Age old 1500 vs 2500 debate

[Reit38]

Been debating about upgrading trucks for awhile but now the wife went out and bought a 2012 grey wolf 28bhks. Told her if she got a camper it's time for a new truck.

I believe it comes in around 7800 loaded. Right now my '11 1500 does pretty well with it. I run about 2-25k going 60mph on flat hwy.

We rarely camp more then 50mi from home. Kind of on the fence if I really need a 2500

I don't know anyone with a newer 1500 that tows much for weight to know how they actually handle it.

I was looking at '14-'15s. I plan on putting helper bags on the rear to help level the load out a bit if need be.


With our previous camper we went out maybe 4 or 5 times a year.

Watching my tranny temp I ran between 190-205 through county roads and small iowa towns. 2.5hr trip speeds were anywhere from 55mph-65mph depending on the hwy I was on

My '11 is leveled with 33in 10ply tires so it's already moving some weight

Also the holding tanks were all full as previous owner failed to mention

The pic with my truck looks to be a little deceiving. I think the gas station had a bit of a dip where I was parked because the truck did not have near that much sag in it when Parkes elsewhere

[TBammer]

Love my 2500. My BIL worked at the GM Tech center and said the engineering specs from the 1500 to 2500 is a quantum leap. Just the difference of a loaded axle to a floating axle is huge.

[memtb]

KD4UPL wrote:

parker.rowe wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
I have always believed that "if you need to add suspension aids, you need more truck"
After saying that the real answer comes from a trip to the scales fully loaded ready to travel. Whether you travel 50 or 500 miles really makes no difference.

Even though for a lot of models and years thats all the factory did to make "more truck"?

Lots of examples of 2500's vs 3500's where the only difference was the springs...or even just the overloads. And the weight sticker of course.

Sounds like you 1500 is doing ok, but if you are in the market or want more truck, go for it. You won't be disappointed I'm sure.

If I could afford it I would get a 3500 even though it might not be necessary for my camper. Not going to deny that for a minute!
But I am also happy with my rig, and enjoy making changes here an there to make it do what I want a little better.

While I agree there isn't much difference between a 2500 and a 3500 a lot of the time that is absolutely not true when comparing a 1500 to a 2500. In every case I know of a 2500 will have a stronger and completely different frame, axles, brakes, wheels, etc. A 2500, in most cases, is stronger and more capable than a 1500 in every category.
I don't really understand the resistance so many people have to getting a truck larger than a 1500. They don't cost that much more, they are generally the physical length and width, seat the same number of people, have the same controls, etc. There is no real downside to buying a stronger truck.
Personally, I will never buy a truck less than a 3500 but I use my trucks like trucks: for hauling heavy stuff and towing heavy trailers.

YES!!!

[Maury82]

donn0128 wrote:
I have always believed that "if you need to add suspension aids, you need more truck"
After saying that the real answer comes from a trip to the scales fully loaded ready to travel. Whether you travel 50 or 500 miles really makes no difference.

That would depend on how you feel about driving a huge truck, and where you are in capacity with a smaller vehicle.

You probably love having a big truck...the bigger the better.

For others, the bigger the truck, the more of a pain in the behind to drive.

If I I'm within capacity, and can enhance a 1/2 ton to make it tow or handle better, that is much better than having that large and fat cumbersome pot belly pig HD truck... when not towing, 1/2 ton trucks stops, and are much more nimble than HD.

For some drivers, you give up a little in towing, but gain a lot when not towing.

[Maury82]

gbopp wrote:
No one complains because they have too much truck.

I would, especially if I don't need it.

I'd take a capable 1/2 ton to tow my trailer any day before a any engine 3/4 or 1 ton.

My HDPP 1/2 ton was a blessing, and worth more to me than any trim or engine HD. I took my first trip in my new truck (none towing), and it wasn't too bad. There were plenty of moments I wished I had the handling and nimbleness of my car, but it was tolerable as I was hoping when I purchased.

A bigger and less capable and more cumbersome HD truck would have made the trip much worse.

