Would a Chevy 1500 HD be a good truck to tow with?

[Zepaholic]

I am a newbie on here.
I bought a 28 ft. 2014 Springdale travel camper & the dealer told me I would be able to haul it with my 2004 1500 silverado (5.3 with 3.42 gears). Well on the way home it was a wake up call that going up a hill will be tough. On the way home no hills just over passes & such it was interesting.
So I am looking to buy a used truck. I have my eye on a Chevy 1500 HD. It comes with the oil cooler & the transmission cooler. It also has 6.0 with 3.73 gears in the rear end. I would assume this would be a better choice than what I have now, but would like to hear opinions. Thanks in advance!

[LowRyter]

1500 HD = 2500

1500 HD < 2500 HD

the 1500 HD truck is a 3/4 ton truck adequate to pull most 28 ft travel trailers

[StewStaton]

I have a '02 1500HD and use it to tow a 30' KZ toyhauler that is about 8k loaded. My suggestion is get the 4.10 ratio. It makes a big difference. Mine had the 3.73 and I put 4.10's in it. It transformed it into a different truck. Towing is now much better. Gas mileage towing is 8.5 to 9 mpg and really did not change when I changed the ratio. Empty on the highway is about 14mpg. It went down about .5 mpg with the gear ratio change.

[rwess]

I had a 2003 1500HD and it was a great truck, wished I had kept it. I also wished I had kept my Sunline Trailer. There are probably a lot of things I wished I had kept if I were to think about it.

It was a very thirsty truck. My current truck is a 2500HD 3.73 4wd with the 6.0. I just towed my 9,000 lb. camper to Destin and got 7.6 mpg.

[Dannyabear1]

AND, they come standard with LR E (10 ply) tires

[Dannyabear1]

GM started this model around 1999 or 2000 to compete with Dodge & Ford because they (GM) did not have a 4 door 1/2 ton pick up to compete with them; Now everyone else is trying to catch up to the capabilities of the 1500HD

[blt2ski]

Amazing how folks look at the BADGE only and assume it is a light duty light duty truck. When in reality, this model is a full bore 2500 as folks are saying one should have to tow with......

If the price is right etc etc, buy it, do not look back!

Marty

[kw_00]

At 7k u should have no problems with the 1500hd, that's what my previous trailer weighed in at. I had no issues tugging it around florida and Georgia.

[PAThwacker]

I have similar specs with 2004 k2500 8600 GVW Sub. Payload is less due to the extra steel. My tow rating is only 7600lb with payload of 2351lbs.

[ibyers]

I have been towing with my 1500HD 6.0 4:10's for a few years now.

It tows well, I sometimes forget I am towing my trailer. It is not the greatest on gas, but I have no plans to change out. So far it has been very reliable. only money I have put into it is maintenance items.

[vortec22]

I had a 2003 2500 with the 6.0 and 4.10 gears. Pulled campers up to around 9000lb loaded with it. Was a stable truck, and always had the power I needed. Never had an issue with the transmission or the engine. It was a great truck. Did like the fuel, 14 empty and between 7.5-9.5 pulling depending on wind.

[Zepaholic]

Thanks everyone for the help.
Like I stated in my previous post the performance was lacking & the sway of the back of my truck was not good.
My dealer told me dry weight was 6000 lbs. & the website says 7000 lbs. We will have to get a better truck. I have enjoyed 8 years of no truck note. LOL
Thats the reasoning for trying to find something used small note or none at all, but I might have to bite the bullet.
I looked at some Diesels. If I would buy one I like the old Fords with the 7.3. I got three buddies who still have theres & they swear by them. I got another buddy that has 6.0 Ford diesel, but had to dump a lot of money in it changing out injectors along with the coolers. I do not have any friends that have the Chevy Duramax so I do not know if there are extra cost down the road. Plus where I am at in Louisiana you don't see many for sale...maybe thats a good sign. I don't know. Plus the price of diesel is high. I know you have to look at MPG & longevity but the upfront cost is high.
Again thanks everyone for the advice/opinions/help it is very much appreciated.

[JIMNLIN]

as the 1500HD is essentially a 2500 Light Duty.

I had a 2500 LD. It came with the small 9.5" semi float 4800 lb RAWR with a 7200 GVWR 6 bolt wheels and E tires and a very light frame (same frame as the 1500 4x4).
As we have been saying the 1500HD is the older 2500 track with a 8600 GVWR and 6084 RAWR with the 6.0 and the 4L80 tranny. Plenty truck for the job the OP wants it to do.

He has to remember its still a small block engine and won't run with the diesels or the 8.1/V-10 big gas engines. Its a big step up from the tiny 5.3/4L60 combo.

[Zepaholic]

ktosv wrote:
Zepaholic,

Just curious as to what gear you were in that gave you the impression that hills are going to be tough? Were you using tow haul?

I tried Drive 3 & regular Drive. It was windy & it didn't like the performance. I also didn't like the sway of my truck.

[Kalabin]

Reposting as the other thread got closed..

Having towed with multiple different rigs, Ford 5.4 With 3.73 rear end a 4-speed, GM 6.0 3.73 and 6-Speed, Ford F250 6.4 Diesel I have to ask a few questions. The interesting part on the hills was it from lack of power? If so I honestly don't believe that going to a 1500HD with the 6.0 is going to be a ground breaking difference. Yes it will be up to the task, and it was designed for that purpose. But your also getting a heavier truck, larger axles, more springs more weight so the power gain is limited with a large load behind it.

If it's a suspension, breaking, stopping perspective on hills that concerns you then yes the 1500HD is better suited to do that job and do it better as the 1500HD is essentially a 2500 Light Duty.

The 6.0 for that model year range puts down 300HP and 360TQ, the 5.3 for 2004 put down 295HP and 330TQ. The gearing will help but it's not going to be anything significant. In fact I have known guys that have "upraded" to 3/4-tons of that generation that have been disappointed because pulling power wise there is no difference, what your gaining is suspension, braking and control of the trailer.

Just FYI it's really worth it to consider what it is your concerned with and wanting to gain.

[wandering1]

Forget about the 1500 and get a truck.