Help me pick a new truck...

[dieselBlazer]

I currently drive a 1986 diesel K5 and I love it (pics below for fun). Its an animal off road, and with a fridge and stove slide out and solar its very comfortable to camp out of. It cruises happily at 75 mph with a turbo and overdrive manual trans and gets around 16 MPG.

But its really loud, hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and space is limited when taking a large group out for longer trips. I want something quiet and comfortable and better on fuel to use for long highway trips where I dont need serious off road capability. For the huge majority of travel I have done the last few years I have only needed 4 wheel drive in my K5 a few times (white rim, mojave road a couple times, 10-15 death valley trips, Zion, Bryce, Arches, tons of canyoneering in the north wash and the san rafael swell, etc). I hardly ever use the lockers, winch, etc. My friends just dont wheel that hard anymore unfortunately and I'm too chicken to do it solo anymore.

I've decided I want a new Sierra 1500 AT4, with the 3.0 diesel. It'll start as a simple build out similar to my K5. Fridge and stove slide out, water tank, battery and Victron power system, maybe some solar. All under a tonneau cover or maybe a bed cap/shell,. In the future maybe I add an Ovrlnd or GFC-style lightweight camper. The question is what bed length. My skis are 192cm (75.5 in), and with a fridge and stove and stuff bolted down and taking up space one side I would like to put them in straight front to back if possible

The truck comes in either a 69.9" or 79.4" bed, and I think I want the longer one. I'm curious what y'all think about the extra 10" of bed and wheel base for mild to moderate off road use. Hardscrabble on the white rim is likely as hard as I would go with this truck. If there was any "real" technical driving I would just take the K5 instead. My intuition is going from 147.4 to 157" wheel base probably doesn't make much difference, and my K5 is 106.5" so either truck is going to feel like a yacht in comparison anyway.

 

[Jupiter58]

My 2p. If this is going to be for overlanding as you said go with the bigger bed. You said you will keep the k5 for tighter stuff. And yes it will feel like a barge! I have that feeling on my f150 after using my jeep!
I have the 65” bed on mi e and wish I had gotten the foot longer one.
Yes, you may have to do a 3 point turn on the switchbacks entering and in the middle, but maybe not!!!

Have you driven one of each? Even if they are not diesel you will get a feel for the difference
Good luck!

 

[dieselBlazer]

My 2p. If this is going to be for overlanding as you said go with the bigger bed. You said you will keep the k5 for tighter stuff. And yes it will feel like a barge! I have that feeling on my f150 after using my jeep!
I have the 65” bed on mi e and wish I had gotten the foot longer one.
Yes, you may have to do a 3 point turn on the switchbacks entering and in the middle, but maybe not!!!

Have you driven one of each? Even if they are not diesel you will get a feel for the difference
Good luck!

Thanks for your feedback! That matches what I was thinking; for me overlanding = lots of stuff and usually not very technical driving. I'm not going to drag this truck down the Rubicon or any of the spicier things in Moab

I have driven both, but just around local streets. Navigating through the tight dealer storage lot I honestly couldn't tell much difference between the short and long bed. They're both huge, but the 360 view camera makes it like driving a space ship compared to any of my old trucks and it was pretty easy to get in and out of tight spots

 

[p nut]

For the type of stuff you’re doing, I’d definitely get the longer bed. I don’t know how tall you are, but I’m 6’ and couldn’t sleep in the bed of my old truck unless I went diagonal.

Second thing: do you need a truck? What about a Tahoe or Suburban (or expedition)? Roof rack for skis and such, and lots of dust-free storage in the back. Shorter wheelbase and better turning radius, as well. Plus, more people hauling capacity, if needed. Just something to think about.

 

[ramblinChet]

For an expedition or overland vehicle the single most important decision you will ever make is payload capacity.

Create a spreadsheet, create a detailed list of everything you will add now or in the future, double that value, and then select a truck with that payload capacity or more. Your goal is to use a maximum of 50-75% of available payload. No add-a-leafs, air bags, or other hacks.

