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New truck

jsiemers
Explorer
Explorer
Looking for a new tow vehicle. Either 2500 or 3500. However, I want an extended or club cab. Not a crew cab. The crew cab is too long and will not fit in the garage. I've looked at the Chevy, Ford, and Dodge web sites and have not been able to find anything. Am I looking in the wrong places? Or, am I just blind?
Jim, Diane
2002 Chev 2500HD DMAX 4X4 LT Ext Cab Short Bed Firestone Air bags
2015 Montana High Country 343RL, Trail Air Hitch,Prodigy3, Husky 16K Double Pivot with Power Roller
24 REPLIES 24

REM13
Explorer
Explorer
Here is my 2 cents worth for consideration. Unless you can find a truck with everything you desire that fits into your garage, I suggest that you should be considering the best truck for your towing and comfort needs ahead of your parking situation. Saying that not knowing your parking area at your home. If you choose a truck just because it fits you may be kicking yourself later because it just doesn't meet your real purpose, traveling and towing. Also, I started with a 2007 Chev 2500 extended cab and loved the truck but realized quickly I should have gone with a 3500. I now have a 2012 Chev 3500 crew cab and am far happier with it even though I thought I would dislike a crew cab.

dballentine
Explorer
Explorer
Dayle1 wrote:
Since GM stopped production of the EC in 2013, you are not likely to find one on a dealers lot and will need to get a 2015 Double Cab (same size). Anyway, while you are at the dealer, ask about fuel tank size on the DC.


For 2015, all versions (RC, DC, CC) of both the 2500HD and 3500HD come with 36 gallon fuel tanks standard.
2015 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
2015 Silverado 3500HD LTZ D/A CC LB SRW Z71
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transamz9
Explorer
Explorer
mdamerell wrote:
I believe you will find the simple extended cab is a thing of the past. To pass the side impact/crash test, they had to add a door pillar. Adding the door pillar basically makes it a crew cab.

Are Extended Cab Trucks An Endangered Species?


I just ordered an extended cab long bed 2014 Ford F350 srw at work. Still has suicide back doors.
2016 Ram 3500 Mega Cab Limited/2013 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins(sold)/2005 RAM 2500 Cummins/2011 Sandpiper 345 RET (sold) 2015 Sanibel 3601/2008 Nitro Z9 Mercury 250 PRO XS the best motor made.

Dayle1
Explorer II
Explorer II
jsiemers wrote:
Thanks for all the input. My current pickup is a 2002 Chevy, 2500HD, extended cab, 6 1/2 foot box. That's the size I'd like to stay with for more reasons than the garage size. I see from all the responses, that I will need to go to the dealerships and ask some questions. The web sites make it very difficult to find the answers I am looking for. One thing I have discovered in my research is that the new vehicles are about 4 to 6 inches higher at the bed rail than my current truck. Rats, just when I got the 5th wheel towing level.


I don't think the height difference is as great as you think, at least for GM trucks. Some owners have used longer shackles to lower the rear of the truck. Fuel tank size is another issue, on my '03 EC I couldn't stand the 26 gal tank and went with a 45 gal. replacement tank from Transfer Flow. Since EC sales volume is so low, larger replacement tanks are no longer available for the EC. Since the crew cab is just 9 inches longer and still fits in my garage and comes with a 36 gal tank it has worked out great for me. Since GM stopped production of the EC in 2013, you are not likely to find one on a dealers lot and will need to get a 2015 Double Cab (same size). Anyway, while you are at the dealer, ask about fuel tank size on the DC.
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders since '01
'13 Silverado 3500HD LT 2wd CCSB SRW, custom RKI bed
'19 Starcraft Telluride 292RLS
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jsiemers
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all the input. My current pickup is a 2002 Chevy, 2500HD, extended cab, 6 1/2 foot box. That's the size I'd like to stay with for more reasons than the garage size. I see from all the responses, that I will need to go to the dealerships and ask some questions. The web sites make it very difficult to find the answers I am looking for. One thing I have discovered in my research is that the new vehicles are about 4 to 6 inches higher at the bed rail than my current truck. Rats, just when I got the 5th wheel towing level.
Jim, Diane
2002 Chev 2500HD DMAX 4X4 LT Ext Cab Short Bed Firestone Air bags
2015 Montana High Country 343RL, Trail Air Hitch,Prodigy3, Husky 16K Double Pivot with Power Roller

Winged_One
Explorer
Explorer
RAS43 wrote:

Ford still shows a super cab configuration. As someone else pointed out, Dodge no longer offers anything like these.
I share your needs-a long bed with a little larger cab but I don't haul anyone in the back seat. Just need a place for a few items including a small cooler and the cat carrier. Others here have different needs and ideas.


