[ktllc15]

My 00 Pete came out of Illinois and I run out of MN. My frame is still sporting it's original 18 year old paint and when it's clean I can see my reflection in the frame rails between the tanks and my fenders. The only spot of rust on my frame is underneath the fifth wheel. So yeah the older trucks in my experience hold up better.

I don't think it's the grade of steel and more likely cheaper paint on the chassis and related parts. Anyone that lives in a northern state where they use that chemical deicer crap on the roads knows how fast it'll corrode and flash rust bare metal. Not to mention I'm sure the manufacturers would rather have trucks regularly coming back in for repairs or being traded off for new trucks. They don't make money off guys like me that turn our own wrenches.