Emsteffens
New member
Is there a chart somewhere that shows how manufacturers trims compare to each other? For example Ford XL is similar to Chevy WT is similar to Ram Tradesman?
Trim comparisons
- Thread starter Emsteffens
- Start date
Fightnfire
Moderator
That would be interesting because they tend to overlap and include some different features in the lower trim packages and even up through the top trims. It's difficult to compare even simialr trime to eachother anymore because you can add so much on and the reviewers are usually "stuck" with what they get for a loaner.
TheDo114
Well-known member
There's also the problems of packages. An XLT with the right package can jump from a pretty basic truck to a truck that has pretty much everything. Same thing for RAM and to a lesser degree GM. Tim did something like this for the midsize trucks, it would be nice to see it for full size and HD's.
Sounds like a truck shopping full-size trucks 101 video is needed (cabin size, trims, etc...)? I could do that in my sleep probably. LOL.
Fightnfire
Moderator
That's a great idea both the comparison across brands and then one thing that I've noticed is you can take some of the mid-tier trims. The XLT like TheDo114 said, you can get a basic XLT at a pretty competitive price but a lot of time on the lots they have so many packages and options added it seems nicer than some Lariats ... with a really high price.
What does that XL/XLT, LT/LTZ, Big Horn look like range (option/price) wise?
Emsteffens
New member
I’m in the process of doing research to buying a truck in the next 18 months or so. I’ve got something in mind, but want to make sure I’m looking at all the right things and places.
Overview, looking for a family hauler with some decent towing (maybe eventually hauling a camper). I don’t have much towing experience, so any tech assist goodies would be good.
Overview, looking for a family hauler with some decent towing (maybe eventually hauling a camper). I don’t have much towing experience, so any tech assist goodies would be good.
Emsteffens
New member
A truck for dummies guide, I like it.
I just wrote up an article with a lot more information that Jill is going to edit in the next few days. I'll copy and paste this section for you:A truck for dummies guide, I like it.
How to choose the right full-size truck for you - size, trim levels, engine options
With the summer camping season fast approaching, people are starting to think about getting outside and a truck is a very versatile vehicle to use. How do you choose the right full-size truck for you with all the trim levels, cabin sizes, engine choices, etc…? Let’s break it down.
Full-size truck sizes
Did you know that a full-size truck can come in a variety of different cabins and bed lengths? And even more confusing are the names the various brands use to describe their offerings.
It doesn’t have to be that confusing and here’s how it works.
Standard/regular cabin - this is a single row of seats often with a bench. Think of this as what all trucks used to look like. Most automakers will either call this a standard or regular cab.
Extended cabin - think of this as a regular cabin truck with a small second-row of seats. These can be called double cabs, king cab, or supercab depending on the automaker.
For example, these are all the same cabin size:
GM (Chevrolet and GMC) = double cab
Ford = super cab
Ram = quad cab
Toyota = double cab
Nissan = king cab
Crew cab - then there is the most popular configuration these days and that’s the crew cab. This is a true 4-seater truck with all brands offering the most amount of room for passengers.
Once again, the names can be confusing:
GM = crew cab
Ford = super crew
Ram = crew cab
Toyota = crew max
Nissan = crew cab
One thing to keep in mind is often when you go with a larger cabin, you get a shorter bed. The idea is the overall length of the truck is the same, they just take the extra foot of bed length and provide that length inside the cabin.
For example, an extended cabin truck will often come with a 6’5” standard bed length while a crew cab truck will come with a 5’5” standard bed length.
Some automakers do offer longer lengths on some cabins, but those trucks can be harder to find.
Trim levels
Next you are met with a dizzying array of trim level names like Tungsten, LTZ, 1794, XLT, etc…
The key is to put these trims into comparable groups to help narrow things down.
Essentially, the truck market is split into a few different groups of buyers - commercial fleet, entry-level and entry-level off-road, luxury and high-end sport trucks.
