Need help understanding Truck Capabilities
In 2001 I purchased a 2001 Silverado 1500 HD Crew Cab 4x4 for the specific purpose of adding a slide-in truck camper. I was soon discouraged when all the camper dealers told me that my “1/2 ton” tru...
Forum Discussion
WehuntSam wrote:
Not sure about that. You must be correct and that explains the difference in weight capacity.
Yup he’s correct.
Do some research, but in synopsis, 1500HDs or the also short lived light duty “F250” of the same era are exactly what you think they are. A stout half ton with a bit more tire, axle and springs compared to the true half tons.
3/4ton HDs are, in a nut shell, the same chassis and running gear (for the most part) as srw 1 tons and much the same as duallies minus additional tires and springs.
So if you get a 3/4 ton, any real 3/4 ton, it has the “bones” of a 1 ton and is under rated for its true capacities.
Your truck is the opposite. Think about it another way. GM made the standard 2500 aka 1500hd for about a half dozen years and Ford similarly a few years earlier, but still short lived. Reason? They weren’t great at anything. Kinda like the new Nissan XD pickups.
They got the poor mileage and rougher ride of a 3/4 ton with only marginally more capability than a half ton. Doesn’t mean they suck or are unreliable, just their “niche” never caught on, for a reason. Great for the weekend warrior who wants to haul more fire wood than the half ton or tow a bit bigger trailer than the half ton.
I think they’re very good trucks within their limitations. As mentioned above , I just bought basically the same vehicle because I believe it’s a good vehicle.
But absolutely not great at huge payloads.
