Pickup Truck +SUV Talk

Hosted by Tim Esterdahl

Business Leisure Automotive News Commentary

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Episodes

278

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

We cover the U.S. pickup truck and SUV market bringing you fun reviews, interesting tidbits and real consumer concerns about these vehicles.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 10, 202619 min

Red-Dyed Diesel: Fuel Savings, Warranty Risks and What Truck Owners Need to Know

Send us Fan Mail Is red-dyed diesel a worthwhile option for your pickup? In this Truck News Recap, Tim Esterdahl explains why fuel compatibility, taxes, state permission and warranty coverage are separate questions. Hear the practical concerns behind the headlines, including fuel specifications, contamination, deferred taxes and the different owner-manual warnings for Ford, GM and Ram. We also catch up on Ram REV, truck sales, recent reviews and upcoming reporting trips. Recorded October 9, 2026. A tax deferral is not automatic forgiveness. Eligibility depends on applicable guidance and state rules. Warranty exclusions discussed concern damage from improper, contaminated or noncompliant fuel, not automatic cancellation of all truck coverage. Sponsored by Screen ProTech: https://ScreenProTech.com/tim This episode contains a paid sponsor message; this is our sponsor/affiliate link. Read the reporting: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2026/10/red-dyed-diesel-truck-savings-trump-order/ https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2026/10/red-dyed-diesel-warranty-truck-manuals/ WDRB Louisville, Kentucky, mentioned for Tim's planned TV appearance: https://www.wdrb.com/ This station homepage is not a link to an already-published interview. More truck coverage: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/ Join the discussion: https://forum.pickuptrucktalk.com/ Cars and SUVs: https://wetalkcars.com/ Support the show

October 3, 202616 min

Ram Cuts Its 2027 Warranty: What Truck Buyers Need to Know

Send us Fan Mail Ram is walking back one of its biggest selling points. In this Truck News Recap, Tim Esterdahl breaks down the end of Ram’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for 2027, what that means for shoppers considering a 2026 truck, and the differences in diesel coverage across Ram, Ford, Chevrolet and GMC. Then we dig into the 2027 Ford F-150’s engine changes, GM’s latest diesel and gas-engine news, and what Tim learned about engine development and testing. There’s also a practical discussion of trailer-brake setup and the reliability and transmission questions truck owners still want answered. Recorded October 2, 2026. IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 Ram’s 10-year warranty is ending 00:26 This week’s truck news recap 00:57 New vehicle research tools 02:07 What changes for 2027 Ram buyers 03:41 Comparing diesel warranties 04:47 Why the longer warranty is going away 05:25 ScreenProTech giveaway and screen protection 06:33 2027 Ford F-150 engine changes 08:45 GM coverage and trailer-brake setup 10:00 Duramax and HD gas V8 news 11:00 How GM develops and tests engines 13:19 Reliability and transmission questions 15:13 Becoming better-informed truck buyers READ MORE Ram warranty story: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2026/10/2027-ram-trucks-lose-one-of-their-biggest-selling-points-the-10-year-100k-mile-warranty/ Truck news and vehicle research: https://pickuptrucktalk.com Cars and unibody SUVs: https://wetalkcars.com SPONSOR Save 15% on ScreenProTech screen protection: https://screenprotech.com/tim Follow Pickup Truck + SUV Talk in your podcast app for more truck news, reviews and conversations with the people behind the vehicles. Support the show

October 1, 20261 hr 7 min

2027 Silverado & Sierra: I Asked GM—Now Ask Me Anything

Send us Fan Mail Tim Esterdahl answers questions about the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra in this replay of Tuesday’s livestream, “2027 Silverado & Sierra: I Asked GM—Now Ask Me Anything.” Truck news, owner stories and buying advice: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/ More car and SUV coverage: https://wetalkcars.com/ Support the show

September 18, 202620 min

GM’s New V8s: Tough Questions, Towing Surprises and Silverado Prices

Send us Fan Mail GM’s new V8 engines bring more power—and plenty of questions. Fresh from GM’s powertrain event in Flint, Tim Esterdahl breaks down what engineers told him, what remains unanswered, and what it means for truck owners. In this week’s Truck News Recap: • Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM), lifter concerns and the revised oiling system • Why GM is dropping the physical oil dipstick • Direct injection, port injection and intake-valve carbon buildup • Why the 6.6L V8’s towing rating surprised Tim • 2027 Chevrolet Silverado pricing and the High Country price increase • GM’s use of manufacturing data and AI to improve engine quality • Ram news, a 323,000-mile Hemi owner story, and a Ram truck dealership in Germany Sponsored by Screen ProTech: https://screenprotech.com/tim This is our sponsor/affiliate link. Watch this recap on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2c2jWjOONZ4 Watch the GM powertrain video: https://youtu.be/wdTGZ_QoLlI Watch the RTR Ram Truck Ranch interview: https://youtu.be/iRBxqhF3PI0 Truck news, owner stories and buying advice: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/ More car and SUV coverage: https://wetalkcars.com/ Support the show

