balthazar

David is the individual who claimed Rivian had "8-ft test mules out now", so I asked if there were any pics. You know; more information. I think the claim was erroneous- that's DOUBLE the length they have now. Rivian (like I said) isn't aiming for contractors / commercial truck buyers- they don't need an 8-ft bed (again; t'wasn't I who said they were working on one). But at LEAST a 5.5' bed (keeping the crew cab) would be a lot more useful. - - - - - Not sure why you say it's not full-size: 82" wide, 76" tall, 136" wheelbase (Silverado starts at 139"). Really only the tiny bed is what's lacking.

So; no 8-ft bed or even 6.5-ft bed test mule pics. Same thing I found when searching. 'One has to wonder what's behind the claim that they're testing longer / long bed versions, and that it actually IS "easier" to stretch the chassis than it is for a IC vehicle... I mean; what do those making such claims have to GGAAIINNNNnnn n nnnn n nn ... . . . .. . a-are they beholden to protecting -ahem- the stock price for investors?' One wonders, one does.

The only thing I saw was the 'extended cab' mule version; the bed is only a little longer because they took the space out of the cab- it appears to be the same wheelbase. That would make it a circa 5.5' bed, not 8'. It's interesting how we seem to be moving into a 'don't ask questions or raise doubts' scenario WRT battery electrics; just... accept.

I think the greenhouse is fine, but the rear axle needs to move rearward about 10-12" to re-balance it out.

Where /how did they “prove” this? Any pics of the 8-ft bed mules?

^ Except I've read that the next gen Lightning (2025) will get a dedicated skateboard chassis- the current one uses a modified IC chassis. Will that put Ford in Chevy's 'boat'?? With the crazy prices these BE trucks are asking, and the supposed lesser costs of manufacturing, there had better be MORE configuration choices, not LESS. LOL- they need to come up a whole FOOT to equal the shortest bed on the legacy brands! Long-ass way to go... but Rivian isn't interested in work/commercial pickup sales anyway.

Of course one does, even if it specifically states the circumstances. In other words; doubt every claim anyone makes.... unless it aligns with your preferences. Got it.

Yet... they sell. 6.5' beds are workable, but on the edge. That final foot off (5.5') is not made for a LOT of commercial work. Why a pickup should 'be fine' with smaller & smaller beds, when commercial vehicles include vans that are large and go up from there, makes little sense to me; more room for more materials & equipment is moving forward, not less. RE the Midgate extending the bed to 8-ft; that's fine for homeowners / occasional use. It's far less than ideal for contractors / commercial work, who seldom have the rear seat totally empty to enable spontaneous Midgate-dropping. If you're picking up a dozen sheets of plywood for a job... where are your tools going to be for installation of such? I understand & accept that most pickup are not used commercially, and the 5.5' bed is the majority (I take note on the road)... what I'm advocating for is the same level of choice going forward- independent cab/beds with a multitude of configurations to cater to the steady customer base. One single crew cab / short box isn't going to do that. When will we see the 'mainline' Silverado EV multi-series / multi-configuration reveal??

GTU(nder-sized) ~

OK... of course with GM trucks you're either getting more like 16 (gas)... or like 25 (diesel). Current tank is averaging over 26 (got some highway miles this go-round). I will keep an eye on the future Sierra/Silverados of course; looking forward to seeing a crew cab / 6.5' bed BE model.... and pricing dropping to a parity with where the IC trucks are. Only then would I 'crunch the numbers' on changing over. However, I expect the current Sierra to last me 200K miles+, like the last truck. That leaves me with the question; come the sunset of turbo diesels... do I order one last one to carry me forever? That's 20 oil changes.

On the 230-mile range Lightning, and driving an average of 50 miles/day, how often would you charge it (assuming it got 100% of it's range)? I don't drive to an office or store or parking deck, I'm going to people's homes, and allowing for the unpredictable nature of my work (have to make an unscheduled material run, for example), I'm going to charge probably every 3 days (150 miles), because that 4th day would take me down to 30 miles (again: assuming 100% maximum range). Just plug into their house? Maybe- not sure I'm comfortable with asking that or new / newer customers.

