Help Shopping: Half ton
History and background: I have a years experience towing my 3,000lbs dry TT throughout the Appalacians. I use my trusty Chevy with the 4.8liter / 3.42s. Back in 2003, we bought our first boat. At ...
Forum Discussion
tragusa3 wrote:
If buying new, I was feeling comfortable with a half ton HD payload and max tow. However, I'm now seeing what $20k will get me in the used market. I'm pretty sure I won't find a half ton on the used market equipped like I need. So, that means I move up to 3/4 and live with the lower fuel mileage.
One thing that stands out to me is the value in used passenger vans. The E250/350 and Chevy 2500/3500 vans are priced much better than their truck counterparts. I'm seeing 2012 3500s with less than 20k miles for less than $20k. There's got to be a reason. What is it?
The GM vans do not have as many comfort/convenience features as the trucks and SUVs. They also do not come in 4wd for 2500/3500, and the AWD 1500 has a tow rating of 6k.
When I drove a AWD 1500 Express for a week, I really missed a rear backup camera or park-assist. I know that many individuals vehicles do not have this feature, but all the current vehicles I have driven do have this feature, and I feel much safer when backing up.
I keep threatening to trade my 2500HD CC in for a Express 3500. I hear complaints about not being able to reach things in the bed of the truck, the tailgate is too high, etc.
