Upgrade from 1500 to HD

Camario · March 3, 2020

Currently the happy owner of a 19 Trail Boss custom. I really do like the truck, But the more I’ve been watching HD reviews and their capabilities the more I want lol. I don’t have a camper to haul or snow to plow, I just like trucks overall. I do go camping hunting and fishing. And do use it to get never ending renovations done at the house.

Ive been eyeing the Silverado Custom 6.6 Gas as a potential replacement after my lease.

So my question is has anyone else upgraded from 1500 to 2500? How is the ride in comparison? Very harsh?

Any other input would be appreciated.

Thank you

Ryno12 · March 3, 2020

I upgraded from a 2014 Denali to a 2020 6.6 gas CCSB 2500HD last November because I have a larger travel trailer. I do really like my HD & it’s fully optioned so I have all the creature comforts. It does ride nice for an HD & I really like the extra space in the box. With all that said, if I didn’t “need” an HD, I’d probably much rather have a 1500.

Despite the HD riding nice (for an HD), it’s still not as nice of a ride as the 1500. As my daily driver, the rough(er) ride can get old after awhile. It’s also much larger physically and that adds some trickiness to navigating tight spaces. Gas mileage is also no where near that of the 6.2 I had in my old truck.

So there’s a handful of pros/cons & I’m sure I could make the argument go the other way but my opinion would be if you don’t need the HD, stick with a 1500. I’m sure there’s others that will say the opposite.

Carolina · March 3, 2020

Ride is definitely stiffer , mileage is worse but from my experience of putting over 300k on 4 of them and 400k on 1 they are better built mechanically . I tow a lot and I mostly change batteries and brakes.

SkidooSteve12 · March 3, 2020

4 minutes ago, Ryno12 said:

I upgraded from a 2014 Denali to a 2020 6.6 gas CCSB 2500HD last November because I have a larger travel trailer. I do really like my HD & it’s fully optioned so I have all the creature comforts. It does ride nice for an HD & I really like the extra space in the box. With all that said, if I didn’t “need” an HD, I’d probably much rather have a 1500.

Despite the HD riding nice (for an HD), it’s still not as nice of a ride as the 1500. As my daily driver, the rough(er) ride can get old after awhile. It’s also much larger physically and that adds some trickiness to navigating tight spaces. Gas mileage is also no where near that of the 6.2 I had in my old truck.

So there’s a handful of pros/cons & I’m sure I could make the argument go the other way but my opinion would be if you don’t need the HD, stick with a 1500. I’m sure there’s others that will say the opposite.

I TOTALLY agree with Ryno's post! I came from a 2013 Silverado 1500 CC really short box 5.3L that I bought new. Previous to that I had a 1500HD crew cab and mainly bought that for the crew cab. Last year upgraded to a longer snowmobile trailer that just felt like it was too much for the 1/2 ton to safely handle on winter roads. I didn't plan on buying a 2020 2500HD, but did end up buying one off my dealer's lot and it has been great. It handles that trailer with no problem and I'm not as stressed out after towing it 6 hours. We have a 28' travel trailer too, but towing that during the summer months with the 1/2 ton and a weight distribution hitch and sway bar wasn't a problem. Just can't use a sway bar on my aluminum snowmobile trailer in the winter. Funny I was just thinking the other day that the new truck satisfies such a small need throughout the year, but it is a very important need for the safety of my family during our winter trips. I tow my bass boat at least once a week during the warmer months, but that's major overkill too with the 2500HD LOL!

Gas mileage has averaged around 12.5 MPG vs around 14 MPG with my 2013 5.3L. I only drive around 12,000-15,000 miles a year and we drive my wife's Traverse mainly. Even though the 2020 2500HD does ride pretty nice for a HD. The new larger cab is really nice for the 3 kids in the back seat on trips with all of their stuff.

So if you need the HD the 2020 has been great. If the 1500 does the job for you, I'd stick with that. Originally I had planned on another 1500 crew cab but with the 6.5' box. But needs change and luckily there are choices to meet those needs.

jpgcrna · March 3, 2020

If I didn’t tow a 35 foot travel trailer I’d have a hard time justifying the HD. It definitely doesn’t ride as smooth. It’s more expensive. It’s a pain to park sometimes. But when you tow something big, these inconveniences get justified really quickly the first time you tow with one.

If I wasn’t towing anything big I’d probably go back to a 1500. But, I definitely love the reliability I’ve enjoyed with diesel, I also love the torque and that would be hard to give up too.

Fortunately there are diesel options in the 1500s now. I would definitely go test drive one. It may give you what you’re looking for without buying too much truck for too much money.

greatmizzou · March 3, 2020

Hds are so big now, dont get one unless you need it. 1500s are very capable nowadays and it would be hard to lose the convenience.

I will say the driving distance on 6.6 gas is awesome. I can drive forever without filling up and its one hell of a highway travel vehicle!

bowtie2007 · March 3, 2020

I tow a 33' travel trailer weighing about 7500lbs. I had a 2019 Sierra and traded it for a 2020 HD. My main concerns switching was ride quality and gas mileage. This is my first HD and the main differences i notice in the HD are stiffer suspension, the steering is not as responsive, and the brake pedal feels softer. I'm acclimated to all those differences and don't think about them anymore. The ride really is actually better than i expected.

I can't comment on gas mileage because i gave up on the gas truck i ordered back in August. That truck is just now in transit to the dealership, over 6 months later. I ended up buying a diesel in December.

