Thoughts on new HD Twins

[wesd]

Coming from a 2019 GMC Denali HD Duramax, with every option except sunroof, I'm thinking of moving into a '21.   It will be another diesel-powered 4x4. 

My main interest is getting into a larger cab truck that sits a touch higher and has more cupholders (per wife).  We both miss the roominess of my 2017 F250 that I traded for the GMC.  

 

Seriously considering the Chevy this go-around.  I really like the looks of the Custom HD/Duramax.   

I drove a LT last week, the size inside the cab was noticeably larger, along with a little higher stance.    I really liked it all around.   The dealer was salivating to get my truck as a trade, but theirs didn't have NAV.

 

The only thing I have to have is a navigation system, which pushes me into LTZ territory, and I won't buy a truck with a sunroof.   If I'm spending 70k on a truck, I'm going for an AT4 or another Denali from Laura GMC.  The local dealers here charge even higher for a High Country model.  

 

I'm really looking into the RAM HD with Cummins, hate to trade from Duramax, but I find everything I want option-wise in a nice looking truck for around $65k.    I would have bought the truck in the picture but someone made a deal over the phone with another salesmen while I was looking at it.  (No, I wasn't going to get into a bidding war either, nor was the option offered to me).    

The cab of the Ram is not as roomy as the GM twins, but the dash is better and I can get Nav on the Laramie (=LT),  

The Ram has a 6-speed transmission vs the 10-speed Allison in the GM twins.   

 

Any other points I should consider?   

[redwngr]

Have you tried running AA or CP and google maps or Waze for navigation? 

Maybe you don't need the audio system with built-in nav?

 

 

 

 

 

[eyaniv]

RAM's tranny invades the front passenger leg space. make sure you and your wife can sit there. My tall wife vetoed RAM HD altogether as it would be a killer for her on long rides.

[RugbyRef]

@wesd- I sold my '19 Ram 3500 Limited (SRW) to get my '21 GMC 3500 Denali.  I loved my Ram, and it had all the bells and whistles, but the 12.1" infotainment screen/head unit had to be replaced twice.  What a nightmare!  Loved the look of the Ram, especially after I lifted it 4", but the roominess can't compete with my GMC (I'm 6'3" 250lbs).  That, coupled with the major electronics issues, drove me away from Ram products.

 

Good luck!

[nards444]

I will say this about Nav.  In todays world I think its more of an ohhs an ahh kind of thing tbh then practical and even then the ohh and ahhh isnt what it was 5 years ago even.

 

here is my experience.  Truck I have now has Navigation its  an 18 Ford.  I just ordered a 21 HD without it.  I never had built in nav until the ford. Only reason I really got it was at  the time ford was running a promo where it was basically free.   Before that I used the plugged in GPS and a phone.

 

The good thing about is you do have a running map at all time and its built into the truck.  It is also runs off the truck which will tend to have better service than cell phones. 

 

Maybe not cons but things that make it kind of mehh to me.  The systems they uses are clunky compared to other options,  to be fair the newest system I have played with has been a 2019.  Also I know people travel a lot and would use it daily.  For me I might use it monthly.  Just me and I like tech but people rely on this crap to much.  Ive literally seen my neighbor use it to find a house down the same street.  Sometimes to me its wise to use some common sense to find where you are going.

 

Reality for me was this.  Nav was nice,  but now you got the phone with car play that is wireless and actually works better in my mind.  Nav is roughly a grand charge, not a lot of money but to me wasnt worth 20 bucks a month

[diyer2]

Garmin GPS costs about a $100+. Free map updates for life. You can program a destination while moving also.

Phone works but I like the GPS when traveling, looking for a destination. 

[KARNUT]

I have two vehicles with navigation. I use my iPhone. Sometimes I run both for comparison. The phone has kept me from major traffic problems at no additional cost. Is much easier to use. Added bonus. I can program from the comfort of my house.


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[jd64]

AA and CC is ok but it doesn't project route guidance to the HUD like the factory nav does. In my opinion route guidance displayed in the HUD is a very nice feature, especially when you are on busy highways towing a large trailer.  No factory nav is a deal breaker for me. 

[Donstar]

I think the HD twins are the best looking pickups on the road.  I personally find the lower trim levels have the most appeal.  Built in navigation is a nice feature but would have little impact on my buying decisions.  I've been married to my navigation system for 45 years and she won't let me buy a newer one!

[nards444]

1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

Garmin GPS costs about a $100+. Free map updates for life. You can program a destination while moving also.

Phone works but I like the GPS when traveling, looking for a destination. 

Another thing on NAV is this.  Im not sure how GM does it on updates and so forth.  Wife had a dodge with nav,  after 1-2 years the system wouldnt update and was useless couldnt even use it unless you spent like like 300 bucks to update the system,  thought that was dumb as the nav didnt even work through the first three years of the car.  Not sure how Ford and GM does their updates, free,  does the unit still work without the update.

 

Ive kind of retired the old Garmin as I was tired of the cords the suction mounts and so forth. I still have it with life time updates though.   But you are right on some of the pros,  easy to use,  dedicated system that doesnt clog up the phone etc.  But will say this now, the phone is wireless and is easy to use as well. 

[GMC4Zee]

Another thing to consider is the GM '21s have wireless airplay and Android auto so as someone else pointed out you can have you phone displayed on the truck screen. I have an AT4 and love it. Its not a diesel but does well for my towing needs. And yes the cab is roomier than my '16. On mine there also wireless charging spot at the base of the console so even if you have to connect a usb to phone its all right together. 

[wesd]

Thanks, I might consider that wireless android auto.   I'm just not a fan of "outside" solutions, I prefer it to all be integrated.   The comment about the Ram transmission tunnel is helpful, as is the issues with Ram support.

That's why I sold the Ford, the service support was absolutely terrible.   GM service/support has been much better, for the little bit I've needed.  

 

The other negative consideration about the Ram is that there is a new HD coming sometime soon.   And the 6-speed transmission (68RFE) is well behind both GM and Ford.   

[greatmizzou]

https://www.gm-trucks.com/gm-launches-maps-app-navigation/

 

 

I will give an update if Im able to use it

[KCJackson1]

Just for clarity... the Ram Laramie is not the equivalent of the Chevy LT - that would be the Ram Big Horn.  The Ram Laramie is the same as the Chevy LTZ.

[nards444]

47 minutes ago, KCJackson1 said:

Just for clarity... the Ram Laramie is not the equivalent of the Chevy LT - that would be the Ram Big Horn.  The Ram Laramie is the same as the Chevy LTZ.

 

True but ram is a tough one.  The half tons are even worse. But you are correct in general terms.

 

I was short 1-2 options away from having an LTZ truck without the badges though.