It was a busy week in the PickupTrucks.com world: Updates to GM’s 2020 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 twins were announced, and Nissan showed a pickup truck that serves as a roadmap for a more affordable overlanding vehicle. There was also a giant recall that will affect the three most popular varieties of Ram trucks.
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Updated Powertrain Availability and Towing Tech for 2020 Silverado 1500
Changes to the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado were announced, closely following GM’s announcement of changes to the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The big news here is expanded availability for the large 6.2-liter V-8, which will now be offered up and down the entire Trail Boss and RST trim lineups. On the RST, however, it only will be paired with four-wheel-drive models. The 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder Duramax diesel is scheduled to make its debut on the 2020 Silverado 1500, after originally being slated for 2019.
Chevrolet will also trickle down some additional trailering technology from its heavy-duty models, including a trailering camera system with 15 different views (including one that makes the trailer seem to disappear) and the ability to control different trailer functions on your smartphone though the myChevrolet app. Find more details via the link below.
Ford F-150’s Aluminum Body Repairs Dip in Cost
One of the big fears when Ford switched over the F-150 to all-aluminum body panels was that it would become much more expensive to repair the truck when it got damaged. Ford had to retrain and provide new tools to its dealerships, and those factors were expected to drive up repair costs. Fast forward a few years and it appears this isn’t the case, as a study by the Highway Data Loss Institute shows. HDLI reports that collision claims for aluminum-bodied F-150s are about 7 percent less than the previous generation of steel-bodied trucks. See the full story below for more details.
Mercedes-Benz Metris Recall
Approximately 9,500 model-year 2016-17 Mercedes-Benz Metris work vans are being recalled to replace aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing. The bolts may corrode and fracture; they will be replaced with steel bolts. This only applies to Metris vans sold or registered in certain states, so check out the recall below to see if your van needs to be fixed.
Jeep Gladiator’s Short Bed Still Usable
We’ve covered the Gladiator’s performance and off-road chops ad nauseum, but Cars.com reviewer Fred Meier took on the new 2020 Jeep pickup from a different angle and examined how useful the bed is. The Gladiator’s 5-foot all-steel bed is a short one, but Meier found that what it lacks in length, it makes up for in flexibility and helpful features for carrying longer items. The three-position tailgate facilitates much of this and, hey, you can still fit a pair of dirt bikes in the bed. Though with the Gladiator’s on-trail proficiency, I’m not sure why you’d need to.
