Chevy vs. GMC: is there a difference in trucks?

[Calvincrowe]

I am in the market for a new (either used or new) to me truck. I need a long bed, diesel, crew or extra cab 2500 with under 90K miles on it. I will not do a Ford again, and have no love for the Dodge diesel (yes, yes, I know I’m being irrational, but I know what I like and want so there!;)).

I was at a dealer today, perusing the stock and of course, not finding any used trucks that met my criteria (no one trades those long bed babies in with fewer than 175K miles on them!). The salesman mentioned that if I didn’t want all the fancy bells and whistles (luxury packages and whatnot) then he could get me a new truck that met my criteria and my payment level preference would be almost spot on.

However, it is a Chevy Silverado…and I’ve been looking mainly at GMC Sierras. But…what is the difference?? I think that the GMC is a bit more rugged, or am I just assuming? Anyone know the scoop on the two brands/types?

[Jim_in_PA]

They are the same truck. Different name; different set of options, etc., but General Motors owns them both and it’s just a variation on the “pretty faces”…

[Calvincrowe]

I kind of thought so, but… why are the GMCs more expensive then? Is it just the options or are there really differences like one is more “working truck” vs. “pretty nice driving around truck”? I’m so confuzzled. I did like the dealership/salesman: he spoke to ME rather than my husband when I told him I needed a truck for the horses/farm. Refreshingly non-mysognistic!

[Hilary]

When I was shopping, the GMC/Chevy dealership was the same place and they were the same prices when I looked on line, but what this particular dealership did was have the 1/2 ton chevy and the 3/4 ton GMC. The are the same truck, and differences are cosmetic. The GMC grill looks different than the chevy but the drivetrain/engine/chassis are the same.

Years ago, I had an older chevy truck and they keys said GMC.

[TheJenners]

Unless the GMCs had all the bells n whistles, maybe some upgrades or the used ones had chips, etc, the prices should have been the same. Make sure he isn’t comparing a GMC with the above to a Chevy with manual windows ;).

[Tom_King]

The heavy duty ones 3500 and 2500hd even come out of the same building.

[Calvincrowe]

Okay, okay… it’s my imagination. :lol: I’m leaning toward a Chevy diesel 2500HD. Thoughts on crew or extended cab? It’s just me and the husband, no family and I rarely take more than one person with me to a show/lesson/event in the rig. Resale?

[tpup]

I had both a GMC Sierra (2009 and now a new 2015 Chevy Silverado. Sadly totalled my GMC Sierra. They are the SAME truck…but the Sierra is designed to look slightly less like a work truck. Test drove both again when I was ready to buy a new one. When it came down to it, I couldn’t justify the extra 5k or so for the Sierra because it was slightly different and less “work-y”. Both drove fabulous. In the end one of the reasons I chose the Silverado is just that it looked DIFFERENT on the inside than my old Sierra, and it was nice for me to have a change to not remind me of my accident. BTW both have OnStar which I will never, EVER be without after my accident. It was a Godsend as my daughter and I were trapped in the truck, flipped and the OnStar operator kept us calm, helped us figure out a way out, and dispatched 911 for us - my phone was thrown and I could not call for help. OnStar - BEST thing ever. I have the crew cab/4 door and need it for my kids. Note: if you can swing the higher end model, the magnetic ride makes a HUGE difference IMO in the smoothness of the ride. Good luck!

[Jim_in_PA]

GMC is touted as the “more premium” brand over the Chevy, which can account for some pricing differences and features. But “at the heart”, as mentioned, they are the same truck. The current GMC sheet metal styling looks a bit more aggressive than the Chevy, too.

On your crew or extended cab question, “these days” crew cabs are very popular since so many folks use their trucks for “family” vehicles as well as for “truck things”. So potentially, the crew cab is going to hold value a little more, IMHO. And that back seat is useful for things other than people, too.

[AKB]

I have a 2013 Chevrolet 1500 with the extended cab. I find the extended cab has plenty of room for saddles and gear. The only time I almost wished for more room was when my neighbor and I drove the horses to Florida. She had several suitcases and extra saddles. It was a tight squeeze to fit those in, along with everything that I needed for the 2 week trip. The truck bed was full of hay, so we were crowded. I am very happy with my truck.

[Calvincrowe]

I am getting very frustrated in a search for a low mileage used diesel Chev/GMC in a long bed, so the dealer has almost talked me into a new truck, given the large down payment I have (inheritance, sale of old truck combined). Now it is down to color, goodies package, and extended or crew. Given the places I will haul or use the truck (over the Cascades, lots of steep climbs locally, etc.) a diesel makes the most sense.

When they say “tow package”, does that also include a heavy duty–class IV or V hitch? Is the integrated brake controller a good one? I have a bumper pull 2H Hawk.

