Guidance on tow vehicle

Grit dog wrote:
Chucksma, just know that most dealers appear to not move much off sticker price especially for diesels. Seems that way here in Seattle area. To me, paying over $50k for a stripped down crew cab diesel or over $60k for an optioned one, or $70 gulp thousand for premium trim is madness.
Imo, your situation only makes sense to get a new diesel if you go pick up one of the $40k models from one of the high volume dealers. Heck they all have power windows, locks, cruise, backup cam and touch screen Bluetooth stereo. Seems like a guy could get by with that for $20-30k less......
And if keeping for the long run, less gadgets to malfunction, wear out, etc.
Down the road, the options package figures in a lesser percentage on resale too.

I agree with that assessment. Basically I've narrowed my (new) search down to work truck chevies witha few bells and whistles added but no higher trim levels. Originally I was reluctant to look at this after I saw some fords and rams that had work truck equivilants with vinyl floors and manual roll up windows. But I'm seeing that I can get a few more creature comforts (back up camera, AC, power windows / locks) and end up with a net price (after rebates and haggling) around $45-46. This is about +$5k from ~5 year old diesels so I think it makes sense to buy new.

EDIT: To be clear, there may be rams and ford work trucks similar to this GM layout just not what I had seen locally. Not bashing them in any way (though I do have a little bit of GM brand allegiance).

Now to finalize decision of long or short bed... The crew cab is a given and it will be a daily driver so I'm leaning to the std/short bed. Would also be better if I put a plow on it. But I know the long bed is a more stable towing platform and can haul more.