an LT.

(with the 5.3 or 2.7 it would have the 8 speed, and as you pointed out the 6.2 L isn't available in an LT))

The combo is very nice to drive, and gives great fuel economy.

I'm one of those 'record every tankful' types. Doing the same daily driver job, I'm getting about 20% better than I did with 6.2 and 5.3 that I ran for a couple years.

Except for that couple years, I've been running mostly duramax trucks for 15 years, and am yet to come across all the extra maintenance expense that is always mentioned in these threads.

They've reduced the 3.0L pricing. It was same as the 6.2L, but was reduced (by $1500) and is now about $1000 over the 5.3L.

I've not driven either one, but there lots of owners happy with both the 4.3L and the 2.7L.

If you haven't found it there is a thread about towing with the 2.7L Turbo that you might want to read.

I'm really liking the 3.0L / 10 speed.

Good information. Thanks. Question since you seem to track this stuff...do you remember the real world mpg's on the three engines? 3.0 vs 5.3 vs 6.2? The numbers that Chevy puts out seem off.

JoJo1 · January 16, 2021

6 hours ago, PPK said:

I also had a Yukon a ways back... it had a 5.3 and was decently powerful, but a bit of a gas hog. Mine was a 2005, I recommend to get the 5.3 as i get 5 mpg more than the Yukon with the same driving style. Its a fine motor - and still simple enough to be reliable. Now i would not dream of modding the truck - lifting or doing anymore than going up a size on tires on stock rims. It comes down to blowing a lot of money and shortening the life of the ball joints, spindles and brakes... daily driver is best kept as GM builds it... imo.

Thanks for the info!

JoJo1 · January 16, 2021

8 hours ago, TNTSilverado said:

I posted on the other page but I’ll copy and paste here for you as well on this post

If you go with a Custom Trailboss and get the older style 5.3L with AFM and 6 Spd you can tune it and get rid of the AFM and never have any issues with that motor. I bought a Hypertech handheld tuner for $300 at AutoAnything on my 2018 Sierra with AFM and it ran so much better and also got better fuel economy, if I stayed off the gas!! And you don’t have to tune it for 91+ octane. They have a regular 87 tune for 11HP and 9TQ. You can also play around with the transmission for better shifting as well. And when you take it into the dealership for work just reset it to stock. I never had an issue with mine going in for work.

The new 5.3L and 6.2L truck have DFM and it seems to be better than the old AFM. I haven’t seen or heard of anyone having oil consumption issues like AFMs did. My stepdad has a new 5.3L with 10 spd combo in a GMC SLT and it’s awesome, but it’s very limited on the Chevy on how to get it. Chevy makes you still get the 8 spd on most truck trims for some stupid reason, and that is a coin toss on whether you will have issues or not with that transmission.

I can speak for the 6.2L and 10 spd combo. I absolutely love it. It has tons of power but yes if you want ALL 420HP you have to spend it on premium. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but it is “annoying” at times having to pay for it; especially when I fill up the wife’s new Acadia with regular gas and see the price difference. It’s about $12 each time. Not “huge” when your paying the amount of cash for these vehicles nowadays, but over time it does add up!

I don’t have any experience on the 3.0L except for driving it and it was very nice. The power was linear and solid. You have to take into affect diesel prices and DEF with diesels. Also over time their maintenance is much higher if anything goes wrong. The belt I have heard is an issue at 150k but maybe with it being out for a few more years local shops instead of dealerships will have a few cracks at it and won’t charge the higher prices that dealerships do??

Good luck with your decision and if you go the GMC route you can get the 5.3L and 10 spd combo in a few more choices. My next truck will be another GMC because they to me they feel more refined and quieter. I had 3 GMC Sierras before this Silverado.

Thanks for the info! TBH I wouldn't have any plans to mess with the tuning on it, so however it comes from Chevy, is the way it'll remain but definitely good to know. I had mentioned it in the other replies I wrote the other guys that many of you keep hinting to reliability issues. So the 5.3L AFM motors are notorious for burning oil? Is that still the case on the new ones? Any other issues that you know of with the other motors or trannys?

TNTSierra · January 16, 2021

1 hour ago, JoJo1 said:

Thanks for the info! TBH I wouldn't have any plans to mess with the tuning on it, so however it comes from Chevy, is the way it'll remain but definitely good to know. I had mentioned it in the other replies I wrote the other guys that many of you keep hinting to reliability issues. So the 5.3L AFM motors are notorious for burning oil? Is that still the case on the new ones? Any other issues that you know of with the other motors or trannys?

Some of the AFM motors do have oil consumption issues. The new DFM 5.3L in the LT, RST, LTZ and even High Country are doing very well. I haven’t read or heard of any issues with it consuming oil. The only issue I’ve heard is the 8 spd tranny having the 1st-2nd clunking. But I believe the 2020s and 2021s have had them mostly figured out.

I’d look at both Chevy and GMC and find a 5.3L 10 spd combo. It’s a fantastic power train and it gets respectable fuel economy. Stepdads Sierra is getting 21 to 23 on road trips. Has gotten 24 with it going 65 mph. I have been really impressed with that combo when driving it. Especially since I have a 6.2L and also had 2 older 5.3L from previous generation trucks.

redwngr · January 16, 2021

2 hours ago, JoJo1 said:

Good information. Thanks. Question since you seem to track this stuff...do you remember the real world mpg's on the three engines? 3.0 vs 5.3 vs 6.2? The numbers that Chevy puts out seem off.

