2500 class truck

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Dec 28, 2015
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I’ve got a 2023 Chevy 6.6 gasser. I got after my 6.7 diesel kept being such a headache it wasn’t worth it anymore.

I have a 34 ft 5th wheel that weighs 10k dry and about 12k loaded. The Chevy pulls it just fine. Avg mpg flat ground (beach and back about 500 miles) was 8.9 hand calculated. Last mountain trip I took about 250 miles round trip avg mpg was 7.4.

It will pull that trailer at 70mph all day long in flat land. Definitely has to wind up the RPM climbing steep grades but it will maintain 55 mph.
 

tdhanses

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I have a Chevy 2500, so that's what I know. For 2024 the lowest payload capacity in a 2500HD 4x4 is 3195# and the highest is 3937#. Every 2024 3500HD is over 4000# except for the 2 Diesel High Country models (3824# & 3876#)



Ya if you're towing 20K you should have a 3500 or bigger. Max tongue weight on the 2500 is 500# anyway, so you can have all the people you want.
For reference the 8.5'x20' enclosed I tow has a GVW of 7000 and my 35' bumper pull camp trailer is 6900# GVW. 20,000 is a LOT to tow with a pick-up! :)
Those number seem very optimistic, what does the tag in your drivers door say your payload of your 2500 is? I’ve yet to see a crew cab 4x4 that isn’t around 2800lbs but options make a difference and I think max towing on the 2500 does get it closer to a 3500 but that option costs more then just moving up to a 3500.
 
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What 2500 that isn't a stripped 2wd gasser single cab has a 2 ton payload? Most are 2500-2800#. Some are barely 2000#. It's rare to see SRW diesel 3500s over 4k. But they are all over about 3700#.
My '23 F-250 has a sticker on the door jam stating a 3930 passenger and cargo rating. Is that the same as payload?
 

Axlrod

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Those number seem very optimistic, what does the tag in your drivers door say your payload of your 2500 is? I’ve yet to see a crew cab 4x4 that isn’t around 2800lbs but options make a difference and I think max towing on the 2500 does get it closer to a 3500 but that option costs more then just moving up to a 3500.
The link I sent is from Chevy- hint THEY put the stickers in the trucks, I don't care if YOU think they are optimistic. Those numbers are from Chevy. Right or wrong THEY determine the payload, not me. What does the sticker say in your Izzu? My sticker says 3613#

Your quote from post 119: "I have never seen a 2500 with a 4,000lb payload capacity, most are around 2700lbs or just over a ton."
You are wrong, and don't know what you are talking about, just because you haven't seen it means nothing. Again the chart I posted is from the manufacturer. ALL of their 2500's are over 2700#. WHERE do you get your numbers from? Your imagination?

I have been towing trailers 30k/miles per year for 15 years with 2500/3500 Chevy's. The only reason I posted on here is because of all the experts that say you have to have a 3500 to tow a trailer.
I had a guy next to me a few weeks ago, that asked if my 2500 pulled my trailer ok. I said yea why? He had a new 3500 with the same size trailer as mine. He said the salesman told him he couldn't pull his 20' trailer with a 2500. As fate would have it the only 3500 they had in stock was a High Country for $90K. I asked him if he new the difference between a 2500 and a 3500, like most on this thread, he did not.
 

tdhanses

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The link I sent is from Chevy- hint THEY put the stickers in the trucks, I don't care if YOU think they are optimistic. Those numbers are from Chevy. Right or wrong THEY determine the payload, not me. What does the sticker say in your Izzu? My sticker says 3613#

Your quote from post 119: "I have never seen a 2500 with a 4,000lb payload capacity, most are around 2700lbs or just over a ton."
You are wrong, and don't know what you are talking about, just because you haven't seen it means nothing. Again the chart I posted is from the manufacturer. ALL of their 2500's are over 2700#. WHERE do you get your numbers from? Your imagination?

I have been towing trailers 30k/miles per year for 15 years with 2500/3500 Chevy's. The only reason I posted on here is because of all the experts that say you have to have a 3500 to tow a trailer.
I had a guy next to me a few weeks ago, that asked if my 2500 pulled my trailer ok. I said yea why? He had a new 3500 with the same size trailer as mine. He said the salesman told him he couldn't pull his 20' trailer with a 2500. As fate would have it the only 3500 they had in stock was a High Country for $90K. I asked him if he new the difference between a 2500 and a 3500, like most on this thread, he did not.
Each truck is different, go look at yours and see what it says, i bet it is under 3300lbs.

Show us the proof not the article that is generic, you have it right in your drivers door, post the picture of your payload.

Also be interesting to know if you the have max trailering package which includes the below.

All Features Included With Max Trailering Package (for a 2500):
  • 3500 HD Frame
  • 3500 HD Leaf Springs
  • 12" Rear axle
  • 3500 HD Shock Package
  • Gooseneck / 5th Wheel Prep provisions
  • Bed stamped holes with caps installed
I don’t think you have to have a 3500 to tow a trailer but if you can buy one for less then a 2500 why not?

