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Your experience with HD 3/4 ton trucks?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by gdiep, Mar 28, 2021.

  1. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:03 PM
    #1
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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    Wife wants a bigger travel trailer and I’ll need to go to a 3/4 ton truck due to payload.

    I think I’ll stick to gas since I want to avoid all the diesel emissions hassles. This will be my wife’s DD and she only drives about 15 miles per day.

    Any good or bad experiences with new or nearly new (2019 -2021)

    Chevy Silverado 2500 with the 6.6 liter gas
    Ram 2500 with the 6.4 liter gas
    Ford 250 with the 6.2 liter gas
    Nissan XD with 5.6 liter gas (this one is a tweener but has 2000 lb payload)

    Appreciate your real life experience with these.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:12 PM
    #2
    belanger9

    belanger9 New Member

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    A bunch
    Don't go with the Ford 6.2, if you like the rest of the Ford go with the 7.3 and grab 8 extra plug wires for your glove box. If you like the looks of the Chevy go for it, but if you're like 95% of us go for the GMC since the looks are so much better and they're the same trucks.

    Outside that go and test drive them all, maybe multiple times and find which one you guys like. There's not one that stands out, and there's not one that's so bad you shouldn't have it.
     
    gdiep[OP] likes this.
  3. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:24 PM
    #3
    Djone27

    Djone27 New Member

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    I don't have much to add from personal experience. With that said, my dad just went thru a similar decision. He went with a '21 Sierra 2500 AT4 with the 6.6L turbo diesel and 10 speed. Similar HP as the gasser but twice the torque. He plans on using it for a 5th wheel toy hauler.
     
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  4. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:35 PM
    #4
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 New Member

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    I have 12,166 miles on my 2020 2500 HD as of today. I was like you and needed the extra payload for travel trailer that I did not originally need when I bought my Tundra. I researched for about 3 months researching before buying an HD. Also have experience with about 40-50 trucks at work ranging from 1/2 ton Denali and F-150 and then several HD trucks both GMC and Ford. We bought 3 Ford's with the 7.3 when they first come out. We also bought a couple of the GM 6.6 gas. After seeing our experiences with those and talking to several other contractors that have the 7.3, I decided to go with the 6.6. I could not be happier and it is perfect for the travel trailer crowd and much safer than 1/2 tons.

    It was a hard decision but we really wanted a trailer now and had to address the truck first.

    If you have any questions ask away. B089115C-E9B5-4A14-86CC-02FC86C23DDA.jpgFAC35762-DF1A-4110-88E8-FACCE723BEBF.jpg
     
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  5. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:35 PM
    #5
    aggie_tundra

    aggie_tundra Always Tired

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    My Ford 6.2 runs just fine and tows no problem
     
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  6. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:53 PM
    #6
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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    @knoxville36 how would you describe driving the 2500 compared to the Tundra? How is the infotainment system (I know the Ram system is really user friendly)?

    Nice truck and trailer. What’s the gvwr and tongue weight of the trailer?

    Thanks.
     
  7. Mar 28, 2021 at 7:58 PM
    #7
    MoonRock2021

    MoonRock2021 New Member

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    I just got rid of my Chevy 2500HD with 40k miles on it. No mechanical issues and would tow anything. That being said it was built cheaply and I would never purchase a chevy/GMC vehicle again. The dash board started cracking until holes in the dash become visible. They wouldn't stand behind their product. After looking deeper into it I found a class action lawsuit about it which GM had won. How do don't know as there were thousands of others that had this same issue. I found this group to learn more.
     
    gdiep[OP] likes this.
  8. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:05 PM
    #8
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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  9. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:06 PM
    #9
    MoonRock2021

    MoonRock2021 New Member

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  10. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:07 PM
    #10
    MoonRock2021

    MoonRock2021 New Member

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    Held good value though. Toyota gave me 39k Trade in on it. :bowdown:
     
  11. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:11 PM
    #11
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 New Member

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    I have not taken the trailer to the scales. I bought it about a month ago and took it to my buddys land where it is parked beside his. It is a 2500RL. Grand Design has it listed at tongue weight of 581 and GVWR of 7,500 I believe. I know the guy I bought it off of very well and he had a '20 2500 HD Denali he pulled it with. He weighed it and said it was 989 pounds of tongue weight.

    So I have an LT trim. I got them upgraded to the all-star package, Convenience II package, leather upgrade package, etc.... This brings this truck close to an LTZ but still a little short. GMC is still quite a bit more across the board and generally have less packages. Just to give you an idea, the MSRP is $56k for my truck. I got about $8k off including dealer coming down and $3,500 factory incentives.

    With it built this way, other than the Toyota Safety Sense, the 2500 HD actually has more features than my Platinum. It has the 8" HD screen on it. Backup camera is much better. I have Apple Car Play where my 19 Tundra did not. 12v electrical outlets in cab and bed, heated steering wheel, LED bed lights, just a few. The stock stereo in the 2500 HD at 1/3 volume is louder than the Tundra turned up to max. The stereo is much better than the JBL Premium in the Tundra.

