Ain't a Chevy Guy but....

[wiredgeorge]

Saw a commercial today during the Redskins game for the new Chevy makes a trailer INVISIBLE behind you! Wow. I like the Chevy multi-function tailgate but that would get me to buy a Chevy truck but the new camera system almost seals the deal. Now all they need is the auto-backup geegaw like Ford has and MAYBE. I have owned a long series of Ford beaters but may have to consider Chevy if they keep putting things into their trucks that make so much sense.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a26009122/2020-gmc-sierra-heavy-duty-invisible-trailer/

[hankpage]

I think they are only putting that tail gate on 1500s. Probably think that anyone who uses it as a truck would break it while still under warranty.

[sourdough]

I think they are only putting that tail gate on 1500s. Probably think that anyone who uses it as a truck would break it while still under warranty.

I have a friend who is a general contractor and he bought one of the 1500s with the fancy tailgate. Brought it over to show me and it IS cool. But, as Hank noted I doubt it would stand up to much hard use....my friend hoped it would but said he would find out.

[Allesfam]

I ordered a 2019 Ford superduty last year. I looked at all the competition before I did. At the time Ford was the only one to offer an integrated tire pressure monitoring system for your trailer with a rear trailer camera. Now it doesn’t blank out the actual trailer like Chevy is doing but that feature along with some other safety features convinced me to buy the Ford. I’m glad to see the others are now catching up. Competition is a good thing, especially when it comes to safety features.
As for the multi position tailgate, that is currently only available on the GMC 1500. It is not a Silverado option yet.

[Gegrad]

I have a friend who is a general contractor and he bought one of the 1500s with the fancy tailgate. Brought it over to show me and it IS cool. But, as Hank noted I doubt it would stand up to much hard use....my friend hoped it would but said he would find out.

I bet they do hold up.. The big 3 tend to build things like that (tailgates, suspensions, beds, hitches, etc) pretty strong. They bean count on the interior parts (switches, plastic parts) and exterior cosmetic parts (mirrors, door handles, grills where the chrome flakes off).

[vampress_me]

So, I know I’m cynical, but the first thought through my head when I saw the tailgate fold-down step was “I wonder how long that will last in a MN winter without rusting through”. Too many little nooks and crannies for salty slush to get in and sit and start to rust.

On the invisible trailer - sounds great, except that it’s only for bumper pull trailers up to 32’ in length. Doesn’t work with fifth wheels at all. Sounds like it’s about as good as Ford’s BLISS (I think that’s the name of the blind spot system) in the SD. Doesn’t work when a fifth wheel or gooseneck is hooked up. And I believe Ford knows it’s joke since in order to get the upgraded headlights you have to order the BLISS package...

[wiredgeorge]

I bet they do hold up.. The big 3 tend to build things like that (tailgates, suspensions, beds, hitches, etc) pretty strong. They bean count on the interior parts (switches, plastic parts) and exterior cosmetic parts (mirrors, door handles, grills where the chrome flakes off).

Sir, I have to disagree on Ford tailgates. The tailgate on my F250 BENT every time I rolled a 600 lb motorcycle over it to where the bars that allowed the handle to actuate the locks on the sides to open would be bent inside. I don't know how many times I had to take the tailgate apart and bend them back. The tailgate was not "Ford Tough". You are correct about the plastic stuff as it was all junk. The chrome on my grill sort of crinkled up and fell off in places as chrome plating plastic seems an art that Ford never mastered. Of course, the dash cracked as well. All the tabs or retainers that held the dash and doors more or less gave up the ghost and I had to figure out how to keep these components in place by using hardware store fasteners.

[roadglide]

The 2020 are paired up with incomand keystone app. I don't know how it works but what is posted on a thread do you like your incomand? I think I don't like the incomand and will stay with the old rocker switches. The way i understand the see through there are so many cameras and angles that can project to one point that would be a set on the screen of the raido.

