Loaded LT vs LTZ

Merc0085 · May 14, 2021

Hello everyone,

I’m in the market for a new Chevy 2500 for towing my travel trailer. When I set out I was looking for a gas LTZ loaded with the tech package and everything below. Seeing as we live in 2021 this has been near impossible to find. As a result I am considering an LT with the All Star package, z71 Sport package, convenience 2, auto up down tailgate, and leather package. I’ve found a couple of these in transit to my local dealers. My question is what am I going to give up by downgrading. From my research the big items are fairly easy to see such as HUD, rear view mirror camera, 360 cameras, cooled seats, memory, power passenger seat etc. not to mention the safety 2 package items. I like all the tech options but since none of the safety tech is active on the GM trucks and only passive, I don’t feel I’m missing out on too much. I wish I could get the cameras but I can live without them.

I believe by getting the z71 sport and leather package I will still get the LED headlights, and center armrest and rear seat storage in the back which is important to me (my last f150 had halogen lights and they sucked!). Are the LED headlights the same as the LTZ or “lesser” versions like the ram big horn vs Laramie? Am I correct that I will get the rear armrest? (why truck manufacturers feel that a rear armrest should only be available in high trims still baffles me).
With all that being said, is there anything else am I missing? Some random USB ports or anything like that which can be easily overlooked?Going from the console to a bench besides storage volume, am I missing anything?

Last truck I bought I settled in an XLT f150 instead of lariat and regretted it. Big things I missed were led headlights, keyless aka push button start, and dual zone climate control which I know this model would have but I don’t want to overlook something that may not be as obvious and regret it. Sorry for the long ramble and I appreciate the help.

Edited May 14, 2021 by Merc0085

Wxman · May 14, 2021

Digital variable power steering I think missing. Not sure about the LED heads. I was mostly looking at GMC and they had two levels. Also on the GMC I think the tails were only LED with the upper package (if that is important).

Good luck

Edited May 14, 2021 by Wxman

newdude · May 14, 2021

Make sure it actually has Convenience II because it was on constraint for a while.

Rozz522 · May 15, 2021

5 hours ago, newdude said:

Make sure it actually has Convenience II because it was on constraint for a while.

I’m also surprised by the leather package since that was also on constraint since the beginning of the year. I started looking at an LT with leather, then ordered an LTZ and ultimately ended up with a GMC SLE with added leather. The sport package gets you the same LED lights as the LTZ. The normal LT lights say LED but only the DRL are LED. The only features I feel I’m missing out on are blind spot detection and memory seats. The all star package should include safety 1 package and memory seats is only because I’m 6’4” and my wife is 5’2”.

2011Chevy · May 15, 2021

I have a loaded 2020 LT with every available option aside from sunroof and bucket seats. Attempted to order the exact same thing a month ago and you cannot now get leather pkg with the LT or convenience pkg 2. I ordered anyway and got bucket seats (cloth) that will have leather installed before I take delivery. Not having rear and front parking sensors and blind spot alert didn’t sway my decision. The All star pkg on LT trucks is still available, but it doesn’t give you memory seats (never has) and does include convenience pkg 1, as well as the push button start/keyless entry.

An LTZ automatically gives you memory drivers seat, and most are ordered with 20” wheels (they are not standard on a base LTZ). I don’t remember if cooled seats are standard on a LTZ or part of an optional package. Heads up display is not a standard LTZ item, but part of a package (I don’t remember which one).

Sunroof, cooled seats, power sliding rear window and memory seats are all options I’ve had in the past and never used, at all. So for me, unless I simply liked an LTZ grille that much better, it’s not worth it. Prior to the current shortage, if I’d found an LTZ that was discounted so well that the LT made no sense, I’d grab one, but that’s not happening today or anytime soon. Therefore, I didn’t see the need to spend the extra cash on options I don’t use and some of which I don’t even want on a truck.

JimCost2014 · May 15, 2021

LTZ.

Get the bells and whistles, if they are there, you will find reasons to use them, rather than regretting not having them at all.

