Time for a new truck just wondering what to look for

[57diesel]

Dad and I have had a truck around for an extra vehicle and hauling for several years. Its hardly ever used for a daily driver its just back up and hauling. We dont have any regularly scheduled hauls its just what ever comes up. Heaviest thing we would haul is a car on a trailer. Even then its not a cross country thing, just a few hundred miles. This truck ends up sitting a lot more than it gets driven.

Current truck is a 2000 2500 6.0 gas 4x4 8' box 3 door cab 4.11 well optioned with leather. Its got some body issues and electrical issues that are not getting any better with age. A couple weeks ago something broke in the drivers door so the window wont roll up. Also lost a bunch of trans fluid on a haul so I think the trans has seen better days. More often than not the last few years when we wanted to use the truck it would not start. Dad can afford a new one so it looks like that is what he is going to do.

I can't talk him into a diesel and with the frequency and distances we would likely do I can't blame him for not wanting to pay extra for one. Basically he is looking at the same truck again except it wants the 6' box. I think that is a mistake since all we do with this is haul stuff. Since we not regularly heavy haul I think the 3.73 should be fine.

What other options would you guys recommend for what we plan to do with the thing? I see there are lots of wheel choices. Is it worth getting the limited slip on a auto 4x4? Anyone in the ice and snow areas have a 2x4 truck with the stable track and limited slip? Does that help? I hate the extra expense of 4x4 and we are city folks so we really should not need the 4x4. He is just remembering his older 2x4's that were pretty helpless without several hundred pounds in the box in the snow. These were all pre ABS and traction control rigs. I dont think they even had limited slips.

Can the 1500's really tow and haul what the 90's 2500's did? I remember when we bought the current truck used around 04 all the sales people thought I was nuts for wanting a 2500.

This will likely be a 12 or 13 model. We are not in a huge hurry so if there is some 'odd' equipment we would want we could wait to special order one. Chev or GMC does not matter.

Open to hear all thoughts and opinions.

[skleppy]

Instead of new, why doesn't he look for almost new. Try and pick up a 2500HD with a 6.0L thats a couple of years old. If you're only using it occaisionally for hauling, why put all that money into a new truck thats just going to sit? He could spend less than half of what a new one will cost and its going to do the same job. With the savings of used over new, you could get the 4wd option if you wanted to even.

[57diesel]

That is what we did last time and it overall it was not a great experience. Dad can afford new so we dont end up with something that someone else abused.

Its not the initial cost of the 4x4. Its the higher operating and maintenance costs that I don't like for something hardly ever need. If the traction control and or limited slip really helps I would rather do that.

What is the current thinking on bed liners? What type is best?

[skleppy]

I have a plywood liner in my truck...and I wouldn't do anything else. You can beat the crap out of that thing and then some and its still takes it. Its wood so it does have a lifespan obviously, but if you take care of it and stain it yearly or so it should last a while. I had to replace mine because the previous owner had it drilled for fifth wheel rails and the wood began to swell up from the holes.

[Dmaxftw]

I agree if he isn't going to drive it but once in a while why waste the money on new? just an even bigger lose than just getting a newer truck. And tbh your on a diesel forum i think we can all agree that regardless the diesel is the way to go. The motor will last longer than the frame of the truck if you keep it long enough just a matter of what he wants. Maybe consider a "used diesel" over a new unleaded. if all you do is tow with it, at least when you do tow your gonna retain some fuel mileage instead of grinding your teeth every time you look at the fuel gauge while towing with an unleaded. Just a thought think about it. Diesel also retains value waaay better than unleaded so when resale is the thought in 10 years he will get more back out of it than an unleaded.

[HDLBZ]

It sounds like you are not using it that much don't waste the money on new. If your not thinking diesel there is always a good deal on a used gasser out there. Always a diesel out there somewhere too. Whats your budget for the this truck?

[BrennanK]

Sounds like you already made up your mind. A 6.0 with the 3.73 and a 6 foot box. 2012 or 2013.

I agree with the people here. Buying new is just throwing away money. Get a clean used 2008 or something with low miles and some warranty left. I wouldn't buy a diesel either, not worth the added costs for what you do.

You are asking for options for the truck, not options of what truck. If that is all you want, get a work truck. Otherwise, read on.

If all you do with it is haul I would be getting a work truck or something similar with the 4x4 and be done with it. No use getting a super nice truck if you never are going to use it, the options are what you pay for, save your money for fuel and maintenance.

My recommendation:
Nice 2008 2500 HD Ext Cab Long Box work truck or similar with 4x4, 6.0 and 3.73's