Anyone regret going from 3500/2500 series to a 1500 series?

[doc holiday13]

That is remarkable fuel economy. Another benefit of a diesel is installing an auxiliary tank. You can go a thousand miles or more between fillups. I paid 3.55 for gas in Nevada and the next day I was paying 5 75 in California. That hurt.

Also depends on quality of fuel. IF you happen to be driving past a refinery, you can get FANTASTIC fuel. I filled up north of Philadelphia last year. Best tank of diesel i've ever bought. Driving 75mph with wife, 3 kids, and bed full of camping gear I hand calculated 22mpg

 

[deerninja]

I would regret all of the above...The only truck I wouldn't have a regret buying is a Toyota Tundra 2020 or earlier.

 

[Fatcamp]

I've always been curious about pulling tandem.. I hope you're tugging all that with a 6.7 and not the 7.3. Not that the 7.3 wouldn't do it but my buddies 7.3 pulling a 35ft. empty toy hauler was getting 6mpg. I can't imagine adding another set of wheels and what that does for mpgs

6.2 and a six speed. MPG is 8-9 across SD.

 

[Fatcamp]

I've always been curious about pulling tandem.. I hope you're tugging all that with a 6.7 and not the 7.3. Not that the 7.3 wouldn't do it but my buddies 7.3 pulling a 35ft. empty toy hauler was getting 6mpg. I can't imagine adding another set of wheels and what that does for mpgs

Tandem pulling isn't a big deal so long as your equipment is adequate. We installed the hitch in our truck, the hitch on our camper, and have rebuilt the axles on a few different boat trailers. We check for hot bearings at every stop and make sure tire pressure is good before every trip. 14 tires total.

Our truck has over a 3000# payload capacity which is pretty high for a 250. Camper is a small 26', and boat is a welded 1756, so our combined weight is pretty low. I've never weighed it as I know we are well within limits, but getting to a destination with a boat, generators, AC, and supplies for a week is awesome.

 

[CRJR45]

I've always been curious about pulling tandem.. I hope you're tugging all that with a 6.7 and not the 7.3. Not that the 7.3 wouldn't do it but my buddies 7.3 pulling a 35ft. empty toy hauler was getting 6mpg. I can't imagine adding another set of wheels and what that does for mpgs

We did it for three years , lived on the road in this rig , 04 DMax , we got 8 mpg at 72 mph @$5 a gallon for fuel . Pulled like a dream , I had an RV Tandem tow endorsement from MI , never had a problem .

 

[Fatcamp]

We did it for three years , lived on the road in this rig , 04 DMax , we got 8 mpg at 72 mph @$5 a gallon for fuel . Pulled like a dream , I had an RV Tandem tow endorsement from MI , never had a problem .

View attachment 749987

That's an important point. I live in free USA and can do about whatever I want. Not everyone is so lucky. Lots of rules about tandem pulling, and they vary by state.

 

[CRJR45]

That's an important point. I live in free USA and can do about whatever I want. Not everyone is so lucky. Lots of rules about tandem pulling, and they vary by state.

Yes , but reciprocity means when you travel you are only held to the laws of the state you're registered in , if you're legal at home , you're legal everywhere .

 

[Fatcamp]

Yes , but reciprocity means when you travel you are only held to the laws of the state you're registered in , if you're legal at home , you're legal everywhere .

Ya, but I wouldn't want to debate it on the side of the road in California or New Jersey.

Just like people registering UTVs in Montana get jacked up over it.

 

[CRJR45]

Ya, but I wouldn't want to debate it on the side of the road in California or New Jersey.

Just like people registering UTVs in Montana get jacked up over it.

We hit the east coast , NY , Vt , Pa , Va , Tn , Ga , Fl , then out west , Meeker Co was my favorite , Nebraska sucks , LOL . Never had a problem in three years .