    As far as ride goes, it is pretty good. It is for sure stiffer than the Tundra, but now terrible. I really do not think there is much difference to be honest.... It feels much much bigger than the Tundra. Larger turning radius also. If your wife has never driven one, it will be intimidating at first.

    the wife and I also test drive a Ram 2500 gas. We pulled out and 1 mile down the road I looked i the rear view mirror as she was sitting in the rear seat. Her eyes were wide and had the look of "get me out of here." I thought it felt like we were riding on a cinder block on a skate board. Ford will fall somewhere in between, but closer the GM/Chevy.

    Good, bad, or indifferent ride is one thing that GM/Chevy is going to win every time due to their IFS.
     
    gdiep[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  12. Mar 28, 2021 at 8:40 PM
    #12
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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    @knoxville36 yours is how I want it spec’d. Only thing I want different is with the midnight package. I cannot find one within 250 miles of me that way. I think the disruption of the supply chain is working against me. I’d buy in a heartbeat if I could get the spec I wanted and about 8k off like you did.
     
  13. Mar 28, 2021 at 10:01 PM
    #13
    JimJam

    JimJam New Member

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    Level, AAL, electronic air bags, 33’s, 38 gallon swap, B&W gooseneck
    Payload payload payload These trucks have a ridiculous safety margin. I haul cars daily with my 15 DC. Average 10-15k lbs. 242,XXX miles.

    Put an AAL in,
    Load Range E tires aired up to 70. Your door sticker for PSI means nothing when the factory tire is gone.
    TRD sway bar helps handling

    Moral of the story, unless you have an abundance of cash there’s no reason to get another truck.
    Happy traveling

    0EE49715-4B05-49E0-9C71-8DC7A9B69795.jpg
     
  14. Mar 28, 2021 at 11:33 PM
    #14
    JimboSlice413

    JimboSlice413 Super Nice Guy

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    I drive a 2019 f350 with the 7.3. On the positive side, it's pretty capable when towing and loaded down, it's not a sports car but zero issues moving weight around town. On the down side, it's been in for repair about a dozen times for the CEL with 12k on the clock. It's all been emission related I believe. It also ticks and frequently takes two tries to start. Just my real world experience. It was purchased brand new, I'm the only driver.
     
  15. Mar 29, 2021 at 2:03 AM
    #15
    R0CKETMAN

    R0CKETMAN IG: @rocketmanmtb

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    I’ve had an F250 and if I needed another 3/4 that’s what’s I’d buy. It had some issues, but was a strong truck.
     
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  16. Mar 29, 2021 at 3:52 AM
    #16
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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    Thanks for the feedback about the F250/350. Disappointed that you both have had some issues with it.
     
  17. Mar 29, 2021 at 8:00 AM
    #17
    JimboSlice413

    JimboSlice413 Super Nice Guy

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    I still like it and prefer the Super Duty series over other manufacturers, but that just my preference. For your purposes I'm sure the shop visits wont be a big deal. For me, I'm put in a pickup with no tools, ladders or equipment. Very frustrating. It's why I haven't taken it in for the tick and double starting. I dont tow very heavy loads but its modified to a GVWR of 14,000 lbs and I can still pull a 5k lift around with ease. The 7.3 is worlds ahead of the previous gas super duties I've driven. The v10 especially, what a pos that was
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2021
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  18. Mar 29, 2021 at 8:33 AM
    #18
    akmerle

    akmerle New Member

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    I’ve put a few thousand on some of our ones at work. They are 2017 Chevy 2500’s with the 6.0 gasser. I felt like they were total dogs. The newer 6.6L gas motor supposedly is much stronger.

    My brother in law just got a new 2021 GMC 2500 AT4 with the Duramax that I’ve driven a bit the last couple months. Besides a random CEL issue that it’s been in for twice, I love that truck. Rides super nice, nuclear power, tows like a dream, and looks fantastic.

    Depending on how big a trailer you are looking at (or if you just want a new truck), I’ll second what JimJam said. Another option that could really help you out is to look at Falcon shocks that have the quick adjust Tow settings if you didn’t want to deal with the hassle of air bags.

    Good luck!
     
  19. Mar 29, 2021 at 9:35 AM
    #19
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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    I'm looking at a trailer that will have a realistic 900 lbs tongue weight. The Tundra won't work. 900 + 100 (wdh) + 200 (bikes ands stuff in the bed) + 650 (family of 5 and kids are growing) = 1850 lbs minimum. The Tundra sticker says 1310 lbs payload. I need something that is 2000 lbs payload or more.

    My Tundra is 2014 with upgrades and only 67xxx ish miles. I think if I trade it now, it will still fetch a decent trade in value.
     
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  20. Mar 29, 2021 at 9:52 AM
    #20
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    Got any more details? Tongue weight? combined weight? How does the truck feel pulling that much weight?
     
  21. Mar 29, 2021 at 9:54 AM
    #21
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Smart move not going diesel on a daily driver with short trips. It'd be a nightmare.

