I need some info/help. In a year or two I will be looking to get a higher end 5er, probably a Teton, 36' Experience. It grosses at 16,950. Presentyl have an Alfa, 36' that grosses at 17,100. We generally run just over 16,000. The 2500HD will weigh a little over 10,400 and a GCW of 23,800 towing our 5er on our last 8400 mile trip coast to coast. (Empty about 7450#'s). Got an avg of 13.9 mpg at an avg mph of 49 mph. I have made 2 coast to coast round trips with a pick up bed canopy at about 8500 lbs GW, driving around 70 - 80 mph got about 22 mpg, IIRC.

Since we have the same engine/trasmission, more or less, what is the benefit of a 4500 over a 2500/3500? It appears with the weights you all are talking about (11,000 + to 12,600+ GW of the MDT), it appears that I'll be just as over GWR with either version. Why bother with the added exspense, lack of mpg, insurance, maintenance costs, etc? I know it is built a lot stouter, but if with my current 5er I weigh 23,800 (1800 ovr GCWR or about 8% ovr) with a 12,000# MDT I would weigh 28,350 (2350#'s ovr, about 9% ovr, if the GCWR is 26,000#'s). Is it really worht it? Thanks for your input ahead of getting it.

PLEASE read some of the posts here about the advantage of bring able to stop ad steer the truck in most weather and road conditions. We all know that the drive train is the same in these trucks but you must look at the whole picture. I myself would never, never tow anything over 10,000 lbs with a 4 tire truck, I think that the extra 2 tires on the rear make the truck handle better and if for some reason you need to stop it is alot safer with the bigger brakes you have on a 6 wheeler. The 6 tires also give a bigger foot print on the road and that takes the wind, the cross wind from the big trucks and I think the rough road better than a 4 wheel truck, on the 4500 and 5500 you get 19.5 tires. Having said all this I know some people say I like the ride of my 2500 or 3500 so I will never go bigger, well IMHO in this case bigger is better. All this is just my 2 cents worth, but I do haul trailers all over the US and I've been doing it along time with out any major problem ie.. I haven't totaled one yet, well there was that 1 but that wasn't my fault!:D

I need some info/help. In a year or two I will be looking to get a higher end 5er, probably a Teton, 36' Experience. It grosses at 16,950. Presentyl have an Alfa, 36' that grosses at 17,100. We generally run just over 16,000. The 2500HD will weigh a little over 10,400 and a GCW of 23,800 towing our 5er on our last 8400 mile trip coast to coast. (Empty about 7450#'s). Got an avg of 13.9 mpg at an avg mph of 49 mph. I have made 2 coast to coast round trips with a pick up bed canopy at about 8500 lbs GW, driving around 70 - 80 mph got about 22 mpg, IIRC.


So chinook46, have you been getting pushed around by 18 wheelers, the wind, or feel really unsafe towing all that weight with your 2500HD? Specially since you have a lot of coast to coast towing experience with the truck? I towed my 5er which is just under yours coast to coast after purchasing it (one way) with my 2500, and I experienced none of the problems everyone complains about; maybe I am missing something?

I am definitely shocked about your statement concerning the 4500/5500 being just as overweight towing your 5er as your current truck is. I had thought about checking into a 4500/5500 for the future due to all the admonishment from the weight police online, but if your figures are correct, then it might make more sense to purchase a bigger truck. Does it really take a Mac or Peterbuilt if one wants to improve their towing capacity and safety!

Unfortunately the 4500 is on the limit of helping you out when you pull a heavier trailer because you pick up a couple thousand pounds moving up and that just defeats the purpose. You will see there are guys here pulling up to 30k weight with no problem. The truck is more than capable to pull this type of weight but legally is limited by the GCWR. That weight from all I can find is basically limited because the Allison 1000 parking Pawl is limited to 26k on an incline. The 5500 takes you up to 33k gcwr I believe which is a pretty substantial increase. I pulled with a dodge 3500 and it did perfectly well but was also over on gcwr, I upgraded because I wanted the safety of the larger brakes. Now after owning the 4500 it does feel a lot safer towing. The 4500 is a good go between.

I agree with tmcblane, the Kodiak 4500 is a great TV. We started with the 2500HD and went to the 3500 1 ton dually. They had all options including DVD player and moon roof and of course the Duramax/Allison which I think is the best combo on the market. The 4500 is just much better for towing heavy 5th wheels. The ride between the Chevy Kodiak and the 1 ton is awesome. The Air ride suspension and the Air ride leather upgraded seats just wraps around the driver/passenger. Brake's are larger and the foot print puts more rubber on the road. The turning radius is so much better and can park any place the 3500 did. Don't use parking garage's or drive thru's. But keep in mind the Chevy Kodiak is a Truck, not a Hot Rod diesel. Good Luck on your Choice....GBY....

Our Chevy Kodiak's weigh 10,900 with driver, passenger and full load of fuel. (148 gals). Our Inc is cheaper with the Kodiak than the 3500, but we have our 5th wheel Inc with the same company. Our dually 1 ton when loaded weigh 8500, and the ride was very harsh when on concrete expressways. I guess if you buy a stock 4500 with oem seats and on steel suspension the ride is not very good. Our interior is very nice has snap in carpet front and rear, nice dash trim and PD,PW. air adjustable seats, electric rear fold down seat can sleep two, with our feather mattress. Again the Chevy Kodiak is a TRUCK....

You don't need a medium duty for that application. If you feel your 2500HD doesn't provide the stability you're looking for, just get a 3500 dually. That will solve the problem just fine, without *losing a lot* by going to a 4500+.

* = (interior quality, ride quality, size, insurance, mpg's, parking ability, etc..)

I currently have a 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500. I can tell you I much prefer driving the first 2 mentioned. They are much more user friendly, but for commercial applications the last 2 are a better fit.

For your personal and recreational purpose, I'd go with a 3500 dually crew cab.