Hey Guys, this is my first post. I have been lurking here for about a day and read a bunch of really good posts and it seemed like everybody knew their stuff. I am in the market for a used truck, ext cab 4x4 long bed to move my dirt bike around. I think I have come to the decision of getting a chevy but I haven't chosen which model. I am thinking of either the Silverrado 1500 or 2500 HD Diesel. I am not going to be towing anything more then a 7x14 trailer. I might in the future be towing a fifth wheel toy hauler. I want the diesel because of better reliablity and gas milage and the life span of the engines. Basically I am just wondering if it is worth me getting a diesel if I am not planning on doing any heavy hauling inthe near future. Any help from you experts would be great because I am pretty clueless and I can't figure out what I need. Thanks Edited by: cr12500

You can only get the diesel in the 2500HD and 3500 models.

I know you can only get the diesel in the larger models. I am considering either the gas 1500 or 2500HD diesel. Sorry for the confusion. I might and this is a big might be towing something like a 35 foot toy hauler that weighs in about 14000. But for now I am just wondering beyond the towing abilities of the truck if it is worth going diesel for my day to day driving.Edited by: cr12500

How much will the trailer weigh and how much will you be towing it?

It sounds like a 1500 would be all you need. There are lots of us here who fit into that category and still have a 2500 or a 3500 though. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Well if price is not an issue go with the diesel, you'll be happy that you did.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif

If you are going to pull a trailer that weights in at 14000 lb. your going to need a 2500HD at the very least.

2500 diesel, you'll be glad you did in the longrun.

The reason I bought my 2500HD was for any future needs. I have a truck that can tackle anything I throw at it.


As for a 14,000# trailer. You will definatly need more than the 1500 model.

A couple dirt bikes on a trailer and gear, get a gas 1500 series. The $5000 extra for the diesel isn't worth it for light loads unless you are going to rack up a whole lot of miles very quick (like 200,000). Towing 14,000lbs, definitely a diesel.


What you need/is practical and what you want, may be two different things though. Edited by: srode

I was going to get a 1500 / 1500hd when I bought mine and discovered
that the box on the 1500's were only 5 1/2 feet now as opposed to the
61/2 foot 2500HD box (for the short box models). That small of a box
didn't make sense to me so I decided on the 2500HD (they don't make the
2500 non-HD anymore). Then I was going to get the 6.0L motor, but you
could only get the 4:10 rear end on the 2500HD. After hearing of the
13 MPG I would be getting I decided on a D/A. I figured that I would
cough up the $5000 initial cost and after a month or so I would forget
about the extra expense, but if I chose the 6.0 4:10 I would
constantly be reminded of the added expense when filling up at the
pumps everyday.





Too much truck for my needs right now but I have the power if I need it - who knows what the future brings - towing wise.





I'm glad I made the decision I did.



BTW - Welcome to the forum (leave when you still canhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif)!

If you are only planning on pulling just the bike, the 1500 will take care of the job.


Problem is that you are already looking at the big 35' toybox and if you are planning ahead, the 2500HD or even a 3500HD may be in store for you now! Down the road you would need to buy the bigger truck and trailer all at once, ouch! Plus if you buy the 1500 now and then need to trade for the 2500/3500 later you will lose all of the depreciation on the 1500 plus the additional depreciation on the 2500HD the minute you leave the lot plus the depreciation on the toy box, etc., etc. Awe, come on, you know you want the D/A! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif


P.S.--If you want to save money, leave this site immediately and don't come back.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif

Better to have more truck and not use it... then to not have enough truck and need it.Go with the diesel and not look back

No sense in buying two trucks....just get the right one to begin with!! The $5k extra for the diesel now won't seem like much when a couple years down the road you are trading up for the diesel and get hit with depreciation and have to start all over in payments...


Git'r done!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif

2500HD with either the 8.1 or the Duramax.

My philosophy has always been to do it once, properly. Rarely have I regretted spending a little extra to get a better product. I recommend the Duramax.

If money isn't a big issue for you - DURAMAX.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Some people say it takes 5 years to make up for the extra cost of a diesel,but you get the huge power gains from day one!!!

The people that say it takes 5 years to recoop the costs are also the people that trade in their vehicles every two years.


My question is, Why buy a vehicle that is cappable of going 200,00+ miles and 10+ years of service and then trade it in or sell it in 2 or so years because there is a new version.


Obviously the price of fuel is not so much of an issue now a days, so like mentioned if you can afford it then get the truck that you think will handle the jobs you plan on giving it.

Sure the Duramax isn't for everyone, but like Caswell, TomSlick24, and others said: it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it [SIC]. However, others make good points, too.


Although I drove a Chevy 5.7L Z71 for several years and I was totally satisfied with its power. It wasn't until I switched to a 7.3L PowerStroke did I truly learn of the power differeces between the 5.7L gas and a 7.3L diesel. Holy smokes, what a difference!


Additionally, although the Duramax is more expensive, it comes equipped with a stronger transmission to handle your towing and heavy loads that will surely add to your truck's longevity. Sure the Duramax/Allison (or manual transmission) combination is more expensive, but, those items will also keep your truck's re-sale value at a premium.


Keep us posted on your decision.


Best regards, Jeff

I tow a 26' bumper pull Toyhauler and when i brought it home i was driving a pumped up 1999 5.7 Z-71. It pulled it , BUT it pulled the guts out of it doing it (especially when we hit the hills in Kentucky with a 35mph headwind)http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley11.gif and the rear end went out of it ! I NEVER towed it again with a gasser. Im now towing it with ease with the Ol-Duramax !http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/hihi.gif


If your just haulin a bike or 2 with a small 14 ft. trailer maybe a gasser is for you but if your talkin more like a toyhauler..........might want to step up to the plate. Besides , its soooooo much fun drive something this fast and pullin this good. Oh just so you know my 99 5.7 went 16.41 at the track with lots of hop up parts. Check out the sig for the trailer haulin Dmax i have now.