Half ton vs 3/4 ton pickup?

[5103Owner]

our 05 chevy 2500HD gets a lousy 12 miles-per-gallon, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but it handle and huals so much better than our 02 half-ton use to it's worth the extra money. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( our 05 chevy 2500HD gets a lousy 12 miles-per-gallon, /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but it handle and huals so much better than our 02 half-ton use to it's worth the extra money. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font>

I computed the extra cost of a 2500HD at 12mpg over the 16mpg I get on average in the 1500 and it came to an extra $560 per year based on $2.50 a gallon. In the overall scheme of things that doesn't seem like much of a difference.

On the other hand, GEICO is my insurance carrier and they will not insure a 3/4 ton pickup. Nothing over 2000# carrying capacity. So that means I'd have to pay more somewhere else. But after test driving them both overnight there is nothing in the Z71 half ton that is so much better that I'd trade in my current pickup and part with that kind of cash to go new. The 2500HD, however, is another story! If I could afford the cash plus trade I'd go for it in a heartbeat! Now there's a truck!

Pete

 

[hwp]

Pete: Does this mean that our ability to fanticize over your new truck is over? Here I was thinking about how you could get a 4x4 1 ton crew cab dually, extend the frame to install a tag axle with duals, and extend the box to match, get a monster diesel engine with at least a six speed tranny, maybe even with a 3 speed splitter, and you would have a real hauler. But I guess I'll have to save that dream for another occaision. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Pete: Does this mean that our ability to fanticize over your new truck is over? Here I was thinking about how you could get a 4x4 1 ton crew cab dually, extend the frame to install a tag axle with duals, and extend the box to match, get a monster diesel engine with at least a six speed tranny, maybe even with a 3 speed splitter, and you would have a real hauler. But I guess I'll have to save that dream for another occaision. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font>

Yeah, 'fraid so. The wife reminded me I got a new tractor last year...and all she got was sick. So every bit of silver goes into the piggy bank and every charge goes on my GM card until the numbers line up and I can get my 2500HD...or whatever they call them by the time I save up enough.

Pete

 

[HGM]

[quoteSo every bit of silver goes into the piggy bank and every charge goes on my GM card until the numbers line up and I can get my 2500HD...or whatever they call them by the time I save up enough.

Pete )</font>

There you go, wait a little longer and get what you really want.. Good decision I think..

 

[ctc1111]

I'd go for the 2500 or even 3500 non dually if I was in your situation, which I was.

I have a Chevy 1500 97' with a plow that we used for plowing our parking lot for a couple years. The thing just couldn't handle it. We were constantly replacing U-joints and various other things. After about every 8 storms it would be in the shop with a 1500dollar repair bill. Although we did buy it used so I do not know how it was treated before. Also one of our employees who would plow some of the storms was not the sharpest tool in the shed and didn't understand the concept of "slowing down a bit before you go into the pile of snow at the end of the lot and raising the plow so the snow stacks". Fortunitaly hes not at our company any longer. And with our new plow truck I'm the only one who drives it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif so I know its treated right.

We bought a GMC 3500 diesel with a boss plow and reg. cab. Its great and gets any job I have to do done with ease. I was debating the 2500HD or the 3500 and for the extra 1000$ or so i went with the 3500.

I didn't like how low the front went with the plow on, or how low the rear went hauling dirt. So I installed "timbrens". They're these solid rubber "helper springs" that look like air bags but they're not that are bolted onto the frame and when the truck has a load on it, the suspension will lower a couple inches then hit the timbrens and gives a lot of extra hauling capacity. This might also be an option for you.

Heres the website for the timbrens http://www.timbren.com

P.S. I'D GO FOR THE CHEVY/GMC

Find
On
Road
Dead

Fix
Or
Replace
Daily

lol sorry.... i just had to /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RobertN]

I have a dodge, but I'll still post it:
Died
On
Donnor (Donner Summit on I-80, n. Calif
Going
East

I remember part of Chevrolet...