All that said, towing stability is night and day! I kept thinking i could just tow with a half ton because i didn't want a HD. Knowing what i know now, i won't buy another half ton to pull a camper.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

bowtie2007 · March 3, 2020

Deleted double post.

jjackkrash · March 3, 2020

I have had at least a 3/4 ton since 2010 for my daily. My daily is now a 3500 DRW. I love how these big trucks drive, loaded or unloaded, especially the diesels. They just feel like more substantial trucks. I do not really even enjoy driving the 1500s anymore and would not go back. I say if you want one, get one.

Limelight · March 3, 2020

I traded in a 2019 1500 LTZ 5.3 (new body style) For a 2020 LTZ 2500HD gas.

Though the 1500 was rated to tow 9600# it was completely unhappy towing my 8000# 37’ trailer.
The 2500 shrugs it off. If you climb under a 1500 and then a 2500 and look around you will see The differences instantly. EVERYTHING under the 2500 is super beefy.

It rides fine- in fact I prefer the firmer not floaty ride. It has tons of power too! As stated above, sometimes it’s a challenge parking and getting around tight spaces- it’s a beast.
Thing is though, the 1500 makes way more sense as a daily. The fuel mileage alone is significant.
I love my 2500 but I would have kept the 1500 if I didn’t need the towing ability.

Camario · March 3, 2020

Thanks for the input guys. I should mention that parking isn’t a problem in my situation. And neither is fuel. Daily I don’t drive much, and when I do drive a lot it’s pretty much open highway.

The 1500 trucks might be enough for me.

But I like the fact of how much stronger and beefier the 2500s are mechanically.

Being a mechanic I always look at mechanical durability. Anyways I’ll see closer towards the end of my lease, it will give them time to work out any kinks. For now I need to find time to at least test drive one.

Dunn · March 4, 2020

13 hours ago, Camario said:

Currently the happy owner of a 19 Trail Boss custom. I really do like the truck, But the more I’ve been watching HD reviews and their capabilities the more I want lol. I don’t have a camper to haul or snow to plow, I just like trucks overall. I do go camping hunting and fishing. And do use it to get never ending renovations done at the house.

Ive been eyeing the Silverado Custom 6.6 Gas as a potential replacement after my lease.

So my question is has anyone else upgraded from 1500 to 2500? How is the ride in comparison? Very harsh?

Any other input would be appreciated.

Thank you

welcome to the club.....I was pretty set on 2500 but they weren't discounting them, so I figured ill just get another 1500....first 3 months I have had mine sacked out payload wise....granted its an odd scenario for me work wise but just happened to be ive really could have used one....and once I pay this off I will be moving up to 2500....I need it for payload, but still feel they look way better than 1500 and come with standard or long beds.....plus they already sit higher stock.....I will be going gas as well and you get 6.6.....they don't ride that bad actually, firmer but not bad

I don't lease I buy so....but already been checking 2500 a lot, I will wait til discounts are at a premium though

they are a bigger truck and I live at beach which is tight but I don't go out much anymore and tbh would move away from here ( have small construction remodeling bus) if I had solid job and everything fit....born and raised here and there is just too many friggen people....I wish I could drive just open highways....I have to go 100 miles to find that, lol....

Sniperdan · March 4, 2020

If you don't haul or tow heavy stick with the 1500. The HD's feel sluggish and heavy in the steering. They burn up tires much quicker and they ride stiff. Also, Diesel is really expensive to maintain. Don't get me wrong, I love my HD Diesel and have been driving one since 2010 but if I was not hauling and towing heavy I would go back to a 1500 in a heartbeat and save my wallet a whole lot of $$$. Just my 2 cents worth.

Carolina · March 4, 2020

10 hours ago, Sniperdan said:

If you don't haul or tow heavy stick with the 1500. The HD's feel sluggish and heavy in the steering. They burn up tires much quicker and they ride stiff. Also, Diesel is really expensive to maintain. Don't get me wrong, I love my HD Diesel and have been driving one since 2010 but if I was not hauling and towing heavy I would go back to a 1500 in a heartbeat and save my wallet a whole lot of $$$. Just my 2 cents worth.

There’s no sluggishness in the 2020 gas and as far as the Ltz goes with the electric steering assist it’s very light . The 6.6 is a completely different feeling engine. You need to run E rated tires but other than that I haven’t had problems with wear on my gas or diesel models. I’ve been getting 50k-65k out of Mud Claw Extreme and Toyo Mt , my service trucks are getting roughly the same with Goodyear tires. Granted I rotate them as recommended.

Carolina · March 4, 2020

18 hours ago, Limelight said:

I traded in a 2019 1500 LTZ 5.3 (new body style) For a 2020 LTZ 2500HD gas.

Though the 1500 was rated to tow 9600# it was completely unhappy towing my 8000# 37’ trailer.
The 2500 shrugs it off. If you climb under a 1500 and then a 2500 and look around you will see The differences instantly. EVERYTHING under the 2500 is super beefy.

It rides fine- in fact I prefer the firmer not floaty ride. It has tons of power too! As stated above, sometimes it’s a challenge parking and getting around tight spaces- it’s a beast.
Thing is though, the 1500 makes way more sense as a daily. The fuel mileage alone is significant.
I love my 2500 but I would have kept the 1500 if I didn’t need the towing ability.

What was your mileage on the 2019?