Help me pick a truck

Horsetime · February 20, 2016

Hello all, I am a first time truck buyer looking for a truck to pull a horse trailer. I would need a truck capable of pulling and stopping approx 7,000 to give me some trailer options although I will probably be towing closer to 5,000 pounds and want to be as safe as possible. Having a truck that tows more would be a bonus for the future but it would be several years away. I only plan on using this truck for towing in good weather.

I am currently looking at two trucks.

Truck one is a 2003 2500HD crew cab silverado with a 6.0 engine. 249,000 miles on body but new engine and tranny at 190,000 This truck was not as advertised so I passed. OK, it was junk.

Truck two is a 2002 4X4 regular cab silverado 1500 with a 4.8l engine and 140k miles on the engine and tranny

Truck three is a 1997 extended cab Z71 with a 350 vortec engine. 140k miles on engine and tranny.

Both trucks are roughly the same price at $4,000 with roughly the same body wear and tear and interior wear and tear. Both have new brakes and good tires. Assuming both run well, which would you purchase?

I plan on having whichever truck I purchase inspected by my mechanic but I'd rather not drive him crazy.

muddkatt · February 20, 2016

From those 2, the 2003 2500HD.

diyer2 · February 20, 2016

If not needed right away I would save my money and buy newer. I wouldn't even consider the V 6. If needed now 2500 more power, bigger payload, bigger brakes.

cjb321 · February 20, 2016

I'd choose the 2500hd for a few reasons, bigger engine, stonger transmission, stronger axle, bigger brakes and more cab room.

dsr611 · February 20, 2016

Of the two trucks you listed, I'd go with the 2003 2500HD over the 2002 4x4 every day of the week, especially since you said "Having a truck that tows more would be a bonus for the future". At 7000# (and wanting to tow more in the future), the weak link will be the 4.8L engine and the transmission in the 02 truck.

Personally, I'd be on the lookout for a 2500HD diesel

Horsetime · February 20, 2016

Went to look at the 2003 2500. VERY glad I took my mechanic with me.

I had a rattle in the steering wheel column where nobody replace some sort of part that failed in that year (?). Needed new front shocks, was loose up front. Needed a new fuel pump. Check engine light had been unhooked so the light didn't give it away. Someone added dual exhaust but skipped the part about mufflers. Needed four tires. Bumper hitch was rusted at the frame and the wiring was all torn up, someone had cut out the gooseneck hitch to put in another truck and left a hole in the bed which looked like it had been full of bowling balls. Someone had also added side flares to cover up body damage underneath and the rocker panels were rusted through to the door frame.

Going to look at the 2002 4X4 with the 4.8l v8 in the AM.

bgbdwlf2500 · February 20, 2016

Yep go with the hd from those 2 choices

muddkatt · February 21, 2016

Went to look at the 2003 2500. VERY glad I took my mechanic with me.

I had a rattle in the steering wheel column where nobody replace some sort of part that failed in that year (?). Needed new front shocks, was loose up front. Needed a new fuel pump. Check engine light had been unhooked so the light didn't give it away. Someone added dual exhaust but skipped the part about mufflers. Needed four tires. Bumper hitch was rusted at the frame and the wiring was all torn up, someone had cut out the gooseneck hitch to put in another truck and left a hole in the bed which looked like it had been full of bowling balls. Someone had also added side flares to cover up body damage underneath and the rocker panels were rusted through to the door frame.

Going to look at the 2002 4X4 with the 4.8l v8 in the AM.

Well that was not the description in your original post.

Where are you located? If up in the rust belt, those 12 plus year old trucks are going to have rot.

The 4.8 motor is a v-8, but it will be in a hellova bind towing 7K pounds.

Horsetime · February 21, 2016

It wasn't in the original post because none of it was disclosed! This was everything we discovered when we went to look at it.

bgbdwlf2500 · February 21, 2016

Then neither. Wouldn't even look at the 4.8

Horsetime · February 21, 2016

Updating to include a third truck I found. 1997 z71 with a 350 engine and an extended cab. Thoughts?

Nanotech Environmental · February 21, 2016

Updating to include a third truck I found. 1997 z71 with a 350 engine and an extended cab. Thoughts?

Honestly, IMO you're looking at all the wrong trucks for what you say you want. That 1997 will not have enough tow rating to tow what you say you want.

I'm not sure what your budget is, but IMO, you should do the following:

Create a list of trucks that have at least an 8000 lb tow rating. This means either 3/4 ton trucks, or 1/2 tons built after about 2008 or 2009 or so. You'll need at least 325hp or so to get that rating, or a big diesel in an older 3/4 ton. Then search for trucks on that list.

Maxing out the tow rating in any vehicle is dumb. Period.

OR- Re-evaluate your budget - this includes how considering expensive it is to buy and maintain an older truck that is almost certain to have much higher maintenance costs and requirements.

OR- Re-evaluate what you want to tow.

Food for thought......

Daryl LBZ · February 21, 2016

None of the trucks listed will get the job done. The 97 will probably be the worst choice in my opinion.

bigchevyz71 · February 21, 2016

Well that was not the description in your original post.

Where are you located? If up in the rust belt, those 12 plus year old trucks are going to have rot.

The 4.8 motor is a v-8, but it will be in a hellova bind towing 7K pounds.

Where exactly is the rust belt? Sorry dumb question