After our initial drive of both the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickup trucks, we noted there was plenty we liked. But we were surprised at the things GM didn't address or improve. Oh well, maybe next time. Here's our list of the Top 5 things GM got wrong.
1. Towing Mirrors
We would have thought this was a no-brainer since both the 2014 Ram HD and the Ford Super Duty offer big, adjustable (and in some cases electric folding and extendable) mirrors. The GM HDs still have the standard manual elephant-ear mirrors from last year. This needs to change.
2. No High Country Trim
We know GMC's Denali trim level has a pretty strong lock on the premium-grade trim-package crowd, but without a High Country offering Chevy can't compete at that level. Ford's Platinum and King Ranch, and Ram's Laramie and Longhorn editions are in another category; one that makes a lot of money for truckmakers and quite a few of their luxury-loving customers very happy.
3. No Smarter V-8 or Upgraded Duramax
We knew the powertrains (and chassis) were going to carry over, but it's still disappointing when the Ram HDs just came out with an entirely new, high-tech 6.4-liter Hemi and Ford's Super Duty is about to release its next-generation Power Stroke, which is likely to blow past Ram's new Cummins' monster 850 pounds-feet of torque rating. We're quite familiar with both of GM's stout 6.0-liter V-8 and 6.6-liter Duramax engines, but something new would have been nice.
4. DEF Tank Hangs Down, No Gauge
At a time when all sorts of small changes are being made to each new truck, almost every year, it seems like placement of diesel exhaust fluid tanks is really getting glossed over. Without the addition of the sidesteps on GM HDs, the DEF tank sits well below the door line and just looks tacky, if not dangerously exposed. We're not huge fans of step bars, but in the case of these new HDs we'll make an exception. And there is no dedicated DEF gauge.
5. No Factory Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Option
We know there are several companies making solid products for heavy-duty haulers that pair with big trailers for work and play, but GM didn't integrate the extra cross-member in the last frame upgrade, so we were hoping GM would add it during this upgrade. A better HD fifth-wheel/goosneck option will be necessary if buyers keep screaming for it.
