2500 to 1500?

[SouthpawHD]

I bought  my 2016 2500HD about 2.5 years ago when we got a bigger travel trailer. Right now and for the foreseeable future, the trailer is permantly parked during camping season. So the only towing I would do with this behemoth is 2x per year, about 35 miles each way. My only potential concern is the tongue weight at about 1,000 pounds currently. However,  when I tow it, it wouldn't be with any gear in truck and minimal in the trailer, but it's still heavy. 

 

Am am I going to miss the bigger bed, bigger motor, bigger brakes of the 2500? Or am I going to enjoy the softer ride and better fuel economy of the 1500?

 

I'm headed to deaelership tomorrow to review the numbers and see if that side makes any sense. 

[Sierra706]

I bought  my 2016 2500HD about 2.5 years ago when we got a bigger travel trailer. Right now and for the foreseeable future, the trailer is permantly parked during camping season. So the only towing I would do with this behemoth is 2x per year, about 35 miles each way. My only potential concern is the tongue weight at about 1,000 pounds currently. However,  when I tow it, it wouldn't be with any gear in truck and minimal in the trailer, but it's still heavy. 
 
Am am I going to miss the bigger bed, bigger motor, bigger brakes of the 2500? Or am I going to enjoy the softer ride and better fuel economy of the 1500?
 
I'm headed to deaelership tomorrow to review the numbers and see if that side makes any sense. 

A 1500 with a weight distributing hitch can do 1400 tongue weight


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[Donstar]

1 hour ago, SouthpawHD said:

Am am I going to miss the bigger bed, bigger motor, bigger brakes of the 2500? Or am I going to enjoy the softer ride and better fuel economy of the 1500?

 

I'm headed to deaelership tomorrow to review the numbers and see if that side makes any sense. 

If you're in the market for a new truck then consider a 1500.  If you're switching at this time to save money I believe the associated costs with buying a new truck will exceed any future savings in gas.  I can't speak to the improved comfort as I like the ride in both 1500's and 2500's.  A good quality set of highway tires may be a cost effective alternative.

[Beer Belly]

I regret trading my 2500HD for the 1500, and now the Wife won't let me go back. The reason for the switch was, we went from home ownership to townhouse living, so didn't need the capability of the HD....but now we are back to home ownership, and could that HD from time to time. You never know, better to have and not need, than need and not have

[rrmccabe]

27 minutes ago, Beer Belly said:

I regret trading my 2500HD for the 1500, and now the Wife won't let me go back. The reason for the switch was, we went from home ownership to townhouse living, so didn't need the capability of the HD....but now we are back to home ownership, and could that HD from time to time. You never know, better to have and not need, than need and not have

Curious what "home ownership" duties require a 2500?

 

I have never owned a 2500 personally but over the last 40 years I have hauled truckloads of lumber, pulled rented skidloaders and trailer loads of boulders and never once thought I needed a bigger truck.

 

So what are your needs that a 1500 wont handle for homeowner duties?

 

[Donstar]

29 minutes ago, Beer Belly said:

I regret trading my 2500HD for the 1500, and now the Wife won't let me go back. The reason for the switch was, we went from home ownership to townhouse living, so didn't need the capability of the HD....but now we are back to home ownership, and could that HD from time to time. You never know, better to have and not need, than need and not have

Thank God for wives!  I believe mine has saved me from plenty of regrets and I've created enough of my own!  

[SouthpawHD]

32 minutes ago, Beer Belly said:

I regret trading my 2500HD for the 1500, and now the Wife won't let me go back. The reason for the switch was, we went from home ownership to townhouse living, so didn't need the capability of the HD....but now we are back to home ownership, and could that HD from time to time. You never know, better to have and not need, than need and not have

 

This is is my "concern" as well. I often use the full bed to its capacity to carry gear and supplies. But really only use the payload when towing the trailer. 

