I've decided on Chevy for my new TV.
I have a 26 ft Toy Hauler and fully loaded its max weight is 9000.
Chevy 1500 crew cab 6.0L V8 gas can tow 10,500.
2500 6.0L towing capacity of 12,500.
Do I go with the 2500 higher towing capacity? Or save $3000 by getting the 1500?
I plan on having the Toy Hauler for at least 10+ years.
Many of us on this and other forums have owned a 1500/150 pickup at one time. We used them to tow and when we realized the 2500/250 tows heavier loads much better we traded for those 3/4 (and 1 tons). I cannot speak for others (however I don't see posts from people pulling heavy loads suggesting going back to the half tonners) but I guarantee if I had your choice to make I wouldn't buy the 1500 for what you wish to pull. the 2500 performs hard work much better than it's half ton sibling and experiencing it for yourself will soon recover that $3000 difference in satisfaction.
I’m of the big is better crowed and wish I had bought a 3500 so I wouldn’t have to upgrade if we go to a large fiver after the kids a gone. If you are going to be at or very near you WR you should jump into the next class. If not you are going to beat the truck to death and you also won’t have any payload left over. JMO and go with the diesel you won’t regret it.
Don
Higher GVWR and GCWR (and therefore towing capacity)
(to name a few)
Downside:
Stiffer ride
Upfront costs
If you are that close to the limits of a 1500, then IMHO the 2500HD might be a wise choice, just to give you those extra margins of safety by keeping under all the limits.
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
Elmoclayman31 wrote: So I've decided on Chevy for my new TV. My current 1500 Silverado can tow 9200lbs. I have a 26 ft Toy Hauler and fully loaded its max weight is 9000. I need the new TV because the kids are too big for the extended cab. I now need a Crew cab. Chevy makes the new 1500 crew cab with the 6.0L V8 gas, which can tow 10,500. They also make the 2500 silverado with the 6.0L with a towing capacity of 12,500.
So here's the question. Do I go with the 2500 because of the higher towing capacity? Or do I save $3000 by getting the 1500?
I plan on having the Toy Hauler for at least 10+ years. And the jury is still out on getting a diesel. So don't open that can of worms, please!
I went through this same process back in 2001, for just about identical reasons. I finally decided on the 2500. You are at least looking at that good 6 liter Chevy engine in either case. The price difference is paying for a more robust truck. One concern I had was the fuel economy on the 1500/2500 issue - it did not seem to be much of a factor, I forget what my research numbers were, but I think the 2500 only drank maybe .4 mpg more than the 1500.
The 2500 is a "real truck" also, the 1500 is basically a car with a truck body on it.
Doug and Kathy
2008 Chevy 2500HD extended cab Duramax/Allison 4WD
2007 Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK
"Nuestra casa con buena vistas"
Start wheeling and dealing...i'll bet you'll be able shave that $3000 down. After all NO ONE WANTS A 3/4 TON PU at todays fuel costs. Play that card with teh dealer.
Interesting. I know a guy who has a 1500 (2001) and while he likes the truck, he regrets that he does not have a 2500HD now. He bought a big boat and while the 1500 can tow it, the 2500 would tow it MUCH better. He is probally going to trade in his truck this year...or next.
You're already close to maxing out the 1500. . . no margin for error. Based on what you're towing, I'd recommend the 2500HD with the 6.0 liter gas engine and 3.73 or 4.10 rear end. Also, if you get 2wd, I think a limited slip differential is a must.
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab SB LS 6.0L 4x4 4.10
DW, DD (May, 2007), DS (October, 2008), and me
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