[travelin texans]

Sir, I have to disagree on Ford tailgates. The tailgate on my F250 BENT every time I rolled a 600 lb motorcycle over it to where the bars that allowed the handle to actuate the locks on the sides to open would be bent inside. I don't know how many times I had to take the tailgate apart and bend them back. The tailgate was not "Ford Tough". You are correct about the plastic stuff as it was all junk. The chrome on my grill sort of crinkled up and fell off in places as chrome plating plastic seems an art that Ford never mastered. Of course, the dash cracked as well. All the tabs or retainers that held the dash and doors more or less gave up the ghost and I had to figure out how to keep these components in place by using hardware store fasteners.

And yet you keep buying Ford's!

[JRTJH]

And yet you keep buying Ford's!

Yup, here's a typical "northern Michigan Chevy"... and before you go saying anything about Fords, it happens to all trucks, Ford, GM, RAM, Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Datsun (I know, I know) and I even saw a Mitsubishi with rust a couple years ago......

Now, on with the "Ford bashing"....

[wiredgeorge]

I recall awhile back Ford started making their body skins out of aluminum. Chevy actually had a commercial showing a heavy tool box being dropped in a Ford truck bed and the same in the steel Chevy truck bed. Of course, the heavy tool box made a mess of the Ford. Maybe an aluminum body would help with the rust issues up there in the frozen north.

[Northofu1]

It's called rust proofing. 2x a year. Once in all nooks and crannies in spring, and then an under body spray in fall. I have used rust check on all my vehicles for the past 15 yrs. Only problem I have had was with a Jetta, trunk lid by license plate, the mark 5's were known for that.
I am in Ontario surrounded by 400 series highways, due to liability and sheer traffic volume I can pretty much say with confidence we see more salt/ brine/ sand than anywhere else in Canada.
No car manufacture is safe from that without rustproofing.
P.S. That rubberized crap is worse than not rustproofing at all.

[JRTJH]

Not that it really matters very much, but the new GM trucks and cars are "supplementing problematic rust areas with aluminum panels" to increase longevity of body panels. I haven't seen the "had to swallow a bitter pill" yet, but after all the GM hype about how unreliable aluminum is, to start using it a couple of years later..... Hmmmmm

As for rust, I spray the underside and all the nooks and crannies every fall with a product called "Fluid Film". It's much like the old cosmoline we used in the Air Force to protect airplanes and flight line equipment from rust and corrosion. It's an "oil based, non-dripping spray" that's easy to apply, just pressure wash the underside of the vehicle, let it dry overnight and spray all visible areas, use the "red straw" to spray into nooks and crannies and you're done. We just sold our 2008 Escape (the primary vehicle for winter travel) after 12 years of driving on salt covered Michigan roads and there was no rust anywhere. The guy that bought it asked if we'd just brought it up from "down south" because it was so rust free. The answer: Nope, I just spray it once a year and keep it clean.

[wiredgeorge]

Might be just as simple to live "down south" and not deal with rust buckets in the driveway. I am sure I wouldn't get under a vehicle and spray stuff as I am kind of lazy. I have owned my truck for a number of months and it hasn't been washed and I actually only washed my 96 F250 beater once in years of owning and that is to sell it. I do wash and carefully care for my motorcycles and trike. They are different hehehehehe

[Northofu1]

Not that it really matters very much, but the new GM trucks and cars are "supplementing problematic rust areas with aluminum panels" to increase longevity of body panels. I haven't seen the "had to swallow a bitter pill" yet, but after all the GM hype about how unreliable aluminum is, to start using it a couple of years later..... Hmmmmm

As for rust, I spray the underside and all the nooks and crannies every fall with a product called "Fluid Film". It's much like the old cosmoline we used in the Air Force to protect airplanes and flight line equipment from rust and corrosion. It's an "oil based, non-dripping spray" that's easy to apply, just pressure wash the underside of the vehicle, let it dry overnight and spray all visible areas, use the "red straw" to spray into nooks and crannies and you're done. We just sold our 2008 Escape (the primary vehicle for winter travel) after 12 years of driving on salt covered Michigan roads and there was no rust anywhere. The guy that bought it asked if we'd just brought it up from "down south" because it was so rust free. The answer: Nope, I just spray it once a year and keep it clean.