110 only, and no exterior outlets.

Still a HUGE gulf in costs to purchase the same truck as a BE.

Full-size pickups don’t fit thru standard single-vehicle garage doors- too wide. And the Sierra is the widest vehicle I ever owned.

Sierra MPG still climbing- current 400-mile window stands at 26.3. My electric is more than your rate, and my diesel is a lil cheaper. I got to the gas station about once every 10 days, vs. running an extension cord out & plugging in every day or 2 to charge. I also spent $27,000 less than if I bought an F-150 Lightning, so I’m at least a decade behind you in total bottom line costs. (Omitting increased registration & home electric upgrade costs ? ).

I read the configurator details- did you? What “lot of features” did you see?? The front storage box was really it (I have outlets in the interior and bed) And yes; you CAN compare 2 different vehicles with each other legitimately- at least I got 2 as close as possible other than motive power. RE “apples/oranges” : don’t you think everyone in the truck segment is doing the EXACT same thing over the next decade; weighing out how the ‘new guy’ operates & what it costs??

If you take note; the current gen Silverado W/T & Custom are the only trims you can get a regular cab/ 8-ft box… because commercial buyers often need them there. Watch the sales drop there due to only offering a 5.5’ bed… gonna be a non-starter there for sure for many.

As 2022 opens, the long-running issues RE switching to BEs remain the same- charging availability/convenience and steep purchase prices. Couple that with the inevitable steep jumps in State registrations once they come online (to replace gas taxes) and retro-fitting existing home with higher capacity hookups… Gonna be rough for many.

Ford's Lightning configurator is running, so I priced out a Lightning as close to my Sierra as possible. Extended range gives you a 300-mile range, my Sierra has a 625 mile range. No longer bed option however (an automatic disqualification for me). Optioned basically the same, Lightning came out at $75K, Sierra was $56K. If I instead chose the standard 230-mile range trim, in order to get the heated wheel/seats, tailgate step & LED box lighting, Ford pushes me to the XLT 312A package, which is an incredible $9500. There the price is $65K. So it's still a 9 grand ante' with a shorter bed vs. my Sierra - that's a chunk of change there. Lightning does tow more (10K vs. 8.8K), but I might tow something once every 3 years. My only intended future towing is the B-59 on a trailer, about 5700-ish lbs. total- so I'm well covered there.

GM in step with Ford (naturally): a circa $10K bump to get into a Silverado BE. This 'Avalanche-esque' unibody cannot represent the actual pickup line it appears -like the Hummer- to be a one-and-done singular body style. It has to be a side model like the Avalanche was. In addition to potentially jettisoning some of the customer base on price, others will likely drop off if there aren't alternate (traditional) configurations. No; there aren't a bunch of truck buyers who think the current truck configuration 'model' is tired. • I like the nose of it more than I thought I would, esp being such a departure from the current style (which I like just fine) and a lot more 'car-like'. • Range & charge times sound reasonable. • 24-in rims are redonkulous (in a good way). • Interior looks fantastic. • It's got a LOT of contrasting trim/color going on- I don't know if that's a nod to the 1st gen Avalanche, but IMO I'd prefer some of that reduced/body color. • Pricing is redonkulous (in a bad way).

I never had an issue with a dealer salesman thru probably 10 experiences. The sales guy who I dealt with for my GMC was very knowledgable- he was the store's 'truck guy'.... and I was edjoomacated when I walked in.

^ It must just be one of those 'luck of the draw' scenarios; as uncommon as Teslas are in the general population one still drove off the road within 2 miles of my house; "confused" by striped lines on the road- it split the difference between the highway and the off-ramp, and drove onto the island & thru a highway sign.