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New truck again

J

john in la

Well-known Member
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What part of in La do you not understand
Well was dead set on used to keep my cost below $20k but looking at the rebates GM has now I have bordered my search to new 2015 trucks. Chevy is the only truck I can find with 2015's left. All the Ford's and Rams are sold.
Makes one think GM is the truck no one wants. LOL. Think it is more that GM held off on rebates while others were dumping last years models.

Last time I asked I got responses like the GM 4.3; 6 cylinder was gutless.
I can understand that from a crowd that does a lot of towing.
No one said anything bad about the motor other than it will not pull.
One has to wonder if you got this because the truck will not pull a 6% grade at 60.
The 2015 has the EcoTec3 4.3L V6 so it does show a little more horsepower than the older ones.
In fact the towing is only 1000 lbs less than the 5.3 with the same gears.
You have to move up to 5.3 with 3.42 gears to get better towing.
So the main problem I see with the 6 is they do not offer the better gear ratio for this truck to pull.

But anyway I did find a truck with the 5.3 six speed automatic and 3.42 rears.
Fuel mileage is still good with the 4 cylinder option at highway cruse.
I am kind of scared of the 5.3 with past oil consumption problems and problems with the 4 cylinder option.
GM may or may not have gotten this fixed.
So can anyone comment on the 5.3 and reliability.


I also found a used 2015 Ram with less than 5k miles. It has the 5.7 hemi and a 8 speed automatic.
Nice truck but I do not know anything about them.

Trying to find the best truck for me as this may be the last one I buy in my lifetime.
I tow a 2500 lb boat 100 miles each way about once a month.
I also have a 5000 lb camper we use to run from storms.
Per GM web site the 6 cylinder will pull both of these with room to spare. (6100 max tow)
I just will not be able to pull both of them at one time unless I move up to the V8. I only do this once a year for 200 miles max at most so do not know if it justifies the bigger motor. Especially since my daughter has a truck that will pull it easily I can borrow for this once a year occurrence.

So give me some ideas.
With out starting a color war what are the things to look for and stay away from in new trucks.
New 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
 
Rust is not likely a problem where you are, but up by me the newer dodges rust a lot faster than ford or chev models. And sounds to me for your use any engine will do the job you want. I've never had a truck that wouldn't tow a lot more than what it was rated for, you just can't win any races. I think as far as brand goes you can find about the same percentage of owners who will claim that each is the best or that each is the worst. I would stick with the brand you know and are used to.
 
(quoted from post at 08:19:21 03/10/16) Well was dead set on used to keep my cost below $20k but looking at the rebates GM has now I have bordered my search to new 2015 trucks. Chevy is the only truck I can find with 2015's left. All the Ford's and Rams are sold.
Makes one think GM is the truck no one wants. LOL. Think it is more that GM held off on rebates while others were dumping last years models.

Last time I asked I got responses like the GM 4.3; 6 cylinder was gutless.
I can understand that from a crowd that does a lot of towing.
No one said anything bad about the motor other than it will not pull.
One has to wonder if you got this because the truck will not pull a 6% grade at 60.
The 2015 has the EcoTec3 4.3L V6 so it does show a little more horsepower than the older ones.
In fact the towing is only 1000 lbs less than the 5.3 with the same gears.
You have to move up to 5.3 with 3.42 gears to get better towing.
So the main problem I see with the 6 is they do not offer the better gear ratio for this truck to pull.

But anyway I did find a truck with the 5.3 six speed automatic and 3.42 rears.
Fuel mileage is still good with the 4 cylinder option at highway cruse.
I am kind of scared of the 5.3 with past oil consumption problems and problems with the 4 cylinder option.
GM may or may not have gotten this fixed.
So can anyone comment on the 5.3 and reliability.


I also found a used 2015 Ram with less than 5k miles. It has the 5.7 hemi and a 8 speed automatic.
Nice truck but I do not know anything about them.

Trying to find the best truck for me as this may be the last one I buy in my lifetime.
I tow a 2500 lb boat 100 miles each way about once a month.
I also have a 5000 lb camper we use to run from storms.
Per GM web site the 6 cylinder will pull both of these with room to spare. (6100 max tow)
I just will not be able to pull both of them at one time unless I move up to the V8. I only do this once a year for 200 miles max at most so do not know if it justifies the bigger motor. Especially since my daughter has a truck that will pull it easily I can borrow for this once a year occurrence.