Fluid film is awesome, it just doesn't come with a warranty.

[JRTJH]

Fluid film is awesome, it just doesn't come with a warranty.

To read many of the posts on this forum, that puts it in the same ballpark as most of what Keystone produces. Allegedly they don't come with a warranty either.....
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/funny/1/hit-himself-with-a-bat-smiley-emoticon.gif (http://www.sherv.net/)

[Roscommon48]

Let me tell you a story about our tailgate (2015 F350). Stolen when we were in Miamai.
Simple cost and replacement, right? Wrong!
It cost nearly $9000. Yep, just under $9K.
The tailgate had the handle, camera and tri color paint.
My wife figures the NEW tailgates (GM and Ram), when stolen, will cost you/insurance at least $15K.

[meaz93*]

Ohh...I remember Chevy making fun of Fords tailgate... "Man Step Setup" (Howie Long Commercial?-lol)
I've got a 14` F150 and all I can say is> after rolling all kinds of weight over the integrated folding bar (1st Gen)... it works awesome! Funny how Chevy/GMC have finally jumped on board. Their setup has a lot of moving parts?, but hey...welcome to the party-lol23638

[GMcKenzie]

Saw a commercial today during the Redskins game for the new Chevy makes a trailer INVISIBLE behind you! Wow. I like the Chevy multi-function tailgate but that would get me to buy a Chevy truck but the new camera system almost seals the deal. Now all they need is the auto-backup geegaw like Ford has and MAYBE. I have owned a long series of Ford beaters but may have to consider Chevy if they keep putting things into their trucks that make so much sense.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a26009122/2020-gmc-sierra-heavy-duty-invisible-trailer/

I'm a Chevy guy and have been keeping pretty up to date on the 2020 HD's. I'm interested, except for a couple of things.

First off, they will have the funky tailgate. Everything I've seen in both the 1500 and HD's, is you better not use the tailgate if you have a hitch in. You'll dent it with the hitch ball. I don't think I would pay the money for it. But regardless of what tailgate I get, I will make sure it is locked on. $9K sounds a bit much, but I can see the thing being in the $5K range.

The camera's look real nice. Just need to get a higher trim level (SLT or Denali) to get them and I usually don't. The cameras would be enough to push me into the higher trim level. Just wondering if they can double as a dash cam (so have recording abilities).

I don't want diesel, so my big disappointing is that the gas only gets a 6 sp. The motor looks like a nice one (410 hp and 460 ft lbs), but the Ford gas is coming with a 10sp. I want to see a comparison between them.

I do like some of the bells and whistles. The bed steps (forgetting the tailgate) at the front of the bed look useful.

The Chevy version looks like crap to me. I really like the GMC version of these trucks better. Night and day in my mind to looks.

[Andymil]

I call mine the “old man’s step”. If they make the beds any higher, they’ll need to build an escalator into the tailgate. :D

I installed the hardwired camera and tpms kit from Ford on the 5th wheel. It works fine but only in reverse. You have to select the “Aux” view every time you go from Drive to Reverse. Pita when you’re trying to position a trailer.

In the commercials, the Chevy camera seems to be viewable while going down the road (Ford’s is not.) I know you shouldn’t need it going down the road but it would be nice to be able to check it once in a while.

I set up the 5th wheel as a conventional trailer in the truck and the blind spot system works. ;)

[Pull Toy]

Definitely "LOCK 'ER UP"!!! Seems like most of the Big Three (plus GMC, Chevy wanna be...LOL ) 2017+ finally got smart. Locking your doors, auto locks your tailgates. Took way too long. The 2016 - are still vulnerable! Any gate should be double checked, as Ford had a recall for fault t.g. locks on their 150.

