Hi Everyone, I am new to the forum and need some help. I am about to purchase a used truck but am not sure which one to get. I found great deals on two barely used trucks, each is listed below.

2005 1500 Crew V8 5.3L 4x4

2007 2500HD Crew V8 6.0L

My intended use is to pull my 23ft boat which is close to 5500 lbs fully loaded. Do I need 4x4? Will the 1500 pull the load? Or should I go with the 2wd 2500?

Thanks for your help!

 

my sons company provided him with a new 2006 2500hd with the 6.0L engine.
it got around 11 mpg and maybe up to 13-14 on the hwy.
it rode very rough even on the hwy if the road surface was rough.
Note: if the 2wd has limit slip differential then it should pull the boat out of water.

he was provided a new vehicle this year 2009, he got a 1500 4x4 with 5.3 engine.
gets much better mileage, but main difference is it rides so much better.
has plenty of power for any towing that he has to do.

both units were crew cabs trucks.

the company's main concern with the 1500 series trucks and F150 fords it that the frames were breaking so they started ordering the heavier trucks,
but both ford and chevy have beefed up the new 1/2 rated frames.

 

The 2500HD will last you longer in the long run and less service & repairs since its heavy duty, but mileage is a different story.

Welcome to the forum!

 

Huh, My moms 2500HD Duramax doesn't ride rough at all. Nothing beats the ride on my longbox though especially with a couple hundred pounds in the back. I have found it is really easy to go fast. I have heard that the newer 6.0's are quite fuel efficient and you could see up to 18 mpgs. I find it hard to beleive that they could get much worse than me with a 5.7, a heavy foot, and less aerodynamics

 

people need to stop complaining about a 2500HD's ride, its a 3/4 ton not a cadillac.
2500 is a great towing truck, 1500 im not so happy with towing my car trailer (1800LB trailer and 3200lb car). IMO if you can deal with the gas milage try to find a 2500hd 4x4. i dont like being without 4x4. all of the 2500's have the G80 locking rear diff.

 

I've got a 2500HD,too, but in this situation, I have to go with the 1500 4X4. It can easily pull the load, and appears it will provide more bang for the buck.

 

just go with the 1500, you have pleny of hp, you can pull that boat no sweat. really no need of going bigger unless ur going to pull a big camper trailer. stick with the 1500 you will be happy