September 4, 202622 min

I Ordered a 2027 Chevy Silverado High Country: Here’s Why

Send us Fan Mail I ordered my next truck: a 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country. In this episode, I explain why I chose Chevy over GMC and Toyota, why timing pushed me into the High Country trim, and the exact engine, color and towing configuration I ordered. CHAPTERS 0:00 I ordered a new truck 0:45 The trucks I considered 2:10 Why Chevrolet instead of GMC 3:20 The new Silverado V8 decision 4:10 Ordering through Kelley Chevrolet 5:20 Why I chose High Country 7:05 Pacific Blue and the 6.6L V8 8:25 Max Trailering availability 9:10 The 3.23 rear axle explained 11:05 Delivery timing and estimated price 13:25 Screen ProTech giveaway and PUTT updates 15:25 This week in truck news 20:30 Germany programming note Save 15% on a Screen ProTech screen protector: https://screenprotech.com/tim Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/pickuptrucktalk Visit the Pickup Truck + SUV Talk website: https://www.pickuptrucktalk.com Support the show

August 21, 202611 min

GM 6.2L V8 Investigation Escalates, Tundra Hammer Test and Super Duty Engine Changes

Send us Fan Mail NHTSA has escalated its investigation into GM’s 6.2-liter L87 V8, moving the case into an engineering analysis that could affect nearly one million Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac trucks and SUVs. Tim Esterdahl explains what the expanded federal investigation means for GM owners and whether the current recall remedy is resolving the engine problems. This week’s truck news also covers Toyota technicians using a hammer test on recalled Tundra engines, Ford Super Duty engine changes, GM’s updated 8-speed transmission repair procedure, proposed California tire-efficiency rules, new recalls and other important pickup truck and SUV stories. Sponsored by Screen ProTech. Save 10% at https://screenprotech.com/tim More truck and SUV news: https://pickuptrucktalk.com #GMRecall #TruckNews #PickupTrucks Support the show

August 15, 202611 min

Toyota Techs Are Smacking Tundra Engines With a Hammer to See if They Need Replacing

Send us Fan Mail Toyota has a new way to inspect certain 2022-2024 Tundra engines, and yes, it involves a plastic hammer. Tim breaks down Toyota’s V35A crank bearing inspection, why the automaker is testing these engines, how an accelerometer and software are used to analyze the results, and why this unusual-sounding procedure is actually based on established engineering principles. Support the show

August 7, 202613 min

Ford Fathom Revealed: Who Is This $30K Electric Truck Really For?

Send us Fan Mail Ford has revealed the Fathom, a new electric pickup expected to start around $30,000. But who is this truck actually for, and can Ford find enough buyers to make it successful? In this Truck News Recap, Tim Esterdahl examines what we know about the Ford Fathom, its expected size and range, and how it could compete with the Slate truck and Ford Maverick. He also explains why commercial fleets and urban drivers may be the real target customers. Other topics include Pickup Truck + SUV Talk’s first full-size truck award, changes coming to the 2027 Ford F-150 and Ram 1500, Toyota Highlander reliability problems and what Tim learned while towing a camper with the GMC Sierra EV. Support the show

August 4, 202615 min

Most Reliable Heavy-Duty Trucks Ranked: Ford, GM or Ram?

Send us Fan Mail Which heavy-duty truck is the most reliable: Ford Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD or Ram HD? Tim Esterdahl ranks today’s heavy-duty trucks using Pickup Truck + SUV Talk’s original reporting, NHTSA data, recalls, technical service bulletins and owner complaints. The Ford Super Duty claims the top spot despite its recall history and death-wobble complaints. The GM heavy-duty trucks follow closely, while valve-body concerns prevent them from finishing first. The redesigned Ram HD comes in last, largely because its Cummins and TorqueFlite HD powertrain is still too new to have an established long-term record. Do you agree with the rankings, and which heavy-duty truck has proved most reliable for you? Explore the PUTT Reliability Center: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/truck-reliability/ Support the show

July 31, 202617 min

Highlander Issues, Tow Hooks, and Rumble Bee Pricing

Send us Fan Mail The 2020-2026 Toyota Highlander has a reputation for reliability, but owners and used-vehicle shoppers should know about recalls, transmission complaints, ECU-related stalls and several other reported problems. Cory Fourniquet examines the Highlander’s loose second-row seats, airbag concerns, transmission whining, hybrid braking behavior, infotainment glitches and unusual fuel-tank readings. He also explains how owners can check their VIN for open recalls before buying or servicing a Highlander. Plus, this week’s Truck News Recap covers pricing for the new Ram Rumblebee lineup, including the first 6.4-liter HEMI offered in a Ram 1500 and the nearly $100,000, 777-horsepower Rumblebee SRT. Toyota also updates the 2027 Tundra TRD Pro with front recovery hooks, adjustable Fox shocks and the new Honeycomb exterior color. The episode also highlights the Pickup Truck + SUV Talk Reliability Center, the new We Talk Cars website and the monthly Screen ProTech giveaway. Visit Pickup Truck + SUV Talk: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/ Support the show