Ordered my retirement truck

[Fishfighter]

After a lot of research and deliberation I put in my order for Chevy 2500 WT, crew cab, gas, 4WD, Lakeshore Blue.

i am towing a 7000 pound boat so i originally thought I would just get a used 1/2 ton with a higher payload rating

but that was not that easy in todays market. For example you can’t order a f150 in a crew cab with the 7 foot bed in a high payload.

I wanted the crew cab and the longer bed. To many Chevy 1500 problems for me. After reading to many opinions I sided with the, I would rather have to much truck than not enough crowd. I want to make a lot of 1000 mile ocean runs in my retirement and don’t want to have to stop and change my shorts all the time.  7000 seems to be the breaking point for a lot of people on 1/2 ton long distance towing 

Well of course they can’t put my order in because of Lakeshore Blue late availability. I don’t suppose anyone can guess when that will be?

Also I wonder at what point it would turn into a 2025, and would that be a good thing?  This being my last I don’t want to settle on the other colors available on the WT. Thanks 

[Robbie R]

I was told by 2 dealers that the lake shore blue was being canceled until 2025.  Because that was originally the color I wanted. But once I found that out I started looking at gmc. Found a dealer down in Florida and now have an order in for a volcanic red at4 

[Fishfighter]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone have a  idea when they usually release the next year’s colors 

[Leonardo Willi]

Grats on the decision. As a guy who's owned a lot of vehicles from the big 3, I'm going out of this world solid on GM - and I think I got my forever truck (I really really do) 

 My thoughts have always been exactly as you've stated - better to have too much truck. I pulled a decent boat, around your weight, mine was 65-6700 with a 3500 Silverado 7.4L ext cab long bed - Best decision I ever made because I was in command always and that's a comforting feeling. 

 I like your long WB thinking -  longer the wheelbase, the better a puller it is imho. Your going to love the 10spd trans and big fuel tank- it tricks you into thinking that $120 fill-up goes really far 

 

 Yah, paint has been an ongoing issue. I wanted Volcanic red but after as long as I waited I caved with my backup of black. 

 If I was guessing, it's going to be a while before 25's because the 24's were so early. I think the biggest changes will mostly be a price increase. 

 Best of luck getting it done! I waited 19months, and it was worth all the pain, absolutely worth it if for nothing else than the 10spd trans. IT's smooth as soft butter in July~

[Pryme]

Nice, another WT on the board. 

[64BAwagon]

You might be closer than you think on the Lakeshore blue. I went up I-75 on Saturday and amongst the sea of silver, black and white trucks awaiting shipment in the lot next to the Sheetmetal plant was a Blue truck. I only caught a glimpse of one but it was a good sign. 

I suspect the 24 model year will run long, probably until this time next year. A price increase mid model year is all but an inevitable thing. 

Edited June 26, 2023 by 64BAwagon

[nards444]

I hauled a 7k boat more like 8-9 with trailer and fuel with Fords Ecoboost and it did great for short trips,  long distances yeah no.  

 

For a retirement truck I would think you would want to buy something that probably covers you for the next 10-12 years which will probably be the most busiest of your retirement.  The 2500 is a good choice to future proof yourself.  along with a crew cab.

 

I might suggest a few things though, which might cost more up front but ultimately might cost you less later

 

1. 7-8k over long distances I would think the diesel, 10k upgrade, but you will get 30% better mpg and the towing experience will be night and day.  Im in a gasser now 2022,  had a 2021 diesel before.  Im ok with it but the gasser is kind of let down when towing

 

2.  Nothing wrong with work trucks, they actually have more then they used to.  Lots of standard things like AC, auto windows, etc.  But I would go back to future proofing yourself, and if you want to be comfortable,  something like the custom or even LT might be something to look at.

 

The reason i say this, is I have seen lots of retirees go out and get the economical truck. And 2 years in they are spending money putting in remote start, this feature or that feature, or even say screw it and going to get a better trimmed out truck all together, all of which made going cheap to begin with cost more money.   Have seen that a lot,  but with that said have also seen the guy buy an dually and 50ft 5th wheel and after 3 camping trips is trading it in.  

Edited June 26, 2023 by nards444

[UWSkier]

Local dealer told me they could start ordering Lakeshore Blue in August and expect delivery in November or December.

 

I wanted something sooner so I settled on Sterling Metallic, which actually looks better than I expected with old-man chrome bumpers.

 

I figure I'll trade it on a blue truck in a couple years.

[newdude]

IMO, I'd consider looking at the Custom as you can get some things in there you can't get on the WT like power driver's seat.  

 

Last word on Lakeshore Blue is late summer for ordering so probably August/September.  

Edited June 26, 2023 by newdude

[Fishfighter]

thanks for all the responses. I want to get cracking so I called and went with the red. Wonder how long it will take

[Pryme]

7 hours ago, newdude said:

IMO, I'd consider looking at the Custom as you can get some things in there you can't get on the WT like power driver's seat.  

 

Last word on Lakeshore Blue is late summer for ordering so probably August/September.  

Never understood power driver seat. Had them and never touched it. Very slow to adjust back and forth vs manual too. My wife and I both drive a gas sipping car for short around town trips and it has power seats. It takes forever to adjust it from her position to mine. 
 

im done growing and am the only driver of the truck so it’s never been adjusted 

[Flatus]

53 minutes ago, Pryme said:

Never understood power driver seat. Had them and never touched it. Very slow to adjust back and forth vs manual too. My wife and I both drive a gas sipping car for short around town trips and it has power seats. It takes forever to adjust it from her position to mine. 
 

im done growing and am the only driver of the truck so it’s never been adjusted 

Us shorties need a power driver seat to raise it up.

[KARNUT]

I’ve had vehicles that my wife drove. She would get fancier vehicles because she keeps them forever. They came with electric seats that adjust according to the fob you use when you grab the handle. They’re pretty handy for keeping me from getting injured when I forget to move the seat back.

[Pryme]

8 hours ago, Flatus said:

Us shorties need a power driver seat to raise it up.

Yeah I guess I can see that. I’m just over 73” so sightline is good with the base seat for me. 

[newdude]

10 hours ago, Pryme said:

Never understood power driver seat. Had them and never touched it. Very slow to adjust back and forth vs manual too. My wife and I both drive a gas sipping car for short around town trips and it has power seats. It takes forever to adjust it from her position to mine. 
 

im done growing and am the only driver of the truck so it’s never been adjusted 

 

 

Because the manual seat seating position sucks.  I'm 5ft11in and I can't stand it.