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Old 08-22-2018, 01:32 PM   #1
andrewlairdmiller
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Upgrading from 5.3 Chevy Silverado to 2500

Along the same lines as a recent post, I am looking to upgrade from Silverado 1500 (5.3) to a 2500 (something) to haul 8800 pound Keystone Half Ton. Any recommendations? Chevy or Ford or Ram? Gas versus diesel?

Looking for good performance but would like to maximize fuel mileage!

Would like to learn from your experiences.

Thanks!
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Old 08-22-2018, 02:03 PM   #2
travelin texans
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With that rv a 2500 gas or diesel would work as long as all the numbers worked. If you ever plan to upgrade to a larger rv the price difference between a 2500 & a 3500 is minimal, may want give it some consideration, the ride quality is also barely noticeable.
As for brand, your choice, I can recommend my brand which you already have experience with, but I'm not starting the truck wars!
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Old 08-22-2018, 02:09 PM   #3
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Do you have a dually?
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Old 08-22-2018, 03:13 PM   #4
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Here's a thread that might interest you and possibly shed some light on your questions;


http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...t=34725&page=3
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Old 08-22-2018, 04:21 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewlairdmiller View Post
Along the same lines as a recent post, I am looking to upgrade from Silverado 1500 (5.3) to a 2500 (something) to haul 8800 pound Keystone Half Ton. Any recommendations? Chevy or Ford or Ram? Gas versus diesel?

Looking for good performance but would like to maximize fuel mileage!

Would like to learn from your experiences.

Thanks!
No such thing as good performance and fuel economy in the same sentence.
It’s like I want it fixed fast and cheap.
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Old 08-22-2018, 04:51 PM   #6
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My take is once you get over 8K in weight, you'll appreciate diesel of any make on the highway. My first bumper tow TH was about 8K empty, with a gas Chevy 2500 I slogged along in the right lane, I upgraded to a diesel 2500, I could pass as needed. PLUS -with the gas 2500 got 14 avg around town, maybe 8-9 towing, diesel was 18++ and 11ish towing.
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Old 08-22-2018, 05:24 PM   #7
andrewlairdmiller
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Thanks All

Thanks all for the great info!

I think I am going diesel! (If my wife lets me...)

Otherwise, I will stick with gas, but definitely a 2500 of some sort.

Do not plan to upgrade so 3500 is to big for me. If anything, I will down grade to something more off road.

Thanks again!
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Old 08-22-2018, 05:35 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewlairdmiller View Post
Thanks all for the great info!

I think I am going diesel! (If my wife lets me...)

Otherwise, I will stick with gas, but definitely a 2500 of some sort.

Do not plan to upgrade so 3500 is to big for me. If anything, I will down grade to something more off road.

Thanks again!
Don't be so hasty to decide against a 3500. Read this short article:

https://dustrunnersauto.com/f250-vs-f350/
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Old 08-22-2018, 05:38 PM   #9
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Mine is a dually.
With the 3500 single rear wheel (SRW) it's the same size truck as the 2500 just stouter, inside or outside you couldn't tell the difference unless you looked at the badging.
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Old 08-22-2018, 06:19 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by andrewlairdmiller View Post
Thanks all for the great info!

I think I am going diesel! (If my wife lets me...)

Otherwise, I will stick with gas, but definitely a 2500 of some sort.

Do not plan to upgrade so 3500 is to big for me. If anything, I will down grade to something more off road.

Thanks again!
Think that through and do some research. The 1 ton isn't enough different from the 1 ton to really even consider. Just check it out and I think you'll find that the 1 ton is going to give you greater towing ability and stability vs the 3/4 at a very minimal cost.
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Old 08-22-2018, 08:12 PM   #11
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As for brand, your choice, I can recommend my brand which you already have experience with, but I'm not starting the truck wars!
I probably already started a truck brand war on another post this evening!
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Old 08-23-2018, 07:42 AM   #12
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I have a 2500 diesel and love it, but the big three all have advantages. I do think the Allison transmission in the Chevy diesel is incredible for towing towing, especially for going up and down steep passes. It handles everything and I hardly touch the brakes.
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Old 08-23-2018, 12:54 PM   #13
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Check the payload on a 3/4 ton diesel. Payload is what, usually, limits your towing weight more than tow capacity. The 3/4 ton can diesels have around 2200 lbs for a payload rating, not a lot more than my half ton (2015 lbs).

Gas and a 3/4 ton has another 4-500 lbs but if you want diesel you really should look at a 1 ton. Even a SRW will have a better payload rating.