[APT]

The more capable half tons will still tow your TT at least as well as your current truck. For GM, get 2015+ for a little more power and payload with the current generation than your 2011. 2014's had a few problems as first model of that generation.

The problem with buying a used half ton is verifying equipment. They rarely come with window stickers showing the exact equipment/options like when it was new. Engine is easy to determine. Axle ratio and HD trailering equipment is harder. GM makes it easier as it puts a sticker in the glove box with the RPO codes to help as you shop.

I towed with two half tons before my current 3/4 ton. At 0-500 pounds over GVWR, the trucks never needed rear suspension help with a well adjusted WDH. If you think you need air bags/helper springs, etc, then you probably should focus on WDH adjustment or buy the 3/4 ton which can handle that much tongue weight without much WD.

The bonus when looking at late model used 3/4 tons is they all have the towing equipment (except maybe towing mirrors which can be switched) for at least 10k pounds. Prices when new were less than $3k apart for same level of trim and equipment 1500->2500 gas. Diesels will be considerably higher as they are another $8k to the gas 3/4 ton which is retained when used for a long time, like 200k miles.

[valhalla360]

If your current truck is rated for the load, I wouldn't bother replacing the truck. You do minimal miles in conditions that aren't difficult.

Now if you want an excuse to buy a newer bigger truck we can put together some death and destruction tall tales to help you convince the wife.

[goducks10]

Grit dog wrote:
50 mi in Iowa...could tow that trailer with my CJ5 if I had to! Not really, but any newish 1/2 ton would tow it even better than your current truck.
3/4ton for cool points or just the manliness of having a real pickup! Lol
Seriously, either is fine. Good luck truck shopping.

Thinking the same thing. 50 miles is nothing for the most part. A new Max Tow F150 would be great for that short of towing.

[Grit_dog]

50 mi in Iowa...could tow that trailer with my CJ5 if I had to! Not really, but any newish 1/2 ton would tow it even better than your current truck.
3/4ton for cool points or just the manliness of having a real pickup! Lol
Seriously, either is fine. Good luck truck shopping.

[Lessmore]

ShinerBock wrote:

:B:B

[Reit38]

I guess the only thing holding me back is the extra money jumping up to 2500. Around here it ranges from an extra 6-8000$. I have a car trailer but never haul anything heavy on ot

[Lwiddis]

“We rarely camp more then 50mi from home.” Fifty miles is not the determining factor. An overloaded TV can cause an accident five miles from home or five thousand.

“I don't know anyone with a newer 1500 that tows much for weight to know how they actually handle it.” ?? Lots of today’s half tons will carry and tow a bunch.

[ScottG]

Please resize your pic to the forum spec'd 640x480 max.

[handye9]

Here's a link to a calculator that may help with your decision.

[KD4UPL]

parker.rowe wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
I have always believed that "if you need to add suspension aids, you need more truck"
After saying that the real answer comes from a trip to the scales fully loaded ready to travel. Whether you travel 50 or 500 miles really makes no difference.

Even though for a lot of models and years thats all the factory did to make "more truck"?

Lots of examples of 2500's vs 3500's where the only difference was the springs...or even just the overloads. And the weight sticker of course.

Sounds like you 1500 is doing ok, but if you are in the market or want more truck, go for it. You won't be disappointed I'm sure.

If I could afford it I would get a 3500 even though it might not be necessary for my camper. Not going to deny that for a minute!
But I am also happy with my rig, and enjoy making changes here an there to make it do what I want a little better.

While I agree there isn't much difference between a 2500 and a 3500 a lot of the time that is absolutely not true when comparing a 1500 to a 2500. In every case I know of a 2500 will have a stronger and completely different frame, axles, brakes, wheels, etc. A 2500, in most cases, is stronger and more capable than a 1500 in every category.
I don't really understand the resistance so many people have to getting a truck larger than a 1500. They don't cost that much more, they are generally the physical length and width, seat the same number of people, have the same controls, etc. There is no real downside to buying a stronger truck.
Personally, I will never buy a truck less than a 3500 but I use my trucks like trucks: for hauling heavy stuff and towing heavy trailers.

[ShinerBock]