The fancy tailgates, regardless of who's, bring big bucks on the DARK market. GEEZER Steps, Cameras, Extra Chrome, "Platinum Editions", King Ranch, Power Wagon etc........ They are a sure bet for a thief. Thirty seconds, and gone!

Good Lock,

[travelin texans]

It'll take a lot more than 30 seconds on mine, they'll need at least a screwdriver & it cost me nothing but a couple minutes to install. Put a hose clamp around the right side hinge, I've done this for the last 15-20 years to every truck I've owned.

[wiredgeorge]

Let me tell you a story about our tailgate (2015 F350). Stolen when we were in Miamai.
Simple cost and replacement, right? Wrong!
It cost nearly $9000. Yep, just under $9K.
The tailgate had the handle, camera and tri color paint.
My wife figures the NEW tailgates (GM and Ram), when stolen, will cost you/insurance at least $15K.

ROSCOE! $9K is a couple thousand more than I paid for my entire truck. I added a backup camera myself to my license tag and my tailgate is setting under cover in a car port. I have a tailgate that suits my 5ver view just right and cost $139 as I recall:

[GMcKenzie]

Definitely "LOCK 'ER UP"!!! Seems like most of the Big Three (plus GMC, Chevy wanna be...LOL ) 2017+ finally got smart. Locking your doors, auto locks your tailgates. Took way too long. The 2016 - are still vulnerable! Any gate should be double checked, as Ford had a recall for fault t.g. locks on their 150.

The fancy tailgates, regardless of who's, bring big bucks on the DARK market. GEEZER Steps, Cameras, Extra Chrome, "Platinum Editions", King Ranch, Power Wagon etc........ They are a sure bet for a thief. Thirty seconds, and gone!

Good Lock,

I picked up a tailgate lock (fancier than the hose clamp travelin texan did) and also added a pop-n-lock to my tailgate so it locks with the key fob. I know my tailgate is locked if the truck is locked, and if I do forget it is harder for them to steal.

[cookinwitdiesel]

I believe GM is using Aluminum BODY panels but the truck BED is still steel (or carbon fiber apparently if you have a lot of money to burn). Have to maintain that high road on Ford somehow haha

[allenclme]

The multi-function tailgate is standard on the 2020 GMC Denali HD builds. If you go into the configurator, you have to physically delete it to get the standard tailgate.

[pdaniel]

I look at some of the shiny baubles that are being incorporated into trucks and ask, is it really utility or just something shiny that may distract from driving.
My 2016 Ram has about what I need, utility wise. Cargo camera, 5th wheel prep, navigation, back-up camera, good sound system and plenty of power.
As they say in the motorcycle world, paint and chrome don't get you home. Yes, you can ride in comfort, probably more than my truck, but, that glitz costs money.

[NH_Bulldog]

Seems like we got away from the initial comments about the new “invisible trailer” scam from GMC. All it does is tie into a trailer’s rear camera. Certainly not groundbreaking new technology, and can be done on any vehicle today old or new. Just like their 4G LTE “feature” that can’t be taken out of the vehicle and used anywhere but in the vehicle with the power on. For the same monthly cost I can have a portable 4G Mifi hotspot I can use anywhere. More money should be spent on quality, reliability and longevity of the vehicle than these cheap gimmicks the manufacturers seem to think we want

[JRTJH]

Seems like we got away from the initial comments about the new “invisible trailer” scam from GMC. All it does is tie into a trailer’s rear camera. Certainly not groundbreaking new technology, and can be done on any vehicle today old or new. Just like their 4G LTE “feature” that can’t be taken out of the vehicle and used anywhere but in the vehicle with the power on. For the same monthly cost I can have a portable 4G Mifi hotspot I can use anywhere. More money should be spent on quality, reliability and longevity of the vehicle than these cheap gimmicks the manufacturers seem to think we want

And this is the same comment I keep hearing about the new "features" in travel trailers. You know, the things that keep breaking, won't allow the A/C to turn on above 100F or the furnace to operate below 40F, automatically selects the correct TV input and allows you to "talk between your tow vehicle and trailer" while driving at 70MPH (on tires rated at 65MPH)....

