I am in the market for a newer chevy (03-06) and my main question is about the transmission. I used to have a 1/2 ton Ram and had all sorts of tranny problems with it. I mostly only used it when I was pulling something like boats, snowmobiles, or the ice house. So here is my question; is the transmission different in the Chevy 1/2 ton versus the 3/4 ton? I probably only need the duty of a 1/2 ton but really don't want to take any chances when it comes to pulling. A friend of mine has a 1/2 and he doesn't pull anything behind his truck in drive, even with the tow button on.Its 3rd gear onlyand that really sucks down the gas.

 

WTH are you pulling for starters.......its not the trans that may make or break you....alll 03-06 2500 will have a 4 speed HD trans, and 1/2 will have a LD 5 speed, the 1/2 can go up to 9900 if you go HD 1/2 ton, and the same on the 3/4...the half will have a 4.8 or 5.3 and the 3/4 will have 6.0...so again lots of differences other then just a trans....

SO Again WTH are you pulling...if its asmall boat or smalltrailor a 1/2 will be fine...a 9000lb 5th wheel....go 3/4

 

Most of the weight I will be pulling is at the 5-6ooolb. range. I know this doesn't seem much but is it recommend to pull this load in 3rd instead of D with the tow button pushed? I just don't want to have the tranny problems like I had with my Dodge.

 

I've got an 02 HD with a 6.0L. The truck sucks down a lot of gas but it pulls a lot for me. The tow/haul button should take care of everything. It changes all of the shift points and keeps the trans from shifting until the rpms are higher. This makes it easier for everything from the motor to the trans and your rear end. Chevy makes very good transmissions. you shouldn't have to worry about buying a 1/2 ton for the kind of towing you are doing. If you want to go with the 2500HD just be warned that it is a real gas hog. You could go for a diesel but you also have to look at the expenses of repairs. But to the real point, if you drive the truck the way it was meant to be driven and take care of it then you will have no problems with the transmission.