I would spec mine as stripped as possible. One step above a pure work truck, but probably elevation, double cab/short bed, Duramax, Max Tow, CLOTH interior (I'm done with leather interiors). No tech packages, tow assistance gizmo's, cams, etc (all the feedback is people turn them off). The multi-gate tailgate is a marketing master piece but in practice an utter waste IMHO.

The idea is to max out the tow capacity in the 1500 with a bit of daily driver comfort. The 6.2 gas can be ordered without the AFM, which is tempting, but if I can chase a few MPG's with the diesel I will.

If it fits in the garage, sold. If it can't, probably have to revisit the HD. But, the HD GM's are ugly! The RAM is at least a looker, but my brother promises to disown me if I stray from the bowtie camp.

Is he paying for it?

No, but older brother shaming is a terrible thing....even in middle age.

Are you open to Fords?

I have no experience with with the 3.0L Duramax but I just recently went from a 2019 5.3L 8 speed Silverado to a 2021 3.5L 10 speed F150. The F150 in this configuration pulls so much better than than Silverado it's astonishing. Great power, great mileage unloaded, comfortable, ect.

I'm a diehard Chevy guy but this F150 checks all the boxes for me and is rated to 13,800lbs.

It's way down on my list, but I will be test driving everything. I have owned Ford's in the past and was disappointed with each one, mostly with the drivetrains.

I had a '21 AT4 version and LOVED it. It did well with my bike trailer and two bikes, and with my 34MTI. Knowing the DCB was going to be larger, though not much heavier, I wanted a dually for the long-haul stuff I do to PR around the country. I did get the standard bed, as I felt it was better for towing, and I was right in my case.

I never saw 30, maybe high 20's and then I added 22"/33" wheels and tires so it was about 21/22mpg mostly.

Dealer REALLY wanted it so I sold it to him and ordered a 3.0 Yukon Denali as my work car. Should be in soon.

Bought a F650 for the boat, and then bought a F450, too. Sometimes

I'm dumber than I look. LOL

In regards to ordering right now....how are the lead times?

Not good.

I wish I had a better answer than that, but the auto industry is no different than any other right now...maybe worse due to all the stars that have to line up to put a vehicle on a dealer's lot. Parts availability isn't good, and shipping seems to be as bad as the parts problem, if not worse.

There's a thread on Super Duty where I gave the "Reader's Digest" version of how allocation works....or is supposed to work.

It's not enough for a dealer to have allocation for the model, there are also several "commodities" that are constrained. In other words, it's broken down far beyond "Silverado 1500 w/ 3.0 D-Max."

For instance - we learned this morning that until further notice, we can no longer order a 3500 Crew with a D-Max, but we can still order 2500 Crew. I'm sure that makes sense to whomever is in charge of logistics, but i'll admit I'm kinda scratching my head.

More examples...on Thursdays Dealers can "place" unscheduled orders and flip them to the "to be scheduled" list, provided the meet the criteria of buildable stuff IE they have no commodities/options which are constrained.

Today I can "place" 2 HD Crew on the "to be scheduled" list (provided none are 3500 D-Max) and GM is going to nationally schedule 67 1WT (Work Truck) models. 67. For the nation.

LD Crew ?

This week, nationally, NO: Custom TrailBoss, 2 LT Trailboss, LM2 (Diesel), L84 (5.3),L87 (6.2), ZR2, Redline, or the new (for Chevy) Multi-flex tailgate.
No Tech Pkg on a 3LZ High Country. The list goes on. Frustrating is an understatement.

Some of it I'm sure has to do with the math of keeping a plant running all shifts depending on what's produced there.

I'm not throwing rocks at GM because it's not just GM. Ford and Ram both have the same issues. They're doing the best they can with what they have available. If they can't produce vehicles, the dealers don't buy them,...to be blunt, I think GM has done a helluva job with the mess they've had to work with.
The marine guys - both manufacturers and dealers - have parts availability issues.
We're a large horse and stock trailer dealer. Trailer manufacturers also in the same boat.
My neighbor was going to remodel his house and has put the project on hold because his builder just informed him his sliding doors and windows are a year out - minimum - and they aren't custom "one off" stuff.

