How Many Have A 3/4 Ton And Don't Really Need It?

jandersinc · May 18, 2011

I didn't need a 2500 Yukon XL when I bought it, but knew I'd be looking for a boat. Well I just bought a ~9,000 one that I'm picking up next week.

So now I can say I actually need a 2500. Hopefully it will tow well since the max tow weight with a 4x4 2500 Yukon is 9,600 lbs.

I'm also towing it 1,200 miles one way (2,400 roundtrip) from Vegas to Seattle. So from sunny ~95 degree weather to ~50 degree rainy weather (since it'll never stop raining up here this year). Glad I got the air conditioned seats!

ILH · May 19, 2011

I've been pulling a 34' travel trailer for 2 years with a suburban - it nearly killed me. The poor truck huffed and puffed on every hill. The load was just too much.

This year I sprung for a brand new 2500 HD diesel. What a difference! I can accellerate up hills! Brakes, suspension - you name it - the truck was built for haulin'. <smilin' ear to ear>

Last year I solved my sway problems by installing a Hensley hitch - this year I solved the problem with the under powered tow vehicle. I now look forward to the driving part of camping.

...and yes, eventually I'll be moving up to a 5th wheel.

salmonier_slednut · May 22, 2011

I've had a small V6 truck (dakota), full size half ton with small engine (5.2), full size half ton with big engine(6.0 Vortec), and now I have a 2500 Duramax and I love it, even though I'm having troubles with it I wouldnt trade it back any day!

I dont tow much, usually just sleds or quads but what a difference, My 07 Vortec Max wouldnt hold a candle, even with the 4:10 gears. My D-max has a 6" lift and 35's and doesn't hesitate or shift gears empty or loaded

It's rougher, bigger, but better on fuel than my 6.0 and just as comfy with the LT cab

I won't go back to a 1500 because it can't handle what a 3/4+ can and it looks a lot better, plus what's cooler than black smoke!!!

jandersinc · May 22, 2011

Umm... What's cooler than black smoke? No black smoke! Unless you're 17 then I understand why you'd think that was cool.

Diesail · May 22, 2011

I've been pulling a 34' travel trailer for 2 years with a suburban - it nearly killed me. The poor truck huffed and puffed on every hill. The load was just too much.

This year I sprung for a brand new 2500 HD diesel. What a difference! I can accellerate up hills! Brakes, suspension - you name it - the truck was built for haulin'. <smilin' ear to ear>

Last year I solved my sway problems by installing a Hensley hitch - this year I solved the problem with the under powered tow vehicle. I now look forward to the driving part of camping.

...and yes, eventually I'll be moving up to a 5th wheel.

That is where the right tool for the job comes in and the reason I have a 2500HD dmax. I tow about 15% of my miles, I did so with a 1500 series yukon for years and struggled, it frankly was work! I love my 2500 when I am towing or hauling a load, the other 85% of the time I "like" it. I wouldn't trade it for anything but I can't imagine owning one if you didn't need it and some times wish a second car was an option.

Umm... What's cooler than black smoke? No black smoke! Unless you're 17 then I understand why you'd think that was cool.

No black smoke is way cooler by far Guess I don't need that "look at me factor"

tyhuck · May 22, 2011

Yeah, black smoke is for people with small.......well...........you can guess the rest.

I feel no reason to punch my accelerator and watch raw, unburned fuel flow from my tailpipe. You might as well be pouring it on the ground. You will get the same power gains.

Thats like the people that spend their days doing burnouts at every redlight in town. I guess they have money to burn. I sure dont.

mllc · May 23, 2011

I am probably the least qualified person to own a 2500HD, I tow a small 5x8 trailer with my ATV on it that weighs at most, 1500 lbs combined. I do really love that I have infinite power, and could, if needed, haul much larger loads. I feel that the because the truck is built so strong, that the little I use it will make it last longer. It also, rides pretty smooth over the destroyed new england roads. My only dislike about the truck, besides the obvious poor fuel economy, is that HD parts are ridiculously expensive. But I can't really complain, I bought it in the summer of 2008, when gas was hitting over $5/gallon and the dealership was giving them away. If I had to choose again, I'd probably go with another 2500HD, but only if they got better fuel economy.

LGillingham · May 25, 2011

I'm getting a new truck in the next couple of weeks and have been looking at half-tons and 3/4 tons. Realistically, I could definitely buy a 1500 and probably not ever push it to its limit enough to necessarily break it, but the 3/4 tons sure are nice looking. I have a 1995 half-ton and it seems like the new 3/4 tons are similar to that in terms of stoutness, etc. Also, I'll be putting a plow on it, so I guess a 3/4 ton would be better from that respect.

Anyhow, do any of you guys out there with heavy-duties have one even though you don't necessarily need one. Thanks!

