To be perfectly honest, I'd rather have the step.

Ford's warranty is 60,000 miles. GM's is 100,000 miles. Both are 5-year transferrable plans.

What are the odds that I'd use the warranty between 60,000 and 100,000 miles? Probably no more than one time, saving me a couple thousand dollars, in the worst likely case. What's more likely is that it wouldn't save anything at all. Ford's truck powertrains aren't exactly known for catastrophic failure before 100k (nor are Chevy, but that's not the point).

The tailgate step has value every time you use it. Over 100,000 miles, it's probably going to add up to quite a bit.

 

Exactly Plague. Personally, I'd rather have a better warranty and get better gas mileage.

 

Can't argue with the better gas mileage part. That's definitely worth more than the step.

 

I think GM needs more commercials like the recent toyota one. For a long time, their marketing teams have taken a lax approach with taking jabs at the competition in TV advertisements and I think it's about time.

I also think the toyota one is hilarious.

 

Seriously?


...Seriously?!


I noticed the face, but I'm just not sure if you're being sassy and serious, or trying to prove a point.

I think you know better, but for those that don't...


If you can add something to a truck that makes doing a job easier, it's all good by me. I'd rather have a 100k warranty, and a step, and more storage . Same reason I'd want a truck bed, 4wd, headlights, windshield wipers, a motor (believe it or not, I don't want to lug it around using my own strength), transmission, etc.

 

GM is going for the jugular with these ads. Lots of good ideas, kind of like Stanley Tools' ads for their "Fubar" demo tool, the "FU-2" and the "BAMFU." It's stuff guys can laugh at and really hits home in their daily lives/jobs/interests.

I think it's funny that older Chevy trucks (my Blazer included) have incredibly awesome/easy power steering. I think the wheel goes round 3-4 times lock to lock on each side, and you can steer the car lock to lock stopped, on dry pavement, with your pinky. It's so strong that I think if the front wheels couldn't move, it would just pick the truck up and move it around like a teacup.

FWIW, I think the man step is a great idea. It's a natural progression as tailgate height and bumper height has increased--reduces L&I claims, and overall injuries related to loading/unloading pickups.

 

Warranties only truly matter when you need them. They do matter on resale if any time or miles are remaining.

The Ford integrated tailgate step is a nice feature to point out in a walk around. Lot's of "wow factor". The utilization importance comes down to how an owner will use their truck. "Wow factors" count in sales hopeful walk arounds. Lots of solid reasons to buy or not buy get passed over when "wow" gets involved.

I think Chevy has the better truck. Period. Here this clearly, Chevy is the better truck.

I do give a hat tip to Ford for offering a "Why didn't I think of that?" kind of feature.

In all earnesty, any ad wich is meant to refocus a potential customer's decision process is going to be based on what is triggering folks to buy and offer that there is a bigger picture to be considered.

If these things weren't determined to be decision effecting, they wouldn't be mentioned.

In the case of the Japanese trucks? IMO, the message is the most pointed and well founded. The "mileage kings", aren't what they are accepted to be.

The reason the Ford step tailgate gets attention, is that that's what Ford is pushing on the front lines of sales.

Here is the unmentioned truth... trucks are selling. Like them or not, they are selling. They sell and they generate a profit. Thus the campaign.

 

Read the rest of that post. My last "real truck" was a 1951 Chevy 3100.

 

I will admit, I haven't looked at it closely, but it seems to me that at least the handle that goes along with the step won't last long before it is ripped off.

 

I think Chevy is using these commercials to amplify two points:

1) "Trucks" are becoming WAY too accessorized or luxurious. Some people can say "these things are nice to have" but those little things cost money, driving up the overall price of the truck. Remember when you could get trucks for really cheap? The were built to do what a truck does and thats all you had to pay for.

2) Other brands are playing off of this image of the luxury truck. A heated steering wheel? I mean c'mon....I live in Alaska and do just fine without one. Heated windshield wipers are another story...friggin ice. So I think that Chevy is appealing to the demographic that doesnt want all that bs on their truck. And having a bit of fun and creating discussion while they are at it. If I'm gonna pay extra money for a truck, make it better leaf springs or something that will help it do its job better. Ex: I love the 2 auto feature on my Z71. Stays in 2 wheel drive until it loses traction and it kicks on the 4x4 automatically. Not even my wifes brand new jeep has that.

 

It actually folds into the tailgate inside panel quite well. FWIW, the F-150 tailgate height is slightly taller than the Silverado's, which might be the reason they chose the step. My last truck had lumber racks so I would just grab the rack and "step-up" from the side. The top/edge of the bumper served as a step. When using my Dad's truck without racks (ironically an F-150), I'd grab the inside lip of the bed while stepping up from the side. Perhaps the new F-150 has a smooth edge inside the bed and nowhere to grab. (I haven't seen one up close yet.)

 

I guess I'll have to see how it is supported when it is upright...it just looks flimsy in the commercials

 

While I'm not particularly well informed on the matter, I tend to agree. But then, I've always been a GM guy, and never cared much for Ford, so maybe I'm just biased.

The Ford commercials with Mike Rowe showing the way the trucks handle in various test situations are pretty convincing. I don't know whether they're true or not.

 

I also think the Toyota one was funny - and I have a Tundra.

 

I really never understood why trucks kept getting taller and taller - cause the lower truck really is easier to use.

It seems it happend when toyota and Nissan started coming out with trucks that looked like mini semi cabs. Then all the guys were like heheeh look at your truck MINES BIGGER (pounds chest)

cause those are the guys that use their sissy truck as a oversized car. Prob not even a lick of paint nicked in the bed.