My example:

• camper (1,000)
• bumpers, winch, tires, rims, fuel cans, maxtrax, lights, etc. (900)
• refrigerator, recovery gear, water, food, onboard air, etc. (650)
• driver (200)
• total weight (2,750)

My target payload is 5,500 (2,750 x 2)

My single-rear-wheel 3500 has a payload of 4,850 so I am using 57% (2,750/4,850) of my available payload. My drivetrain, cooling system, brakes, handling, etc. are fine and my truck drives and handles like a dream. Virtually every 1500 or 2500 owner I have ever met regretted their choice for a truck - never a 3500 driver.

 

[dieselBlazer]

For the type of stuff you’re doing, I’d definitely get the longer bed. I don’t know how tall you are, but I’m 6’ and couldn’t sleep in the bed of my old truck unless I went diagonal.

Second thing: do you need a truck? What about a Tahoe or Suburban (or expedition)? Roof rack for skis and such, and lots of dust-free storage in the back. Shorter wheelbase and better turning radius, as well. Plus, more people hauling capacity, if needed. Just something to think about.

Thanks for your input! Sounds like folks are in agreement with that the longer bed is the way to go.

I've done the SUV thing with my K5 Blazer. The dust free storage is nice, but these days I am doing a lot of skiing and canyoneering and I want to be able to toss wet ropes, wetsuits, skis, etc in the back and not worry about it making a mess. Plus I'm keeping that truck too, so I'll have the short wheel base option if needed (and at ~104" its way shorter than any new-ish Tahoe or Suburban). You make a good point about the extra passenger space, though I often find I am cargo space limited before I get to 5 people in the K5...

For an expedition or overland vehicle the single most important decision you will ever make is payload capacity.

Create a spreadsheet, create a detailed list of everything you will add now or in the future, double that value, and then select a truck with that payload capacity or more. Your goal is to use a maximum of 50-75% of available payload. No add-a-leafs, air bags, or other hacks.

You make a good point about designing for payload.

My K5 has grown as my needs have changed, and currently weighs ~7000 lbs fully loaded with passengers and gear. In that weight is a huge iron block V8 diesel and turbo, 2 cast iron transmissions, gear drive cast iron transfer case, heavy steel bumpers, compressors, solar and batteries, water, fridge/stove slideout, at least a hundred lbs of tools... GVW is 6400, but with custom springs and shocks, brake upgrades, and trussed axles it runs great. Stopping, engine power, cooling system are all more than adequate and I am sure it would handle significantly more weight than is on it now.

But I'll never do that much work again. The Sierra AT4 diesel is spec'd with a 1600 lb payload and I am going to do whatever I can to stay under that. I'm not so sure about designing to 50% of payload (5 adults could easily be 900-1000 lb so you'd need a 2500 class truck at least just to fill up all the seats with zero gear), especially for mostly highway use, but your advice to go through the calculations and see how much payload margin is remaining is sound. I'll definitely do that!

 

[plumber mike]

Thinking about “my” use of vehicles.
If I’m going long distance, fuel economy is important, and I hear that the 3.0 shines there.
If payload or towing has value, I’d personally step up to something 8 lug. A long bed isn’t as handy if the payload capacity of the truck doesn’t support it. I’d still rather a longer bed regardless of truck. Every single time.
You also didn’t mention any passenger requirements, or I didn’t see it anyway. A regular cab would help buy you more payload and make maneuvering around easier.
I love Chevy trucks but did have a bad experience with a 2022 1500 gas model. 11,000 miles in and the transmission took a dump. Warranty work couldn’t be completed for a few months due to a national back order.

 

[dieselBlazer]

Getting kind of off the original topic, after doing some initial math based on @ramblinChet 's excellent feedback I'm right at 600 lbs in payload for my fixed equipment and gear. Electrical/solar/batteries, bedside molle panels, all tools and recovery gear, large first aid kit, shovel, axe, fire extinguisher, air compressors/tanks/plumbing, fridge, stove/propane, all other kitchen kit, 8 gal water+tank, and a generous 50 lbs budgeted for food/drinks.

3 people at 160-190 lbs each is 480-570 lbs. Figure they each have 40-50 lbs of camping/climbing gear and we'll call it 700 lbs for people/personal stuff.