Commercial fleet buyers or people who just want a basic truck will be shopping for:
Chevrolet - WT or Custom
GMC - PRO
Ford - XL
Ram - Tradesman
Nissan - S
Toyota - SR
Next are the entry-level trims:
Chevrolet - LT, RST, LTZ
GMC - SLE, Elevation, SLT
Ford - XLT, Lariat, Limited
Ram - Big Horn, Warlock, Laramie
Nissan - SV
Toyota - SR5, Limited, Platinum
Each of these trims can be mostly be compared to each other from various brands in the order they are listed above. I say mostly because there’s nothing really apples to apples in the truck world.
For example, a Chevrolet LT is comparable to a Ford XLT. A Toyota Limited is comparable to a Chevrolet LST.
Entry-level sport trims:
Chevrolet - TrailBoss
GMC - AT4
Ram - Rebel
Ford - STX, Tremor
Toyota has off-road, entry-level trucks when you add options to them like the Tundra TRD Off-Road package and the TRD Sport package.
Up from these trims, you have the luxury trims.
Chevrolet - High Country
GMC - Denali, Denali Ultimate
Ford - King Ranch, Platinum
Ram - Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten
Nissan - Platinum Reserve
Toyota - 1794, Capstone
Finally, you have the sport trucks.
Chevrolet - ZR2
GMC - AT4X
Ford - Raptor, Raptor R
Ram - RHO, TRX
Toyota - TRD PRO
Nissan - PRO 4X
Now all of these different trims will come with options and packages you can add on as well to enhance them in various ways.
My only issue is the length of the video. I mean I can talk for hours about trucks, but who wants to listen to me for that long. Hell, I don't even like listening to myself that long. LOL
Emsteffens
New member
Thanks Tim. I really enjoy your videos. I’m looking into getting a Chevy Silverado RST with the baby Duramax, but wanted to know other “similar” trucks. I know there won’t be exact comparisons, but a least some ballpark info to start.
Thank you for the question. I wrote about a thousand words for that post. I should do a video. Often, I take things like trim level comparisons for granted. It’s a nice reminder not everyone is a truck nerd like me.
Fightnfire
Moderator
I might be the only one but I find myself at times wishing your videos were longer to allow more time for details. I don't mind a 30-45 minute video or more if we're really learning things.
Saddle Tramp
Moderator
That is a great write up! What you could do shorten up the video is break it down into bite sized sections.
And so on and so forth. Each video could easily be a half hour long and then, for views and podcasts, you could stitch them all together for a huge video. I also see a glorious spreadsheet accompanying the article. Jill will be so jealous!
I already seeing myself printing a copy of your article on the website out. It's going to be that good.
- Video 1: Commercial/Basic
- Video 2: Entry level trims. (Expect outrage at calling someone's Lariat trim "entry level")
- Video 3: Entry level sport trims
And so on and so forth. Each video could easily be a half hour long and then, for views and podcasts, you could stitch them all together for a huge video. I also see a glorious spreadsheet accompanying the article. Jill will be so jealous!
I already seeing myself printing a copy of your article on the website out. It's going to be that good.
James-kd2cm
Active member
Well Tim, if you get into doing these trim comparisons on a regular basis you may make my wife happy. I drive her crazy sharing the research that I usually do for about 18 months or so before I buy a new truck. She usually gets to the point of telling me she’s sick of hearing about it and “just go buy one.” More evidence of my truck nerd qualifications I guess.
The good thing is, once you have your base knowledge of where you would want to be with each brand then it comes down to Looks, who includes the options you want, and price. The funny thing is my research gets blown out of the water at purchase time sometimes just due to who has a new incentive program on when I’m ready to pull the trigger.
The build and price tools are great but you can also go down the rabbit hole on those tools and get the wrong price idea if not careful.
Any future videos you can do on trim comparisons like Saddle Tramp suggested would be great.
The good thing is, once you have your base knowledge of where you would want to be with each brand then it comes down to Looks, who includes the options you want, and price. The funny thing is my research gets blown out of the water at purchase time sometimes just due to who has a new incentive program on when I’m ready to pull the trigger.
The build and price tools are great but you can also go down the rabbit hole on those tools and get the wrong price idea if not careful.
Any future videos you can do on trim comparisons like Saddle Tramp suggested would be great.