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01-23-2017, 05:09 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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New TV (and a back story)
First let me apologize for basically being active when I first got my Stealth then basically disappearing. I haven't really disappeared, just turned into a lurker, for the most part...
Figured I'd start off with a bit of a back story first, but don't worry, there's a TL;DR with pics at the end of this post for the impatient.
We are currently caught up in the VW TDI scandal with our 2012 Jetta TDI. The plan was to pay it off (only a few months left on the loan), drive it until it quits (already at 200K) and bank the payments until we had a decent down payment on a middle of the pack new or slightly used TV to replace the aging 2500 we had that was pulling at its capacity anyways.
Well, then the diesel scandal hit (since I've found more and more that are unaware of the whole situation, here's a link to a Car and Driver blog post about it that's pretty comprehensive: Everything You Need to Know About the VW Diesel Emissions Scandal – News – Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog )
So, we've opted to sell the car back to VW since they are going to buy it back for $10K over the current value. However, this left us with a choice to make: Get a new economical daily driver and put off replacing the truck (which was starting to show signs of something major giving out on one of our 6000 mile trips) or replace the 2500 and daily drive the replacement (180 miles a day 5+ days a week). Each choice had its pros and cons that the wife and I weighed over 4 months of mostly casual conversation.
Well, November rolls up and it comes up that we're probably no more than a month or two (hopefully) away from buy back time so we get real serious about what exactly we were going to do. Over the course of the conversation she tells me that she's truthfully not very comfortable with cross country travel in the 2500 as it sat. The 6.0 Vortec was starting to stutter a bit here and there (probably fuel pump related) and it was obvious that the suspension was shot and the steering was getting quite lose. I had been preparing a list of things it would need to get her back into the "no worries" category for cross country trips and it was getting rather long... Plus we always knew the 6.0 was the wrong motor for pulling a 10,000Lb trailer up 6% grade. So, she gave me the green light to go truck hunting. Basically said that since we're looking at driving it daily for a couple of years to make it something I wouldn't mind driving for 3 hours every day...
Before actually going to look at anything, I also asked my 6YO son what he wanted and he told me a car... So, I asked why and he told me there wasn't enough leg room in the 2500 (true, I was up further than I liked and he still had his knees pressed to the back of my seat) and he wanted a car with a TV so his sister and he could watch movies since we are on the road so long basically every day. I asked him: "what if there was a truck with lots of leg room and a TV in the back"? He was sold.
With the green light from the wife and my boy, I went hunting for a couple of weeks. I had a needs list and a wants list.
Needs included: - Diesel
- Full 4 door (crew cab)
- 4x4 (not used 95% of the time, but that 5%...)
- Long bed (came from a long line of nothing but long bed owners)
- 10K+ towing capacity
- Tow package/mirrors
- White/light exterior color (dark colors get seriously hot in the NV summers)
Wants included: - Technology package
- Navigation
- Rear entertainment
- Tan/light interior
- 3500/DRW (could have stuck with a 3/4 ton without any gripes)
I looked at all of the big 3 brands (and even checked out the Titan XD) and, being a GM guy from a long line of GM guys, found the Chevy/GMC to be the truck that fit me the best. Searched inventory for a good while for some that met my requirements and weighed each one against the other until one stood out.
So, on to the new TV:
TL;DR: Got a new Chevy 3500HD LTZ DRW. All the bells and whistles, and I mean all (except the heated steering wheel):
Link to the full album (at least the pics I'm sharing ):
https://goo.gl/photos/VQTLssQHkUpusARZ7
- 3500HD DRW
- Crew cab
- 4x4
- Long bed
- Duramax/Allison
- LTZ
- Heated/vented leather
- Full power everywhere
- Back up camera
- Parking assist
- Lane departure warning (life saver with that big rear she has)
- Sunroof
- Rear entertainment
- Tow package with gooseneck prep and ITB.
- Color matched front and rear
- 8" nav.
- Etc, etc, etc...
About to place an order for a new 2.5" (V5) hitch for the Stealth so I don't have to sleeve it like I did on the 2500 which caused enough rub on the sleeve to basically rust the sleeve to the receiver (had to break it free to remove it before trade-in...).
It's a crazy good truck and actually more comfortable and controllable than the SRW 2500 was (dunno how that can possibly be, but it is). It's still stiff, but not nearly what I expected out of a 1 ton DRW. Again, it rider better than the 2500 did (may be related to the loose steering and shot suspension though).
Overall quite happy with the purchase (sans the registration, monthly payment and 15MPG...).
