Contractor deciding on 2500vs1500

[joe holman]

I’m an electrician currently looking to 2 4 1 my existing 16’ express van and 18’ Silverado 1500 for either a newer 2500 or 1500. 
 

this is the planned truck setup:

- bed slide

- contractor cap (maybe fiberglass, haven’t fully decided)

- ladder rack with conduit tube/box

- roughly 1000 pound average payload of tools/materials/1 driver. Not including the cap, rack, or bed slide. I would imagine this another 500lb minimum. 
 

I’ll be getting a 2021-2023 model year most likely with low miles. I really want the adaptive cruise control and I will need the full crew cab which is main reason for losing my current 1500 which I do enjoy. 
 

Will the 1500 be noticeably swervey with that kind of payload? I never carry much but mountain bikes in my current truck, so I’m not sure how they feel loaded up and with a cap with some cross winds. 
 

Also, is the cab headroom in 2500 noticeably taller? I’m 6’6 and need to slightly recline my current truck seat to sit up straight. This is another major reason for upgrade as I’m hoping for more clearance there - the van has given me back pain. 
 

as for general drive feel - are the newer 2500s more similar in feel to the 1500s? Or will it toss you around a bit more even with the mentioned payload? 

[newdude]

8 minutes ago, joe holman said:

I’m an electrician currently looking to 2 4 1 my existing 16’ express van and 18’ Silverado 1500 for either a newer 2500 or 1500. 
 

this is the planned truck setup:

- bed slide

- contractor cap (maybe fiberglass, haven’t fully decided)

- ladder rack with conduit tube/box

- roughly 1000 pound average payload of tools/materials/1 driver. Not including the cap, rack, or bed slide. I would imagine this another 500lb minimum. 
 

I’ll be getting a 2021-2023 model year most likely with low miles. I really want the adaptive cruise control and I will need the full crew cab which is main reason for losing my current 1500 which I do enjoy. 
 

Will the 1500 be noticeably swervey with that kind of payload? I never carry much but mountain bikes in my current truck, so I’m not sure how they feel loaded up and with a cap with some cross winds. 
 

Also, is the cab headroom in 2500 noticeably taller? I’m 6’6 and need to slightly recline my current truck seat to sit up straight. This is another major reason for upgrade as I’m hoping for more clearance there - the van has given me back pain. 
 

as for general drive feel - are the newer 2500s more similar in feel to the 1500s? Or will it toss you around a bit more even with the mentioned payload? 

 

 

2500 or 3500.  Don't bother with the 1500 just from the fixed weight alone you are planning for the box (cap, ladder racks, Decked in bed sliding box plus payload in there).  

 

If you want adaptive cruise in an HD however, you have to go brand new 2024 as it wasn't available for 2020-2023.  

 

Cab size the 1500 and HD are dimensionally the same but the new cabs are larger inside than the 14-18 cabs for sure but I'm not 6'6" so can't speak for comfort on that part.  

Edited November 27, 2023 by newdude

[joe holman]

Thanks for the reply. Figured the 2500 cab would have more volume since I thought the cab itself was wider at least. 
 

I did not realize that about the adaptive - I could have sworn I saw the high country trim (I believe) with adaptive cruise? I thought it was a 22 or 23. I’ll have to check back on that. 

[64BAwagon]

Not to mention that the 6.6 gas in the 2500 is devoid of all the cylinder deactivation crap that ruined the 5.3

Depending on where you are in the country a 22 or 23 used may be the same or more $$$ than ordering a new one. 

I have the adaptive cruise on both my truck and my equinox and its turned off on both. I thought I would like it but I didnt. I dont think its refined enough for my use. It lacks the ability to anticipate whats coming, it only reacts to the now. If you havent spent time with the system I would suggest trying to drive one for a little while before making it a mandatory item on your list. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by 64BAwagon

[Johnjr]

I don’t like the adaptive cruise on my 24 either. Slams on the brakes when someone changes lanes way in front of you.

[newdude]

2 hours ago, joe holman said:

Thanks for the reply. Figured the 2500 cab would have more volume since I thought the cab itself was wider at least. 
 

I did not realize that about the adaptive - I could have sworn I saw the high country trim (I believe) with adaptive cruise? I thought it was a 22 or 23. I’ll have to check back on that. 

