jaslim
Active member
- Thread starter
- #1
I've been going back and forth between the 2 options and thought I'd ask current owners in this community to share some real world experiences, your considerations when you made your decision, and maybe help with some questions.
My use case:
Main considerations (somewhat in order of importance) and a question:
At the end of the day I know I'll have to balance the tradeoffs, decide based on my use case, and I'm probably overthinking it. Really appreciate any insight folks can provide - can't replace real experience...
My use case:
- TH long bed
- Truck is my daily driver and also need it to still be able to do the occasional truck things
- Just me and the wife, maybe a kid in the future
- Weekend camper primarily, usually last minute spontaneous
- Maybe longer (1-2 week) trips once or twice a year
- Dreaming of a proverbial "screw you" to my corporate job for a year to go explore, so scalability is a factor
- Came from gen 2 DCLB with a Snugtop shell that we camped in regularly, occasionally switching to ground tents when we had friends along or just wanted more space to stretch out
Main considerations (somewhat in order of importance) and a question:
- Weight - the GFC is "significantly" lighter which means I can probably get away with stock springs for awhile with added benefits of less impact to fuel efficiency and payload.
- Fold down cab window - I really liked the fold down windows in my Snugtop to pass through things to/from the cab, and helped when carrying longer loads like lumber. I haven't found any good solutions for the GFC in my research and it's an option on the LP. I know some folks mentioned the potential for another water intrusion or just general failure point, but the benefits outweigh the risk for me.
- Factory options/scalability - LP hands down has more options like vent fan, prewire solar connections, diesel heater port, etc. which will help. Not unsolvable in a GFC, just requires a lot more DIY in the future.
- Height - LP seems taller than the GFC in side by side picture comparison (I couldn't find actual specs). The TH is already tall, giving me concerns over clearance for certain situations like parking garages, especially a problem in the Bay Area where I'm located.
- Length - LP has more space and doesn't require gymnastics or a round of Tetris to go up and down, but overhangs the cab more. We're both 5'8" and didn't have too much issue with 2 adults + 2 small dogs in just the 6' bed previously, so not sure GFC would be that much of a problem.
- Lead time - both seem to be around the Jan/Feb timeframe at this point, but it seems LP experiences delays (not sure that's still true) vs GFC have it down to a science
- Cost - LP starts cheaper, but by the time all the options I'm interested in are added they're about the same
- Question - how'much noise and drag do you get from the extra overhang? Would one be better or worse than the other?
- Any other considerations I haven't thought of?
At the end of the day I know I'll have to balance the tradeoffs, decide based on my use case, and I'm probably overthinking it. Really appreciate any insight folks can provide - can't replace real experience...
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