GMC vs Nissan diesel

otrfun wrote:
Given a choice of driving with 3,500 lbs. in the bed with 6-bolt, semi-floating axles that are overloaded by 1,600 lbs. vs. driving with 3,500 lbs. in the bed with 8-bolt, full-floating axles designed and rated to handle 3,500 lbs. . . . for me . . . the choice is a no-brainer.

Very well stated. Demiles, you can probably put 3500 lbs in the bed a couple times... you might even be able to do it a couple times a month. The fact is that your truck is not engineered to hold that weight. Eventually (probably sooner rather than later) something WILL break on it because you are over loading it.

The F250 on the other hand is engineered to hold that weight all day every day without breaking. Let's just pretend we are talking about a gas engine F250 for this example. The rear axle, the suspension, the lugs, the brakes, the hardware, the wheels, the tires, the brake lines, the frame, the bed and the shocks are designed to carry that 3500 lbs weight. Now... take that gas engine out and put a diesel engine in the front of the truck. That extra 1000 lbs takes a BIG cut into the 10,000 lbs GVWR that a Class 2B (3/4 ton truck) is allowed to weigh.

Even though you are now OVER your GVWR by having a 3500 lbs payload... you are under the ENGINEERED SPECS of the truck. There is no risk of premature wear and tear or anything breaking though.

That is the difference between your "heavy half" and a legitimate Class 2B vehicle. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your truck... but you have to be smart about the limitations of your truck.

I used to drive a Tundra and LOVED that thing. It was a great truck for driving around town and did a superb job towing my smaller trailer. I bought a bigger trailer with more tongue weight, had another kid and we carried more stuff with us to camp. I quickly became overweight with the Tundra. I pulled it twice and the Tundra pulled just fine. I was under my GCWR, but over my rear axle rating. I didn't want to, but I sold the Tundra and bought a heavier truck because I knew I was over my ratings and I didn't want to worry about a mechanical breakdown with my wife and kids aboard, in the middle of nowhere trying to go on a camping trip.

If the Nissan meets your needs and you are under your ratings, PERFECT. I wouldn't ever recommend anyone going over their AXLE ratings though.

Drive safe and STAY WARM tomorrow. Its going to be what we Marylander's consider cold for the next couple days! Florida is less than 2 months away...