All this "bling" may sell cars/trucks and trailers, but is it "utility" or "bling" ???

IMHO, far too many "novice buyers" tend to want a trailer that does what their S&B house does, get upset when the trailer rocks when the kids jump off the top bunk, expect "cable quality TV" when in a dry camping environment 100 miles from the nearest TV repeater station, want a frost free refrigerator that operates on solar power and air conditioning that doesn't require shore power and can be run on a generator that doesn't disturb the neighbors and doesn't require special handling when putting it into storage. Yet, they have not begun to understand that Styrofoam floors just won't allow that 8 year old to "jump from the top bunk" without weakening that "rugged 1/8" luan top layer, or that a 38' "sail" behind their half ton or SUV tow vehicle (with built in trailer sway control) isn't going to "cut it" when the wind blows across Kansas and they need to get to Colorado NOW because their vacation is only 10 days and the kids need to see Yellowstone before school starts....

OK, rant off (for now)

[travelin texans]

And this is the same comment I keep hearing about the new "features" in travel trailers. You know, the things that keep breaking, won't allow the A/C to turn on above 100F or the furnace to operate below 40F, automatically selects the correct TV input and allows you to "talk between your tow vehicle and trailer" while driving at 70MPH (on tires rated at 65MPH)....

All this "bling" may sell cars/trucks and trailers, but is it "utility" or "bling" ???

IMHO, far too many "novice buyers" tend to want a trailer that does what their S&B house does, get upset when the trailer rocks when the kids jump off the top bunk, expect "cable quality TV" when in a dry camping environment 100 miles from the nearest TV repeater station, want a frost free refrigerator that operates on solar power and air conditioning that doesn't require shore power and can be run on a generator that doesn't disturb the neighbors and doesn't require special handling when putting it into storage. Yet, they have not begun to understand that Styrofoam floors just won't allow that 8 year old to "jump from the top bunk" without weakening that "rugged 1/8" luan top layer, or that a 38' "sail" behind their half ton or SUV tow vehicle (with built in trailer sway control) isn't going to "cut it" when the wind blows across Kansas and they need to get to Colorado NOW because their vacation is only 10 days and the kids need to see Yellowstone before school starts....

OK, rant off (for now)

Well said John!!
It's not only GM either. I got in a friends new HD Ford & the dash looked like the cockpit of a 747, switches, monitors, plugins, USB ports, knobs, saw everything but the handle to flush when finished. Honestly don't know how he had time to drive.

[JRTJH]

Well said John!!
It's not only GM either. I got in a friends new HD Ford & the dash looked like the cockpit of a 747, switches, monitors, plugins, USB ports, knobs, saw everything but the handle to flush when finished. Honestly don't know how he had time to drive.

We just bought a new Edge to replace the 2008 Escape that we call "the DWmobile"... The Escape was pretty much a "utility 4WD SUV". The Edge is an upgraded model with everything from front/side radar to steering assist to keep it in the assigned lane with the cruise control on. The cruise automatically slows to accommodate slowing/stopping cars in front as well as speeds up once they speed up.... The headlights "turn with the steering wheel" and as you said, there's enough knobs, twisties, switches and plugs on the dash to make any airplane cockpit blush with envy.....

What happened to trucks from back when they had a manual transmission, big steering wheel (no power steering) and manual windows that you could leave open and rain wouldn't damage the vinyl interior or rubber floor mats. At least the Edge requires you to have a hand on the steering wheel or the "self driving feature" will shut off, unlike the Telsa that's been in the news the last couple of days with the sleeping driver/passenger.

ADDED: speaking of that "handle to flush"... I wonder if the new Keystone RV/GM program to include in-command functionality in the new GM trucks will have that flush handle ?????