 

[handturkee]

I would like to get a new truck and considering going from my F250 Powerstroke to a GMC 1500. I got the F250 to pull a large toy hauler that we sold a couple years ago. After going a few years now without the trailer we dont really think we want another, or at least not such a large one.

The thing I love about my F250 though is the space and the diesel power. I often have it completely loaded up for hunting trips. I love how much power it has but it really is not needed. The 1500 really isnt that much smaller as the width is the same, the bed is 3" shorter I think.

Has anyone made a similar switch? Did you regret it?

I went from an f150 to f250 but have a four wheel camper in the bed full time. I wouldn't go back

 

[Norcal18]

Depends on how often and how much weight you tow honstley. I used to have an 06 F-350 Powerstroke that was tuned, loved the truck. Wife and I had our first kid and sold it 6 years ago. Just bought a 22 F-150 Tremor and LOVE it and i was a diesel fanatic before. I had to ask myself if I really need to by a 3/4 when I might only justify needing it 5% of the time. Plus living it CA the extra fuel cost of diesel, most costly repairs and extra maintance made it a no brainer for me. Most impressive thing is the 6.0 made 325hp and 570ft/tq and the 3.5 ecoboost makes 400hp and 500ft/tq making it a blast to drive.

 

[displacedtexan]

Ya, but I wouldn't want to debate it on the side of the road in California or New Jersey.

Just like people registering UTVs in Montana get jacked up over it.

I've debated it on the side of the road in Kansas and Texas.

 

[Fatcamp]

I've debated it on the side of the road in Kansas and Texas.

That doesn't sound like fun, especially in Texas.

 

[displacedtexan]

That doesn't sound like fun, especially in Texas.

Kansas was actually worse!

Texas more though, so the net loss to them! Lol

 

[lyle_destroys]

I went from an F250 to a 1500 Silverado but I have the 6.2 so I didn’t lose any power. 420 horses and still get just a little over 20 mpg on the highway. The bed is slightly smaller so fully loaded on a trip may be tight but I have a hitch carrier to put more gear on. No problems putting my 3 kids in the back.
I never pulled trailers with my F250 so no need there.
Would I buy another 3/4 or 1 ton? Yes
Do I love my current half ton? Yes
I just love trucks lol

 

[Nick87]

Yes

 

[Sea Rover]

No

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Reviving old thread with additional experience of going older 3/4 ton diesel to 3/4 ton gas to 1/2 ton Chevy Trail Boss 3.0 duramax and now going to back to hopeful final choice for many years of 3/4 ton gas.

Bottom line:
Based on my experience, if I was towing regularly at 7k lbs or less, then I'd keep the 3.0 duramax 1/2 ton.
The very comfortable ride on forest roads/daily driving plus 23mpg (vs 13mpg of gas 3/4t) are awesome.

My horses and mules are draft crosses (heavier) so while the 1/2t 3.0 Trail Boss has actually been super good towing in the 7k lb range, there's more squat than I'd like to deal with when pulling heavier.

Also, I tow the horse trailer often enough I'd rather not have to deal with the weight distribution hitch. The 1/2 tons towing heavier almost always use a WDH.

I'm going gas for the 3/4t as not planning 12k+ towing and prefer the lighter weight front end for softer 3/4t ride and more payload capacity. Also prefer less complexity of the engine system. MPG difference in new Chevy gas vs diesel does little to offset big cost premium of diesel plus $10k option price.

 

[MuleyFever]

I guess I'll update my experience since I posted this. I sold my F250 Powerstroke and got a GMC 3/4 ton gas. Drove it for a bit. Not really towing much at all I decided to go to a 1/2 ton with the 3L diesel. I've had it for 6 months now and Im really liking this truck. Ride is great, mileage is nice, easier to drive and park all around. Ill probably keep this truck for a while. I only tow a few times a year when I take my SXS someplace.

 

[IdahoBeav]

One of the problems with half tons is that you can't get a crew cab with an 8' box.