Back on track...

If you walked into our store today with the question "How long to get a 1500 Crew with a diesel?"

We'd tell you we have vehicles that are scheduled right now that have targeted production weeks assigned to them of last week of May, which under normal circumstances would put the vehicle on the lot sometime in June...IF they don't get caught up in plant downtime, chip shortage, shipping delays, or end up as part of a batch of units selected for quality inspection, which can add a month. *(Normally sold orders are exempt from that type of holdup, but nearly everything the plants are producing is a sold order right now so it's impossible to sort them out. )

With that in mind, and the rumors we're hearing about pending downtime due to plant maintenance and parts shortages we'd tell you "August. Maybe. If we call you before that, when you leave here drive to the closest lotto store and buy a ticket."

If you want exactly what you want, and aren't flexible re color or options (Not judging, I probably wouldn't be flexible at all) and you want it sometime this calendar year - and I believe regardless of what brand you want - you need to get it ordered.

If you're a bit flexible, find a dealer you trust - not every dealer is charging over MSRP - and order what you want and have him look for something close to what you want while you wait .

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but hope it helps make a decision.

Send warm weather ...

d

Thanks for the insight!!

I have been researching this forever and just really started get serious about narrowing my choice. Luckily this truck purchase isn't a job requirement, it is literally just time to replace my 2005. I get my moneys worth out of everything I own and them some. Currently this is the best time to sell and worst time to buy.

My experience recently is all my local Chevy contacts are pretty much on the same script. We can order you whatever you want, you may get it this year....most likely not. MSRP on any new order.

RAM has been a bit different with their story. They appear to be a little more positive with the reality of ordering, allocations, and slightly more pinned down delivery windows. It may all be vaporware, but since they aren't in the midst of a model refresh (which GM is) I think RAM might be a bit more predictable.

Of course...nothing has been predictable in the last 2.5 years.

So....I'm gonna keep doing my research, narrow things down, get this sucker ordered (whatever it is) and play the waiting game.

Now, I have to prey heavily to the truck gods to keep my Avalanche from coming apart this boating season!! She's been a good truck...but she's tired,

No thanks necessary, good luck with your order, wish I had better answers.

Beyond marketing propaganda, I can't add much that hasn't been said about the 3.0 D-Max.

Our sample size is small because we haven't had many of those diesels to sell, but so far the overall response from the people we've sold them to has been very positive.

The most common complaint has been a combination of DEF consumption and how the DEF gauge indicates the amount of the goat pee left in the tank.
The gauge isn't a "float style", it uses info from the ECM to measure consumption rates and calculate how much is left...however the it "may" take a few cycles of the key to register the correct amount of fuel remaining & it also uses a segmented gauge which means the right combination of key cycles and fluid level can result in going a mile and dropping a whole segment....which makes it look like you're using a lot of DEF when you really aren't.

The other issue is DEF consumption is as much or more a function of load as opposed to mileage. Trailer size, temp. humidity, and altitude all effect consumption & if an idiot light comes on consumption can vary from "none" to "double". If the truck goes into "re-gen" mode it's like flushing a toilet.

I drive a 3500 with the D-Max, and today's reality is if I'm towing more than just locally I take DEF with me, and depending on the trip I'll occasionally carry a pair of diesel cans as well. My son installed a 60 gal fuel tank which replaced his factory 36 and so far likes it a lot. He had a couple issues early with the fuel gauge not learning correctly but eventually it learned and now seems to be pretty accurate.

There are some engineering quirks that sorta make you scratch your head, but I think everyone - regardless of brand - has some of that. I understand the engineers and designers have to follow the parameters and limitations they're given, but man it sure seems like the guys who design them should be required to work on them as well.