[trackbird]

After 7 glorious years, I finally retired my faithful 2015 SIlverado 1500. It was a 5.3 with crew cab and the electronic transfer case with the AWD option. We have been using it to tow our camper for about the last year and it did an admirable job overall. Sadly, the brakes were not up to the task and on more than one occasion I ran completely out of truck brakes and the trailer stopped the truck. That finally convinced me that it was time for an upgrade.

Last Monday, I drug home a new Silverado 3500 HD (Crew cab, short bed, 4x4/AWD, diesel with the 10 speed allison, 5th wheel/gooseneck prep, Z71 protection package, etc). I'm trying to put break in mileage on it before the next time I have to tow the camper, but so far I'm really impressed. It feels a lot larger than my last 3500, but it feels remarkably light on its feet with all that torque. GM was supposed to do a facelift and a power upgrade for the diesel in 2023, but they held it until 2024. I picked the truck up Monday, Tuesday I went to the chevrolet.com site and they are now "Introducing the 2024 Silverado HD". Awesome....

Despite that, I really like the truck and the facelift isn't really an improvement (I really think these trucks are rather ugly, but the chrome front end on mine is "less bad") and the diesel seems to have plenty of power so I'm not sure if I'll really care about the upgrade. Maybe I'll trade it in a few years....maybe I won't.

I've been trying to verify that the shocks didn't change between 2022 and 2023 so I can order Fox shocks for it. The OEM ranchos provide almost zero damping.

Also, I ordered the Advanced Trailering Package with the multiple camera views. However, you have to buy the "technology package" to get all of the camera views. So, I don't have the front bumper view (could be nice for parking) or the trailer side view cameras (that would be great for pulling around tight corners, etc). I'm a little irritated that the "Advanced Trailering Package" isn't the complete package unless you take lane departure warnings, parking assist, etc....all stuff I specifically didn't want.

So, be aware if you order one, check that stuff out. I ordered this one June 19th, give or take and got it last Monday. I hope I'm not sorry I bought a diesel.

[mikedamageinc]

In for the gas vs diesel discussion. I'm planning years ahead for my next tow/daily purchase and always thought diesel truck is the holy grail. I've towed with one and it does do a great job but rides rough especially when not towing and cost so much even used. And even a quad cab doesn't haul the family plus friends like a suburban or Yukon XL would.

I'm currently driving an 08 Yukon Denali and the 6.2 does much better than the 5.3 for power and fuel mileage. I've got 15mpg while towing if AC is off and I keep it 55 and easy on the hills but typical is more like 12 towing and 15 around town daily driving. Handling isn't bad either with Fox shocks, Eibach sways, weight distro hitch and air bag helpers. I do have intake, exhaust and tune for a little extra power too but I imagine the newer 6.2 with 10 speed trans would do even better.

Based on cost, comfort and your review Kevin, I'm starting to lean back towards another 6.2 SUV, with the 2015-2020 Denali/Escalade being my favorite. Wonder if they would let me test drive tow one, lol.

This post has been edited by mikedamageinc: Aug 13 2024, 12:56 PM