2022 - 2500 Custom vs. 1500 Custom Trail Boss

[CFRED70]

Hit a bump in my search for a new truck, so thought I'd hop on here and get some insight from you all.  Started looking at 2022's.  First truck I came across that I liked was the 22 Trail Boss Custom 1500 with the 6.2.  Love the truck and fits all my needs/wants.  But then while there a 2500 Custom was being unloaded with the 6.6 gas engine and was actually stickered at $3500 less than the 1500.  Again, truck fits all my needs, with the benefit of the standard bed over the short bed, sits a littler higher, etc.  I don't drive much (currently 45k on my 5 year old truck), so fuel mileage isn't something I really worry about.  My question is, why should I not get the 2500?  Do I "need" a 2500, no, but I guess when I think of what it offers me over the 1500, no issues in regards to towing, bigger bed, similar gas mileage, is it smarter to just go with the 2500.  Would think resale the 2500 does better, and also I wanted to know what people thought of the 6.6 with the 6 speed tran, over the 6.2 with the 10 speed......Any insight is greatly appreciated.  

[redwngr]

You haven't said what your needs/wants are, but somehow a lifted 1500 custom and a 2500 6.6L both fit them.

 

Be sure you compare all the features on each.

Both those included on the trim level and the optional ones on the particular truck.  Options can make a significant difference in the bottom line msrp.

 

 

If your intending to keep it for at least 5 years, and if your not in a rush, check out the info on the 'refreshed' 2022 1500's that have been revealed and will be available in the spring.

(the one you are looking at is a 2022 1500 LTD -- which is the same truck as the 2021.)

The 2500's will get the refresh, but not at the same time as the 1500's. 

 

6.2 requires premium fuel, 6.6 does not.

1500 will get better mileage. 

( I realize you said fuel economy/costs aren't a big deal to you)  

 

Trailboss has the 2" factory lift -- and it's still not as tall as a stock 2500.

If you don't want a tall truck, maybe a 1500 Custom (non Trailboss) is  consideration -- but that would mean no 6.2L and no 10 speed, as the 1500 Custom would have the 2.7L Turbo engine with the 8 speed.

 

 

I've gotten to where I find the extra height to be an annoyance rather than a benefit.

 

 

[Lifesgood]

Resale would be better for a 2500. When you eventually do tow, youll be glad you have a 2500. I mean seriously why buy less truck when you can have more? And everyone buys a half ton so i wouldnt even bother, half ton sales suck. 

 

Super easy decision. pick the 2500. 

[KARNUT]

Most of my trucks were for work. So I bought what was required to do the job. I couldn’t wait to only need a half ton. 

[Stand By]

Check the options on the HD. My custom came with plow prep package which is heavy torsion bars, skid plate, alternator upgrade and the hidden pigtail for a strobe in the break light spoiler. Also came with tow package and bed liner. Most customs I've seen have those options, if not all of them. Still get the folding mirrors and back up/line up cameras. The 6.2 and 6.6 are essentially the same engine, so they have suffered similar bulletins with the valve train. The 6.2 uses higher compression pistons reducing displacement. The 6.6 has a beefed up iron block for durability under load. The 6.6 won't be able to be tuned like a Camero, but it's no slouch. The programming is set up to provide power under load. The shifting of the beefed up 6 speed is smooth and it holds gear up grades nicely, rather than down shifting and launching you when you crest the hill. Mileage can suck if you're messing around. But when taking it easy it's not so bad considering the truck is a good ton heavier than the 1500. 

 

 

[Epsilon Plus]

The 6.6 doesn't have lifter eating, thin oil requiring, headache inducing and barely does anything to MPG-uh-ing, dynamic fuel management. Not to mention it doesn't have annoying stop/start. Plus the 6L90E while not the latest fancy 10-speed, is as bulletproof as you can get with a factory trans.

 

I.E. the gasser 2500 HD wins in the long-term reliability category. Also, as previously mentioned, HD trucks are preferred come resale time as people do the math like you are and realize the half ton isn't worth the hit in capability.

 

Back 5 years ago when you could get $10,000 off any half ton, any time of the year at any brand/dealer, the half ton was a good deal. Mid grade half tons like a 1500 Crew 4x4 LT are good $35-37k trucks brand new.