Was able to walk out the door with 0% financing, $8K off MSRP and was able to get the 125K warranty and a 60K maintenance agreement for dealer cost (~$4K for both). Not that there isn't 100 other cars at its price point or below that I'd like to own, but nothing like this baby here.
Before you say it:
Yes, it's a 2016 and I'm fully aware that the Duramax finally just caught up to the other two in terms of HP/torque with the 2017 Duramax. While it kind of bothers me, it also doesn't cause I know the LML is a bullet proof engine after the roughly million sold to date and I seriously don't require 1000 F'n ft/lbs of torque. At least not enough to be the beta tester... Hell, the 2017s were delayed hitting the lots (probably while they worked out the Duramax's bugs).
Yes, I know that Dodge is rated to 30K towing capacity and I'm at 23K. No, I didn't buy it to tow 5 cars behind it on a car trailer across the country, max I'll ever probably do is a 20K fifth wheel (when I get 150K to throw into one ) However, I sat in a loaded Dodge and it's nowhere near the Escalade interior that the Chevy has. The wife and I are in IT so having the 4G hotspot in the truck is great when either of us are working on the road. Bluray and hotspot for the kids as well. Wireless headphones so they can listen to the movie while the wife and I rock Pandora.
Sat in a Ford and while it was mighty tempting and didn't have many knocks against it, it still couldn't hold up to how nice the interior on the Chevy is and how smooth the uploaded ride is.
Of course, this is all my personal opinion and I'm not knocking any of the other options out there as they were all great options (for $70K F'n trucks...).
And that's my story. I suppose I'm really just interested in getting some validation to boost my ego (cause this thing cost so damned much and I'm still beating myself up over just how stupid I went with it) from other like minded individuals who may know what I'm talking about/going through.
And that's that:
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01-23-2017, 05:22 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 626
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I bought the exact samw truck a week ago, love it, mine has the plow package and i miss the sunroof and power rear slider. I traded my 16 gmc 2500 for it to tow the fiver we're getting plus i missed my chevy
Congrats!!
Sent from my SM-G935T using Forest River Forums mobile app
__________________
2013 Prime Time Tracer 3200BHT
2016 Chevy 3500 CC, DRW (aka: bigbootyjudy)
Ribs in the smoker and Whiskey in hand
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01-23-2017, 05:27 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway
I bought the exact samw truck a week ago, love it, mine has the plow package and i miss the sunroof and power rear slider. I traded my 16 gmc 2500 for it to tow the fiver we're getting plus i missed my chevy
Congrats!!
Sent from my SM-G935T using Forest River Forums mobile app
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Thanks! Haven't used the power slider or roof yet (other than to test them) as the weather isn't really there yet, but we use the panoramic sunroof on the Jetta often enough so I'm sure we'll get them open one of these days.
BTW, you have nice taste in trucks
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01-23-2017, 05:41 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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It's an awesome vehicle. I THINK mine has the heated steering wheel. I have no clue how to turn it on! Nor do I need to.
It'll pull the house off the foundation.
Quiet, smooth, powerful, and roomy. You'll love it. I traded a 2500 diesel for mine, and haven't looked back.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
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01-23-2017, 05:48 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,016
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I just went from a 2015 F350 to 2016 GMC and I will say the ride is better in the GMC. I had a 3:55 on the Ford and 3:73 and the GMC so performance is about the same maybe leaning little toward the Ford. I happy with the GMC over the Ford and this is my first GMC truck so I have never owned a RAM so maybe Ram next time.
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40D Diesel Pusher 41 foot. CC 5740
2017 Solitude 310GK-R Pick Up Oct 24th.
2016 GMC Denali 1 ton Cargo Capacity 3722 lbs
Sold 2016 Keystone Montana 3711FL
Sold - 2015 Crusader 315RST 5th Wheel -
2015 Ford F350 SRW Cargo Capacity 3744
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01-23-2017, 05:48 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BandJCarm
It's an awesome vehicle. I THINK mine has the heated steering wheel. I have no clue how to turn it on! Nor do I need to.
It'll pull the house off the foundation.
Quiet, smooth, powerful, and roomy. You'll love it. I traded a 2500 diesel for mine, and haven't looked back.
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Not sure if you really care or not (as I certainly don't require a heated steering wheel) but the button is on the wheel itself with an LED that lights up when the wheel heater is on and heating:
It's the button on the lower right of the left side of the wheel that looks like a wheel that's smoking...
