Why I Love My Silverado

[Murbella7]

I tried to reply to a thread about "what do you like about your tow vehicle" or something similar. After about an hour of typing, I hit the submit button, only to find that the reply couldn't be posted because the thread was too old.

So, rather than waste all that hard work, I decided to start this thread, hoping it finds a few responses from like-minded folk (even if they have other preferences, I am one-eyed but not a bigot).....

Why I Love My Silverado

I bought this 2004 6.6l crew cab Chevy 2 years ago, after buying the FR Wildwood Heritage Glen, because this sort of grunt is what's needed to tow such a van.

It came with 280,000KM's (about 174,000 miles) on the clock, has now got over 300,000km's (roughly 190k miles). I have done nothing but repair, fix, replace stuff ever since. I paid a pittance for it (about half the market rate at the time) so was not unhappy at spending $20k fixing things, replacing aftermarket wheels and tires, bushes, and stuff, to bring it up to full roadworthy specs to suit Victorian (Australia) RW regulations. I wanted to be safe and legal. But that still made it cheaper than the nearest rival option, a same model but a short tub version, which would have given me grief later.

So far I have had to fix the A/C, replace the drivers seat (because the vehicle is a right-hand drive conversion and the drivers seat was originally the passenger seat that had no proper adjustments), rear springs (a bottom leaf was skewed so needed new shackles to bind them together), added 5th wheel hitch, tool box, lockable diesel & water jerry can holders, 3kw generator bolted to the floor and front and rear cameras with a selector switch (I added a rear view camera to the van).

I noticed recently the tub has a slight lean to the left when viewed from the rear, probably a suspension thing I will need to look at, I small hole in the lining above the driver, lost brakes due to the turbo pipe banging on the front brake line and smashing it, a result of bad conversion job and it 'hunts' for some unknown reason (turbo surges apparently but I have various versions for the cause).

I have also replaced the aftermarket radio it came with, that replaced the original Chevy/Bose head unit (the previous owner couldn't figure out how to use it), so now have a unit with a 7.5" screen, DVD player and most importantly an inbuilt GPS. Still don't have the steering whee controls or beeps and whistles things or mirror indicator flashing lights, but I can live with that. Who wants to hear annoying beeping when the door opens anyway?

After countless hours of researching, discovering that the only way to get the full Bose surround sound speaker and subwoofer setup working properly was to buy a very expensive new wiring loom (with no guarantee it would work anyway), finding 20 different wiring schematic versions that were all wrong (for my truck), I eventually did it myself, discovering where the subwoofer was (under the console) and changing the wiring so it now works, without the Bose EQ system (which everybody will tell you it can't). Now I have good (not great) sound, in all 11 speakers (including 5.1 surround, the wiring change the previous guy did nearly screwed any chance of that), and so many input options my DW goes cross-eyed trying to find the right window for the right device on the touch screen, PLUS we have GPS and a 7.5" screen.

When we bought this truck in Oct 2016, we were (actually me, the DW admittedly knows nothing about these things so can't be classed as naive), a little ignorant about this type of vehicle. I knew what I needed to tow the big rig, hated the idea of driving a truck (Isuzu Daily, etc), liked the idea of a Silverado, (next to F250's the 2500HD's are movie's most used vehicle), couldn't afford the GMC or RAM options here in OZ, and I tried but hated the Ford options I tested. When I found this one in a trade mag, I flew over to the seller's property (he is in another state), was probably a little awed by the size of it, in particular his test driving me at 140km/hr on rough dirt roads (with me feeling like I was in a rock tumbler and screaming blue murder all the way), so handed over the cash without due diligence. drove it home in the heat (with no a/c) and eventually got used to the size of the thing.

I liked it. Looking down at the traffic is a good feeling. Just fitting between the white lines is a bit daunting, but hey, I'm bigger so move over buster.

The thing that gets me about the Chevy Silverado is its absolute robustness. The engine was designed for a million Km's, the gear box/transfer box will last forever, it is a joy to drive (just like a good upmarket sedan) and with all that power and torque (plus tow mode), never has there been a problem with pulling my 5 ton van, although turning circle can be a pain sometimes.

If I had my druthers and the cash (and permission of course), I would buy a new one tomorrow, only because I like the new body shapes (they are different, really) and the fab paint jobs. Why would I need to buy a new Silverado? Mine is a rapidly aging 2004 model that has been worked pretty hard in its short life (by previous owners) and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. It's even better than my Nissan Maxima (s) (I have had two) and that is saying something.

[Crusadernoob]

I hear ya, wouldn't trade our 06 for anything!

[BandJCarm]

Yeah!!

But............which side's your steering wheel on????????

[ronheater70]

Always good to see someone well pleased with their Truck.. Good for you!

[Murbella7]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Yeah!!

But............which side's your steering wheel on????????

It's on the right side, that is, the correct side.

[Murbella7]

Originally Posted by Crusadernoob

I hear ya, wouldn't trade our 06 for anything!

Oh, I'd trade in a hearbeat. Don't get me wrong, it would have to be a 2019, like in the ad, bright red.

[pd2436]

When the DW and I bought our 2618 VS we had a 2005 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton WIth just a 100,000 miles on odometer. It looked new as the day she was made. Unfortunately it had a tow capacity of just 7400 lbs so We sold and upgraded to a 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 hd with the 6.0 gasoline engine with 52000 miles.
Absolutely love this truck but don’t get me wrong, if my 05 had the capacity to pull the TT I WOULD STILL HAVE IT.
I hate the payment but love the truck. We put just over 7500 miles on it in 2017 and it pulls the TT like it’s not even there.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Murbella7

I tried to reply to a thread about "what do you like about your tow vehicle" or something similar. After about an hour of typing, I hit the submit button, only to find that the reply couldn't be posted because the thread was too old.
....

