I have several questions about the 4500 Chevys.
I now own a 05 3500 that I have set up for "Hotshot" trucking. I've got 19.5 wheels and tires on it, 55 gallon auxillary fuel tank, Bully Dog power pup set on #1 and a B-W goose neck setup.. It has 93,000 on the clock and is in "mint" condition, meaning it uses NO oil runs down the road at 28,000 lbs gross like its empty, doesn't over heat and rides and looks like a dream! AND its paid for!

Question 1. I have an opportunity to trade up to a brand new '06 4500 for a VERY GOOD difference in the price. About $30K Do you think its worth the $$?:deal:

Question 2. Because of the added advantage of the "heavier duty" of the 4500, meaning air ride suspension and seats, engine brake etc. Is it worth the $$.

Question 3. because of the bigger truck I could apportion the truck to carry more weght to make more $$.:thankyou2

I like my Topkick but IMHO you will never make that 30k back by upgrading. If anything you will incur more cost. If the 3500 does what you need it to in a manor thats acceptable to you why upgrade? GCVW is 28k is going to be 33k easy on the larger truck.

Your fuel cost will go up at lleast 25 percent.If your running out west your fuel cost will be more,the mountains and head winds will kill you.The engine will not last as long,you will be turning 2300 to 2600 rpm to maintain 65 to 70 mph with a 4.78 gear.Remember your getting A medium duty truck with A pick up motor and transmission.GM has A poor dealer network for these trucks.animal

What I've been seeing in other posts about the 4500's, my fuel milage shouldn't change that much as I'm getting 7-8 mpg loaded and 11-13 now M/T. My trailer weighs 8K M/T. So what I'm thinking is my tare weight will go from 17K to maybe 21K.
Another note, this truck has grossed me about $130K working an average of 3 to 4 days a week in 10 months as I took a months vacation! Right now my average loads pays $1.30 a mile both ways and more when I'm loaded both ways! :grd:

I'm also looking at the "bed" style rear seat, the engine brake, the higher, safer GVCW.
As for the gear ratio, I plan on going to 245's when I wear the 2.25's out which should bring it down to about 4.3 or 4.4's final ratio.
As for the dealer, I'm working with one of the largest "big Chevy" dealers on the west coast!

Its your money,good luck.animal

I own a 2006 c4500 4x4 crewcab. I find my fuel usage to be around 9 loaded. I have a 12' flatbed and pull a 20' deckover trailer. Remember the 4500 weight is a lot more than your 3500, this is the differance I feel some discribe as lack of power. The truck empty runs like your 3500 pulling a 4500 pound trailer. I disagree with the RPM shortning the duration of engne life. This is a medium duty truck. It is designed by GM to work hard within its goverened operating range. I moved up from a f350 4x4 which I loved and still have in the driveway, but the repairs on brakes and clutches were getting to expensive. The exhaust brake on the 4500 will allow me to go down a 8% grade with 12,000 on the trailer without touching the brakes. I love this truck and which I could find a reason to get one more!

It only makes sense if you need to do it.
If your truck can't handle the weight than you need to upgrade
Be sure you know a few things up front
1 it's a bigger truck and no way it will get the same milage
2 it has a bigger truck suspension and no way it will ride like a 3500
3 not every dealer can work on them.
4 you can't drive 75-80 in them
I would buy one if I needed the extra capacity or safety margin.

Our Chevy Kodiak 4500 rides much better than our 3500 dually. Air Ride Suspension and Air Ride seats will ride better than the 3500 on a steel suspension. As for running 70 to 80 mph, our 4500 will run that speed however the RPM will be much higher than the 3500. I ran 60 mph with the 3500 and thats what I run the 4500 at. Fuel mileage with the 3500 was 9 to 12 mpg while loaded. When empty I got 16 to 17 mph. I haven't check the 4500 but would guess it to be 9 to 11 loaded. My wife has fibromyalgia and the ride in the 3500 was very hard on her. The 4500 rides so much better. The 4500 is a awesome TV , do they have problems, yes they do. But I have owned many GM Trucks and I have never owned one that had no problem. It's man made and you will have problems. Good Luck on your choice.....GBY.....

I had also thought about the same trade, but after talking to many on the road I decided to stay 3500. As for the 30k deal, its ok, but not great. I was quoted about the same at a couple dealers when I looked. For the non-commercial rv puller the 4500 is likely a nice addition or toy to have, but as an over the road hauler I would say no.

Just make sure you download the GM medium duty dealer site for use on the road.As animal indicated,there is a limited dealer network.I have a chevy dealer 4 miles from my house however,I need to drive 40 miles to the medium duty dealer and the dealership has only one Medium duty mechanic.These trucks are great but they are really a truck.You can overcome the speed limiter and power issues with a programmer, and yes taller tires will help with the gears and soften the ride.Just be ready to do all the things that GM didn't do to make it a better truck.

Thanks guys for your comments and responses. I'm still up in the air. The dealer has the 4500 arriving this afternoon or tommorow morning for display at a horse show here in Vegas. But, I was told I get first shot at looking at or buying it. Plus, I want to take my 3500 to him and let the dealer show me some numbers on paper for the trade difference which of course will be a huge factor.

Good luck with your decision. I have a 5500 and a dually both great love em. 5500 handles load better than 3500. 5500 12400 empty dually 7200 pounds empty. I get 8 overall with topkick. If you want one than get it if it makes sense to. IMHO topkick good truck overall if your using it to hall a load all the time takes the abuse.