Maybe it’s now closer to 3000lbs but it’s not 4000lbs, screen shot from tfl trucks 2500hd, last I checked 3130lbs isn’t close to 4000lbs.
IMG_5358.png
 
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Snowwolfe

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The highest rated trucks are almost always 2WD regular cab. Be realistic, very few people buy them for towing or payload.
If you want to compare specs then do it with comparable trucks. Like crew cab 4wd versions.
 
OP
Gobbler36

Gobbler36

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So I’ll be pulling a 24to 26’ bumper pull toy hauler and sxs and bikes I’m guessing I’ll be pushing 10k pounds don’t really see myself going to anything bigger than that so is a 2500 gonna do the job and do it well
 

tdhanses

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Some of you are cherry picking payload specs. The highest rated trucks are almost always 2WD regular cab. Be realistic, very few people buy them for towing or payload.
If you want to compare specs then do it with comparable trucks. Like crew cab 4wd versions.
The one I posted above is a crew cab 4wd with the duramax, his is probably a single cab, gas 2wd.
 

tdhanses

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So I’ll be pulling a 24to 26’ bumper pull toy hauler and sxs and bikes I’m guessing I’ll be pushing 10k pounds don’t really see myself going to anything bigger than that so is a 2500 gonna do the job and do it well
A 2500 would pull that just fine, just pay attention to tongue weight and everything including passengers etc you’ll have with you but I bet you’ll have plenty with a 2500.
 

98XJRC

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The difference between older 2500's and newer 2500's (Minus Ram) is that Ford and Chevy are now rating their 3/4 tons at 11k GVWR increasing the payload capacity compared to how they where all rated at 10k limiting the payload especially with a diesel motor.

The comical part is that most have little to no difference between model years except that the manufacturer agreed to finally increase the GVWR after finally admitting that the 3/4 ton was under rated and actually hurting their sales in that market.
 

Marshfly

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My '23 F-250 has a sticker on the door jam stating a 3930 passenger and cargo rating. Is that the same as payload?
That's crazy high. My 23 F350 SRW says just under 3800#. That's a King Ranch 4wd Diesel. Your truck must literally have zero options including a back seat. This is from the yellow sticker that is on every vehicle sold in the United States.
 

Marshfly

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So I’ll be pulling a 24to 26’ bumper pull toy hauler and sxs and bikes I’m guessing I’ll be pushing 10k pounds don’t really see myself going to anything bigger than that so is a 2500 gonna do the job and do it well
It absolutely will. I guess most of our points about 3500 is don't pass a good one up just because it's a 1 ton.
 

gearguywb

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Always take into account the weight of all those creature comforts can have a dramatic impact on payload.

As others have said, if you want higher payload then: gas engine, 2 WD, single cab, etc

I prefer some creature comforts so I always look at the payload numbers to see if I am well inside what I may tow.

IMHO, one of the biggest disappointments is Ram 2500 series. Often touted as a great towing vehicle, but they killed that off with the coil spring rear ends. I looked at one the other day that was a touch over 1900 lbs payload.

4 guys @ 250, full tank of fuel, maybe some rifles in cases and 1 piece of luggage (50lbs) each, and you end up with 250 lbs or so of available tongue weight. Throw in a chainsaw, firewood, etc......you will be well over.
 

Weldor

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Always take into account the weight of all those creature comforts can have a dramatic impact on payload.

As others have said, if you want higher payload then: gas engine, 2 WD, single cab, etc

I prefer some creature comforts so I always look at the payload numbers to see if I am well inside what I may tow.

IMHO, one of the biggest disappointments is Ram 2500 series. Often touted as a great towing vehicle, but they killed that off with the coil spring rear ends. I looked at one the other day that was a touch over 1900 lbs payload.

4 guys @ 250, full tank of fuel, maybe some rifles in cases and 1 piece of luggage (50lbs) each, and you end up with 250 lbs or so of available tongue weight. Throw in a chainsaw, firewood, etc......you will be well over.
I own one, they do ride like a buckboard. Can't fiqure out why they wanted to get away from leaf springs?
 

Howard94

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It’s a pretty simple choice, Ford or Chevy, can’t go wrong with either. Both gas and diesel will likely do whatever you want to do. If you like to tinker and want to go fast get the diesel. If you like simplicity and don’t mind going slower, get the gas.
 

98XJRC

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Just rolled over 200k on my 17 Cummins 2500. I purchased it with 101k on it in February 21. I can say that this truck has been the most reliable vehicle I’ve owned. I’ve replaced brakes and tires once, a transmission pan gasket if I remember right (shortly after I bought it) and that’s been the extent of work needed done. I had the fuel filters replaced once by a shop and said never again after getting hit with a 300 bill just to do fuel filters and oil change. Costs me around $200 to do it all myself and it’s a fairly simple task.

My only complaint like I expressed before it is that the 2500 rams do not have the proper payload capability with the cummins motor.
 
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