The truck payload is 1561 lbs, so I have ~250 lbs remaining. If I do rock sliders thats another 200 lbs and now I'm at 50 remaining. So with 5 people and gear (instead of 3) I probably come in 300-400 lbs overloaded

I was daydreaming about the Ovrlnd camper because I saw one on a Frontier pickup last weekend and it was cool, but I still had reservations on increased drag and MPG loss. Thinking through the math now though its definitely out of the question. I'm just not willing to do it on a 1500 truck

Realistically, most times I go out I am going to be solo or with 2-3 other people. When we load up the cab with 5 people its a short shuttle to pick up other cars or get to the trail head for a one-way route with another car left at the bottom. I dont think I am willing to operate and maintain a 2500 truck to have the extra payload to do a 10-60 mile car shuttle maybe 5-10 days a year. I'd rather slightly overload the 1500 for that short time, and have the improved ride/handling/MPG and lower cost the rest of the year.

And the low payload will be a good forcing function to stop me spending a ton of money on bumpers, winches, etc lol. I already have my old K5 to wheel with. This truck just needs to roll down the highway as quietly and comfortably as possible and not adding a bunch of crap to it will help with all of that.

I do still think I want the long bed though. Most people dont seem concerned about maneuvering with it, and being able to get skis in there easily will be nice.

Thinking about “my” use of vehicles.
If I’m going long distance, fuel economy is important, and I hear that the 3.0 shines there.
If payload or towing has value, I’d personally step up to something 8 lug. A long bed isn’t as handy if the payload capacity of the truck doesn’t support it. I’d still rather a longer bed regardless of truck. Every single time.
You also didn’t mention any passenger requirements, or I didn’t see it anyway. A regular cab would help buy you more payload and make maneuvering around easier.
I love Chevy trucks but did have a bad experience with a 2022 1500 gas model. 11,000 miles in and the transmission took a dump. Warranty work couldn’t be completed for a few months due to a national back order.

Range is definitely important to me, and I dont want to own a gas truck. Just not interested in it. So I am pretty set on the 3.0 in a half ton, or the 6.6 duramax if I were to go with a 2500 for some reason.

When I go out its usually me and 1-2 other people. Sometimes we have 3-4 others besides me. So I really do need a 5 seat cab, but thats a good point. A single cab would save some payload and be more nimble if someone didnt need that.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck with the 1500 trans. Thats one of my big fears with this. On my K5, I could rebuild the transmission in a dirt field with a hammer and a flat blade screwdriver if I had to. I have replaced transfer cases, a cylinder head, suspension, and other parts on various older vehicles in the field. But even so I would be pretty helpless if anything more complicated than a ball joint were to break on these new trucks. I just dont have the experience and electronics/computer background to work on them successfully, so I'm hoping there are not many problems...

 

[Marine]

I’m still running a 2007 with a 5.9 Cummins. My primary use is bow hunting. my vote is keep it simple the overland movement has gone way to Gucci for me. get what makes you happy and run it until it dies. Just my half cent

 

[ThundahBeagle]

My 2p. If this is going to be for overlanding as you said go with the bigger bed. You said you will keep the k5 for tighter stuff. And yes it will feel like a barge! I have that feeling on my f150 after using my jeep!
I have the 65” bed on mi e and wish I had gotten the foot longer one.
Yes, you may have to do a 3 point turn on the switchbacks entering and in the middle, but maybe not!!!

Have you driven one of each? Even if they are not diesel you will get a feel for the difference
Good luck!

...
Funny...I thought I read in there somwhere that he planned on gifting the K5 Blazer to me...then I blinked and shook my head a little, and am the sadder for it

 

[ThundahBeagle]

For the type of stuff you’re doing, I’d definitely get the longer bed. I don’t know how tall you are, but I’m 6’ and couldn’t sleep in the bed of my old truck unless I went diagonal.

Second thing: do you need a truck? What about a Tahoe or Suburban (or expedition)? Roof rack for skis and such, and lots of dust-free storage in the back. Shorter wheelbase and better turning radius, as well. Plus, more people hauling capacity, if needed. Just something to think about.

