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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Time for a new truck. I've got an 03 Z71 now and it tows my Ranger pretty well. But that's a truck from 13 years ago and truck ratings have really changed since then. My truck is rated for 7,000 lbs and it tows her well enough, but you can tell she's back there. So to tow with more authority, I was thinking a 3/4 ton was in order. But now I see a Chevy half ton will tow something like 10,000. Is that legit, or am I still better off getting a 3/4 ton?
Gas, no diesel and it'll be Chevy or GMC for sure. So any towing reviews/reports of 2015 or 2016 Chevy trucks? |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Get the 1500 Silverado with the 6.2 motor. Absolutely amazing. It's called the Max Trailering Package on my 2012...not sure if they still call it that. Everything on it is heavy duty from breaks to suspension.
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | 3/4 and 1 Tonne Trucks of all brands are great if you're gonna keep it a long time and pull. They are night and day difference to half tonne's. There's no comparison and once you've had one you'll never drive a half Tonne again. |
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Posts: 106
| second what mike said. get the 1500 with the 6.2. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Sled- I keep trucks for like 15 years...this is the same truck I had when I bought the boat. If all goes well, this new truck will be my 3 month old daughter's first vehicle.
As for the 6.2L, can you get that in anything other than the LTZ package? Seems like that appears the only way to get it and that really shoots up the price. Basically I'm paying for heated radio knobs in the half ton LTZ for the same price I can get a limited slip in a 3/4 ton.
I'm all for a half ton if it'll tow with authority. But it also looks like a lot of the things I "need" are standard on the 3/4's and are upgrades on the 1/2.
Keep em coming. I'm open to any info. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | there is a "feel" of a truck when it's new. tight, solid etc... and it comes with all trucks you buy. the difference is that with a 3/4 and 1-tonne the feel never gets soft or loose like it does with a 1/2 tonne (assuming normal maintenance). it's hard to explain but my last 3/4 tonne truck with 310k miles on it felt like it did when it was new. the one i have now just hit 200k and feels tight and the same. i replace ball joints and tie rod ends about every 120k miles.
it takes more than an engine to tow with authority especially if your daughter intends to pull a trailer when it's hers.
you are right on the $$ cha-ching thing too. a used 3/4 or 1 tonne is a wiser buy than a new 1/2 tonne. |
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Posts: 81
| I have a 2015 Silverado 1500. It pulls my 619 better then my 07 Silverado. I don't regret my decision. |
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Posts: 35
| Stick with a 1/2 ton. 3/4 tons ride like #*#* unless loaded down. My last truck was a chevy 2500hd, much happier with my f150. |
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Posts: 437
| I have a 2015 Silverado with the 5.3, 3.42 rear end. The vehicle I replaced was a 2007 GMC Yukon Denali XL with the 6.2, 3.42 rear end.
At speed the Silverado pulls my boat every bit as well or better than the 6.2 did. It does not accelerate nearly as well though, which I expected. That 6.2 is an absolute animal. It is pure joy to drive. Don't confuse the 6.2 with the 6.0 which is a complete gas hog. The 6.2 actually gets decent mileage. I would get over 20 on the highway with my Denali.
Mileage on the Silverado is in another league though with the new 5.3. I have gotten as high as 23.5 (unloaded) and when either pulling my boat (19' Alumacraft Tournament Sport) or 2 place snowmobile trailer I would get roughly 14 to 18 depending on wind and the speed I was trying to drive.
I actually find that my new Silverado will stay in 6th gear better when pulling than my Denali would even though it had a more powerful motor. Clearly they have done some things with programming, etc to improve that.
I do miss that 6.2 because it was just a riot to drive, but this 5.3 is no slouch and tows really well IMO. I do have the crew cab with the 6.5' box. |
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Posts: 216
Location: Elk River, MN | MikeHulbert - 4/24/2016 7:39 PM
Get the 1500 Silverado with the 6.2 motor. Absolutely amazing. It's called the Max Trailering Package on my 2012...not sure if they still call it that. Everything on it is heavy duty from breaks to suspension.
Friend just bought one 2016 heavy duty 1/2 ton - but price is pretty heavy as well |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | prices for 1/2 tonne trucks are beyond ridiculous ...
i know your not interested Jeff, but for others ... the best truck value out there is a used diesel 3/4 or 1-tonne truck any brand. i have some reliable contacts for Tennessee truck specialists who are vetted. fly down and drive home.
when a vehicle that gets tired, loose or rusty after 5 years or 150k miles and costs >$50k then you are throwing money down a hole. how many people still finance their new trucks on 4 years? it's a racket ... |
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Location: Contrarian Island | Sled they don't make 1/2, 3/4 or 1 "tonnes"... well maybe they do in England! we are in the U, S, of A ya know! 