I definitely fit into this catergory. I have an 03 2500HD with the 6.0 litre and I pull nothing other than the occasional utility trailer but I love engines with lots of torque. I hate slowing down on hills or having the truck constantly gearing down while on cruise control. My previous truck was a 1500 with the 4.8l and it would slow down if it saw a hill ahead. Prior to that I had a diesel and prior to that I had an '88 1500 with a 7.4 litre (presently restoring this one) so the 4.8l was a bad time in my life but my therapist says I should make a full recovery.

KMGZ400 · May 25, 2011

I'm getting a new truck in the next couple of weeks and have been looking at half-tons and 3/4 tons. Realistically, I could definitely buy a 1500 and probably not ever push it to its limit enough to necessarily break it, but the 3/4 tons sure are nice looking. I have a 1995 half-ton and it seems like the new 3/4 tons are similar to that in terms of stoutness, etc. Also, I'll be putting a plow on it, so I guess a 3/4 ton would be better from that respect.

Anyhow, do any of you guys out there with heavy-duties have one even though you don't necessarily need one. Thanks!

I definitely fit into this catergory. I have an 03 2500HD with the 6.0 litre and I pull nothing other than the occasional utility trailer but I love engines with lots of torque. I hate slowing down on hills or having the truck constantly gearing down while on cruise control. My previous truck was a 1500 with the 4.8l and it would slow down if it saw a hill ahead. Prior to that I had a diesel and prior to that I had an '88 1500 with a 7.4 litre (presently restoring this one) so the 4.8l was a bad time in my life but my therapist says I should make a full recovery.

the 4.8 in the GMT800's is really bad for people who care about their engine.. the 4.8 i have is suprisingly MUCH worse then my 5.3 with isnt even that much bigger of an engine... when i tow my 9 foot trailer and 2 atvs with that truck.. which weighs only about 1600-1800lbs its a DOG. i literally have to floor it everywhere to get up to speed. i do not come close to driving like that while towing with my 5.3

06_GMC · May 29, 2011

I probably fall into this category I use it to only tow my 7K camper a few times a year. every now and then i may tow something else but nothing a 1500 couldn't handle. I just figure it's better to have to much than to little especially with towing.

tvrsq51 · June 8, 2011

I don't really need my 03 2500 but she sure does put a smile on my face. Traded down in years from an 06 F150 CC LB and traded up in truck. Yes, I took a little hit in my wallet from the fuel mileage so there was a trade-off. As far as haulin, a 1994 Chaparral and an occasional Toyhauler is done without fail. I enjoy giving a quick nod to other Chevy 3/4 ton owners. A cool club to in. I named her Ashley.

dodge123 · June 9, 2011

I bought a used 2500hd. I tow a 24 foot enclosed trailer occasionally and a boat. I may not "really" need the 3/4 ton but it sure comes in handy. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it! BTW how easy would a diesel swap be when my motor goes? I have 227K

SparkySparks · June 9, 2011

I would love to have a 2500HD but its more along the lines of thought that its better to have more then you need then not enough. When I bought my 1500 I had a very limited amount of money time to get a new vehicle as my cars motor died on my sooner then I thought it was going to. I went for as much truck and features I could get for what I had to spend and so far it has been enough truck for everything I have asked it to do. If I had more time to look around I would have worked on getting a better rear gear, 3.42 isn't that great for towing and not sure why they would even put that on a truck with the max trailering option.

Stevens03 · June 9, 2011

I would love to have a 2500HD but its more along the lines of thought that its better to have more then you need then not enough. When I bought my 1500 I had a very limited amount of money time to get a new vehicle as my cars motor died on my sooner then I thought it was going to. I went for as much truck and features I could get for what I had to spend and so far it has been enough truck for everything I have asked it to do. If I had more time to look around I would have worked on getting a better rear gear, 3.42 isn't that great for towing and not sure why they would even put that on a truck with the max trailering option.

You don't have the max trailer package if you have 3.42 gears. The max trailer package came with 6.0L, 4L70e trans, 9.5" rear end and 4.10 gears.

SparkySparks · June 9, 2011

I would love to have a 2500HD but its more along the lines of thought that its better to have more then you need then not enough. When I bought my 1500 I had a very limited amount of money time to get a new vehicle as my cars motor died on my sooner then I thought it was going to. I went for as much truck and features I could get for what I had to spend and so far it has been enough truck for everything I have asked it to do. If I had more time to look around I would have worked on getting a better rear gear, 3.42 isn't that great for towing and not sure why they would even put that on a truck with the max trailering option.

You don't have the max trailer package if you have 3.42 gears. The max trailer package came with 6.0L, 4L70e trans, 9.5" rear end and 4.10 gears.

Sorry, I meant HD Trailering.