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Old 10-14-2012, 07:18 PM   #1
Zad
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Pulling 25' Jayco BHS with 2003 Chev 1500HD 6.0 with 3.73 gearing

Hi,

My first post here. We have the above mentioned trailer (love it with the slide) and are looking to upgrade out tv from the current 1988 F250 with a gas guzzling 460 (on propane thankfully) to a 2003 1500HD with the 6 litre engine and 3.73 gears. Over the weekend I test drove a 2004 Chev 2500 (non HD) with the same motor and gearing as the 1500HD and it seemed to pull fine. We decided not to get the 04 as it is a ext cab where the 1500HD is a crew cab. I also test drove a 06 2500HD and it pulled the trailer more smoothly (as in smooth ride) however did not seem to have the same power as the lighter truck. The 2500HD is #9200 where the 1500HD and 2500 are #8600. So, I am wondering if any of you use the 2500 non HD or the 1500 HD to pull a trailer that weighs in around #6500 wet. I have no doubt the power is there and the weight restrictions are met however I do wonder if the weight of the trailer and accoutrements is pushing the limits of the truck and in practical terms just too much. Any feedback from those of you with experience would be much appreciated.

Trent.
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Old 10-14-2012, 09:41 PM   #2
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My son has a similar trailer and tows with a 2500 HD crew cab with 6.0 and 3:73 axles. The truck rides smooth and tows the trailer very well.
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Old 10-15-2012, 07:56 PM   #3
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Our trailer weighs in at the scales as being 5,620 lbs ready to go camping. Tongue weight of 680 lbs. We towed for 2 seasons a total of 5,000 miles with a 2007 Chev 1500 with HD suspension. By the scales, we were 300 lbs under the GVWR of the truck. I could tell the suspension was under a good size load, with road variations using up a fair amount of the suspension travel. At no time did I feel it was unsafe, and actually I think the ride felt better than when the truck was empty. I also don't think the suspension was being worn out any more than average. Our new-to-us 2500 HD is over kill and a world apart in ride stability-quality while towing this little 22FB trailer.
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Old 10-16-2012, 07:52 AM   #4
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Trent,

If it was between the 1500HD and the 2500, I would go with the 2500. The 1500HD is a 1/2 ton on steroids, but the 2500 is the true 3/4 ton truck (confirm axle, brake, payload, etc., specifications). I'm not positive, but I also believe the '03' 1500HD comes with a 4 speed tranny, and the '04' 2500 with a 5 speed.

IMO if the crew cab model is the deal breaker, I would keep looking for a 3/4 ton crew cab since you are used to what a true 3/4 ton offers as a TV.

Bob
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Old 10-21-2012, 10:59 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kcnm@telus.net View Post
Hi,

My first post here. We have the above mentioned trailer (love it with the slide) and are looking to upgrade out tv from the current 1988 F250 with a gas guzzling 460 (on propane thankfully) to a 2003 1500HD with the 6 litre engine and 3.73 gears. Over the weekend I test drove a 2004 Chev 2500 (non HD) with the same motor and gearing as the 1500HD and it seemed to pull fine. We decided not to get the 04 as it is a ext cab where the 1500HD is a crew cab. I also test drove a 06 2500HD and it pulled the trailer more smoothly (as in smooth ride) however did not seem to have the same power as the lighter truck. The 2500HD is #9200 where the 1500HD and 2500 are #8600. So, I am wondering if any of you use the 2500 non HD or the 1500 HD to pull a trailer that weighs in around #6500 wet. I have no doubt the power is there and the weight restrictions are met however I do wonder if the weight of the trailer and accoutrements is pushing the limits of the truck and in practical terms just too much. Any feedback from those of you with experience would be much appreciated.

Trent.
If you never tow in hilly or mountainous terrain, a 1/2 ton will get you by- However, our history with rvs has been the next unit was always bigger and heavier- That means an upgrade of both tv and rv to be safe on the road- Keep in mind the other half will want more rv somewhere down the road [ as the next rv show you attend ] Bottom line is you can never have too much tv- JMHO- DD
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Old 10-21-2012, 05:21 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle View Post
Trent,

If it was between the 1500HD and the 2500, I would go with the 2500. The 1500HD is a 1/2 ton on steroids, but the 2500 is the true 3/4 ton truck (confirm axle, brake, payload, etc., specifications). I'm not positive, but I also believe the '03' 1500HD comes with a 4 speed tranny, and the '04' 2500 with a 5 speed.

Bob
The 03 1500HD and the 04 2500 (Non HD) are the same truck, GM was playing name games in those years.

We had a 03 GMC 1500HD CC, a very capable truck, we pulled a 26 Ft Sunnybrook TT and a Jayco Eagle 251RLS 5er with it.
The 1500HD pulled the TT with no problems but the Jayco Eagle at 9200 lbs gross was quite a work out for the 1500HD.
The truck handled the Jayco Eagle's pin weight fine, we changed the rear Axle Gear Ratio from the 3.73 to a 4.10, it pulled the Jayco Eagle much better.
In 07 we went to the Dark Side and got a 2007 Chevy 2500HD CC DuraMax and have never looked back !!!!!

One of the biggest differences between the 1500HD / 2500 and the 2500HD is the rear axle assembly, the 1500HD / 2500 has a "Semi Float" rear axle assembly similar to what a 1/2 ton uses and the 2500HD uses a "Full Float" rear axle assembly like a 1 Ton uses.
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Old 10-21-2012, 06:23 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Rob_Fla View Post
The 03 1500HD and the 04 2500 (Non HD) are the same truck, GM was playing name games in those years.....snip
I agree on the badge games back then. My only reference point is the '02' model year when I purchased my 2500HD, and I recall spending to much time trying to figure out the actual differences. In '02' it was a little interesting comparing the 1500HD with the 2500 because the 1500HD came in only the Crew Cab, and the 2500 didn't. Depending on the model 2500 one looked at it could have a higher GCWR and/or upgraded standard tranny over the 1500HD.

But to compare one model year to another, we all know the games that get played

Bob
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Old 10-21-2012, 07:46 PM   #8
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I agree Bob, I just remember when doing my research, I remember GM simply renaming the 03 1500HD to the 04 2500, that's why there is no such thing as an 04 1500HD.
Then in 05 they came back with the 1500HD, go figure.
All marketing hype !!!!
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