 

 

I've not actually measured but supposedly the interior door panels are a bit thinner to widen the cab a hair over a 1500 but otherwise all the measurements (headroom, leg room, etc.) are the same between the two.  

 

Sheetmetal wise the HD shares nothing but the roof I believe as well.  All the panels are steel where on the 1500 everything that opens is aluminum (doors, tailgate and hood).  HD also has a larger bed for the standard box, 6ft9in (or 6ft10in according to some) instead of 6ft6in.  

 

[Dunn]

am a G.C. and swapped 1500 and 2500s many times last few years and ws able too with the market,,,,

 

I do need payload  but either will work, main thing is the strength of 2500 and resale for sure is better, also bed space thats available is more and thats a big deal for me......you put 1000lbs in the truck with supplies or people and it drives like a 1500....would rather have more truck than not enough.....the height is nice as well

 

they dont drive horrible and feel like a truck and not a car.......i can throw anything at this vehicle and will be fine so it leaves options.....wont go back to a 1500 plus standard beds are hard to find...if you dont get a diesel the price isnt that bad.......

 

there are always pros and cons (parking lots) but feel a 2500 is a stronger, more reliable truck and better fit overall.....will never stress on loads plus can add anything to the truck and it will handle it

 

a 2500 is so much more truck its not really comparable......whether it fits your needs is a question you have to answer

 

for me without question the pros outweigh the cons

 

I have a 23 silverado high country and no adaptive cruise control.....24shave it but doesnt bother me. lots dont like it anyway

 

my bed measures 82" while still closing the tailgate

Edited November 28, 2023 by Dunn

[Pryme]

I have adaptive cruise on my daily driver Corolla (go figure a 20k car has it plus all the other nanny crap) which I turned off all of it except the blind spot lights. The adaptive cruise with lane trace crap is annoying. Like others have said, it will nail the brakes startling you if something comes over well ahead of you. Also it will slow you down ever so much if another car is going a bit slower. 
 

tye lane trace is equally dumb. Let’s say you want to change lanes and literally no one is around, if you don’t use your blinker it will beep and nudge the wheel back. Also it drifts between the lanes making you look drunk. No thanks

[CRApex]

The only time I've found the adaptive cruise to be usefull is on a long single lane road where there is so much traffic its not worth passing.  

[UWSkier]

Another former adaptive cruise user here too.  I tried it on my 2024 towing my camper cross country and it just made me mad and wasted gas accelerating and braking

[joe holman]

Interesting about the adaptive. Was looking forward to it for both stop and go traffic as well as long highway trips where I have an irrational fear of daydreaming and rear ending someone. Never have knock on wood, but as I age the piece of mind wouldn’t hurt. I’ve “come to” while driving too many times. I guess my subconscious is a decent driver. 
 

yeah the bigger bed is a nice feature. Losing the van I’ll probably want as much spare room as possible. 
 

I’ll have to test out the adaptive cruise before pulling the trigger. Seems like a lot of 24s are coming with it though so maybe just shut it off if it bothers me. 
 

 

[KARNUT]

I had adapted cruise. You haven’t live until you cruising along and someone in front of you gets in the left lane. Your vehicle slams on the brakes and the guy behind you almost rear ends you. The only thing that saves you is nailing the gas before that happens. Two lane roads without a turn lane was about the only time I used it. That was on an older vehicle, maybe it’s gotten better. 

[gregus73]

I would go for the 2500 just for the 6.6 gas or diesel and Allison transmission. The brakes take some getting used to over the 1500. The 5.3 is good on gas but felt that it lacked power.

[Epsilon Plus]

HD no question for a business purpose or even a serious homesteader. Payload, towing, sheer component size/strength, engine reliability (no DFM)...etc.

 

GMs gas HDs are legendary for reliability. I've seen countless examples over 200,000 miles and still working hard. They are specifically designed for the fleet customer and longevity.

[Kerry Pulaski]

Had a '18 1500 as a temp after my '16 2500HD was totaled in a multi vehicle pile up.  Had to get the '18, was on the lot with my totaled '16 truck at my dealer,  as my '16 A.R.E. fiberglass cap would fit, swapped over the Bed Slider as well.

My Bed Slider is steel, so heavy. They do make aluminum ones.

The '16 drove like xxxx, with little tools in back.  Sway, hit bump stops.....all the time. Temp solution was adding Air Shocks in the rear.

Go for the 2500.  My special order '24 came in this July.