TheeSpaniard3500hd · May 15, 2021

5 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

LTZ.

Get the bells and whistles, if they are there, you will find reasons to use them, rather than regretting not having them at all.

I agree 100%. From someone coming from a 15’ LT to a Denali. Get what you know you want! Don’t settle when spending this amount of cash.

Rozz522 · May 15, 2021

I guess I’m on the other end of this spectrum. I came from a 2013 1500 LT with All Star pkg and the amount of features now standard on an LT are a huge upgrade. That’s why I was originally looking at the the LT with leather. Due to the leather pkg constraint, I ordered an LTZ. When it became apparent that my order wouldn’t be placed due to constraints I went back to the SLE with added leather. My other option was a Denali but I couldn’t justify $15k for the few features I mentioned above. In the end neither of those are a deal breaker, my previous truck didn’t have blind spot detection but my wife’s SUV does, and with the tow mirrors, I’ve adjusted the lower panel for my blind spot. And memory seats, my wife has driven the truck once in the month we have had it, for $15k I can adjust my seat once a month. But again, I went into this looking to buy an LT and that is roughly where I ended up in the end.

Merc0085 · May 15, 2021

Thank you all for the info so far. I definitely have a bit of pressure on me due to having only a single car for the family right now and a packed camping season planned. I appreciate the advice to not settle but damn is it hard to get trucks right now. I’m definitely going to think hard before making a decision. But, A month in, I’m getting less picky.

Dunn · May 16, 2021

Always buy what you want.....you will regret settling at some point....LTZ gets better DIC too I believe.....

I will always buy 1 trim higher or loaded mid level....its alot of money and time over life of vehicle to squabble over cpl thousand.....

Most regret not getting what they want and justifying lesser is easy to do....even my truck I have now I should have got a few more items but talked myself out of it cuz supply was short...another $20 on an already substantial payment is nothing if your satisfied, lol

Njmurvin · May 16, 2021

I have a loaded 2020 Dmax 3500 LT (conv 2, leather, Z71, 5th wheel/gooseneck towing) that I bought last summer. It has everything I wanted except adaptive cruise (which none of these trucks has) and front/rear parking assist. I found it locally sitting on a lot and grabbed it with my employee discount for $54K +T&L + steps (so I could climb into the thing). Its primary use is towing my 12k fifth wheel and it pulls that down the road the same as the $80k models do. Fortunately for me, I came out of a 2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie that I bought new. This truck has everything the older Laramie had and more.

Edited May 16, 2021 by Njmurvin

Knighti2 · May 17, 2021

19 hours ago, Dunn said:

Always buy what you want.....you will regret settling at some point....LTZ gets better DIC too I believe.....

I will always buy 1 trim higher or loaded mid level....its alot of money and time over life of vehicle to squabble over cpl thousand.....

Most regret not getting what they want and justifying lesser is easy to do....even my truck I have now I should have got a few more items but talked myself out of it cuz supply was short...another $20 on an already substantial payment is nothing if your satisfied, lol

Pretty much what Dunn said. When you already spending 50-60K what is another 2-5 thousand really? Not much in the grand scheme of life.

I know right now it is tougher for sure. I about gave up when I went to order exactly what I wanted and was told a constraint had gone into effect and I was not even able to place the order.

I got lucky and 2 showed up over the next 3 weeks and I got one. Have not seen another since and would have waited until 2022 most likely at that point but I also still have my "old" truck which has not sold yet to fall back on if nothing popped.

redwngr · May 17, 2021

Downloading the brochure/catalogue might make comparison easier.

https://www.chevrolet.com/download-catalog

There is are sections that list what is included on trims and in packages.

Charts at the back that list features and indicate if not available or optional or standard on each trim

nards444 · May 17, 2021

I ordered the LT sport I couldnt get CONV 2 at the time, but if I had I would essentially had the same truck as an LTZ for about 4k less, at that point the LTZ was offereing different stickers and grill. I liked the look of the LT better with the sport as the LTZ looks like an old mans truck if you ask me.