~ Need advice on a good midsize truck for towing. What do I need ?

[takoma]

Hey all.
To all those with big trucks out there, I have set my sights on the Chevy 2500.

I want to put a flat trailer behind it and town at least a good 4000-5000lbs of rock and material.


When looking for a truck, what should I be looking for ? Anything to avoid ? Any issues getting a model that is not build for towing heavy loads on occasion ?

thanks !

c

[TxSuperDad]

You can pull that load with a 1500. I have cabinet shop and pull 10,000 lbs all the time with my 1500.

If money, payments and so forth were not a issue buying a truck. Id get 2500 6.4 desiel HD. Gonna run ya about 5o grand on sticker. Prob talking them down to 40

[B4RANCH]

i agree with superdad.....i got 175,000 on my duramax ....its pulled any and every thing ive hooked to it ......imo go and find a used truck .....its easier on your pocket book now and later....lots of good deals out there on used trucks for less than 25000.00...that spending 40,000.00 on a truck is foolish in my opinion .......

[Mike D]

Most trucks will pull anything you can hook to them. The problem comes when you try to stop them with a light truck. Not to mention the wear and tear on the suspension, drivetrain, bearings, etc..........

How often will you pull this trailer you are talking about. That would sway my decision between a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton.

Coty, IMO brother you are asking for trouble towing that much weight with a 1/2 ton truck.

[takoma]

thanks guys for the advice ! Keep it coming ! I would be hauling payload maybe once a week ? Sometimes a pallate or two of rock, maybe 2 yards of soil,... maybe throw the mini escavator on there. ( at diff times of coarse )

Is it worth it to go the HD diesel chevy truck model ? Any issues with putting it up in the air with a lift and still towing payloads ?

If I catch wind of a truck I like,... but does not have the "tow package".... what does it cost to put that on the truck ? Is it a DIY thing,.. or something left for the pros ?


c

[JMG]

How often you going to pull that load is the question? If you are going to pull it often, I would go with a diesel. Gas will get it done but not very good with gas milage without the trraier. Plus, diesel should be hanging around the same price as gas for a while with better milage. But if you are going to pull that load say once a month, a 1500 will get the job done as well. I pull that much or more once a month and have 130,000 on mine with no problems. Just have to go a little slower.

[cosmiccowboy]

I run a 2500HD with the 6 liter gas and a hypertech chip and I frequently pull trailers in the same weight range you are talking about...I do a lot of in town driving so didn't really want a diesel...If I keep my foot out of it I still get decent gas mileage (about 14) but when I put my foot into it I can still romp and stomp with a heavy trailer.

[Mike D]

thanks guys for the advice ! Keep it coming ! I would be hauling payload maybe once a week ? Sometimes a pallate or two of rock, maybe 2 yards of soil,... maybe throw the mini escavator on there. ( at diff times of coarse )

Is it worth it to go the HD diesel chevy truck model ? Any issues with putting it up in the air with a lift and still towing payloads ?

If I catch wind of a truck I like,... but does not have the "tow package".... what does it cost to put that on the truck ? Is it a DIY thing,.. or something left for the pros ?


c

I would say you need a 2500. And yes for as often as you will be pulling and the mention of hauling equipment, I would go diesel.

I don't care for the Chevy trucks but from what I read they are pretty much the most trouble free combination of engine and transmission right now.

I would definitely recommend getting the factory towing package. There are more things to a factory tow package than just a hitch and light hook up. You will get a transmission cooler and typically an oil cooler and larger radiator. It will make it much easier to install a brake controller as they will be pre-wired and just have a plug in to connect the brake controller.

Oh, and buy used. You will save a ton of $$$$$.

[Lubbock hunter]

I would certainly not recommend pulling 10,000 lbs with a 1/2 ton. IMO that is too much strain on a half ton, and pretty dangerous. My 1 ton dually is rated for 16,500 and I pull that all day long, everyday. A 3/4 ton would be your best option for longevity and safety. JMHO

[Red Wing R/C]

What ever you end up with............get the tow package.

[takoma]

Okay -- that's what I wanted to know. The importance of tow package vrs. the possible damage without it.