A friend of mine is looking at a 4500 for a rollback for his body shop. He is not getting a wheel lift as he needs it mainly for picking up and dropping off cars. GM has a 17.5k gvw option for the 4500. I was thinking that the truck and deck will be close to 10,000lbs or so. Is that low or high? Will this be enough truck?
GM has a zero finance rate for 3 years and 2 g's cash back thats why he wanted to get the 4500. I said get the 5500 but it only offers a 2 k better gvw and not zero percent and cash back.

we went with a 5500 because of the front axle limit we talked to a new chevy dealer here in the southeast in whom gm pushed the 4500 rollback and he told me when he took it to the scales it was already over the limit unloaded.mine is a 03 crewcab and it does a wonderful job,I have a frind of mine who owns a local bodyshop with the 4500 his only complant is the ride.Mine has the air cab the air seat and a very smooth ride

4500 or 5500 with a rollback and hydrolics will be more like 12,500lbs. With a 5500 at 19,500, that only leaves 7,000 lbs, which is fine for car or van.

If there is a need for higher capacity, then the C5500 does come with a GVWR of 22,000 and 26,000 (but same GCWR of 26,000), and a choice of the new Allison 2400 Auto (only option on 26K GVWR), and 8,000 front axle.

Info available from the GMC MDT online-order site:
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/dmdindex.htm

Select year, and C-Series MDT, then pick the tab for the information you need to see. Pricing (MSRP) is also available if you are interested on pricing one of these (without aftermarket body supplier, of course).

RF

If he builds a 4500 with a little 19 Ft bed with No wheel lift,He is going to lose big time at resale.I'd get 23000 to 26000 5500 with 21 Ft deck and wheel lift.But if thats to much bed I'd at least get 23000. A 19 Ft is on a 5500 is OK but on a 4500,Thats about like a Ford 450 Would be hard to sale IMO

before you decide on a 4500,better check front axle weight with bed or you will be sorry,our 5500 crew cab with allum. bed empty weighs in a little over 14,000 lbs,just weiged it a week ago. and in the state of s.c. if stopped by traffic police they weigh each axle buy itself and if you have a 4500,with a full size car the front axle will be over weight

...If there is a need for higher capacity, then the C5500 does come with a GVWR of 22,000 and 26,000 (but same GCWR of 26,000), and a choice of the new Allison 2400 Auto (only option on 26K GVWR), and 8,000 front axle.

Info available from the GMC MDT online-order site:
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/dmdindex.htm

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Hi RF, and all,
I appreciate your inputs and have a learned a few things. I still have a problem I need advice in solving concerning towing my new 5th wheel, and I believe I would like your inputs. I looked at the GM site and am still not clear.
I have been towing a Holiday Rambler Presidential 36 ft 5th wh with a GVW of ~17k for several years. Most of the time it has been around 15.5-16k pounds on longer trips. My 2002 3500 Duramax is slow to speed but will run easily all day, but mountains are a *****. I am trading the 36 for a new 38 ft Mountain Air 5th, with an empty wt of 17K, and GVW of 20 K. I figured the dually was out of contention so I have looked at the Top Kick 4500. It specs way under my 20 K towed vehicle requirement when you subtract the truck wt. Is that real or conservative on GM's part? Even going to the 5500 looks questionable. My deal on the new 38ft is hard to pass up, but the truck seems to be a real problem.
Suggestions from the knowledgeable would be appreciated, asap.
Tkx,
Bob Cuberly