[tpup]

The new ones have some incredible safety features so if you can do it, go for it. Mine even has a 4G hot spot which is over the top but handy as I’m a realtor and no longer have to bring my little portable hot spot. Mine came w/tow package and great hitch - I haul a 2 horse slant/stock steel combo and it works great. Same with the brake controller. Never any issues w/ my older sierra or new truck.

[Angelico]

[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;8163609]
Okay, okay… it’s my imagination. :lol: I’m leaning toward a Chevy diesel 2500HD. Thoughts on crew or extended cab? It’s just me and the husband, no family and I rarely take more than one person with me to a show/lesson/event in the rig. Resale?[/QUOTE]

I have the Chevy 2500 extended cab (I think extended is what it’s called, the ones where only the front doors have handles on the outside) and I love it, I actually think I prefer this over the regular cab. The back seat is still plenty roomy, and my favorite feature on these newer models is that the back door opens and folds completely back against the truck, which makes getting a saddle or feed in the backseat MUCH easier.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;8163696]
I am getting very frustrated in a search for a low mileage used diesel Chev/GMC in a long bed, so the dealer has almost talked me into a new truck, given the large down payment I have (inheritance, sale of old truck combined). Now it is down to color, goodies package, and extended or crew. Given the places I will haul or use the truck (over the Cascades, lots of steep climbs locally, etc.) a diesel makes the most sense.

When they say “tow package”, does that also include a heavy duty–class IV or V hitch? Is the integrated brake controller a good one? I have a bumper pull 2H Hawk.[/QUOTE]

I think the price difference is based on the fact that Chevy is a “personal” truck and GMC is “professional grade.” At least that’s what I guess from the advertising!

I’ve got a 2008 Chevey 3500HD “hauling truck.” I’ts got rubber floors (vice carpet) but a premium leather bench seat. No entertainment system for the back seat, but a near top of the line radio/cd combo. It’s got the factory controller that works just fine. If you spec out a truck you can have it “your way.” I didn’t spec it this way; I bought it with 7500 miles on it and got the Deal of the Century. It’s only within the last year that the trade value of the truck dropped below what I paid for it!

Since the two trucks are identical except maybe for price then I’d make a final decision based upon the dealer.

Good luck in your search!

G.

[Jim_in_PA]

[QUOTE=Guilherme;8163951]
I think the price difference is based on the fact that Chevy is a “personal” truck and GMC is “professional grade.” At least that’s what I guess from the advertising! [/QUOTE]

Yup…marketing…at it’s finest…

OP, you absolutely want “factory tow” because it’s not just about the hitch receiver (which will be a class IV or V). There are many other things added/beefed-up to optimize for towing with that package that you will not get with aftermarket tow setups. The integrated controller will likely be fine and is one less thing to worry about.

[Calvincrowe]

I am just having second thoughts about dropping all this $$ on a vehicle I won’t use a ton–I haul to shows maybe 6-8 times a year, mostly within an hour of home. We use it for farm needs, like hay and supplies, but honestly that’s about it (and we have a “farmette” so nothing big). I have to think about the fact that it will be under warranty for years, and free oil changes for two years from this dealer, should be trouble free for years, too, right? Buying used means you get whatever was done or not done to the truck before you, so that’s a problem I wouldn’t have to deal with. Granted, with a truck that gets nearly twice the mileage than my gas hog F350, V10 I’d probably use it a lot more. Then there’s insurance. Ugh. I have fabulous insurance, so that will help.

Sorry, just rambling here, putting a pro/con list together. I really need a rig by the end of June and have no time to spend searching every dealer within 300 miles to find the used one I need.

Guilherme- I am thinking of specing it out like that, too. The price difference between extra cab/crew cab is not significant, so it will be personal choice. I like the bench seats vs. captain’s seats (more people/dog/stuff space), don’t need “entertainment” for the backseat, just a work truck basically with a few upgrades.

Thanks for the info on the tow package–that is something I absolutely want factory. The new ones come with a jake brake too, standard.

What kind of bed liner do we like? Spray in? Aughh! Too much to think about!

[cowboymom]

Can you branch out your search? Isn’t there a massive dealership in Kellogg? A lot of guys from here in MT go there for their trucks, used and new.

[JanM]

I love the spray in bed liner, but for only one reason. A friend was driving down the interstate when a passing truck’s bed liner blew out, and smashed the daylights out of the car next to her. Luckily no one was seriously injured, but a spray in would have been a much better option.

I also like the fact that a quality spray in should last a long time, and you can go through a few of the generic ones depending on how you treat it, and how closely it fits.

I also like the fact a spray in is attached, so you don’t have to worry about water getting under a regular bed liner.

[JanM]

I’ve noticed that if you go to the ‘build your vehicle’ option on most car dealer websites, and look at their new inventory, you can say exactly what model, trim, year, and options you want, and the results will show you other regional dealers inventory also, so you could go directly to them if you want.

[Equibrit]

Article on the subject;
http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Insights/Chevy-Silverado-vs-GMC-Sierra