1500/2500, What are the real differences?

[Crabman]

1500/2500 What are the REAL differences?

There have been some discussions in towing threads about the differences between these trucks. Being in the unique position of currently owning and having towed my TT with both of the same brand and model year, here are a few of my observations along with the numbers.

2004 Chevy 2500 HD CREW 6l engine, 4.10 rear. 2WD
Payload-3474 lbs.
Tow rating- 10,000 lbs.
GVWR- 9,200 lbs.
GCWR- 16,000 lbs.
Tow package
Transmission- 4L80 (Heavier duty then 4L60)
Lugs - 8
OEM tire size- LT 245/75R16 LOAD RANGE E 3042 lbs. Recommended pressure 60-80 lbs. max.
Larger brakes, heavier duty braking system in general.
Entirely different frame from 1500, much more beefy.
Ride when empty -rough on bad roads, fair on good roads
Towing MPG - 9-10 average
Empty MPG - around 13 in mixed driving

2004 Chevy 1500 5.3l engine Extended cab, 3.73 rear 2WD
Payload- 1454 lbs.
Tow rating- 8100 lbs.
GVWR- 6200 lbs.
GCWR-13,000 lbs.
Tow package
Transmission- 4L60
Lugs- 6
OEM tire size- P255/70R16 2271 lbs. Recommended pressure 40-44 lbs max.
Much better ride empty then 2500 on all roads due to soft springs and P tires
Towing MPG- 9-10 average
Empty MPG- around 17 in mixed driving



The two trucks really are ENTIRELY different animals, despite the fairly close tow rating. When towing our 28BHS (GVWR 7500LBS. EMPTY 5653LBS.)The 2500 offers a much more capable and desirable towing experience. I no longer have to worry about exceeding my payload which was occurring with the 1500 when considering a TW approaching 1000 lbs, 5 people in the truck, along with cargo in the bed. Towing with the 1500 I never really felt comfortable with the combo, especially on windy days. While I was comfortably within the manufacturers tow rating, I always felt like I was maxing out the suspension. With the 2500 and its 3474lb payload I never have to worry about even coming close to exceeding it now.

Also while we still use the term 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton, these are really obsolete IMO because these trucks carry so much more then 1/2 or 3/4 of a ton now.

Any other observations about the differences in 1500/2500 or 150/250 are welcome, I`m sure I missed a few.

[David472]

Lee,
I'm wondering about the GCWR for your 2500 model. My manual says with the 4.10 rear end, the GCWR is 18,500?

I agree, there is a world of difference in towing stability between the 2500 and 1500 versions.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by David472

Lee,
I'm wondering about the GCWR for your 2500 model. My manual says with the 4.10 rear end, the GCWR is 18,500?

I agree, there is a world of difference in towing stability between the 2500 and 1500 versions.

I believe they have increased the horse power, tow rating, and GCWR since the 2004 model year on the 6L 2500.

[troutslayer]

Great comparison...thanks!

[dlongley]

We bought a 26.5 rks Eagle Super Lite HT last year and I towed it with a Dodge RAM 1500 with a Hemi and 3.92 gears. It towed with no trouble at all, the Hemi is a great engine. I was always nervous about being close to the top end of the cargo rating as the pin weight of my HT approached 1400 lbs. Once you filled the cab with 3 people, and had a tank full of fuel, I figured I was close to the max. Despite that, the truck performed flawlessly, albeit a bit of a sag in the rear end.

I was toying with the idea of timbrens or air bags.

Then rebates/incentives came in for the 2500, so I just took delivery on a 2012 RAM 2500 with a Hemi. I am excited to hook up the RV and tow it around! New truck has everything I want and more. Nice tow mirrors, included electronic braking system and now a huge crew cab instead of the quad.

I'll be sure to chime in once I tow the Eagle, to help inquiring minds.

Any questions about either model, shoot me a line.

Dave

[Boubou]

I am jealous!!!!!!

Towing the eagle ht 23.5 with 2010 ram quad cab hemi, added E rated tires, tow mirrors integretated brake controller and timbrens
We are at the max but the ram does a great job of towing it.

I would still love a 2500 hemi but will stick with the 1500 for as long as it works well.

[Greenman]

I have been towing our EXP 213 with our 2003 GMC 4X4 equipped with 5.3 l, tow pkg, and 4:10 rear end. GVWR of 6400lbs, GCWR 14000 lbs tow rating of 8800 lbs. Although this trailer is slightly more than 1/2 of the tow rating, as soon as I hook up the truck and load it up I will exceed GVWR very easily and have to be very careful about where I load gear. Most of our towing is done in the mountains, and the truck handles the load very well, but I'm always worried about the maxed out 1/2 ton self destructing on the side of the Coquihalla highway or somewhere similar at the worst possible time. I watch my cooling system(no bugs in my rad LOL) and brakes like a hawk. When I replace this truck it will be with a properly equipped 2500.