I totally agree, it's surprisingly quiet, very smooth for a 1 ton DRW, powerful enough for me and more than enough room in the back for the kids now (even with my seat in the fully back exit position).
I already love it and have since day one. It's been hard walking past it almost every day and getting into the Jetta but we're going to drive it until the day they buy it back to save on the fuel and mileage until we absolutely have to drive it daily. Every day I look at her and think: "damn I'd rather be driving that"...
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01-23-2017, 05:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheUO
Not sure if you really care or not (as I certainly don't require a heated steering wheel) but the button is on the wheel itself with an LED that lights up when the wheel heater is on and heating:
It's the button on the lower right of the left side of the wheel that looks like a wheel that's smoking...
I totally agree, it's surprisingly quiet, very smooth for a 1 ton DRW, powerful enough for me and more than enough room in the back for the kids now (even with my seat in the fully back exit position).
I already love it and have since day one. It's been hard walking past it almost every day and getting into the Jetta but we're going to drive it until the day they buy it back to save on the fuel and mileage until we absolutely have to drive it daily. Every day I look at her and think: "damn I'd rather be driving that"...
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Where i live in ct, the heated steering wheel comes in handy. I just added a tonneau cover to mine and the leds in the bed makes it nice when grabbing my boys baseball atuff. I havent towed our TT yet but looking forward to it.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Forest River Forums mobile app
__________________
2013 Prime Time Tracer 3200BHT
2016 Chevy 3500 CC, DRW (aka: bigbootyjudy)
Ribs in the smoker and Whiskey in hand
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01-23-2017, 06:00 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CWSWine
I just went from a 2015 F350 to 2016 GMC and I will say the ride is better in the GMC. I had a 3:55 on the Ford and 3:73 and the GMC so performance is about the same maybe leaning little toward the Ford. I happy with the GMC over the Ford and this is my first GMC truck so I have never owned a RAM so maybe Ram next time.
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A friend of mine has a F350 DRW and the performance of the recently updated PowerStroke is noticeable over the LML Duramax (~150ft/lb difference in torque is noticeable). I imagine the 2017 Duramax would give it a run for its money (if not even surpassing it backed by the updated Allison 2000). However, I didn't buy her to take to the strip on the weekends, I bought her for towing and overall comfort as a daily driver and even my buddy likes riding in the 3500 more than his own F350 (comfort and amenity wise). He's a lineman though and the Ford fits his needs perfectly. Hell, he's probably better fitted to a Ram, to be honest.
As for the Dodge, unless you want ridiculous capacity, if you like the ride/options of the GM, you'll probably not make the jump after riding around in one. Just my opinion after riding in a '16 3500 DRW Cummins. Great truck, just more work oriented whereas I'm more play, show and comfort myself.
Oh, and the power assisted steering! Totally forgot to mention how easy she is to drive with that steering setup. Easier to drive than the non-assisted 2500. Hell, it has nicer steering than my '06 Pontiac GTO...
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01-23-2017, 06:08 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway
Where i live in ct, the heated steering wheel comes in handy. I just added a tonneau cover to mine and the leds in the bed makes it nice when grabbing my boys baseball atuff. I havent towed our TT yet but looking forward to it.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Forest River Forums mobile app
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Yeah, not much need for a heated wheel out where I am in the desert. Hell, a cooled wheel would be nice for when it's 115F out... Black wheel in that sun will down right burn your hand.
I'm looking for a roll up tonneau myself, which one did you get, if I might ask?
Have the bed LEDs as well and they have already been nice for when the sun goes down.
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01-23-2017, 06:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheUO
Yeah, not much need for a heated wheel out where I am in the desert. Hell, a cooled wheel would be nice for when it's 115F out... Black wheel in that sun will down right burn your hand.
I'm looking for a roll up tonneau myself, which one did you get, if I might ask?
Have the bed LEDs as well and they have already been nice for when the sun goes down.
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LoPro truxedo, i got it locally for a less then what it is here.
http://m.autoanything.com/tonneau-co...A1587A0A0.aspx
It took me longer to buy it then to install it. Lol
Sent from my SM-G935T using Forest River Forums mobile app
__________________
2013 Prime Time Tracer 3200BHT
2016 Chevy 3500 CC, DRW (aka: bigbootyjudy)
Ribs in the smoker and Whiskey in hand
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01-23-2017, 06:27 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway
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Thanks again. I'm leaning towards a hard roll up, but hard to eat the cost. Been shopping for one longer than I shopped for the truck...
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01-23-2017, 06:30 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheUO
Thanks again. I'm leaning towards a hard roll up, but hard to eat the cost. Been shopping for one longer than I shopped for the truck...
