Should I trade my Tacoma for a Silverado Trail Boss?

I have been building XL's to that spec on the website to the tune of 56k, until they did the update recently to the refreshed body. The wife is all "you don't do 1 ton truck things," but think of the things I COULD do with it!

 

You never know when she wants to start a business making tiny houses and wants you to deliver them for her.

 

I just want a regular cab. I like the current model, don't even mind the chrome on the XL and STX, prefer the black bumpers or paint matched.

Last time I look the STX package for 23 was color matched bumpers, reflector LED headlights and black painted alloy wheels. That was a 5k option.

I like the interior better in the current SD seems more durable. The 23 interior is nice, it's similar to the 14th gen F-150, but I think the materials in the 13th gen were more durable. I don't like the softer materials on top of the dash compared to the hard plastics.

 

My 2017 5.3 silverado ‘work’ truck that is used to commute and go down dirt pipeline access roads with zero towing or hauling is going in for its fourth transmission (made it 74k, 109k, current one failed with 550 miles on it..LOL) and just had a flashing CEL followed by an over $8k repair bill to various things failing on it at 109k miles. Its currently over $30k in repairs in 6 years. My prior ‘11 silverado 2500’s engine blew at 126k miles also with no towing or hauling. Coworker’s 2016 silverado 2500 is over $20k in repairs at 114k miles with the same useage. I would never personally own a GM product voluntarily. My personal is a 2018 5.7 Tundra and I have no issues towing my 8k worth of tractor and trailer for jobs. If I snap and pursue self employment (exc/building) and ever get to where the Tundra wont cut it i’m going the F250/350 route. Thats just one anecdotal GM experience though so take it for what its worth. If thats what tickles your pickle then have at it, dont let strangers on the internet dictate what you do with your money.

 

In my opinion the best option for a reliable full size would be the F150 with a 5.0 coyote. It is reliable and gets great fuel economy! But I'd have a hard time selling that sweet TRD!

 

I’ve always had full-sized American trucks, 3/4 ton diesels to 1/2 ton gassers, prior to my ‘17 Tacoma.

As others have stated, if you really need a full-sized truck, then a Tacoma won’t do. I no longer need that capability and I’m thrilled to be out of that game.

I’ve noticed that the American full-sized trucks always start out so amazing, but they they don’t age well. Before you know it, the doors sound cheap when you close them, things are rattling and falling apart, interior looks tired, mechanical issues start popping up more frequently, fenders & cab corners start developing rust bubbles, etc etc. And none of this takes but more than a few years…if you’re lucky!

That once beautiful full-sized truck with full-sized price tag is now just like every other massively depreciated, aged, rattling, rusting, sun-beaten shit-box in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

I did the full-sized scene for many years. No plans of ever going back. I do think the Trail Boss is a nice looking truck.

 

That's what I was thinking - there's many posts in the Silverado/Sierra forums about deactivating that 'feature'. I have a 2002 Silverado with the 5.3 that I'll keep as a backup while I'm still working. I'll use it today to bring leaves to the town drop off area, so yes it is nice having the large capacity (8' bed). I'm fortunate to not have the deactivation system, I think it started in 2007. The engine in mine, with 191K miles, runs like new. But - typical of a 20 year old truck in New England, there's some rust.

Not that you'd need to worry about that for a long time with a new one (or maybe ever depending on where) but that's another + for Toyota. I know there were some with bad frame rust but around the wheel wells the plastic seems to be a good design.

That's exactly what I have on my Silverado. When I retire I don't want the expense (taxes, reg, insurance) of 2 vehicles so I'm hoping the Tacoma will be a good compromise.

 

You keep the Tacoma clearly. I own 2 trucks, because I can! Each serve their purpose and I enjoy both immensely.

 

That's it OP keeps the Tacoma orders a 23 XL supercab 6.5 bed V8 4x4 rear locker tow package tow mirriors front console spray in tuff liner and fog lamps. 23s might come with the black housing halogen headlights. No other options. Adds Fox 2.0s 18" Tremor wheels and Cooper STMaxx tires, maybe a back rack and the BD or DD dual lamp fog pockets.

 

Wow, I hope the 'work' truck is your work's, not yours. I'm a member of a Silverado/Sierra forum and it seems the older the better. Then again, my 2002 Silverado is only used occasionally, but the trend is the owners of newer GM trucks post some pretty expensive and high amount of repairs. While nothing is perfect, I think it's a fact that any Toyota, including the Tacoma is one of the more reliable vehicles.

As for the stop/start feature - I'm hearing that more and more at stoplights. I'd think that's significantly more wear on the starter. And I wonder how well heating and air conditioning work with the engine off. Maybe for a short amount of time ok. But in stop and go traffic? I also wonder how the 2.7L GM turbo will do over time in a full size truck. Will it make to 200k or more miles like many engines do now without any major repairs?

 

Hehe, yeah, but its good to know other peeps experience with the Same truck you're looking to invest in. And investment being money, time, and possible frustrations, and transportation delays.

 

If I bought a different full size, for my needs I would go with a GM 3500 with the 6.6 gasser. That's probably about the most reliable V8 you can get in a new truck (though it will obviously never be as good as the 5.7). And it still has the 6 speed, which is relatively robust (for GM).

 

Hell to the no, my employer supplied the Chevy. Ive been begging for a Tundra for seven years now but they have some fleet contract for the GMs. I just work there, they wanna pay for the breakdowns then power to em. My old manager had a 2019 with the start/stop and he absolutely hated it. They dont make anything like they used to thats for damned sure. My husbands over 300k trouble free miles on his 03 Tundra, with any luck I can get the same out of mine.

 

FPNI. Do what you want.

At current prices I'd look for a used Raptor or something else with obnoxious big dick energy. I would feel stupid paying 40+ for a basic white silverado.

LOL as if Toyota is any different. They're all the same nowadays.

 

I had a 2002 Silverado that I sold when I bought my Tacoma. The 5.3 was bulletproof, I put 225k on it with zero engine problems. But that was pre fuel management. Now the transmission was another story...... First one blew up at 33k. Second one lasted another 90k.

 

Good deal! If I did ever decide on a full size and trade my Tacoma (and could trade) my Silverado in - I would consider a used Tundra. Of course they're priced more than GM trucks, which is to be expected.

Oh boy - I hope my 2002 Silverado transmission won't do the same, L460 - or whatever the 4 speed automatic is. I think transmission trouble, both automatic and manual, are pretty rare with the Tacomas although I did see a post about torque converter trouble in some Gen 3s. Hopefully a rare occurance.

 

Even if you are a cash buyer that's a bunch of bucks for noise and meh MPG (like most trucks)

Reliability is debatable.

Tacomas have 6 foot beds available.

For what you will spend you can buy a used sports car with a v8, maintain and insure both vehicles and drop some good coin in the Roth I'm sure you have well underway.

Point is you have listed no real logic for the move.

If you need cab space for family, tow heavy, or something else requiring a full size, that's another story.

 

There's nothing reliable about the GM 5.3. That is old world technology. They have been putting the 5.3 in vehicles since 1999. Rare to see on that the check engine light is not on. Sure, they have made some updates, but still headaches with that engine.

 

If I had to buy a full size truck right now, I would not buy any of the current 1/2 tons...I would look at the 3/4 ton HD offerings with a gas engine. There is way too much unreliability and not enough capability in the 1/2 ton market right now not to mention the cost. The cost/capability/reliability ratio is way off IMO. The only 1/2 ton truck I would consider is a low mileage 2.5 Gen Tundra.

 

My 16 XL 350 work truck is a sea of plastic inside, but the dash has a texture to it where I can never get it clean