2020 GMC
Well maybe the truck builders are finally listening to the RV crowd for a change: Just got a brochure on the 2020 GMC HD trucks. 1. They have finally made the bed rails lower 2. They have a ...
Forum Discussion
Ben as usual, you're pretty spot on, on the other factors that could or should be included in this scientific p!issing match.
But "as their GVWR’s and GAWR’s have been about the same for decades" this is not so true, first just 20 years ago, GM srw 1 tons had a "rated" 9k gvw and the Duallies were a whopping 10k gvw. 25-30% increase is not "about the same".
Nor is the chassis strength, safety features, braking, power, maintenance schedules.
Reliability or longevity I'll leave alone. I think since the 90's reliability has been pretty good. Apples to oranges, I'd even say comparable.
Back to the big difference. The general size, heft, power and capability far exceeds the increase in ratings. Even more pronounced with 1/2 tons.
My first nice truck, a 90 Z71 5 speed, was all it wanted to tow a 6-7000lb flatbed and maintain speed on anything but a level road at low altitude. Fast forward, the 2016 work truck I have regularly tows 10-12klb flatbed through the Cascades with more authority than the old Z71 through Illinois.
The same or more can be said for HDs. Take an old 7.3 or 1st gen cummins or 454 TBI GM (6.5s not even in the equation) and think about how those trucks performed compared to any of the new gassers or gosh forbid diesels. They were basically half the truck of the new ones.
For someone who grew up in the 80's, I only remember muscle cars as something that was already getting expensive and the vehicles I had to choose from out of 70s and 80s stock were bad by comparison 30 years ago. Now, them and 90's vehicles (which were decidedly better than 80s) are like comparing the blistering power of a prius to a new Duramax!
Sorry, but you beloved old Burb, as sweet as it is, is but a pimple on a new HD truck's arse.
But "as their GVWR’s and GAWR’s have been about the same for decades" this is not so true, first just 20 years ago, GM srw 1 tons had a "rated" 9k gvw and the Duallies were a whopping 10k gvw. 25-30% increase is not "about the same".
Nor is the chassis strength, safety features, braking, power, maintenance schedules.
Reliability or longevity I'll leave alone. I think since the 90's reliability has been pretty good. Apples to oranges, I'd even say comparable.
Back to the big difference. The general size, heft, power and capability far exceeds the increase in ratings. Even more pronounced with 1/2 tons.
My first nice truck, a 90 Z71 5 speed, was all it wanted to tow a 6-7000lb flatbed and maintain speed on anything but a level road at low altitude. Fast forward, the 2016 work truck I have regularly tows 10-12klb flatbed through the Cascades with more authority than the old Z71 through Illinois.
The same or more can be said for HDs. Take an old 7.3 or 1st gen cummins or 454 TBI GM (6.5s not even in the equation) and think about how those trucks performed compared to any of the new gassers or gosh forbid diesels. They were basically half the truck of the new ones.
For someone who grew up in the 80's, I only remember muscle cars as something that was already getting expensive and the vehicles I had to choose from out of 70s and 80s stock were bad by comparison 30 years ago. Now, them and 90's vehicles (which were decidedly better than 80s) are like comparing the blistering power of a prius to a new Duramax!
Sorry, but you beloved old Burb, as sweet as it is, is but a pimple on a new HD truck's arse.
