New truck next year. What to buy?

[cv ILL]

If you are looking at GMC, be sure to check out Laura GMC at laurabuickgmc.com. People from all over the country go their for best prices and selection. Near St Louis.

[TexasGolfBum]

I love Ford, but a while back I bought a Dodge 1 Ton Duley. My 5th wheel is only 15,000 but sure like the stability. Anyone else use Dodge? Seeing so many in the campgrounds caused me to buy one.

[Seachaser186]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Payload is ONLY determined at a CAT scale. The door number is only useful for planning purposes.

Don't argue that point. Until then you have to go by the cargo carrying capacity on the door sticker. My point was the full tank of gas does not account towards that number.

[timfromma]

All 3 big truck makers have their fans. Whichever you choose, make sure you have cargo capacity to spare.

[EdnKat]

Originally Posted by Landis

Hello everyone, We are going to start the task of buying a newer truck than what we have. We have a 2008 GMC 1500 SLE 4x4 crew cab short bed with 5.3 and 3.73 rear. I've been looking at a Ford Ecoboost 3.5 twin turbo. Our GMC has 92000 miles currently. The reason is we are planning our 25th Anniverary trip to Yellowstone in 2 years. We will be leaving Lancaster, Pa and going out. I'm looking on advice on trucks. I am partial to GM, but I will try anything. Staying with a half ton or upgrading to a diesel in a 3/4 ton truck?

3/4 to 1 ton diesel, buy the color you like, and the cup holders your wife likes, then you are good to go. Everyone has the 'best truck' on the market. if you don't believe me, just ask them. 3500 '08 Duramax here.

[acadianbob]

"3/4 ton" diesels are not a great idea because of limited payload. Any brand. The truck you buy should be mostly about payload.

[kfountain]

We tow with an F250 diesel and love it. I came from a 1500 GM with a 5.3 and the difference is amazing. You don't encounter a mountain that gives problems getting over and you can get 12 mpg. while doing it. I pull a 32 ft. Vnose that this truck not only pulls well but is very stable and can stop when I need to. The sales person told me the truth when he said that wherever you have the accelerator pointed when you push down is where the truck will take you. Good luck with your search.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

"3/4 ton" diesels are not a great idea because of limited payload. Any brand. The truck you buy should be mostly about payload.

Diesels have more torque meaning hills are a breeze, using a combination of tow mode, exhaust brake and cruise control means you can maintain speed even on the steepest grades without needing to touch the brakes or throttle. They get better mileage which means you can go further on a fill. Filling up is a breeze since you can use the truck lanes at any truck stop.

[Landis]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Diesels have more torque meaning hills are a breeze, using a combination of tow mode, exhaust brake and cruise control means you can maintain speed even on the steepest grades without needing to touch the brakes or throttle. They get better mileage which means you can go further on a fill. Filling up is a breeze since you can use the truck lanes at any truck stop.

And not have to worry about height when fueling up.

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by Landis

Hello everyone, We are going to start the task of buying a newer truck than what we have. We have a 2008 GMC 1500 SLE 4x4 crew cab short bed with 5.3 and 3.73 rear. I've been looking at a Ford Ecoboost 3.5 twin turbo. Our GMC has 92000 miles currently. The reason is we are planning our 25th Anniverary trip to Yellowstone in 2 years. We will be leaving Lancaster, Pa and going out. I'm looking on advice on trucks. I am partial to GM, but I will try anything. Staying with a half ton or upgrading to a diesel in a 3/4 ton truck?

Lancaster, PA, eh? Have you thought of a horse drawn buggy?

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by Bigruh36

If you are partial to GM look at Dennis Dillion GMC in Boise, they have the best price and buying experience.

Have you ever tried Dave Smith in Kellogg?

[Landis]

Originally Posted by sfsgm

Lancaster, PA, eh? Have you thought of a horse drawn buggy?

Lol, about 6 horses is what I'll need.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Landis

And not have to worry about height when fueling up.

Or weird pump layouts making maneuvering difficult if not impossible.

[Mr Havercamp]

Perhaps consider this which is available powered in either gas, diesel, or corn oil.

[Scrub175]

Having moved from an ecoboost F150 to a diesel F250 and completing our first tow I can say the ease, comfort, and stability of having the 250 is well worth it.

The ecoboost pulled the camper just fine but I never felt like I was fully controlling the camper, it still had a mind of its own. With the F250, I never really had to fight the camper to keep control. After the first few miles and getting a feel of it, I set the cruise and just enjoyed the ride. Much more of a relaxing tow.

I didn't hit a scale with the 150 but it was right at the limits based on TV and TT loaded capacities. I used max capacities for worst case scenario. With the 150 I was at the upper end of the capacity but with the 250 I'm not pushing the upper end anymore and we could tell the difference.

My old 15 F150 cargo capacity sticker



17 F250 cargo capacity sticker



Rockwood GVWR sticker

[5OHcampers]

Only 470lbs more payload? I'll stick with my little v6.

[JJaxon]

Originally Posted by m35a2

If you are a veteran, USAA has an excellent car buying service. I highly recommend it.

It's nice to walk in to the dealership and hand them the paper with the deal on it. Great price, no haggling.

How does the USAA plan work? Any Veteran, or a membership is required? What are the rules for using that option?

I am in the same mode as the OP. Looking now to buy a truck that will pull our next unit, while currently staying with the TH we have. I'm favoring the Ram 2500 w/ Cummins diesel. Curious how this USAA works, since I am a DAV.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by JJaxon

How does the USAA plan work? Any Veteran, or a membership is required? What are the rules for using that option?

I am in the same mode as the OP. Looking now to buy a truck that will pull our next unit, while currently staying with the TH we have. I'm favoring the Ram 2500 w/ Cummins diesel. Curious how this USAA works, since I am a DAV.

It works the same as employee or supplier discount programs etc. They supposedly "make the deal".

One thing I have found over the years with these programs, or when I am told this dealer in upper north east west Chester or somewhere out in hooterville or pixley has the best prices, is the dealer 10 minutes away or any other dealer can make the same deal without all the drama and BS. The question is will they. I have a local GMC dealer here who encourages you to get a legitimate quote using any type of program. USAA, Truecar, GM supplier etc and he'll at least match it, and usually beat it. The only program he can not beat is the GM employee program and since I do not work for GM it's not an option regardless.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

It works the same as employee or supplier discount programs etc. They supposedly "make the deal".

One thing I have found over the years with these programs, or when I am told this dealer in upper north east west Chester or somewhere out in hooterville or pixley has the best prices, is the dealer 10 minutes away or any other dealer can make the same deal without all the drama and BS. The question is will they. I have a local GMC dealer here who encourages you to get a legitimate quote using any type of program. USAA, Truecar, GM supplier etc and he'll at least match it, and usually beat it. The only program he can not beat is the GM employee program and since I do not work for GM it's not an option regardless.

That's exactly what I did. Shopped all the different brands (Ford, GM, Ram), picked what I wanted, got my financing done, and got a voucher for the deal. Then went 10 miles up the road and my local dealer matched the price.

It's so nice to know that you are getting a good deal without all of the haggling. And because the tool lets you see what other people have paid, you actually know whether you are getting a good deal or not.

In answer to the earlier question, you do have to be a member of USAA but I think all that requires is opening a savings account.

I gotta say that if I were buying the truck today, I'd have gone with a 1 ton dually. I may still trade up. We'll see how this upcoming 4k road trip goes.

[510Rick]

OVERKILL OVERKILL OVERKILL Always go overkill ..Especially when it comes to hauling safely . 2500 with out a doubt . You prefer GM so get a Duramax