Help a Newb

Shutter · October 9, 2014

Hi, first post and a non-gm owner as of right now. This could belong in the intro area but im lookin for recommendations from those more experienced than myself. Currently im trying to decide what truck to invest in. I have no brand loyalty and im investing in a truck for the future and im trying to decide whether or not id be smart to invest in a diesel or if a half ton would suit my needs. I have considered Ram and even had a deal on the table for a Cummins, Ford is out because of their high financing rates, nissan and toyota have terrible fuel efficiency, I had an '08 Silverado which i really liked and i love the look of the new gms. Also local financing rates for GM are 1% less than that of Ram, and 0% for halftons. Although the cummins MSRP was $74K and on the deal they were giving it to me for $58.5k, im not sure how much GM would come down from MSRP as I havent talked to them yet on a 3/4. Part of the problem with what truck to get is i am inexperienced with hauling and cant figure out the optimal towing option. Other than a boat on a tandem axle and our atv trailer i havent done much hauling which is why my current '12 Xterra suits our needs. Im hoping early next year that will change. We want to get set up for camping and we want the following:

Indoor Shower, Queen Bed, Sleeping quarters for at least one more, stove top, hardside camper, and ability to haul two ATVs (450#s each) and not exceed weight ratings as to ensure safe operation and insurance coverage. Toy Haulers are out because they are too expensive, except for the ones with open decks. So as I see it my options are:

Truck Camper and haul our atvs on the atv trailer behind the truck. This would mean getting a 3/4 ton to facilitate payload of a truck camper with said options.

Travel Trailer with sled deck. Doable on halfton?

Or an open-deck toy hauler, of which ive found three ranging from a 13ft Bearcat at 7000# GVWR, a 7800# Wolfpack, and a 9200# Crossroads. How would a half ton do? Upgrade needed to rear suspension?

Whats everyones thoughts on this? I should mention the only way I can haul multiple trailers is to have a 5th wheel and haul a trailer behind that due to legal restrictions. And that if i got a half ton I would want either crew or extended cab in 4x4. In a perfect world i would probably choose the diesel/truck camper option. The most cost effective option appears to me to be the Bearcat with room for a single atv on the deck and one in the box of a half ton. Thanks ahead of time for responses.

14GFXSilverado · October 9, 2014

Biggest thing to start with is to figure out what trailer/ setup you want to have exactly and figure our the the actual weight you will be hauling and where (box of truck, pulling trailer etc.) Once you decide which area you want to go towards then you can narrow down the size of truck you need. I am an RV Mech. and I always see people hauling with too small of the truck for the loads. Once you figure out your weights then it will be easier to determine what type of vehicle you need.

Shutter · October 9, 2014

Makes sense. So with that in mind, at what point (weight) would I need to look at making upgrades on a half ton? What weight could I pull safely without adding bags or the like in the rear end? And can I assume that two 450# ATVs on a deck in a half ton plus gear plus passengers I would be somewhere around the GVWR on an SLE half ton and that may not be a good idea? I had looked into an EcoDiesel up until I saw the payload is 1300lbs.

The local GM dealer has the two exact trucks I want. SLE 1500 in Blue with 5.3 Max Trailer Packaging $46K and a 2500 Duramax SLE for 63K.

Shutter · October 9, 2014

Just read that 2014 Silverado Towing thread. Lots of good info on there. Means i definetly cannot get a sled deck. If my ATV weighs in at 450, 750 tongue weight(1200) plus a passenger, fuel, etc 300 im at (1500). Im closing in on the payload capacity or im at the capacity. I feel thats probably not a good idea to be operating at the top of its capacity. Looks like my only option is a 3/4.

Crf450r420 · October 9, 2014

Safer to have more capacity than you need if you plan to tow a good amount. Also the larger truck will be easier to drive loaded up.

sahls01gmc · October 9, 2014

This topic is the exact reason I got a 3/4 ton. I ended up getting a 3/4 ton with the 6.0L motor. Has all of the heavy duty trailering options, but doesn't have the high maintenance of diesel. I am now getting closer to 300,000 miles, and this truck still drives as good as the day I bought it. If I would have bought a 1/2 ton, I would have gone through at least 2 or 3 transmissions and rear ends by now.

As far Cummins vs. Duramax, I think it comes down to personal preference on the truck that's wrapped around it. I'm partial to GM (as I currently own 3 of them), but I would love to have a truck with a Cummins (Oh yeah, I work there!).

I would feel a lot safer if you passed me on the highway safely in a 3/4 ton, versus living on the edge in a 1/2 ton. The higher cost of truck will easily pay for itself within 5 years of not having to replace anything from overworking a 1/2 ton.

8.1HD/ALLISON · October 9, 2014

Sounds like you need a 3/4 ton to me.

bjlmonster · October 9, 2014

I would say yeah, you need the 3/4 ton. If you go gas it is not much more than the 1/2 ton. There are a few threads around here about the pros/cons of gas vs diesel. Check those out.

I think GM/Chevy/Dodge choice is preference. Get the one that looks best and feels best to you. Personally don't think you can go wrong with either one. I prefer the cummins a bit over the duramax, but love the Allison transmission in the GM!

Shop around. I think 62K for a GMC SLE 2500 Duramax is a bit steep. That sounds closer to the price for Denali. In Pacific Northwest here. I just picked up a 15 GMC 2500 Durmax SLT with the SLE preferred package, factory spray bedliner, splash guards, and few other things. My local dealer was at $54K, but I got it at Dave Smith for $51K for same truck.

Shutter · October 9, 2014

3/4 it is! That 2500 I listed the cost of is their list price, I would negotiate down from there. Also I am in Canada. I prefer the look of the Chevs, the last chev 3/4 i drove was an '03 i believe so ill have to go drive one.