 

 

 

9 hours ago, Donstar said:

If you're in the market for a new truck then consider a 1500.  If you're switching at this time to save money I believe the associated costs with buying a new truck will exceed any future savings in gas.  I can't speak to the improved comfort as I like the ride in both 1500's and 2500's.  A good quality set of highway tires may be a cost effective alternative.

 

I hear ya on the overall costs, and that is a HUGE part of this consideration I need to look at.  My 2500 will need new tires this winter, so I'll consider that if I end up keeping it. 

[Donstar]

9 minutes ago, rrmccabe said:

Curious what "home ownership" duties require a 2500?

 

I have never owned a 2500 personally but over the last 40 years I have hauled truckloads of lumber, pulled rented skidloaders and trailer loads of boulders and never once thought I needed a bigger truck.

 

So what are your needs that a 1500 wont handle for homeowner duties?

 

I imagine his wife is questioning him enough on the "need"  topic!  I once owned a 3/4 ton GMC and have rented them on occasion since owning one.  Justifying the ownership of a 3/4 ton truck as a family daily driver is like explaining the need for a 6.2 in a 1/2 ton.  We know where the want vs need discussion inevitably ends up!    If money was not the deciding factor, my "dream" truck would be on a 2500 or 3500 frame. 

[lordathey]

I should have bought a 2500 instead of a 1500. Love your truck btw!

[amxguy1970]

1 hour ago, rrmccabe said:

Curious what "home ownership" duties require a 2500?

 

I have never owned a 2500 personally but over the last 40 years I have hauled truckloads of lumber, pulled rented skidloaders and trailer loads of boulders and never once thought I needed a bigger truck.

 

So what are your needs that a 1500 wont handle for homeowner duties?

 

This^

 

Parents have a well land scaped acre of land, we are complete do it our selfers (including building a large second 2 car garage ourselves). I cannot legitimately think of a time our half ton came up short and we have had multiple mid sizers in between and same with those. I think it is more a want than a need thing... You should see how many F-250/F-350 people run around in here in suburbia and either don't tow or tow a small fishing boat. They are all at houses that are 3500 spft on two tenths of an acre (in other words 5 ft from their neighbor). I live in a town home (shopping for some land though it is at a premium here) and have a half ton, many times I wish for a mid size. With a long bed it would be plenty for a town home or even most all home projects. If you start getting heavy rather than pushing the payload of the bed a $20 trailer rental is a better choice.

 

Tyler

[crushNchowda]

9 minutes ago, amxguy1970 said:

This^

 

Parents have a well land scaped acre of land, we are complete do it our selfers (including building a large second 2 car garage ourselves). I cannot legitimately think of a time our half ton came up short and we have had multiple mid sizers in between and same with those. I think it is more a want than a need thing... You should see how many F-250/F-350 people run around in here in suburbia and either don't tow or tow a small fishing boat. They are all at houses that are 3500 spft on two tenths of an acre (in other words 5 ft from their neighbor). I live in a town home (shopping for some land though it is at a premium here) and have a half ton, many times I wish for a mid size. With a long bed it would be plenty for a town home or even most all home projects. If you start getting heavy rather than pushing the payload of the bed a $20 trailer rental is a better choice.

 

Tyler

This make sense, & I am in the same boat.....but I'm never buying a 1/2 ton pickup again. Why? All the "negatives" of truck ownership (poor handling, cumbersome to park, takes up alot of garage space, poor MPG,  expensive when optioned up, "rough" ride - by some people's standards etc.) & comes up short on all the positives - the HD trucks will pull/haul more stuff, get similar mileage & diesel = 93 octane price anyhow I drive a 6.2, - they hold their value better. My opinion is that the 1/2 tons are loaded w/ tech/luxury nonsense today & the manufacturers skimp on some of the mechanical bits to cut cost as a result - they KNOW that most people who buy 1/2 tons don't use them anywhere close to their max potential so they can "gamble" w/ the warranty issues especially mechanically.