Same here with wanting an SC with a long bed. Mine came with the 38 gallon tank and I don't have to stop and raise the tailgate when hooking up. That must all depend on the length of the FW overhang and pin.

I much prefer my 8 foot box. I have my generator behind the SC and can still fit my 6 foot long ramps in the bed.

And it all fits in my garage. Barely.
2013 F350 6.7 DRW SC Lariat
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francisvarghese
Explorer
Explorer
I think you didn't check the website thoroughly, Ford and chevy provide good cab club, check the website once more.

filthy_beast
Explorer
Explorer
I measured my garage before trading up to a 2500HD. Any longer and I would not be able to get around the back of the truck without leaving the garage door open. I'm glad I bought mine when I did. We don't plan on buying a 5th wheel any longer than what we have so no need for a new truck. Mine is a 2008 and only has 44,000 on it.
Goody Two Shoes and the Filthy Beast
2008 Silverado 2500HD
2012 Wildcat 282RKX

You cannot make things idiot proof, you can only make them idiot resistant.

arnko37
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2013 GMC 2500 extended cab, bed is about 6 1/2 ft. Came stock w/ 36 gal gas tank. Gas 6.0 gas engine. I got the 4.1 rear which is only $100 extra. All these newer trucks seem to be taller. My 5th wheel is a bit nose high going down the road and I carry a small step ladder in the bed just so I can reach over the side of the bed to get something.I am average height.

jalichty
Explorer
Explorer
We bought an extended cab GM product and it fit into our garage just fine, as long as I was able to lightly bump the front bumper into the wall in the front of the garage. Went to a crew-cab with a short-bed GMC and it was a bit shorter and I didn't have to hit the front wall of the garage to park it in the garage. I think you might want to measure the total length of the trucks to see what might fit, you might be a bit surprised about the crew-cabs' lengths.
John A. Lichty

texasdiver
Explorer
Explorer
How long is your garage exactly? Have you put a tape measure to it? I have the same issue. A Ford f350 crew cab with standard bed will fit into my garage with exactly 9" to spare....at least on paper. The Ram is about 1 1/2 inches longer and the Chevy is about 8" shorter than the Ford....at least on paper according to their web site specs.

I know one thing for certain. When I got to test drive, I'm taking the truck and salesman home with me and we are going to test park that truck in my garage before I sign any paperwork. Luckily I live 5 minutes from our local auto row so shouldn't be a problem doing that. I don't want any nasty surprises when I get the truck home.

thomasmnile
Explorer
Explorer
Vulcaneer wrote:
Length may be one issue. But, be careful of the trucks height. Mine is too high to fit through the angled corner garage door.


Yes indeed. IF, our attached garage was long enough, the door opening ain't high enough for the Ram to fit through!

When they downsized cars, builders downsized garages as well.....:(

Willcamp4
Explorer
Explorer
Ford still makes a 'Super-Cab.' The best I can tell, Ram and GM don't anymore. If you can't find one you can always order one.
Willcamp4
2012 Ford F-250 Super Duty, Crew Cab, Lariat, 6.7L PSTD, Air Lift rear suspension.
Alpenlite Valhalla Limited Fifth Wheel, two Solar panels, four six-volt batteries, two Honda EU2000i generators

RAS43
Explorer III
Explorer III
jsiemers wrote:
Looking for a new tow vehicle. Either 2500 or 3500. However, I want an extended or club cab. Not a crew cab. The crew cab is too long and will not fit in the garage. I've looked at the Chevy, Ford, and Dodge web sites and have not been able to find anything. Am I looking in the wrong places? Or, am I just blind?


The new GM's have a double cab which is the same as the former club/extended cab. Ford still shows a super cab configuration. As someone else pointed out, Dodge no longer offers anything like these.
I share your needs-a long bed with a little larger cab but I don't haul anyone in the back seat. Just need a place for a few items including a small cooler and the cat carrier. Others here have different needs and ideas.