Edited by BNelson 4/25/2016 3:27 PM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | a tonne is 1000kg's or 2200 pounds ... the "ton" means nothing anymore.
Edited by jonnysled 4/25/2016 3:34 PM
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Posts: 140
Location: Northern Illinois | Sled, you are wise beyond your years. I picked up
a 2006 GMC 3500 dually last year w/low miles & no rust.
Duramax diesel. Love it. Thing pulls like a beast.
I use it to pull my construction equipment, but works
pretty good for the boat to.
I agree, to buy brand new trucks.... pay the piper.
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Location: Contrarian Island | and they are named Tons because of the their carrying capacity... which was in lbs... not kilograms...metric schmetric,,,,but hey call it however you see it... do you say that 5 lb smally you caught was 2.26 kilograms too?!
Edited by BNelson 4/25/2016 3:37 PM
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Thanks guys. All good points. Two reasons I'm buying a new Chevy and that's 1) Chevy/GM has been good to me for the 21 years I've been driving and 2) I get the family/employee discount, so truly new isn't the cash bomb it is to buy it retail off the lot. Looks like I need to get to Anchorage and do a test drive and actually put my hands on a steering wheel. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | That a short ton? Or a long ton then Brad?
I got the Ford family PIN number for about 25 years of my life. That's a nice perk!! Happy shopping!
don't forget the fundamental differences between 1500's and 2500/3500's:
- frame
- brakes
- transmission
- (2) batteries typical in 3/4 and 1
- 8 lug axles
- full floating axle
- U-Joints
- Cooling System
- Springs
- Wheel Size 18-20"
the only difference between a 2500 and a 3500 in ford and i believe the other models are:
- rear leaf springs (and decals/body numbering)
otherwise the trucks are the same.
Edited by jonnysled 4/25/2016 6:44 PM
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Location: Contrarian Island | Google it Sled! They weren't rated for half tonnes. Ton. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | No need to google an obsolete unit of measure |
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Location: Contrarian Island | regardless, they are called 1/2, 3/4 tons...not tonnes for a reason.... do you call dark gray, black too!?
Edited by BNelson 4/25/2016 5:52 PM
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Posts: 559
| 3/4 ton all the way. they just don't seem to nickle and dime you to the poor house. I have 2001 sub with an 8.1 init and I put it through he77 coyote hunting and it is still tight . my 4th 3/4 ton . I will never buy a half ton again. oh my buddy just bought a new 3/4 ton truck cheaper than he could buy a 1/2 ton. and Sled ton or tonne , I don't care
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Yah, I don't either but it's fun watching Brad get jazzed up on it ...
Of note, the English use an obsolete standard ton too ... I expected a stronger rebuttal.
Edited by jonnysled 4/25/2016 6:25 PM
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | yes, you can get the 6.2 in a LT and not just the LTZ. Your gonna have to search for one....they don't make alot of them. My truck has nothing fancy...just a regular old LT....but with the "Max Trailering Package" you get the right gears for towing...the extra power you want and need...as well as all the other beefier items like heavier leaf springs, stiffer suspension, oil cooler, transmission cooler, heavy duty breaks ( I have 75,000 miles on my truck and the break pads are still the original ones when I bought it in 2012 and my 21 ft. boat is behind my truck for probably 65,000 of those miles) It's an absolutely amazing truck and pulls like a champ...never down shifts and is just flat out fun to drive. Look into these trucks. |
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Posts: 8
| What ever you decide make sure it has the 4L80E transmission. Anything with the 4L60E will give you problems. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | Before this thread, I was already leaning toward the 3/4 for the reasons mentioned- the drivetrain behind the engine; the engine only being on aspect of it And yeah, it seems like the 1/2 tons have a lot of crap on them I don't need or want, and the 3/4's seem to have the equipment I want just off the lot...limited slip, cooling, etc. I'll be buying it form 300 miles away and over the phone, with no Chevy dealership on the island, so even a test drive is a logistics event. It's likely going to come down to what they have on the lot when I get there. |
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Posts: 192
| Sold my Silverado and bought a suburban. The burb pulls my 16' alumacraft better then the truck did. I don't regret it on bit!! |
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Posts: 437
| hpaffor - 4/25/2016 6:39 PM
What ever you decide make sure it has the 4L80E transmission. Anything with the 4L60E will give you problems. The 4L80E is no longer offered in the new trucks (since 2013). Neither one of those have been offered in years. |
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Posts: 287
Location: US | I love my 2500 GMC, I’ll never go back to a 1500. Seems like the ¾ hold their value better, diesel or not. Also, if you are getting a short box, the 1500 has a 5’8” box whereas the 2500 is 6’6”. As I can’t fit a crew cab long box in my garage the bigger short box of the 2500 was a benefit. Most trucks anymore have plenty of power and will pull great, but a 2500 will no doubt handle any trailer better. I think mine rides great too. Of course my last truck was a 2500 Dodge, so any GM was an improvement there. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | anderj85 - 4/26/2016 4:34 PM
Also, if you are getting a short box, the 1500 has a 5’8” box whereas the 2500 is 6’6”. As I can’t fit a crew cab long box in my garage the bigger short box of the 2500 was a benefit.