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I looked at the hard covers, but getting a fiver soon, i figured that would be a pain to deal with when towing, as for the soft roll up, just roll it and strap it.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Forest River Forums mobile app
__________________
2013 Prime Time Tracer 3200BHT
2016 Chevy 3500 CC, DRW (aka: bigbootyjudy)
Ribs in the smoker and Whiskey in hand
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01-23-2017, 06:41 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RollingDownTheHighway
I looked at the hard covers, but getting a fiver soon, i figured that would be a pain to deal with when towing, as for the soft roll up, just roll it and strap it.
Sent from my SM-G935T using Forest River Forums mobile app
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I was thinking something like this:
Truck Covers USA | American Roll Cover
Or either of the American Workers with the integrated toolbox, but the cost, the cost... Can't afford much more after the payment each month
Maybe when they finally buy back this VW.
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01-23-2017, 07:07 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Orlando
Posts: 778
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Glad your 6 yo gave his approval. Maybe I need to consult with a 1st grader on my next home purchase. LOL. Sign of the times I guess, GL with the new TV.
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01-23-2017, 07:14 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Southeast
Posts: 427
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Congrats on that nice (Very Nice) truck!
We just purchased a 2016 Silverado 2500. Our previous tow vehicle was getting long in the tooth (2003 Trailbalzer with 210K miles).
We also looked at Toyota and Ford, but as you said, the interior in the Chevy was several steps above (IMO). Our's isn't as loaded as yours. We only went with a nicely equipped LT, but we love it.
Happy Camping!
__________________
Chuck Roder & Family '07 Surveyor SV-235RS & '16 Chevy Silverado 2500HD (Gas) Crew Cab High Springs, FL.
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01-23-2017, 07:41 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brewhedd
Glad your 6 yo gave his approval. Maybe I need to consult with a 1st grader on my next home purchase. LOL. Sign of the times I guess, GL with the new TV.
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I dunno, if you have new kids (or going to have kids) it isn't a terrible idea to get their perspective. My house was also built around the 2 kids we knew we were going to eventually have and I wish I had a kids input on that.
His sister is a bit too young to have any input other than "Truck"! But he certainly knew what his problem with the 2500 was and what he wanted and maybe it makes me less of a man, but I took it into consideration. He spends almost as much time in it as I do so his comfort is something I consider as (like our wives) he can make our trips miserable if he wants to...
When my kids act and talk to us like adults, we talk back like they are one, when they around acting like a stupid kids, we treat them like kids. My conversation with my boy over the truck was an adult conversation.
We certainly are, and will continue to be, happy campers (the majority of the time)
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01-23-2017, 07:46 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,472
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I have a 2005 GMC 2500 with 30K miles on it. I have no need for a new truck. BUT..after seeing your new beauty... I want one!!!!
NICE truck!
__________________
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality – Ayn Rand
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01-23-2017, 07:54 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MOD Guy
Congrats on that nice (Very Nice) truck!
We just purchased a 2016 Silverado 2500. Our previous tow vehicle was getting long in the tooth (2003 Trailbalzer with 210K miles).
We also looked at Toyota and Ford, but as you said, the interior in the Chevy was several steps above (IMO). Our's isn't as loaded as yours. We only went with a nicely equipped LT, but we love it.
Happy Camping!
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Yeah, optioned out as it is (8" nav, color matched, drivers assist, etc...), it's basically a High Country. However, if it wasn't for the TDI scandal amd needing to daily drive it for about 3 hours each day, we would have absolutely gone for a decent LT. The 2500 was a WT and no power windows and locks is just the worst, IMO.
Doubt there's anything you really need above an LT anyways, I'm just impractical
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01-23-2017, 07:59 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bob213
I have a 2005 GMC 2500 with 30K miles on it. I have no need for a new truck. BUT..after seeing your new beauty... I want one!!!!
NICE truck!
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I envy the low miles on that thing. We average 40K a year... I'll have you beat by September
And sorry about that, wasn't trying to make anyone jealous (but on the other hand, it is flattering )
Thanks!
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01-23-2017, 08:26 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheUO
Yeah, not much need for a heated wheel out where I am in the desert. Hell, a cooled wheel would be nice for when it's 115F out... Black wheel in that sun will down right burn your hand.
I'm looking for a roll up tonneau myself, which one did you get, if I might ask?
Have the bed LEDs as well and they have already been nice for when the sun goes down.
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I had a BakFlip and sold it for a ReTrax Pro..........
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
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