So give me some ideas.
With out starting a color war what are the things to look for and stay away from in new trucks.
New 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Click to expand...

My best friend has the 2012 Chevy 1500 Z71 with the 5.3 4x4. We have towed around 10K behind his truck for about 110 miles one way before. It handled it very well with the trailer brake controller. He has about 50K on the clock and has had zero issues with the truck using oil or other issues.

He regularly tows 5K anywhere from 50 to 250 miles with no issues. Towing he is getting around 14-15 mpg and empty around 20-22. He does have a shell on the truck so not sure of that helps or hurts. I have personally driven this truck many times both empty and towing when he needed a break from behind the wheel on longer trips so I have some comparision between this one and my 2003 2500HD chevy as we have been on several trips where he was towing an 18 foot utility with his Kubota with FEL and brush hog (around 6K total) and I was towing a gooseneck with a tractor with FEL and hog (about 12,250lbs) and the 5.3 did an excellent job of keeping up with my 8.1.

Overall it is a good truck and I do like the engine.

That being said my other best friend has a 2015 RAM with the V6 EcoDiesel. I have driven this truck in the Rockies empty and agian a very nice truck. It pulls well and gets about 26-28 mog hwy. I have been around this truck towing about 4K out to Colorado and back from MO and he was getting about 14-15 mpg climbing up into CO and about 16-17 towing on the way back. It is rated at 7K towing and we have had it close a time or two on short trips and it does a good job as well.

The RAM easily kept up with my 2500HD on the CO trip but I was hauling about 10K or so with a gooseneck while he was towing about 4-5K. My 2500 has the 8.1. Great puller but likes the fuel when towing.

I would not hesitate with either of these trucks for the use you have stated.

Know some guys that have the EcoBoost and love it when empty but complain when towing 4k-5K loads. Have not been with them on a trip or been able to compare side by side like I have the other two.

Hope this helps
 
It depends on what you are driving now and how to plan to drive/use the new truck. I bought a 2014 GMC (same truck as Chevy) with a V6 about this time last year. I traded a 2005 with a V6.
The 2014 I bought new has more power and the body is built bore solid, gets better fuel mileage than my old 2005 with a V6.
On the downside the heater/AC controls and radio/CD player are not as user friendly. Harder to reach.
I use mine as a daily driver and occasionally tow a trailer. Towing capability is better than my old 2005 but of course not as good as a V8.
If you can find a dealer that has GM car line as their primary business and GMC pick up trucks ad a second or side line you can sometimes pick up a real deal on the previous model years truck.
 
Well years ago I got smart and finally quit buying GM products ! I had way too many issues with them. I don't think GM has wised up any given all the recalls and also they still can't figure out how to keep both headlights even working !

Pay a little more and get a Toyota. Far better trucks from the ones I have talked to the owners of. But if you have to haul HEAVY loads they still aren't building one rated for that.
 
Have you considered going with the 6.0 L engine?
Recently bought a new to us truck and went through the good and bad of the 5.3 L engine.
While not the end of the world problems with all of them it seems it's like the lottery if you get a good one or a bad one.
From what I have read, the worst ones were the 5.3 L with the fuel management system that shuts down 4 cylinders under light load, I believe the 4.3 was equipped with the same system.
We were not looking at as new as you are, so the issues may have been addressed by now.
We went with the 6.0 L to stay away from the cylinder deactivation system and are quite pleased, lots of power, reasonable mileage and very dependable.
Resale value will be lower with the 4.3 L but if your like me and drive them until there is nothing left of it then not a concern.
 
Unless you are dead set on one of the big three there is a new option out now.

Nissan has the Titan XD using the Cummins engine. Specs on it look good as well.

Cummins 5.0 V8 and Asian Transmission that the RAMS are using.

Made in Mississippi if I remember correctly
 
John, In 2007 I got an end of the year GMC work truck, v-6. Just a stripped down truck. Back then GMC really wanted to give them away before 2008 down turn. I got mine for $13400 out the door price with sales tax included. The dealer really wanted to get rid of the truck.