In defense of GM, the 'epa' numbers are the numbers that represent a specific 'route' of speeds/loads/grades/etc. The method is mandated in the federal regulations. The intent is so to vehicles can be compared under 'average' conditions -- although the typical use of 2 owners is probably not the same. But if driver A gets better mileage in vehicle x than vehicle y, it is likely that driver B will also get better mileage in vehicle x than vehicle y.

I do a lot of drives on rural 2 lane with very little elevation change, and frequently trips are out and back, so no net elevation change.

Some of the destinations can be all 2 lane, or 2 lane with 75 or 80% 70+ freeway.

I usually have the screen up that show current average, best average and instantaneous mpg for a certain number of miles (on a metric truck, that is 31 miles, I think the 'inch' trucks that is 25 miles?).

Anyway, from watching this screen it is easy to see the impact of speeds, wind, trailer, grade, etc etc.

I also record every tankful, and hand calculate the mpg to compare with the truck measured number.

My 2011 LML provided computer mpg that was usually within +/- 0.1 mpg of the hand calculation.

With 2015 6.2L, (running premium) and a 2016 5.3L max tow, the hand calculated numbers were consistently a little lower than the computer suggested. 2018 L5P was on average about the same as the computer, but the +/- variation was wider than any of the others.

Only have about 1900 miles on the 3.0L, and only 4 fillups, but so far the hand calculated numbers are higher than than the computer.

Now to your question.

Doing the same daily driver duties:

With the 2015 6.2 and 2016 5.3 max tow I was disappointed if the hand calc was less than 20 usmpg. Usual was between 20 and 20.5.

2018 2500 with L5P usual mpg was about 17.5 -18.

2021 3.0L - only 4 tanks, but so far 24.5usmpg. It hasn't made any long trips yet, and we are using 'winter fuel' here, so I expect improvement in the warmer weather

All of them do considerably better when cruising at steady speed than what the tank averages suggest.

Towed a 7x14, tandem axle, enclosed trailer, (total weight about 4000lbs?) from Port Huron to Phoenix, interstate speeds with the 5.3L max tow. Average mpg was less than 10. The 2500 dmax plays with the same trailer and load.

Still have the trailer, but haven't pulled it at highspeed/long distance with the 3.0L.

Edited January 16, 2021 by redwngr

Kchampagne · January 16, 2021

If you are looking for great gas mileage, great power/torque, excellent towing performance, and an overall smooth driving truck, I highly recommend the 3.0 with the 10 speed. I regularly get 25 - 30 mpg in my AT4 with standard bed. This is unheard of in a full size 4x4 truck. The 150k oil pump belt negative talk is nonsense. No different than all of the Honda's, Toyota's, Nissan's on the roads that have to change the timing belt at 125k. Plus the 3.0 comes with a 100k warranty.

Edited January 20, 2021 by Kchampagne

14SLE · January 17, 2021

I have a 2020 GMC Sierra crew cab SLT with the 5.3L (DFM) and 10-speed transmission. Having previously owned a 2014 Sierra SLE with the 5.3L (AFM) and a 6-speed, there is no way I would ever buy an AFM/6-speed combination again. You can tune out the driveability problems, but doing so will void your warranty. I know you can put the factory tune back on the truck, but there is a firmware counter that keeps track of how many times the truck's programming has been updated. My dealer recommended getting a tune whenever I complained about the jerky drive train, but they warned me to wait until the warranty expired. I did not make it to the end of the extended warranty before getting tired of it and trading it.

I have put 13,000 miles on my 2020 in just a bit over a year. I drive 24 miles each way to work, mostly in the winter and on bad weather days (I have a "fun" summer car). My drive consists of country roads (35-55 mph) and a few small towns with stoplights. I routinely get 20-23 mpg on the display and spot checks show it to be pretty close. Like you mentioned, I use it to carry five people and general home improvement stuff. The truck works great for that purpose.

Having had nine new GM vehicles in the family over the past 30 years, I will be totally amazed if my truck lasts 200k miles before I get tired of things breaking on it and get rid of it. I bought a long extended warranty, so GM will be fixing it for quite a while. Incidentally, I am a maintenance freak and the work is done by my dealer, so please don't bother telling me that I am doing something wrong with the maintenance...

GreatWhiteMexican · February 9, 2021

I have a 2020 Custom Trail Boss with the 5.3L AFM and 6 speed transmission. If you want better gas mileage, that combo is not for you. I get on average between 12.8 and 13.3 MPG. At the time of purchase in my area, the 5.3 and 6.2 in either 8 or 10 speed transmissions were very hard to come by and the wait for them were a couple of months out. All in all I do not have any regrets about the purchase, just small gripes like in cab storage and the lack of cup holders in the back.

Based on what you have already researched and listed out, I’d say go for the LT, that would be the better option for you. You’ll get the gas mileage you want the either the 8 or 10 speed transmissions and you will also get a little bit more features and creature comforts than what the Custom has.

econometrics · February 9, 2021

If I were you, OP, I would for sure get an LT with the 3.0L.

You'll immediately have buyer's remorse if you get a Custom TB, IMO. You talk yourself into "not needing the comforts" for the added price when you're buying it, but that "extra" $2K (or whatever) will look a lot smaller when you start driving the truck around and thinking of owning it for a long time.

This happened to me when I went for an RST and not an LTZ. I've spent the last 2 years owning my RST very happy, but always wishing I had the features for the LTZ that were just $1-2K more.

And, as many have said... the 10speed is night and day better than the 6spd in the Custom TB.