Looking......

[Old-Biscuit]

Thinking about getting a second vehicle (150/1500) to use for short trips/grocery getter/small boat.

2010/2011 models.......

Which to stay away from due to known problems?

Any brand OK....just not a known headache.

Suggestions?

[Old-Biscuit]

Thanks for the replies.......

Never have been a fan of 'cylinder deactivation'........if I have 2/3/4/6/8 cylinders I like for them ALL to fire. Just me :B

Plan IS to go 'test driving'......maybe a little 'Jeff Gordan Style'

But didn't want to waste time on non-problem brands/models.....so guess I'll skip GMC

Just looking for a decent engineered 1/2 ton truck.
Little backroad/back country adventuring...small boat for fishing etc.

[bmanning]

How small is the boat? Could you get away with a Tacoma 4x4?

Just an opinion, but if I just needed a pickup for very light duties I'd go with a V6 Tacoma 4x4.

Just my $0.02...you'd be a bit smaller and more nimble than the 1/2 tons, and get slightly better economy (not much, but slightly). If you are ever into exploring mountain roads or forest trails, the smaller size and softer suspension could come in handy and speaking only for myself, I've had great luck with Toyotas (previously owned 91 Land Cruiser, 97 4Runner, 02 Land Cruiser).

Admittedly, would have to be a pretty light boat though :W

[Old-Biscuit]

Isn't about 'saving'.....

It's about having a 2nd run around vehicle.
We are buying a base home.
When there we want a smaller 2nd vehicle.
I don't do little cars......

The SRW will still be used majority of time but nice to have that 2nd vehicle

[Michelle_S]

OK, I have to ask the really stupid question: What do you hope to gain? You have a SRW so it's not like you're fighting the hip buldge. By the time you pay registration fees, insurance, and any other add ons, will you really save any money. Or are you just trying to keep the mileage down on the Ram? Our present TV is also our run-a-round vehicle and gets as good if not better mileage than many 150/1500 series trucks. Just curious

[Engineer9860]

Active Fuel Management

Or in other terms, cylinder deactivation.

[Ron3rd]

Engineer9860 wrote:
That is odd that the Chevy, and GMC trucks are having AFM issues while the Cadillac is not. I can't figure out why the programming would be different.

I give up; what is AFM?

[The_Texan]

gmcsmoke wrote:
well you need to go over to the gm truck forums and read, read , read. they have all the answers.

No, quite the opposite, they "don't" have the answers, they have the problems and their dealers are NOT helping with answers.

[gmcsmoke]

well you need to go over to the gm truck forums and read, read , read. they have all the answers.

[Engineer9860]

That is odd that the Chevy, and GMC trucks are having AFM issues while the Cadillac is not. I can't figure out why the programming would be different.

[The_Texan]

greatwhitenorth69 wrote:

The Texan wrote:
If you decide on a GM 5.3 model with AFM, go to the various GM truck forums and ask lots of questions.........Lots of unhappy and neutral owners that would not own another, then there are those that rave about it.....Seems Cadillac has the AFM down pat and Chevrolet/GMC are still on a learning curve. Also, beware of an LTZ model with the auto level system, as there again, it appears many are having problems, especially if you tow any type trailer.

How could Cadillac have it "down pat" & chev/gmc not, when they are owned by the same outfit? Little confused with that statement.

Not one bit confused.....go to the GM truck forums and read, read, read, as I do. It is very apparent from the comments of dissatisfied truck owners that there are problems in the community with the 5.3L AFM, yet most will acknowledge that Cadillac does NOT have the same problems.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

They have had AFM for a long time now I think they are well out of the kinks stage You do know Cadillac is GM right ?

[greatwhitenort1]

The Texan wrote:
If you decide on a GM 5.3 model with AFM, go to the various GM truck forums and ask lots of questions.........Lots of unhappy and neutral owners that would not own another, then there are those that rave about it.....Seems Cadillac has the AFM down pat and Chevrolet/GMC are still on a learning curve. Also, beware of an LTZ model with the auto level system, as there again, it appears many are having problems, especially if you tow any type trailer.

How could Cadillac have it "down pat" & chev/gmc not, when they are owned by the same outfit? Little confused with that statement.

[Fast_Mopar]

They are all good.

[skipnchar]

I'd take a test drive and buy the one you like best.
Good luck / Skip