MANY toy haulers come empty with tongue wts in the higher % of what you want, as when you load things in the back. That hitch wt will go down. If this is a bumper/ball mount hitch, I can see where it starts at 2200 lbs. Put in 1000 lbs in garge, BEHIND the axles mind you, the actual hitch weight will lower.
If the OP is truly looking at a 2000, is it the newer body style? or the 88-2000 body style? if the latter, most of those rigs were lucky to have ratings to 10K lbs, much less 13-15000 lbs like this trailer.
My C2500 reg cab does not like the 1500 lbs of HW from my equipment trailer, as well as the 96 CC version. A longer WB truck is not effected by hitch wts as much, taking weight off the FA. ALso a diesel will allow less weight off the fa for a given WB of a truck.
I personally would shoot for an early 2000-2005 GM duramax if you prefer GM in the 2500 minimum or 3500 dually. IIRC it was around 20004 or 2005 that the SW 3500 came out, that would be the better option if you want a SW rig vs a 2500.
Not personally a fan of Ford or dodge for various and sundry reasons. BUT< IIRC from around 2000-2002, they also did some major body, frame,axle revisions, which makes those later models better options than earlier models too! The folks that prefer those makes can give you the better worst years to look at.
If you ONLY want gas from GM, I would look at the ~08? and later models, as the 6.0 gets a pretty good HP/torque addition, along with the 6 sp auto trans. Early 2000-about 04 have the 8.1 with allison option too.
Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