Save you self a lot of Money & Trouble DO NOT BUY A 4500. I have had mine about 16 weeks and it has been in the shop for about 12 weeks of the 16 I have owned it. the truck is getting worse every day i drive it. I have been to three different dealers and none of them could fix it. The dealer I bought the truck from said to take them to court they were not going to spend any more time on the truck RANDY MARION CHEVROLET. I have spent at least $5,000 of my own money to try and fix the truck. If you want more info PM me.

Les

Lwalston.... you are dealing with multiple companies. GM built a truck and then shipped it to Regency who modified it.

THEN you went ahead and started modifying it with more suspension mods and power adders...

My truck is bone stock and there is a reason, WARRANTY.

You have so many places to point a finger that you will never win. You paid alot and did not get what you deserve. BUT you really did not give anyone a chance by modifying everything so soon...

What Mods are you talking about, All most everything I did was what the dealer said to try and fix it. I only used the tuner once to see if it worked and then took it right out. There is noting I did to the truck that was cause the problems. I also waiting until 2 weeks ago to install the Deaver springs just because of a possible warranty problem. I do know the point you were trying to make but I don't think it applies in my case(12 weeks in the shop) I did not add the springs,air ride cab until the dealer said they were not going to work on the truck anymore and that I could just take them to court.

The link air, the deaver springs, the sway bars and the regency conversion are all after market add ons. My advice is to return it back to the way it came from Regency and get them to take care of it. GM essentially sold an unfinished vehicle to Regency and now Regency holds the ball...

There is a dealer in Washington state, gamblin motors, that has by far one of the best techs in the country. Their tech has worked on many 4500 - 5500 trucks from dealers that were unable to resolve the owners problems. I feel for the dealer who is unable to hire "good" employees these days. If any one would like the dealer info contact me on a private message.

I am so thankful I'm not having the problems your having, we have only had three minor problems . I think a person can add to many mods. GM, Ford, Dodge spend millions in research in development of Cars and Trucks. And then the consumer starts mods, but thats our choice. We researched Regency and others before we found Chariot Vans Inc. Our Kodiak rides so much better than the 3500. If we hadn't found the Kodiak we would have had to go the MH route and I didn't want to spend a quarter of a million dollars for our place to live.

I would now go over the dealerships head, I'm sure you kept all the receipts, you will have to document every thing and all conversations with the dealership. Its time to file a grievance with GM and Regency. It probably want be easy but I think this is your only choice. Trading Trucks will be very expensive and I don't think there is a Truck of any kind out there that doesn't have problems. Good Luck......GBY...

I know it very frustrating and time consuming but you can do it....

Took my 3500 to the dealer yesterday. I almost fell over with what he offered me for trade in value...$19K! Yes the truck has 93K on the odometer but, it also has almost $10K in upgrades! Such as $5K in wheels and tires, fuel/tool box, BD setup, K&N filter,B?W hitch. Like I said before, MY truck is paid for, its immaculant and I feel I can get at least 2 to 3 more years of use out of it before I have to do anything major to it! I've driven trucks for 37 years and ain't tore one up yet!
Now he's telling me that he can get me a 5500 cab and chassis and send it to Monroe or Laredo and build what I want around it and save me $$?
Definetly having 2nd thoughts about this deal at all!

When I bought my 5500 this spring they offered me only 21K for my 3500 with 65k on it. So I just decided to keep it and the payments! Figure i'll keep it a good 3 more years.

Took my 3500 to the dealer yesterday. I almost fell over with what he offered me for trade in value...$19K! Yes the truck has 93K on the odometer but, it also has almost $10K in upgrades! Such as $5K in wheels and tires, fuel/tool box, BD setup, K&N filter,B?W hitch. Like I said before, MY truck is paid for, its immaculant and I feel I can get at least 2 to 3 more years of use out of it before I have to do anything major to it! I've driven trucks for 37 years and ain't tore one up yet!
Now he's telling me that he can get me a 5500 cab and chassis and send it to Monroe or Laredo and build what I want around it and save me $$?
Definetly having 2nd thoughts about this deal at all!

Modifications do not increase trade in as they do not add any real value. You should be able to get him up to atleast 22k for trade in though

Any Chance You Can Affoard To BuY The 4500 With Out Trading In The 3500??? Then You Can Keep The 3500 As A Spare Truck In The Event Your 4500 Gets Tied Up At The Dealer

Actually, I've thought about keeping the 3500 and buying another trailer! I could almost keep another truck busy in my hotshot business. The only problem is winter is here and I'd hate to be making payments on a new truck, supporting 2 trucks with insurances and registrations etc. and only running one truck.
Jerry

No more 5500 for me either. Its been in the shop about 3 1/2 months of the 7 Ive owned it.

3 egr cooler repairs
2 transfer case delemas
Vibration that hasnt been fixed from day one. (2 1/2 f'n months just on this repair.) Its been to several dealers, driveline shop, tire shop. Now is getting a new rear end. Personally I'll never recommend one to anyone, and I'm starting to rethink where I buy my vehicles which sucks cause we are good friends with the reg gm/chevy dealer here in town. The service for these trucks by me is a joke, if I knew what I do now i would never buy one again.

I nixed the new 4500 idea...stealers won't give over $20K so I'll drive it til' I get my moneys worth and then trade it or just keep it!

I have a new 4500 and have been looking for a site showing dealers that would service my new truck. Please include the address for this.

Thanks,

J. V.

JV, If you have the owners manual it has and additional book listing all Dealership that service the MDT 4500's and up. I'm sure any GM dealership could order you one. On the cover it says Chevy GMC Dealer Directory. Good Luck....GBY...

but they will still refuse to work on them ...