1500 1500HD 2500 2500HD whats the diff?

[tomseeley]

I'm just starting to think about my first truck, to tow my first travel trailer. No experience yet with either one. All I know (not much) I got from reading brochures!

I'm trying to decide what size (capacity, engine, rear axle, etc) I'd need to tow a travel trailer about 26-28' long, with a GVWR of about 8,000#.

So far, I'm inclined to think a 3/4 ton Silverado with the 8.1L engine would do nicely. I'm not so sure the same truck with the 6.0L engine would, and I'm almost positive the 5.3L engine won't do the job at all.

But beyond that, I'm overwhelmed by the jargon and the marketing terms you truck experts all use so expertly!

Can someone please explain to me in non-technical simple English the fundamental differences in the four "styles" I've included in the subject of this message?

[grego12r]

buy a diesel lot of power whit chip lake big dog chip
my frent got doge ram whit that chip and hi run 15.554 in 1/4 88 mph
i got chevy silverado 5.3l 4x4 whit gipson exhaust and cold air intek
80 mm throttle bodies and hypertech and hi still bit me from the start
in my opinion diesel is beter then gas engine and beter gas mph
i hope that helps good luck whit your choise
get 2500 hd more hevy duty

[broughy84]

how big is the trailer. If it is LARGE get a 2500HD w/diesel.

[skipr]

GVW ratings are based on the suspension and brakes. For example: A 3/4 heavy duty, probally has a GVW of 8900, It has more leafs in the rear than the 3/4 standard, and possibly 13 inch brake drums,dual servo power hydralic braking, heavy chassis (formerly called the "D" frame), heavier front coils (to increase the GAW). Engine does not have a whole lot to do with your payload weight max. A 18 wheeler fully loaded is about 50,000 lb's (rough estimate) and a cummins engine running at 350 hp. The power is in the gearing, 2 spd. diff..etc.

[gschretter]

3500 rock and the rest, I guess there good for getting dog food.

Just kidding.

Really it comes down the axle, tranmission, springs.
Engines, Gas mileage is about the same.

For resell:
1500 - would hold its value and be quicker to sell; more people want this type of vehicle, just because they think it is cool to own a truck. About 80 % of 1500 actually need a truck

2500 - People shy away from used 2500 because most of the time they are used for heavy / medium towing. Which they are designed for. Pretty much about 85% owners of 2500 need a 2500. If you are not going to haul a RV around the country this vehicle is for you.

3500 - hard to sell. Most of the time hard / high mileage are on these trucks. If you buy an old one you will need to have some abilities with an wrench. I like them because they are heavy duty everything but gas mileage is pretty bad - I get 14 miles per gallon. If you are going to haul a RV around the country this type of vehicle is for you.

There is some weird new disel gas tax in Texas so now disel is $2.15 a gallon and regular is $1.77. I do not know if this tax is going to spread to other states.

[Nigel215]

Hey Storm. Thanks for that site. Now I know how much weight I can put in my puny 1500 bed. Now on the ratings for towing. Is that the weight you can tow on the factory hitch right on the bumper? Does the weight rating go up if you install an aftermarket hitch that mounts right on the frame or is that just the better way to go. I dont see many guys with just a ball on the bumper anymore. Just wondering.

[Limited5.9Cherokee]

an HD model is a step up in frame,brakes,suspension etc. so a 2500HD is really a 3500 underneath same goes for a 1500HD its a base 2500. i had a reg cab 2500 HD with the 6.0 and i pull alot (tractor, backhoe, travel trailer 8800)
and once i filled it to the top of the cab with railroad ties i think 20 of them i had intake exhaust and chip and i didnt have to bad a time pulling. once you get out on the road its good but i live in the country and gettin to the highway was the hardest part.

[gschretter]

So why buy a 2500HD instead of a 3500?

They should be the same except the 3500 comes with 4 full size doors as an option.

I saw a 3500 with was not regular cab and 6' bed.

I always wonder why they offered 2500HD and 1500HD.

[Limited5.9Cherokee]

2500 has 4 full size doors, there are small differences like gas tanks gear ratios etc

[dpatrick]

Depending on how much pulling you actually do, it may not be worth the extra loss of mpg. I get about 18mpg empty and about 11-12mpg in my 2500 6.0ltr pulling 6500lbs. My friend has a 2500HD and he gets about 12mpg empty. He's about to retire and thought that he might get an RV someday. Right now he's not happy with the mpg. I have owned 1/2 tons before and it seemed like I was always overloading it. When I bought the 27ft Travel trailer the 1/2 ton just couldn't handel it. I put an extra lief spring which helped, but then I was under powered so in the end I traded it off and bought the 3/4 ton. It pulls just fine and I've filled the back with rock, dirt etc and only the tires bulged a little. The 3/4 ton is the better truck if you plan on really using it. If 99% of your time is using it as a car then I would stay with the 1/2 ton with the 5.3 ltr. AIMO

[gschretter]

Looking at 2500 and 1500, I think the 2500 looks nicer inside.

Only bad thing I have heard about the 2500 with 6.0 are header bolts breaking.

[mrhab68]

This is my first post on this site so take it easy on me. I just bought a 2003 1500HD and am going to install a 5th wheel hitch for towing. Are there any precautions I need to take before welding on this truck? Should I take battery cable off, unplug computer etc.? I don't want to fry anything. Skidder

[bigbadram51]

Originally Posted by gschretter

Looking at 2500 and 1500, I think the 2500 looks nicer inside.

Only bad thing I have heard about the 2500 with 6.0 are header bolts breaking.

As for the interior, they are all based on the same cab (there are some subtle differences), it just depends on the package you get.

I would just get a 2500HD with the Duramax. You might spend a little more on it over the gas motor, but at long as it is a 2007 and older with the LBZ motor. Your mpg will be better than the 6.0L. Especially when you pull the travel trailer. Not to mention all the parts are much more durable, from the Allison transmission (although the 4l80e is a beast), AAM rear axle.