 

At $44k-50k+? Please......

Edited November 17, 2021 by Epsilon Plus

[ls5454ss]

A reason against the 2500 would be ride quality.  I can only speak for single cab , long bed trucks, but I did road test both back to back.  The ride quality was a difference of night and day between a 1500 and a 2500 - with the 2500 being VERY abrasive at times.

 

Just some food for thought based on my experiences.  

[CFRED70]

Thanks for all the replies!  It was a tough choice....but after WAY too much research/reading/test driving....I pulled the trigger on a 2022 2500 Custom.  Ride is definitely a little stiffer, and feels a little more like a "work truck", but at the end of the day I just like the look of the 2500 better and it fits what I need it for.  Hoping for a solid 10 years!

[Stand By]

The ride will likely get better. Any harshness for me anyway, was much better than having to much cushion or sway when you don't want it. The 2500 rides in rails comparatively.

[Dunn]

agreed......i dont want a truck to ride like a car....when i need its capabilties i have it available.....

[bones30]

Good call on the 2500!  Enjoy it!!

[customboss]

Enjoy your choice! 

[finn5033]

I agree I think you made the right choice. I don't daily drive my truck and haven't for a long time because I either had a work vehicle or vehicle allowance. So I only put about 6k miles a year on my trucks. I've wanted a HD truck as long as 6-7 years ago and kept talking myself out of it. I could have saved myself a lot of money if I would have bought one 6 years ago because I kept trying to find a 1/2 ton that would make me happy but kept being disapointed and trying something else. Finally got to the point where we needed the HD platform. I was shocked how nice my truck rides for being a 1 ton. And as others have said when you do need to tow there is no comparison. 

Edited February 10, 2022 by finn5033

[voided3]

On 11/17/2021 at 3:16 PM, Epsilon Plus said:

The 6.6 doesn't have lifter eating, thin oil requiring, headache inducing and barely does anything to MPG-uh-ing, dynamic fuel management. Not to mention it doesn't have annoying stop/start. Plus the 6L90E while not the latest fancy 10-speed, is as bulletproof as you can get with a factory trans.

 

I.E. the gasser 2500 HD wins in the long-term reliability category. Also, as previously mentioned, HD trucks are preferred come resale time as people do the math like you are and realize the half ton isn't worth the hit in capability.

 

Back 5 years ago when you could get $10,000 off any half ton, any time of the year at any brand/dealer, the half ton was a good deal. Mid grade half tons like a 1500 Crew 4x4 LT are good $35-37k trucks brand new.

 

At $44k-50k+? Please......

Exactly. We have a '21 Silverado LT with the 5.3 and had our lifters fail at 585 miles, among other issues. I kick myself every day for not getting a Custom 2500 with the gas 6.6 for basically the same price as I'm sure it would have been a much better ownership experience. I've had nine service appointments in 14 months, and it spent nearly two of those months at the dealer service department, leaving me to drive four different rental cars. We're going to replace the truck within the next year or two, most likely with a Ford F250 with the 6.2 or 7.3 gas V8. Reliability has become priority #1 over all else because of this truck-shaped object with a Silverado badge on it.

 

I still can't believe how little quality you get for so much money in today's market and it has made me hate that we need a truck. If your sedan or crossover has to be in the shop for a week or two, you'll probably be able to get a loaner or rental that will serve the purpose and life goes on. If your truck goes down, the chances of getting a loaner/rental with a brake controller and adequate towing/payload capacity are slim to zero. You basically need to own two trucks in order to always have one that works.

On 12/2/2021 at 11:55 AM, CFRED70 said:

Thanks for all the replies!  It was a tough choice....but after WAY too much research/reading/test driving....I pulled the trigger on a 2022 2500 Custom.  Ride is definitely a little stiffer, and feels a little more like a "work truck", but at the end of the day I just like the look of the 2500 better and it fits what I need it for.  Hoping for a solid 10 years!

Good call. Try experimenting with tire pressures to soften up the ride; you shouldn't have to run the rear tires at the full 80 PSI when not towing/hauling.