[Crabman]

Towed my boat today for the first time with the 2500. What a great tow, this truck was just playing with it and no porposing like I was getting with the 1500 on bad roads. Love it............

[Rustic Eagle]

Not surprised to hear how your 2500HD tows the boat.

[Crabman]

Next trial workout for the 2500? The "pot trailer". (That`s crab pot trailer for the uninformed)

[Rustic Eagle]

Pot trailer....., I still want one.

[Crabman]

With the 1500 from file:

[KachFam]

Brings me back to my days living out on the coast... I miss living in a fishing community - always had people bringing around fresh seafood!

The 2500/3500's are just built with heavy towing and hauling in mind. The 1500's try to be an every man's truck - cush ride and lower suspensions, but they try to beef it up a bit for some towing capacity. Nobody pays the extra expense for a 2500 unless they tow or haul, so it's built for it. All of the driveline components are going to be beefier and rated to higher capacity.

For me, I upgraded for more durability of the driveline (when we still had a lightweight trailer). Of course, now we have a heavier trailer and I definitely wouldn't want to pull this with anything less.

Under ideal conditions, most of the "right at GVWR" or even somewhat over rigs go down the road just fine in ideal conditions. You just don't have the same safety buffer. On our trip last week, we rode home with 50+ MPH winds (mostly a headwind or a cross-wind as we were winding through the mountains). Even in our truck, it was a little white knuckle at times. The truck was really working hard with the head-wind. I was glad to have the power and stability I do.

[NrthrnCmpr]

When I initally purchased our Springdale (7200Lbs dry) I pulled it home 1800km with a 1998 GMC K1500 4x4. The truck had enough power to pull but you could tell it was workin and near it's comfortable limits. When I had a nasty crosswind or when passing a transport it became a two hands on the wheel white knuckle ride.....it was a bit stressful. With my Gmc 2500HD it is effortless. The frame and suspension are stiffer, brakes more effective, just feels solid compared to the 1500. I'm interestd to see how the 2500hd pulls the new 32tsbh. Can't wait!

[Soulman]

We started with a minivan, went to a custom Dakota, then to a 1500 Silverado and now the Diesel. The difference between the Silverado and the Diesel with the same trailer was night and day. The Silverado pulled "okay" and the diesel kept asking me, "Are you sure there's a trailer back there?" There is NO WAY the Silverado would have pulled our new camper. BTW....Silverado pulling Export 17C - 10 MPG. Diesel pulling Swift 264BH - 14.5 MPG.....same trip.

[Seann45]

Crabby when I had my 2500/6L I was getting 17 mpg mixed driving and 21+ highway.. (solo) and 13 highway with the TT.. of course this was doing 65 max.. Check your plugs and wires.. I would consider an upgrade to split fire plugs and new premium wires.. .. ahhh the joys of owning a diesel none of that nonsense..LOL

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Crabby when I had my 2500/6L I was getting 17 mpg mixed driving and 21+ highway.. (solo) and 13 highway with the TT.. of course this was doing 65 max.. Check your plugs and wires.. I would consider an upgrade to split fire plugs and new premium wires.. .. ahhh the joys of owning a diesel none of that nonsense..LOL

+1, my dad did the exact same upgrade (plugs & wires) to his 6L Chevy 2500. Said it was a pretty big improvement in economy and power.

Those are some pretty impressive mileage numbers for that truck though...

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

+1, my dad did the exact same upgrade (plugs & wires) to his 6L Chevy 2500. Said it was a pretty big improvement in economy and power.

Those are some pretty impressive mileage numbers for that truck though...

It also includes an Air Raid washable air filter and all synthetic lubricants.

[33 RLDS]

My 04 big block only has 30K on her. You think new plugs and wires would help? She is 10 years old. Only mod is a drop in K&N and Hypertech programming for 93 octane.

[eldermike]

There are many things besides the basic numbers that add up to a good tow vechicle. Wheel base, weight, larger brakes, bigger springs.....and just the feeling of how all these things work to keep the pulling part in charge of the following part of a lash up.

When I was in the service I worked on clark tugs, they were used to pull everything including aircraft around the flight line. Little short wheel based pulling machines is all they were. They had the tow rating but anything over a few miles per hours and you were out of control........

It's not just numbers, it's the overall design.