That said, I wish I had gotten the V8 because my old six cylinder still used the flat distributor/rotor and it's nothing but trouble. Have to replace it every two years. Moisture gets trapped under the cap, shorts out spark. Back then, the V8 didn't use a distributor. Not sure if the V6 is still using the distributor. If it did, I wouldn't buy it. geo
 
John,
The 2014 and newer (1500 series)GMs have a different cylinder deactivation strategy than the earlier ones regarding the excessive oil consumption.
The new V6 (2014+) you are looking at has plenty of power for daily driving. It also has cylinder deactivation.
You need to make sure you run the recommended viscosity.

I would avoid the Hemi for 2 reasons.
1. They love fuel
2. They dont have all the bugs worked out of the 8 speed. Shifting calibrations are so so.
The 5.7 Hemi will put more.

Stepping up to the 5.3L is an additional cost just for the potential to use it once a year. Financially, I would say no.
But who doesnt like a little extra power now and then.

The 6.0L is not available in a 1500 series pickup. Only in the 2500/3500. No cylinder deactivation. Mileage is in the 12-14mpg for most people.

My two cents.
Rick
 
I have been blessed with my little work truck. It is a 99 Chevy 1500 with the little V6, 4.3 I think. it has 288,000 on it and always been a good work truck. It is in the shop now because it starts good most times, but once in a while not at all. Spins like crazy, but no start. But for 17 years, and almost 300,000 miles it has been a wonderful truck.
 
I have owned 2 GMC trucks. Both were 2WD, 1/2 ton, with the 5.3 engine with no complaints on fuel mileage. There was nothing wrong with them but put them in the hills of PA with a loaded trailer and they fall flat on their face from a power standpoint. About that time I decided it was time for a trailer upgrade from 16 foot to 24 foot so I could haul two tractors at the same time. So I went to a used 2015 Ram with the 5.7 Hemi 3/4 ton 4WD. I could not be happier with it - 13 to 15 mpg as an errand truck and as low as single digits mpg when pulling the trailer loaded with 8,000 pound payload. If need be lock it out of O/D and let it hammer about 3,000 RPMs with the trailer and top any hill at the same speed as on the level. I wish I had the money to trade for a used 2015 with the 5.7. The replacement engine will be lower fuel economy from what the dealer tells me. My eyes do not have blinders on when it comes to brand but quality of local service is. In my mind for your use the 5.3 would be the engine of choice. Signed: Past owner of Dodge Dakota, Nissan, and Toyota, which is probably the best truck I have ever owned.
 
I have the same 2015 truck with the 5.3 engine & 3:43 rear axle ratio. I love the truck & have 15,000 miles on it in the first year of ownership. It has not used any oil to this point.
I towed my Farmall 400 & extra iron(maximum rated load)500 miles across ND up & down many hills and on the freeway with absolutely no issues. Put in "tow haul" mode,set the cruise, & just let the computer work.
 
My son's got a couple of older Chev. 5.3 with over 200,000 miles with no major engine or tranny problems. He has a landscape business and runs around the Detroit Suburbs with them. I feel sorry for the trucks when I see them hooked to trailers that are probably close to 10,000 lbs. on them. He also has a new 2016 Chev Sunday go to church truck with the 5.3 he is happy with along with a 2016 Dodge 2500 Hemi that he uses to pulls heavy loads around the city.
The most costly and unreliable truck he's had is a 2009 Ford 1 ton Diesel. Its got a 180,000 on it.
 
Hi John , I purchased a 2015 ram with the 5.7 Hemi $24,500 Cnd. before taxes. 2wd ,reg cab ,long box . I get just over 30 mile per gallon. Drove to Manitoba last summer, ran beauty. I don't know what these guys are crying about with the fuel economy , I am very happy with mine. Once I hit highway speed , engine drops down to 4 cylinders , set on the gas and back up to 8. You never feel a thing , and lots of power. Think my truck has a six speed trany. Over all , we are well pleased with this truck , for the first 20,00km . Bruce
 
14s and newer have a problem with bad vibrations at 45 - 50 and 70 - 75. GM hasnt found a cure yet, but owners have changed suspension parts, tires, wheels, driveshafts, etc. to fix it. The 15 I drove last week had 1490 (give or take) miles on it, and I couldnt stand it it shook so bad. Glad I only had to drive it for about 2 hours.
 