Your reply could have been posted. All you had to do was check the box at the bottom that says "Yes, I know it's an old thread but I need to post here anyway" (or some such). Actually, the block says this:
"This Thread is more than xxxx days old. It is very likely that it does not need any further discussion and thus bumping it serves no purpose.
If you still feel it is necessary to make a new reply, you can still do so though.
I am aware that this Thread is rather old but I still want to make a reply." [emphasis mine]

[Crusadernoob]

Originally Posted by Murbella7

Oh, I'd trade in a hearbeat. Don't get me wrong, it would have to be a 2019, like in the ad, bright red.

I like not having a vehicle payment, it means we can camp more! Don't get me wrong, I like getting in a newer truck and going on a road test, BUT at the end of the day we still love our truck, my plan is to nurse this ol bucket o' bolts as long as I can. I like our truck so much that if money was no object I'd buy a bigger fifth wheel and turn our truck into a dually, I'd like a crew cab short bed dually. NO IM NOT BUYING A RAM!

[OttieJB]

I picked up my 2006 this year, the LBZ 6.6 Duramax is a good motor. Pulls our PUP with ease.

[benchmarks]

The 2017 crew cab 1500, white. Only vehicle I've ever bought new and will ever do again. Not because it's dumb money, ok yes, but its the best time in my life to take on the debt. I'll drive it till it pukes or I graduate to different trailer,

[jallen02]

Originally Posted by benchmarks

The 2017 crew cab 1500, white. Only vehicle I've ever bought new and will ever do again. Not because it's dumb money, ok yes, but its the best time in my life to take on the debt. I'll drive it till it pukes or I graduate to different trailer,

I love my f250SD Diesel 2012 more than you love your Chevy

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by jallen02

I love my f250SD Diesel 2012 more than you love your Chevy

Doubt that. Chevy all the way and I usually trade every 5 years cause I can. Later RJ

[Awilson]

I knew a guy that had an older GM truck that he would take to the local mechanic every few years and have all the systems replaced and gone through and I mean everything cause he loved his truck. New engine overhaul, transmission, new master cylinder with new lines and new brake pads. When the mechanic got done in about a month it was new truck. If I remember right he bought it new in 1965. Meticulous care. It always got what it needed.

[Stovebolt]

I don't have a Silverado, I did at one time. I have had Fords, Chevy/GMC's and Ram's. I just love pickup trucks. Some I have had real good luck with others I have had troubles with. But I still love pickups. Today, with 4 door pickups and all the towing goodies you can get on them why would anyone want some little 4 door car that you need a crane to get out of. The only reason in my mind for a car is just grocery getter that gets better MPGs. My present truck is a 2015 Ford F150 King Ranch Ecomonster with every option they make. The optional ramp system is something I wouldn't normally order but it came on this truck. I wound up using them so much that if I didn't have them I'd be lost. I pull a 35-foot FR Heritage Glen 282RK and have plenty of power. I'm so impressed with these new trucks no matter who makes them. Just saw a 2019 Ram on the road and all I can say is WOW!!! They finally went to 6 lugs wheels which means they will be in competition in the towing department along with GM and Ford. The front end is so much nicer looking than the older ones and those weren't bad to begin with.

Happy towing.

[PenJoe]

We have had one serious problem with our 2013 Silverado extended cab. The door protection trim on the two back doors started to come loose. When we noticed it, we took it to the Dahl Chevy/Buick dealer in Winona, MN (bought the truck in Cape Coral, FL) and wanted an estimate for repairs.

To our amazement, the service manager contacted the factory and got the repair covered under warranty in 2017. The dealer then gave us a 2017 Silverado to drive while they reattached the trim. That is service pure and simple.

PS: When we returned from Florida last time down with the Silverdo, our neighbor thought we had bought a new truck. We get a lot of compliments from strangers on the bright red!

[Ontario Sam]

If you like the older Silvarado you will love the newer models even more. In 2014 GM re-engineered the half ton's and made them ride more like a car. So quiet on the highway with lot's of power. Had the 2014 with the 5.3L and upgraded to the 2016 with the 6.2L as I needed more towing capacity to pull a 9,000 5er. Great truck.

[Wilco]

When I retired, we went looking for a larger TT to spend the winters in. After finding the TT, it dictated the size of truck I needed. I like my 2500HD and even load my Goldwing into it when we travel. I have found lowering the tire pressure to 55# makes the ride more comfortable when not towing. Air it back up to 60/70# for towing.



https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ture16570.jpeg

[maskins]

I love my 2005. I got it in 2008 when diesel skyrocketed for a steal. It is paid for and has been nothing but reliable. Only thing I have had to do to it is change fluids, brake pads once, and one glow plug. I hope it keeps going for a lot longer. I do dream of a new truck, then I see the 70K price tag and decide to keep mine.

[DouglasReid]

We have an 08 Silverado CCSB pulling a 12,000 lb. 5er. We LOVE it and would not swap for any other brand. It is a Pulling Machine, designed to pull and Good At It!

DO NOT want to pay what they want for a new one.

If we maintain this one well it will last us until we are o longer able to go camping! either!