Suburban and a "double cab" gm truck with 6 and a half foot bed are only 6 inches different in length at most. So, you get more people hauling but less gear hauling.

I'm a big big fan of the old K5. And had 2 of the GMT 400 2 door Blazer fullsized. Loved them. Love the idea of factory enclosed wagon. If you need your tools and gear as secure as possible but dont need to haul gravel and sand like a pickup, the Tahoe or 'Burban is a good choice. Especially is you can get a 'Burban 2500

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Getting kind of off the original topic, after doing some initial math based on @ramblinChet 's excellent feedback I'm right at 600 lbs in payload for my fixed equipment and gear. Electrical/solar/batteries, bedside molle panels, all tools and recovery gear, large first aid kit, shovel, axe, fire extinguisher, air compressors/tanks/plumbing, fridge, stove/propane, all other kitchen kit, 8 gal water+tank, and a generous 50 lbs budgeted for food/drinks.

3 people at 160-190 lbs each is 480-570 lbs. Figure they each have 40-50 lbs of camping/climbing gear and we'll call it 700 lbs for people/personal stuff.

The truck payload is 1561 lbs, so I have ~250 lbs remaining. If I do rock sliders thats another 200 lbs and now I'm at 50 remaining. So with 5 people and gear (instead of 3) I probably come in 300-400 lbs overloaded

I was daydreaming about the Ovrlnd camper because I saw one on a Frontier pickup last weekend and it was cool, but I still had reservations on increased drag and MPG loss. Thinking through the math now though its definitely out of the question. I'm just not willing to do it on a 1500 truck

Realistically, most times I go out I am going to be solo or with 2-3 other people. When we load up the cab with 5 people its a short shuttle to pick up other cars or get to the trail head for a one-way route with another car left at the bottom. I dont think I am willing to operate and maintain a 2500 truck to have the extra payload to do a 10-60 mile car shuttle maybe 5-10 days a year. I'd rather slightly overload the 1500 for that short time, and have the improved ride/handling/MPG and lower cost the rest of the year.

And the low payload will be a good forcing function to stop me spending a ton of money on bumpers, winches, etc lol. I already have my old K5 to wheel with. This truck just needs to roll down the highway as quietly and comfortably as possible and not adding a bunch of crap to it will help with all of that.

I do still think I want the long bed though. Most people dont seem concerned about maneuvering with it, and being able to get skis in there easily will be nice.


Range is definitely important to me, and I dont want to own a gas truck. Just not interested in it. So I am pretty set on the 3.0 in a half ton, or the 6.6 duramax if I were to go with a 2500 for some reason.

When I go out its usually me and 1-2 other people. Sometimes we have 3-4 others besides me. So I really do need a 5 seat cab, but thats a good point. A single cab would save some payload and be more nimble if someone didnt need that.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck with the 1500 trans. Thats one of my big fears with this. On my K5, I could rebuild the transmission in a dirt field with a hammer and a flat blade screwdriver if I had to. I have replaced transfer cases, a cylinder head, suspension, and other parts on various older vehicles in the field. But even so I would be pretty helpless if anything more complicated than a ball joint were to break on these new trucks. I just dont have the experience and electronics/computer background to work on them successfully, so I'm hoping there are not many problems...

Swapped out myGMC k 1500's trans with a special built one after the original konked out at 125k.

The electronics CAN defeat you in these sometimes. But the comfort and versatility they provide is a good trade-off. Shifting in 4x4 on the move is nice. And traveling down the highway at the sometimes annoying speed of 50 mph can get you in the mid to high 20's mpg...

I'm 6 feet and sleep just fine in the 78/79 inch bed. 6 and a half foot bed works great.

If you will monitor your haul load. And only carry 5 people periodically, you can slow down during those shuttles. My '14 GMC 1500 has done me well. I'm at over 225k miles and have been all over the country except pacific coast and southwest.

I've been very happy with it. If you aren't rock crawling, going down technical trails in the woods. You should be fine. The road to my Beagle Club is dirt, gravel, rock. A little shake like in places, some hills. Most fore service roads aren't much different.

I do sometimes think about a 2500, but only when I'm dreaming about a slide in Camper option