Forum Discussion

sinner73's avatar
sinner73
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014

looking to buy a new truck

Hello,
So heres the low down and i know there are going to some junk about "your crazy" after reading many threads it seems so easy for people with out the bill to say "just buy a 65k diesel " or "omg your going to kill everyone "
I have a 2006 keystone 230fs 28' /hitch 1200 /gross lbs 6060 then water tank and cargo i would put my self at 8k ? But wouldnt mind loading a bit more if i could maybe 9k if i get a different tow vehicle?
Ok so I tow this with my 2011 chevy tahoe ltz tow package ans air bag system tow cap of 8500 .
I was forces to buy this cause of the size of my family and seating , well now i dont have that problem and as towing it local isnt bad when i tow up the grape vine or loaded with some bikes and need to take fresh water it sucks !

heres my question. Do i really really need a 2500 ? The new 1500 silvarados have a 12k tow rating witch from where i sit it 3500 more thrn i have now ? I tow it maybe 7 to 10 times a year and 90% with in 100 miles , so does that warent getting a 2500 and pay out my ass for gas daily ? Or can i get away with the 1500 ? My money dosnt grow on tree's but i also would hate to get the 1500 and wish i got the 2500.
Now if the 1500 towed light years better then thr tahoe but still wasnt perfect that might be worth thr gas savings daily ? I also see you can get thr 6.2 in the 1500 but I guess if i did that it would be the same as the 2500 on gas ?

whwn i build these trucks on chevy ws its only a difference of 2k so the big difference is drivability and MPG. I also currently have a work truck so i wouldnt be driving it every single day

18 Replies

  • I can sympathize with the OP. If you can only have one TV, it's a hard decision given that he doesn't tow often, or very far. The Tahoe is not a good TV to start with, so my vote is to get a half ton fully equipped to tow your current trailer. It will tow much better than what your doing now. Granted, you need to have a crystal ball to know what your needs might be in the future, but given your current scenario, my vote is for a well equipped half ton.
  • I own a 2500HD with a 6.6 Duramax diesel, and I don't have a toy hauler any longer. This truck pulled my 14,000 lb. toy hauler within legal limits. I'm sure it would pull your trailer with no problems.

    I'm going to sell this truck in late Dec, or Jan, since I don't have a 5th wheel any longer.
  • A 3/4 ton isnt that much more $$, and regular type gas has gone done alot, now below $3.20 a gal. Plus you only tow a few times a year, makes better sense to buy BIGGER!!
  • Your mileage won't be much worse with a 3/4 ton in the newer trucks, but your towing experience will be MUCH better.
    Take for example a new Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi vs a 2500 6.4 Hemi. I have a 13 Ram 1500 Hemi 4x4 and avg around 16-17 empty. The new 6.4 in the 2500 is getting around 14-16 mpg, but has way more payload and tow rating.
    If I were towing your trailer and didn't plan on getting a bigger one and needed the truck for a daily driver, I would look at a Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi. The 4:10 gearing would be better to tow, but hard to find without ordering the truck. The 3:73 will be fine for your trailer.
    The best part is it won't cost you $65k. You can get a Tradesman crewcab 4x4 for low to mid $30ks.
    Crown Dodge in Ventura has that truck in white and you could probably pick it up for about $33k. Or check Hunter Dodge in Lancaster.
    I currently tow a 21' Ragen TH with my 1500 and it does OK, but the 2500 would be so much better.
  • I think you know the answer. If you yourself are questioning the 1500 capability, you will never be happy with it. Buy the 2500 and don't wish you did.
  • All I can say is when I had my 1500 I wished I had a 2500HD. then a girl ran into the side of me and I bought a 2500HD and have been happy with the one I have. will never go back to towing with a 1500 again.
  • To make your decision...don't look solely at the tow rating...Look at the more important number....the PAYLOAD of the truck you are considering.

    Find out what the trip ready, loaded tongue weight of the trailer is and subtract that from the Payload rating of the truck....see how much left over you have, if any...