[GSain]

Seems like we got away from the initial comments about the new “invisible trailer” scam from GMC. All it does is tie into a trailer’s rear camera. Certainly not groundbreaking new technology, and can be done on any vehicle today old or new.
Wondered how it worked. I figured the it had to be a camera mounted on the back of the trailer. It'd be nice when you're having to back by yourself, but I don't see it as a make or break option.

[Northofu1]

I don't want anything over an SLE trim package, even then there a few things I don't want that it has.

[ctbruce]

But....my butt sure likes my heated and cooled seats. No more swamp a$$. Tom Brady be damned.

[notanlines]

I can just hear Chip talking to the old woman who comes in asking about a chapped butt.
“Oh, yeah, you need a large tube of Louisiana Butt Paste for that case of “swamp azz.”
The performance reviews for that 90 day period may sag a bit...��

[ctbruce]

I can just hear Chip talking to the old woman who comes in asking about a chapped butt.
“Oh, yeah, you need a large tube of Louisiana Butt Paste for that case of “swamp azz.”
The performance reviews for that 90 day period may sag a bit...��Butt....my stand up comedy bookings are over moon. Full moon. [emoji41]

[teacherman]

Sir, I have to disagree on Ford tailgates. The tailgate on my F250 BENT every time I rolled a 600 lb motorcycle over it to where the bars that allowed the handle to actuate the locks on the sides to open would be bent inside. I don't know how many times I had to take the tailgate apart and bend them back. The tailgate was not "Ford Tough". You are correct about the plastic stuff as it was all junk. The chrome on my grill sort of crinkled up and fell off in places as chrome plating plastic seems an art that Ford never mastered. Of course, the dash cracked as well. All the tabs or retainers that held the dash and doors more or less gave up the ghost and I had to figure out how to keep these components in place by using hardware store fasteners.

Is there a way to release the gate so it folds down such that the ramp rest on the edge of the bed rather than the gate? I can only imagine trying to ride a dresser up a ramp perched on the edge of a tailgate. Seems a safety risk to me. I haven't tried it, but I think the two cables on the gate of my Chevy can be released.

[teacherman]

But....my butt sure likes my heated and cooled seats. No more swamp a$$. Tom Brady be damned.

Surprising how quickly these can become "essential" items. I was surprised at how much I like the heated steering wheel. I told myself I'd never use it, but it's nice on old knuckles.

[Local150]

Illinois is same issue, that lip on the wheel opening catch all the salt. Also I have heard insurance companies hate the tail gate, as if you damage it its alot of $

[Harried Harry]

The more I hear or read about the newer HD trucks, the more I wonder if it would be better for me to just find another 2008 Dodge Ram but in either a 3500 or 4500 model. At least it "should" be cheaper than what I've seen on the market surveys. My Dodge works fine with my Cougar 5'er, but I also use a truck camper and tow a trailer with my Jeep on-board. My truck does ride rough, but it sure has the power to do what I want. The challenge is I'm at the limit on my GVWR and I have not yet figured out the combined total load I plan to have with me.

Heated steering wheels are very nice on arthritic hands! Beats trying to warm up gloves.

[Northofu1]

It's called remote start. Lol

[sourdough]

Lots of things to be said about a lot of things....but;


I always thought that a manual shift on the column was "it". As I progressed we actually put 4 speeds on the floor. As things progressed I told DW the world was going to heck. Now, I'm one of those that loves the backup camera, my heated seats and steering wheel, Nav, wifi, power seats, dimming rear view mirrors, etc. etc. What about power steering? I never had that when young. I said I would never have, or understand the benefit of, remote start. I was wrong. I have used it so many times; here at our house in the mountains, as the cold weather is coming in, I'm using it every day. So, yep, the old days were good, and taught me a lot, but now, the "new" days are sure giving me stuff to make my old bones happier....

[blubuckaroo]

I saw the add. It's pretty cool, and would be useful too.
I can't understand the resentment between brands. Ford has their trailer parking assist. Did that get this kind of BS?

