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tuffr2 · 06-28-2019, 09:28 AM

I am seeing the event when reviewers were just invited in the last few days to test drive the new 2020.

A few things jumped out at me. They are the wheelbase is over 5" longer. The new truck is also wider and taller. It is the only truck with independent front suspension. All reviewers were towing a 12,000 lb skid loader with the new gas engine with 401HP and 464 ft.lbs.of torque. All said it towed easy. The added cross members in the frame were also impressive.

The diesel engine was towing 18,000 plus lbs. One tester said it towed 18,000lbs. better than the gas engine towed 12,000 lbs. The 2020 tweaks (added cooling) to the diesel should make it compete very well with Ram and Ford. With 450hp and 910 ft lbs of torque it will be as powerful as the other diesels although the advertised numbers are lower. A Dyno test needs to be done on all 3 by the end if this year to see the true numbers.

2020 will be a very good year for trucks.

jjackrash · 07-01-2019, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

2020 will be a very good year for trucks.

The 2020 GM HDs look like a home run from what I have seen on videos. I can't wait to drive one in person.

tuffr2 · 07-02-2019, 08:42 AM

The GM trucks will be hard to beat I agree. Ford will beat the gas powered truck with it's 7.3 litre Godzilla engine but the diesel engine truck will not be beaten IMHO. I believe the 910ft lbs of torque equal the 1,000 ft. lbs of torque from Ram and from Ford.

I am interested in knowing more detail on the GM frame. Is it high strength steel and is it wax coated or e-coated? What it the twisting resistance etc?

runamuck · 07-03-2019, 06:59 AM

I dont know how much better they will tow with the same 6 speed tranny and only 3.73 gears. the six speed in my previous 2017 sierra was not near as good at towing my trailer as the 8 speed in my 2019 ram...really low 1st gear and smooth gear changes throughout. the new 6.6 should be a big improvement over the old 6.0 tho. the revised frame may help to make them more stable when towing. I will probably check one out in person but am pretty happy with my ram. the new diesel looks to be a winner

tuffr2 · 07-03-2019, 08:09 AM

The biggest change to the truck will be wheelbase and frame. That will improve stability.

kdauto · 07-03-2019, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

The GM trucks will be hard to beat I agree. Ford will beat the gas powered truck with it's 7.3 litre Godzilla engine but the diesel engine truck will not be beaten IMHO. I believe the 910ft lbs of torque equal the 1,000 ft. lbs of torque from Ram and from Ford.

I am interested in knowing more detail on the GM frame. Is it high strength steel and is it wax coated or e-coated? What it the twisting resistance etc?

All real-world testing with heavy loads put the GM at the top of the heap in almost every category. Ram and Ford are big on "numbers" but they can never back up their "numbers" when testing.

I'd be surprised if the 2020 GM frames are NOT high strength steel, even my 2011 has that. The 2011 frame updates made a HUGE difference. I can see how little a GM frame flexes on a 2 post lift vs a Ford or Ram. That will apply to all models, 1500-2500HD or 3500HD.

We shall see on the Ford vs GM gasser engines. I am hoping the 6.6 gasser is enough for what I will need at retirement. I expect a trailer as much or slightly heavier. The 6.0 I have does the job but it lacks a bit of torque on long inclines and the trans works hard.

tuffr2 · 07-03-2019, 08:28 PM

kdauto - I know GM greatly improved the frame on the 2500/3500 in 2011. I actually saw the 1/2 the 2011 frame wekded to the opposite 1/2 of the 2010 frame. A huge difference for sure. But I am thinking they used thicker mild steel and not high strength steel in that 2011 redesign.

I say this because the 2011 frame was much thicker. High strength steel I do not think would have been that much thicker.

kdauto · 07-03-2019, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

kdauto - I know GM greatly improved the frame on the 2500/3500 in 2011. I actually saw the 1/2 the 2011 frame wekded to the opposite 1/2 of the 2010 frame. A huge difference for sure. But I am thinking they used thicker mild steel and not high strength steel in that 2011 redesign.

I say this because the 2011 frame was much thicker. High strength steel I do not think would have been that much thicker.

I should be lifting my truck for service within the next week. I can snap pics of anything you'd like.

It does have high strength steel because I remember my body guy trying to straighten a frame rail and his frame master couldn't do it. Any "give" the frame had and it recoiled as soon as tension was released.

AFAIK they use a lot of hydroforming which makes for super rigid and almost infinitely shapeable frames.

tuffr2 · 07-05-2019, 11:16 AM

I remember hydro forming but did not tie that to high strength steel. But I now think you are correct as hydro forming does make the steel stronger.

Thanks

Jshopes81 · 07-08-2019, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I remember hydro forming but did not tie that to high strength steel. But I now think you are correct as hydro forming does make the steel stronger.

Thanks

Im not sure but i think it didnt stress the steel and weaken it, not so much making it stronger. That was a mid 90s gm thing. I remember it but not much. Now i have to look into it.

tuffr2 · 07-15-2019, 06:29 PM

I believe the 2020 GM 2500 and 3500 SRW trucks are being shipped now and showing up on dealer lots. But the one I saw on YouTube was already sold so it will take awhile for inventory to build up as it seems the ones being shipped to start are already sold.

I am thinking they will take a bigger piece of Ram and Fords cut of the truck pie.

laj · 07-15-2019, 07:19 PM

a dealer i use called his afternoon and said he got 2 today. going down after his shop closes and going to put one on a rack and mine on another. that way we can compare things from underneath. will be interesting, but not rushing to trade mine off.

Jshopes81 · 07-15-2019, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I believe the 2020 GM 2500 and 3500 SRW trucks are being shipped now and showing up on dealer lots. But the one I saw on YouTube was already sold so it will take awhile for inventory to build up as it seems the ones being shipped to start are already sold.

I am thinking they will take a bigger piece of Ram and Fords cut of the truck pie.

Its possible with the early adopters but there are alot of folks out there that think that chevy is hideous. Ford still has to roll out their trucks so well see if the performance makes up for the looks of the chevy. I still dont think these trucks are going to be adequate to pull what theyre advertised without tearing them up. Im very lightly considering sending the old dually down the road and picking up an old class 8 truck with a c13 or 15 or maybe if the right international 4700 came up. Finding alot of the wifes favorite toyhaulers are grossing 20k and i just dont like any of the pickups for that kind of weight. Im good with the old f350 for up to about 4k toungue weight and 16 gross but 20k gross, ive got a class a cdl might as well go for broke.

tuffr2 · 07-15-2019, 07:56 PM

The looks will have to grow on you for sure, especially the headlight arrangement.

jshopes81 - for 20,000lbs I am thinking a 2017 F-350 or F-450 would be good. I know you do not like the newer LDT's and like the MDT/HDT,s more. Oh sure, a MDT/HDT would not get beat up or worn out from towing a little 20,000lb toy hauler like a LDT would.

Chevy really improved the cooling on the Duramax so that will help it last longer towing heavy loads. The Hot Shot guys will need to report back in 3 - 7 years to report how well the 2020 LDT's hold up.