Need help understanding Truck Capabilities

WehuntSam wrote:
Hi, thanks for the reply. According to everything I can find, the frame & axles are the same as the 2001 2500 (3/4 ton) Silverado. It has the same engine and breaks. The only difference is one less leaf spring which could be added or might be mitigated by the use of airbags.
Buying a new truck in not an option. This truck has only 125K miles and has been meticulosity maintained. I'm retired and don't need a big truck except for the camper. If I have to buy a 60k truck and a 30k camper I'll buy a Motorhome. Thanks for the info.

Why would you have to buy new? That’s just false justification to continue down the same path you’re on.
Buy a similar era HD truck. Wait til you find one in the same great shape as your own. They’re not that rare.
Just bought a “winter beater” car for the wife last weekend. 2001 Tahoe, just over 100k miles. 1 owner, grampa car, not quite meticulous, but close. Very good shape at any rate. $5k
I understand the desire to keep what you know, but does that outweigh the desire to have a sweet truck camper?
As said, you could beef up the suspension considerably. (Not a lot more than what most people do to HD are trucks to haul larger TCs) With this, you’d be able to haul that theoretical 3klb camper. But you’re giving up a couple major things.
1. Your rear axle (where all the weight is) isn’t really up to the task. Probably the only thing that really would be a non starter for me.
2. You don’t sound like the guy who can do the upgrades yourself, economically, so you’ll be sinking a fair amount of money into the truck that could easily go towards a more capable rig.
Looking at it this way, run the numbers on a cherry older HD truck vs what you’re would sell for. Not a large difference if you stick with gassers for the HD truck.