    My experience with HD gassers comes from work in the telecom industry. The company I work for is owned by diehard chevy guys so all the trucks are chevy. The company usually replaces them after 200K-250K miles, and we have our own shop. Fairly large fleet, so there are new trucks every year on rotation. We quit doing 3/4 ton trucks a couple years ago, so now they are all 3500s.

    After 10 years with the company, you couldn't pay me to drive a chevy. Never had one that didn't feel like a gutless wonder under load, and it didn't matter how the truck was configured. The RPMs would wind up and the truck would howl, but it just never did much. Their gear management was a joke, too. Didn't matter if you put it into manual and told it to drop gears. Still did whatever it felt like and would never downshift to keep speed or power. Miserable to drive with a loaded bed or with a trailer.

    About 3 years ago we had 2 trucks that had to have the transmissions replaced with less than 4,500 miles on them. These were both Director's trucks, too, so no heavy work on them. The transmissions just decided to fail.

    On a personal note, I could never get them to have a comfortable driving position either. Always felt like I was sitting on the floor with my knees up, and I'm a short guy. Couple this with the way chevy hoods block your view, and it was an all around unpleasant experience driving those trucks for more than an hour. Huge blind spots, can't turn for beans. Bleh.
     
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  22. Mar 29, 2021 at 10:32 AM
    #22
    JimboSlice413

    JimboSlice413 Super Nice Guy

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    Do what's right, especially with your family in the vehicle.
     
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  23. Mar 29, 2021 at 12:07 PM
    #23
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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    I’ve already come to terms with having to give up the Tundra. I’m just hoping people here can put me into the next best thing with more payload. Thanks.
     
  24. Mar 29, 2021 at 12:08 PM
    #24
    gdiep

    gdiep [OP] I like cookies

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    Thanks for your experience. Were they unreliable also, or just some isolated incidents?
     
  25. Mar 29, 2021 at 12:29 PM
    #25
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Some had issues, others didn't. Of about 300ish trucks I'd say that 10-15 were in the shop at any given time. To be fair, we run the trucks like trucks, and they are off road going up mountains a lot. If you are keeping to the pavement you'd eliminate a lot of the suspension woes that we had on them. That'd probably drop it to 3-5 non suspension issues at any given time.
     
  26. Mar 29, 2021 at 12:32 PM
    #26
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 New Member

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    I can not speak for Adam, but we have 3 at work. They are 2012 and 2013 model years. We bought them used. 2 have 4.10 gears, 1 has 3.73. They are basic standard cab white work trucks that the beds have been removed and aluminum service body put on them.

    Again, they are dead red reliable but they are not winning any races. They do feel down on power compared to others. At work we do have 2 older Fords F250's with the 6.2l and admittedly, they have been very solid. No real problems, our guys say the Fords tow better and have a good bit more power from what they can tell. All of our F250 through F450 are diesel with the exception of those 2 6.2l.

    As far as reliability goes, the 6.0 is pretty good. No matter the mfg., someone is always going to have problems. Even here with Toyota.

    To be fair, the Fords in the past have been pretty good. Our problems have started in late model year 2018 through 2020 trucks. We have bought 6 F450, 3 F250, 3 F150. Those 12 trucks have by far been the most expensive trucks we maintain and own. The older Fords have 300k plus miles on them and have been pretty good for the most part. It is just the newer ones. We are moving over to GM and other contractors in our area are switching from newer Fords as they are having exact same problems as we are in newer models. Dealers have not been very good at all in addressing problems doesn't help.

    We obviously have some bad Karma going on with Fords as others don't. However all of our GMC Denali's have been trouble free for the most part and range from model year 2013 to 2021. They have between 1k-343k miles on them.
     
  27. Mar 29, 2021 at 12:53 PM
    #27
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    i will just throw this out there to as another option to maybe get you closer to deciding maybe.

    In my area you can rent these trucks from Enterprise TRUCK Rental which is distinctly different than the general rental arm of Enterprise and tow with them for a trip and see how they actually tow before committing to one too!

    I have rented one a few times to keep miles off of my own trucks when driving to Colorado and Maine and the rates are insanely low with unlimited miles or they were pre-Covid at least and it is tough to see how you could go wrong giving them a try before buying.
     
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  28. Mar 29, 2021 at 12:59 PM
    #28
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Getting to do a towing test drive, as it were, is a genius idea.
     
  29. Mar 29, 2021 at 1:18 PM
    #29
    belanger9

    belanger9 New Member

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    Essentially whichever you pick you'll most likely be happy with. They're all quite good but do have the odd issues creep in. I'd stay in the proper 3/4 tons and out of the Titan XD since you'll be getting close to max payload on it too. Plus if you're good with possibly ending up in any of the 3 you can pit all 3 against one another to get yourself the best deal.
     
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  30. Mar 29, 2021 at 1:28 PM
    #30
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I discovered this accidentally too.

    I went in to rent a Transit Van and noticed all of the trucks and that they all had Towing Stuff and HD packages just like we might order them and asked about it and they told me that they do indeed rent tow vehicles unlike the car rental places even if they do have a truck you like it will not be setup to tow?

    So I have rented to tow a few times since then and it has been a great thing for sure!
     
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