I am new to the forums so this may have been answered many times over, my apologies.My husband and I are looking at used (~ yr 2005+, under 150k miles) Chevy Silverado 2500 w/Duramax engine/Allison transmission for towing a 5th wheel. Our concern is that most, if not all, used 2500 series will have been used for towing in the past, which could affect the engine/transmission/suspension. So, in your experience:How much does this affect the safety and driveability/longevity of the vehicle? If a 2500 crew cab work truck has been used for towing large machinery around a site but has lowish mileage, how does the towing affect the truck's future potential w/a 5th wheel?Will we regret spending $20-30k on a used truck (one that is built for towing)? Will we end up having to dump a lot of money in it down the road because it's been previously used to tow? Should we instead consider purchasing one new so we're the only ones putting tow miles on it? Of course, everyone has their own comfortability levels with buying used vs. new so I understand that it's a somewhat subjective thing... Any input/feedback/wisdom is greatly appreciated! Thank you! Kendall

This is kind of like asking how high is up. So many things come into play it's impossible to answer. That being said here is MHO.People worry Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to much about drive trains of pickups. I own an 05+ Duramax so I can talk about what you are trying to do.The things you have to worry about is window motors, AC pumps, alternators, seats, plastic junk that breaks in the interior, door seals, rubber anything, shocks, suspension components and many other things. That is what's going to more than likely go bad on an older truck or car."If taken care of" engines and transmissions can go many 100's of 1,000's of miles easy. By the way. I would much rather have a truck with 150K on it that was taken care of rather than a truck with 50K on it that was thrashed.Happy hunting!

Our Chevy 3500 ('03 Duramax) wrecker made it over 300,000 miles but by the end probably barely made 150 HP, and through its lifetime had a lot of fuel system, electrical, and rear-end problems. The transmission never hiccuped once however.Our '05 Chevy 5500 fared much worse, as it was often loaded to about 28,000 combined. By 200,000 miles it had to be traded off. The engine actually wasn't in terrible shape, but the extra heat from working hard effectively cooked all the wiring harnesses under the hood, so we were constantly chasing numerous faults that would make the truck stall or go into limp mode. It actually became a rolling road hazard, which is why we traded it off earlier than scheduled.

if your gonna put $30k in a truck get a new one. anything with a 100K on it is used parts wear out.

That year only had a 9200 GVWR and could scale around 7500 pounds before adding much. That leaves you a scant 1700- pounds for pin weight. In the real world that means a fiver under 9000GVWR not much in the way of fivers.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:The things you have to worry about is window motors, AC pumps, alternators, seats, plastic junk that breaks in the interior, door seals, rubber anything, shocks, suspension components and many other things. That is what's going to more than likely go bad on an older truck or car.Happy hunting!Agree... Absolutely NOTHING with our motor or tranny, but have replaced a window motor, heater vent modulator and one power mirror.

How many tow miles can one used truck handle? | Good Sam Community

44 Replies

donn0128
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2015
That year only had a 9200 GVWR and could scale around 7500 pounds before adding much. That leaves you a scant 1700- pounds for pin weight. In the real world that means a fiver under 9000GVWR not much in the way of fivers.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2015
if your gonna put $30k in a truck get a new one. anything with a 100K on it is used parts wear out.
carringb
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
Our Chevy 3500 ('03 Duramax) wrecker made it over 300,000 miles but by the end probably barely made 150 HP, and through its lifetime had a lot of fuel system, electrical, and rear-end problems. The transmission never hiccuped once however.

Our '05 Chevy 5500 fared much worse, as it was often loaded to about 28,000 combined. By 200,000 miles it had to be traded off. The engine actually wasn't in terrible shape, but the extra heat from working hard effectively cooked all the wiring harnesses under the hood, so we were constantly chasing numerous faults that would make the truck stall or go into limp mode. It actually became a rolling road hazard, which is why we traded it off earlier than scheduled.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015
This is kind of like asking how high is up. So many things come into play it's impossible to answer. That being said here is MHO.

People worry Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to much about drive trains of pickups. I own an 05+ Duramax so I can talk about what you are trying to do.

The things you have to worry about is window motors, AC pumps, alternators, seats, plastic junk that breaks in the interior, door seals, rubber anything, shocks, suspension components and many other things. That is what's going to more than likely go bad on an older truck or car.

"If taken care of" engines and transmissions can go many 100's of 1,000's of miles easy.

By the way. I would much rather have a truck with 150K on it that was taken care of rather than a truck with 50K on it that was thrashed.

Happy hunting!

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How many tow miles can one used truck handle?

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