The thing is, options like this either sell, or they go the way of GM's Quadrasteer. That one only lasted three years. (2003-2005)

The one I wish would go away is the funky little steps on the corners of my back bumper. They look hideous and are made for midgets. If it ever gets damaged, it's getting a standard bumper.

[66joej]

I saw the add. It's pretty cool, and would be useful too.
I can't understand the resentment between brands. Ford has their trailer parking assist. Did that get this kind of BS?

The thing is, options like this either sell, or they go the way of GM's Quadrasteer. That one only lasted three years. (2003-2005)

The one I wish would go away is the funky little steps on the corners of my back bumper. They look hideous and are made for midgets. If it ever gets damaged, it's getting a standard bumper.

The factory step on the Rams is also a bit odd looking but helps to get up into that 3500 box that seems so HIGH off the ground.

[mikz86ta]

Ohh...I remember Chevy making fun of Fords tailgate... "Man Step Setup" (Howie Long Commercial?-lol)
I've got a 14` F150 and all I can say is> after rolling all kinds of weight over the integrated folding bar (1st Gen)... it works awesome! Funny how Chevy/GMC have finally jumped on board. Their setup has a lot of moving parts?, but hey...welcome to the party-lol23638

2013 F150 girlfriends truck. If it didn't have that step in the tailgate, she would have bought the truck anyways. Wasn't a real selling point. Used it maybe twice. It's solid but far from perfect. Kinda just clangy and noisy on mildly rough roads. The few times we pulled it out, the top side peice is hard to get started pulling out. I bungee a couple beach chairs to it twice....so it got used I guess. Lol
If the truck gets rear ended and a new tailgate is a must....well save $$$ & get the standard one

[Northofu1]

I saw the add. It's pretty cool, and would be useful too.
I can't understand the resentment between brands. Ford has their trailer parking assist. Did that get this kind of BS?

The thing is, options like this either sell, or they go the way of GM's Quadrasteer. That one only lasted three years. (2003-2005)

The one I wish would go away is the funky little steps on the corners of my back bumper. They look hideous and are made for midgets. If it ever gets damaged, it's getting a standard bumper.

I'm fat, not a midget. :D

[mikz86ta]

I'm a Chevy guy and have been keeping pretty up to date on the 2020 HD's. I'm interested, except for a couple of things.

First off, they will have the funky tailgate. Everything I've seen in both the 1500 and HD's, is you better not use the tailgate if you have a hitch in. You'll dent it with the hitch ball. I don't think I would pay the money for it. But regardless of what tailgate I get, I will make sure it is locked on. $9K sounds a bit much, but I can see the thing being in the $5K range.

The camera's look real nice. Just need to get a higher trim level (SLT or Denali) to get them and I usually don't. The cameras would be enough to push me into the higher trim level. Just wondering if they can double as a dash cam (so have recording abilities).

I don't want diesel, so my big disappointing is that the gas only gets a 6 sp. The motor looks like a nice one (410 hp and 460 ft lbs), but the Ford gas is coming with a 10sp. I want to see a comparison between them.

I do like some of the bells and whistles. The bed steps (forgetting the tailgate) at the front of the bed look useful.

The Chevy version looks like crap to me. I really like the GMC version of these trucks better. Night and day in my mind to looks.


New Chevy is horrible looking.
The bed side step on the HD is cool, just don't like the over done and over emphasize on the plastic trim around it.
TFL Trucks on YouTube did a tow test with the new Chevy gas engine. Did well......if you want to pull a hill at high RPMs. So Yea, a better trans is needed. Not sure what gear it had....maybe a 3.73 or higher?