I borrowed a truck from the dealer I retired from a couple years ago. When I picked it up it was a new 2014 I/2 ton GMC, put a couple hundred miles on it before I figured out it was a 4.3, did a lot of down shifting on the hills but plenty of power other wise. The older 4.3 engines lasted a lot of miles but I always thought they were dogs. I bought a used 2013 Chevy Z71 4x4 with 18,000 on it, 5.3 active fuel management, 3.42 gears. No complaints at all. Most of the trouble with these new engines started when the car companies extended the oil change interval and the same people that stretched the service before are still doing it only their tearing up a lot of equipment now.
 
I'm not a Chevy guy but do they still make the 4.8l V8? I worked for the state for a while and my truck was a Chevy 4x4 with the 4.8. It wasn't too bad on gas either. It wasn't a power house but I pulled a 18' trailer with a Kubota 4700 4x4 tractor jut fine.
 
I am currently driving a 2015 Chevy with the crew cab and 4x4 etc... Also has a camper shell or "topper" as we up north call it. Has the 5.3 and the 3.42 gears in it. Love that truck! Smooth, has good power, tows my toys with no issues. I got mine with the built in trailer brake controller, so that is very handy! I have had Chevy trucks for years and this is my third 5.3 motor. Never an oil consumption issue for me. I have always done scheduled maintenance at the dealer with their oil. I go 6000 miles between changes. I have 19000 miles on my truck now, and have kept the second odometer going for the last 16000 miles. I have averaged 16.0 mpg. Everything from towing tractors and boats, running interstate to gravel roads, in town most of the time, and since I live in Minnesota, and it is cold, I let it run to warm up too. All that is included in that average. It has been an awesome truck so far, and I would highly recommend one to you. The only thing so far that I have needed done was one computer update for the 4x4 shifting. I didn't have an issue, but it was a service bulletin thing.
 
The 5.3 is an all new engine nothing in common with the older motor. I don't know why anyone would want a 6 cylinder. They were obsolete 30 years ago. The 5.3 will get better fuel mileage than any 6 cylinder and probably last twice as long.
 
You mean GM still can't get a good instrument cluster ! They have been having a lot of problems with them for years.
 
John buy the truck with the 5.3 in it. In the 10 years I have been at this dealership I can only remember 1 with an oil problem, it had over 300000 miles on it. We put a new rebuild in it - the ol boy that bought it is happy with it. I have a 2000 with the 4.3 automatic for a daily go to work truck. It runs between 17 and 21 mpg, but it is not 1 to pull more than a lawn mower trailer. I go to the lumber yard, hardware store, farm supply store, haul bees and hives etc, nothing heavy. It has 245000 on it and will be given to 1 of my kids when it hits 300000. My pulling truck is a HD 2000 Silverado with a 6.0, skid loader and trailer weight around 10000. It has no problem pulling that.
 
Back in 07 i got a new stripped Dodge 2500 for less than the dealer wanted for a loaded last years model, and I had a new truck. The figure was $20,000 back then. They had to order mine and didn't want to but I didn't want a loaded truck and I wanted the 6 speed manual, and 2 wd, which was near impossible to find on a lot.
 
Because they are cheap and they run up to 200K miles without much of an issue. I'd take a 4.3 Chevy over any Dodge engine any day if I had to use it.
 
Agreed. If they have variable valve timing they need clean oil. Doesn't matter if its synthetic or conventional it all gets dirty and with VVT you need to change the oil at 3K if you are going to run it up to high miles.
 
I buy trucks to use. I pull a 21 ft trailer that weighs 4000 pounds behind my 1500 4x4 with the 5.3. It plays with it. Try that with a 6 cylinder.
 
i have a 07 ram with 97,000 friend has 13 ford 57'000 miles and his is a rust bucket cab corners and rocker panels our ram has 0 rust any place both trucks run the same roads at about the same time and are cared for the same so don't tell me Dodge rust faster. and the good part is Ford will do nothing about the cab corners that went still under warranty
 
John I posted last time to call and talk , you haven't why don't you take the heaviest think you will ever pull to the dealer and hook it to there truck and pull it ? I have a neighbor that pulls a 16' bumper pull cattle trailer with an old Isuzu and don't complain but with 5 cows it take an hour to go 30 miles . You know what you expect from your truck , take the load to it and let the dealer prove what he has will do what is expected.
 
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