Cheap
Heap
Every
Valve

I can't remember the rest. They've all been around for year though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Boondox]

Colin -- I have Timbrens on my 1500 fore and aft...and am sold on them! So having to replace your U-joints often is a sign the truck is being used too hard???

I've been replacing my U-joints every 10-12,000 miles!

Pete

 

[Egon]

Pete:

Have you tried a different supplier for U joints?

Egon

 

[HGM]

Wow, I generally replace mine every...............Well, 150k and counting on my Fords..... That is of course unless I'm 4wheeling and doing things I shouldnt...

Have you tried solid joints (without greese fittings)? They are much stronger..

 

[Boondox]

The last two times were under warranty so the Chevy dealer did the work for free. Next time will not be free. Maybe I should try non-OEM parts.

Pete

 

[goodoleboy]

Speaking of U joints.. What are signs and symptons they are going out?

 

[RedRocker]

Vibration, clunking sound when letting on or off the gas.
Lack of forward movement and long cylindrical tube bouncing down the road in your rear view mirror! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[scott_vt]

Hi Goodoldboy,
Redrocker hit the nail on the head. Vibration at a certain speed is a telltale sign on my Dodge. When the rear universal went I had that symptom and even crawled under the truck and tried to shake the driveshaft and still got no movement /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif My front univ just started to go the other day with the same symptom and I new right away what the problem was. You also may get a slight clunk going from reverse to foward /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scotty

ps keep them greased!

 

[George2615]

Pete,
I took the plunge last year. I had a 2002 Ext cab 4x4 1500 w/ 4.8l engine and O/D auto. I could not get any better than 16 MPG with it. And that dropped to about 8-9 MPG when towing my tractor on the trailer. My truck was hit in an accident in mid 2003. After a month in the body shop I got it back. Between August and Dec. I went back to the shop for one problem after another. I decided around Xmas to trade it in on an 05. In Jan. 05 I picked up a 2500HD Ext.cab with 6.6 Duramax w/ Allison auto. It has 12,000lb towing cap. or up to 15,500 fifth wheel. Got just about every option they had for it.
I don't know why 5103Owner gets poor mileage, Maybe he has the gas engine? My point is this, I now average 18.5-19 MPG and 14 MPG towing and was told by other owners that the mileage will get even better after about 20k miles. So it is not the fuel guzzler that my 02 4.8L was and I can expect to get several hundred K miles on it. I am happy I made this choice.
Best of luck in your decision
One more thing was after my trade, the monthly payment was within $8 of my 02 payment.
George

 

[Ryan03]

I have to agree with you about the duramax, I have had my 03 for 3 years now, it is a 2500HD 4x4 reg cab with allison trans. I have logged about 49k miles to date, and 43k of them have been with edge performance chip installed, prior to the duramax, I owned a 99 F350 4x4 reg. cab dually with a v10 , auto, and 4:30 gears, loved that truck, but it only got 10 miles per gallon with a tailwind. The duramax on the other hand averages about 18m.p.g. in the city and 21-24mpg on the highway, towing a 71 big block chevell that weighs 3800 lbs on a 18 foot open car hauler through the mountains on the PA. turnpike (I 76) the duramax averaged 19.7 mpg round trip with the chip set on +60hp, cruise speed was 65-70. Here is my opinion, if I can still afford it by the time I get ready to buy another one my next truck will be a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel 4x4. As of right now, I have a slight preference for G.M. strictly because of the allison trans, however I feel that the big 3 as a whole all make a very good fullsize pickup and anymore, all install a good diesel. If I cannot afford the diesel next time, I will buy a 1/2 ton, put some air lift bags on the back suspension and add sway control to my hitch and the half ton would work O.K. for me. Personaly for me though, I prefer 3/4 tons they ride decent anymore and I like not being able to tell the trailer is back there

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Because a partially filled water tank makes a more dangerous load. Unless it has baffles, the water will move on you as you accelerate, brake, and turn.

This is why most areas in the US require a tanker endorsement for Class-A and B licensed drivers(commercial). )</font>

Yeah, what Robert said! It felt like I was on the verge of losing control with half a tank!

Pete

Yep ya should never go out on the road half tanked.