I did not realize that. That in itself almost completely seals the deal for me. I camp in my truck a lot...I'm 6', so do the math. And from what I can see in their online truck compare-a-truck thing on the Chevy site, the 6.2 is now only available in the LTZ or above. I don't need an LTZ. I'm an LS/LT kinda guy. |
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Posts: 8866
| 3/4 ton Silverado HD on my end. 8 trips to Canada, God-Knows-How-Many trips "up North". If I had to replace it, I'd drive the 1500's just to say I drove them. But my next truck will be another 3/4 ton.
Edited by esoxaddict 4/26/2016 4:40 PM
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I promise you can get the 6.2 in a LT....you don't have to get a LTZ..... |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I'll have to take your word for it Mike. According to their site listing the options and the build/price section, you can't. So maybe it's a custom, special order or it changed for 2016. |
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Posts: 69
| esoxfly - 4/26/2016 10:22 PM
I'll have to take your word for it Mike. According to their site listing the options and the build/price section, you can't. So maybe it's a custom, special order or it changed for 2016.
Correct, for the 2015/2016 vehicles you can only get a 6.2L in the LTZ in 3:42 gearing with the max trailering package. That is the only combo you can get those gears with that motor and the max trailering. LTZ Z71, High Country, & LT models the max trailering is NOT offered. Only in the LTZ for whatever reason. I just purchased a new 2016 GMC and tried to get the 3:42 or 3:73 in a 6.2L with Max Trailering and the options I personally wanted and it is not possible. So I went with their HD line up. Unless you're willing to search for an older model than a 15 or 16 you're not going to find one built new. GM will not do it for you anymore. |
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Posts: 437
| esoxfly - 4/26/2016 4:30 PM
anderj85 - 4/26/2016 4:34 PM
Also, if you are getting a short box, the 1500 has a 5’8” box whereas the 2500 is 6’6”. As I can’t fit a crew cab long box in my garage the bigger short box of the 2500 was a benefit.
I did not realize that. That in itself almost completely seals the deal for me. I camp in my truck a lot...I'm 6', so do the math. And from what I can see in their online truck compare-a-truck thing on the Chevy site, the 6.2 is now only available in the LTZ or above. I don't need an LTZ. I'm an LS/LT kinda guy.
I just loaded a yard of black dirt in it on Saturday. The bobcat just dumped it right in there. If I had the short box, it would have had to be on a trailer since the bucket was too wide and half would have dumped on the ground. |
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Posts: 2686
Location: Hayward, WI | esoxfly - 4/26/2016 4:30 PM
anderj85 - 4/26/2016 4:34 PM
Also, if you are getting a short box, the 1500 has a 5’8” box whereas the 2500 is 6’6”. As I can’t fit a crew cab long box in my garage the bigger short box of the 2500 was a benefit.
I did not realize that. That in itself almost completely seals the deal for me. I camp in my truck a lot...I'm 6', so do the math. And from what I can see in their online truck compare-a-truck thing on the Chevy site, the 6.2 is now only available in the LTZ or above. I don't need an LTZ. I'm an LS/LT kinda guy.
Don't have any 3/4 ton experience, but I'll add that the 2014 and newer Chevy's can be bought with a 4 door crew cab and 6.5" bed option as well. Quite a few of them running around now with that option. |
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Posts: 287
Location: US | OK, didn't know that, haven't seen any around here. That's nice, I always hated the short short box. |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I think I'm on the 3/4 path, standard box. Now gotta decide crew cab or double cab. I flew up to Anchorage again yesterday and looked at them more closely and 3/4 is what I want. |
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Posts: 437
| anderj85 - 4/28/2016 12:47 PM
OK, didn't know that, haven't seen any around here. That's nice, I always hated the short short box. There aren't nearly as many with the 6.5' box, but they are out there. It is kinda hard to tell them apart, but if you see one where the gas filler door is blended in with the wheel well, that's a short box. If the door is separate from the wheel well, 6.5' box.
When I bought mine in November I did a dealer search for all trucks with the 6.5' box. Hundreds and hundreds with the short box, but I found 20 with the 6.5' box within 100 miles of me.
My buddy bought a shortbox because he thought the long box drove cumbersome. I don't know, it seems to handle fine to me. You aren't going to do a U turn in a 2 lane road with it, but it sure drives and rides nice! |
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Towing- 1/2 or 3/4 ton Chevy?