 

Now - I'd argue MOST HD truck sales ARE to people who will use/abuse them as trucks (at least from what I can tell in the northeast). Fleet sales to highway departments/landscape/construction/snow removal/boating/RV hauling etc. etc. The manufacturers know this, & as a result the HD trucks will hold up longer & be more reliable from a mechanical standpoint. On the electronics/luxury/fit & finish department I'm sure they're no better or worse than a 1/2 ton or any other GM vehicle...but when it comes to brakes/tranny/diffs/bushings/bearings/spring/steering rack/cooling system etc. the HD truck is going to be better, no doubt about it. So - if you're not going to use either truck to its max potential all else being equal (and they kinda are) - seems to me its better to go w/ an HD if you can find a model that ticks all the right boxes for your wants/needs relative to your price point.

 

 

[KARNUT]

Ok I’m different I admit. I drove one tons then 3/4 ton then 1/2 ton to an SUV. All as required for our family business. I still have a 1/2 ton old truck for fun and lite hauling as need. My wife always drove mostly performance sedans that were cheaper than my work trucks. I was always looking forward to the weekend to drive my collector cars and her cars. Trucks will mostly be Work horses to me, to use as needed.


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[Donstar]

1 hour ago, amxguy1970 said:

This^

 

Parents have a well land scaped acre of land, we are complete do it our selfers (including building a large second 2 car garage ourselves). I cannot legitimately think of a time our half ton came up short and we have had multiple mid sizers in between and same with those. I think it is more a want than a need thing... You should see how many F-250/F-350 people run around in here in suburbia and either don't tow or tow a small fishing boat. They are all at houses that are 3500 spft on two tenths of an acre (in other words 5 ft from their neighbor). I live in a town home (shopping for some land though it is at a premium here) and have a half ton, many times I wish for a mid size. With a long bed it would be plenty for a town home or even most all home projects. If you start getting heavy rather than pushing the payload of the bed a $20 trailer rental is a better choice.

 

Tyler

I doubt anyone will argue that a 1/2 ton and/or trailer will handle all household tasks.  I don't question why people  drive a 3/4 or 1 ton because I think they are a preferred daily driver for some.  A  3/4 ton truck is my preferred rental when I travel.  I love the feel, ride height and power!  As KARNUT suggests, people are different.   I went through cars, vans, suv's  and sedans.  I started driving with a pickup and will end with a pickup.  When I win the lottery my DD will have 6.5' or 8' box on the back and require 8 lug nuts per wheel.  This will be used to drive my 17 lb Pomeranian mix to the park.

[Beer Belly]

4 hours ago, rrmccabe said:

Curious what "home ownership" duties require a 2500?

 

I have never owned a 2500 personally but over the last 40 years I have hauled truckloads of lumber, pulled rented skidloaders and trailer loads of boulders and never once thought I needed a bigger truck.

 

So what are your needs that a 1500 wont handle for homeowner duties?

 

I've had some loads in the HD that the 1500 would of probably struggled with.....for instance, I loaded less than half of the bed in the 1500 with Pavers.....the HD would of done better job......plus all the process and sand for doing a walkway / patio just as one example

[rrmccabe]

1 hour ago, Beer Belly said:

I've had some loads in the HD that the 1500 would of probably struggled with.....for instance, I loaded less than half of the bed in the 1500 with Pavers.....the HD would of done better job......plus all the process and sand for doing a walkway / patio just as one example

Yea not saying there is never a need. But how often do you do that?  If you are a contractor then I can see it.   As far as sand, I would rather have a small dump truck bring it to me and dump it in the drive. 

 

I am not just not going to give up the ride of the 1/2 ton 363 days a year for two days I would benefit from having a 3/4. Not to mention, I have found having a small trailer in the last few years is usually the preferred method.  Bring it home, connect it to the tractor and haul it around the yard to wherever I need it.

 

But to each their own and I can appreciate the desire for more Rick.  I have a SUV that makes 800 HP on nitrous so I am the last person in the world that is going to argue need/want.

 

Pulling a large trailer is a different story.