[wiredgeorge]

I bought a 2013 F150 NEW back in 2013 for $17988 (plus TT&L). It had the standard V6 and automatic. It was the first automatic transmission truck I ever owned and I began to be a believer. I took it to the tint & alarm shop and had an alarm system in that included remote entry for the remote door locks. Didn't know you could buy the remote entry without the alarm. If you locked the doors while traveling, the slightest bump would set off the alarm which was annoying. The truck couldn't pull much but got good gas mileage. I had a truck camper on it and put some air bags on and LRE tires so it didn't get squished. I had never heard about the payload thing. That truck was not designed for a lightweight Lance truck top.

We got a series of 5th wheels and bumper pulls. My wife retired so I didn't want a truck payment so sold the F150 and and bought a 1996 F250 with 7.5L and automatic and after putting a little money into this $1700 truck, the truck ran like a top but of course with a quarter million hard miles rattled and rode kind of rough with super heavy duty shocks I added and air bags and LRE tires. This truck was an XLT model and the power windows and door locks actually worked and I got spoiled so when I got diesel fever I went back to the basics (stripped XL work truck) and have since added remote entry system ($32 on Amazon) and I have spent a few bucks to make everything right but the truck is now the way I like it. Vinyl seats and flooring with a BIG bench seat, automatic and a good A/C. I did add a license plate mounted rear view camera as the truck is a mile long and I need it to gauge how close I am when backing up.

Would I own a Ram or Chevy? Sure and it would be interesting to have the funds to make a choice not based on my economics but features. And I do have a hard time (being old and fat) getting into the bed so a step back there would be welcome but one coming off the trailer hitch receiver might skewer the fifth wheel so I live with it.

[notanlines]

George, if you could add a pull knob for floor vents, wing windows and a floor mounted dimmer switch DW and I’d head to Texas and beat you out of that truck....

[wiredgeorge]

I would settle for vents in the windows.

[vampress_me]

George, if you could add a pull knob for floor vents, wing windows and a floor mounted dimmer switch DW and I’d head to Texas and beat you out of that truck....

I would so love a floor mounted dimmer switch again! One of the best features of my dad’s truck. Much, much better than the auto dim headlights in our new truck - that dim if you touch the brakes, see a sign on the side of the road in the dark, or even think of the word “dim”. Now if I could just remember to turn the auto feature off before I start driving one of these times it would be nice... :banghead:

[AbHDToyHauler]

I also saw a review on the new 2020 GMC 3500 (Dually) but interesting thing to note was it came with four tire pressure monitors extra so you could install them in your trailers wheels. (You can order more if you have more axles then two). Thats starting to make some sense. Of course they come out with all this when i bought my "LAST" truck as a new 2018. LOL I personally hate that new tailgate and would opt out if I was buying a new truck which I am not. I always wanted the power back window. Truck before this I finally got one. Opened it twice in two years. Second time forgot it open. Rain came. You can guess the rest. This truck I rodered without the sliding back window. Live and learn. LOL

[Pete54401]

The "invisible camera" (trailer cam) is a great idea but as noted above, can't use with a 5th wheel. Ford has also had a trailer cam but their system doesn't make the trailer disappear. The problem with all these camera options these days is two-fold. First of all, in themselves they are distracting as you switch to the many views, which leads to the second issue and that is that all this new safety related technology is making many drivers lazy and less diligent as they rely more on the technology and less on common sense and "head swiveling". Having used the Ford Pro Trailer Backup Assist I find it to be easy to use and it just plain works but again, some limitations (no 5th wheel).

Regarding tailgate steps. Ford's is pretty much proven and now in a second generation design as the first generation did need some tweaking. One of the best features of Ford's design is it simplicity AND it's handle. The GM gate does have more functions but look where the assist handle is located, not in a location where it does much to assist you. Regarding durability, dirt, grit, snow, rust will all impact long term performance not to mention the cost to replace if damaged in an accident. I have not checked on the cost to replace but my guess is it would have to be north of $4,000.

[notanlines]

Pete, let's be honest here. Nobody knows you and your insurance agent doesn't hang on this forum. Nobody but nobody gives a rat's *** what the insurance company has to pay for a tailgate. Dodge, GMC, Ford, they all make a nice truck. Some features are better than others.