2500 Chevy pickup

Jake in NY · Mar 1, 2011

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a brand new used 3/4T pickup and the local dealer has an '03 Chevy 2500 coming in on a trade, but it's not an HD. I will be towing a ~6k trailer on a regular basis so I am a little concerned that this truck might not fit my bill.

Any thoughts on this?

TIA,
Jake

Anonymous-0 · Mar 1, 2011

What is a brand new used pickup...?

tjdub · Mar 1, 2011

Anything newer than 10 years-old might as well be "brand new" to me

kyhayman · Mar 1, 2011

A 6000 pound trailer wont even be noticed, HD or not. But, if you want a 2009 F250 super duty hollar at me.

MSJ from MN · Mar 1, 2011

My '02 1/2 ton is rated to pull 7300 if I remember correctly.

hayray · Mar 2, 2011

Just got rid of a 2000, cost way too much to keep it running as a work truck, very expensive and complicated problems to fix and I have one of each make almost. The GMC and Chevys do not hold up for farm trucks as good as Fords and Dodge, I would steer clear of it. Plus, payloads on Fords are heavier, I don't think Dodge has a very high payload.

JayinNY · Mar 2, 2011

Is it a 6000 lbs empty weight, or gvw, full weight trailer. Get a brake box in the truck for trailer brakes, and have a few more leaf springs add to the rear axel of the truck if you want.

TonyIN · Mar 2, 2011

I bought a used 2004 2500, non HD about a year ago.
Although I don"t tow frequently, I have been fine with it. Never the same load I"m towing, so not sure how to rate that for you.
Depending on how it"s equipped, I believe the HD came standard with a 4:10 rear end while the non-HD was a 3:73. You could get either on each truck though.
I drive a lot of empty miles too, so I preferred the 3:73.
I think mine is rated around 10,000 for towing and the HD was a couple thousand pounds more. Payload was not a big difference.
If I remember, cars.com had a good compare feature on it that I used. Can"t vouch for it"s accuracy but seemed close.
You may be able to get it at a better price if you don"t need the HD. Not sure about resale, but keep mine for a long time so not an issue.
Hope that helps

mkirsch · Mar 2, 2011

The main differences between the 2500 and 2500HD is semi-float vs. full-float rear axle, and 600lbs of payload, probably due to different rear springs.

Both trucks have the same tow rating, it's just that the HD model can carry more.

Sparktrician · Mar 2, 2011

I have a 2000 2500 Chevy, 6.0. That was the first year of the New body style. Didnt offer a HD then I dont think.....

That has been a good truck. It has had a lot more behind it than it ever should have....Neighboor has a 04 2500 dodge w. cummmins.....that truck is litteraly falling apart. I would stay far and wide from a dodge.....good diesel motor, but that is about it.

hd6gtom · Mar 2, 2011

Jake here in farm country, at the used car lot, we sell more Chevy and Gmc pickups than any other brand. Any 3/4 ton Chevys we get in usually dont stay on the lot over 1 day. The 6.0 likes gas, the 5.3 is great if you are going to pull a light trailer. The big block will pull a loaded 24' stock trailer with ease. You need to go to a dodge or 7.3 ford diesel to keep up with them.

formerly ny bill · Mar 2, 2011

i have a 2003 2500 HD chevy. i had it at the napa store when another customer pulled in with a regular 2500. of course, we had to compare what was underneath. my truck had a lot more frame underneath.

JayinNY · Mar 2, 2011

"my truck had a lot more frame underneath".
Bull! What is this comedy central now.

Jake in NY · Mar 4, 2011

Thanks to everybody for replying. Drove her home this afternoon. I've never seen a used vehicle that was anywhere near this clean and rustfree, much less an 8 yr old truck in upstate NY!

Jake in NY

2500 Chevy pickup

Jake in NY

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