If I could find a payload chart online, I would link to it.
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Old 08-23-2018, 06:42 PM   #14
andrewlairdmiller
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Thanks All

I appreciate all the input. I will definitely consider a 3500 versus 2500!
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Old 08-27-2018, 08:00 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by andrewlairdmiller View Post
Thanks all for the great info!

I think I am going diesel! (If my wife lets me...)

Otherwise, I will stick with gas, but definitely a 2500 of some sort.

Do not plan to upgrade so 3500 is to big for me. If anything, I will down grade to something more off road.

Thanks again!
For what it's worth Andrew, I was just recently in your boat. We'd bought a new 5.3 Silverado with 3:42 rear diff. Turns out we didn't have enough payload / GAWR(rear) capacity. It hurts, but we're selling that 10 month old truck and of course, taking a loss. While a 2500 would work for now, it might not on our next rv. We chose to get the 1-ton now so I don't have take another bath selling the 3/4 ton when we want that bigger rv. We also decided to go diesel. Never had a diesel before.

Just bought a new 2018 GMC 3500hd SLT Z71 SRW Duramax in Beaverton, OR. $58.7k for price comparison around the country. That's 10k off msrp. Not because of my negotiating skills, but simply because they have 6 2018s that want off the lot. But back to the truck. Physically it's slightly longer than my chev because it's a crew cab instead of a double cab. It also sits a little taller because it's 4WD. But seriously, driving it feels like the same size as my 1500.

I can't begin to tell you how much more power it has.

To late to make a long story short. Let me just say, you don't want to sell a perfectly good truck twice simply because it doesn't have enough capacity. Skip the 3/4 ton, go to the 1-ton.

Just my 2-cents
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Old 08-30-2018, 11:01 AM   #16
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Hubby had a Chevy 2500, 6.0, gas. We pulled a Outback 2012, 8,000lbs. It towed ok, but not great over mountains. Traded that baby in for 3500, diesel, 1ton. He’s never wiped that smile off his face from the day he drove it home. Good thing, we sold outback, got a Sprinter, 9,000lb. This truck is so awesome, and he never thought he wanted a 1ton. Oh, did I mention he got another Chevy. Still can’t wipe the smile off his face whether he’s towing or not.
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Old 08-30-2018, 11:26 AM   #17
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I have a 2016 Dodge ram 2500 with the 6.4 hemi . With that combo and the 410 gears I pull my fifth wheel no problem . It's rated to pull 15000 lbs . Our trailer is a 30 foot cougar xlite around 8000 lbs empty. Gas mileage is good and no problems with power .
Diesel are great but when your not towing the new diesels dont Iike to just drive around grocery getting . Every situation is different. Im happy with how the truck pulls and handles while towing
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Old 08-30-2018, 12:08 PM   #18
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Bugsmema "Still can’t wipe the smile off his face whether he’s towing or not."

Now there's a HAPPY HUBBY!
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Old 08-30-2018, 02:42 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by andrewlairdmiller View Post
Thanks all for the great info!

I think I am going diesel! (If my wife lets me...)

Otherwise, I will stick with gas, but definitely a 2500 of some sort.

Do not plan to upgrade so 3500 is to big for me. If anything, I will down grade to something more off road.

Thanks again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
Think that through and do some research. The 1 ton isn't enough different from the 1 ton to really even consider. Just check it out and I think you'll find that the 1 ton is going to give you greater towing ability and stability vs the 3/4 at a very minimal cost.
There ZERO difference in size between a 2500 and a 3500 SRW ZERO!
If looking at a diesel a 2500 will not have a lot of payload due to the maximum 10,000# GVWR. Getting a 3500 SRW will give you a VIN sticker with a much higher payload.

If you get a diesel, then you will want a bigger trailer, then you will run into exceeding your TV GVWR. If that doesn’t matter to you then sure a 2500 will work, until states start to scale RV’s.
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Old 09-03-2018, 11:16 AM   #20
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Talking

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Originally Posted by travelin texans View Post
With that rv a 2500 gas or diesel would work as long as all the numbers worked. If you ever plan to upgrade to a larger rv the price difference between a 2500 & a 3500 is minimal, may want give it some consideration, the ride quality is also barely noticeable.
As for brand, your choice, I can recommend my brand which you already have experience with, but I'm not starting the truck wars!
If you look at Ram trucks the 2500 rides almost like a passenger car when empty, while the 3500 rides more harshly. Different suspension systems and the Cummins can't be beat.
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