Classic body style or newer body style?

[UrbanElite]

Hello Everyone, I’m looking for a new truck for camping, hauling my trailer and sled ect... I’m born and raised a Chevy owner and have had many trucks, I just sold my Avalanche as I want to have a full size box for a sled deck next year and in the future a bigger camping trailer. I’m having a hard time choosing a year I want to go with seeing if you guys have some opinions on the matter. 

 

im thinking of just going with a 3/4 ton 6L over going back to a half ton 5.3 just just to keep the truck for a long time to come and I’ll be able to get any trailer or pull anything I want within reason where I don’t think it will be worth it to go into a half ton as I can only haul 1 sled on a sled deck legally, as well if you get 2 or 3 dirt bikes in the box it’s quite a bit. This is why I’m leaning towards a 3/4 ton as fuel milage won’t be much worst I don’t think. ( I also have a car for a daily so not too worried about this being a daily) But I’m hung up on body style. I love the look of the classic 03-07 chevys and gmc but from what I’ve been told going to a 07/08 body style and up will be quite the upgrade in engine fuel milage, power, 6 speed tranny for towing ect.... I just really like the look of those classic body styles and how easy and simple everything is. What is all your guys opinions when looking at a 3/4 with a 6L?

 

ive also skipped the thought of going to A duramax as I don’t think ill need it and for the price of maintaining or one trip to the shop I could get a new crate 6L pretty simple.

 

let me know what you guys think! Thanks! 

[MORSNO]

I'd recommend going to a 2011 or newer for the upgraded chassis over the 07-10 models.  Everything under the body was upgraded with heavier suspension and 6.0 engine/transmission updates.  Fuel mileage of the 6.0 2500 is not what your 5.3 1500 gets, but it tows and hauls sooooooo much better. 

[redwngr]

Brakes on 11+ chassis are much larger than on the 10 and earlier. 

The 3/4 ton chassis did not change in 2007.5 so the new/old body style in that time frame have the same chassis.

 

This link is a duramax story, but has pics and info about the new brakes and chassis introduced in'11 (new chassis, but body style didn't change)

http://www.maxxtorque.com/2010/12/2011-duramax-lml-review-built-to-tow.html

 

[UrbanElite]

So you guys are saying that other then body style the 03-10 would be similar trucks chassis wise? I know in 09 for half tons they put the 6 speed tranny in I’m not sure when they started that for the 3/4 tons. 

 

My my problem with this newer body style is everyone that has a 2500 is ext cab with buckets and clean truck but I will only get a crew cab. The. Everyone with a crew cab has benches in it and I want buckets...... with the 03-07 it is so much easier to find a 3/4 with buckets and then all the little options I want like fog lights, auto electric 4x4, dual climate control ect...