[jpastorius]

I have a 2001 Silverado 2500HD with the 6.0 motor. I have been thinking of parting with it for a new Silverado. The truck and my BMW R1150R are my daily means of transportation. The truck also serves to pull the 24' enclosed trailer for the Camaro.

My main gripe with the HD is the ride quality and now the fuel mileage. With a round trip to work at 56 miles, it is getting more and more expensive. I test drove a new 2500HD and it's ride quality was equal or less than that of my 2001 with fresh Bilsteins.
The 1500 I test drove actually had a very nice ride.

My towing days are down to 8-10 times a year as opposed to 3 times a month when I was AX'ing.

I am pondering options with cost being a big factor:

1) The 1500 with the Vortex Max package. It is a $3000 option and the gas mileage is not a whole lot better than the 2500HD I have now. It does come with 4 wheel disk brakes and a 10,000# towing capacity.

2) A regular 1500 with the towing package. This is the most economical option and provides me with decent fuel mileage. The big issue is the 7,000# capacity. With the CMC car, trailer and normal spares, I figure to be right at the limit or slightly above it.

3) Just keep the 2001 and save the money for a 2009 Camaro.

My towing is mostly to VIR (90 minutes) and points that are no more than 5 hours away, all via interstate.

Thoughts...opinions...experience?

[AndyJ]

A coupla thoughts here regarding towing with a GM gasser--

I think the market for BIG SUV's and 1/2 ton pickups is going south fast. No one can justify $4/gal for a minimal mileage vehicle that only sees full capacity usage a few times a year..... Buying a new vehicle now of this type will see rapid, faster than light depreciation in the years to come. Will you even be able to give the soccer mom SOB, big truck wannabe away ??

With that said, a real 3/4 ton workhorse truck or SUV with an engine big enough to really snatch a trailer or load down the road always has a market -albeit small- with trades people. Older trucks depreciate down to a certain value and then they level off and hold it -- for years and years. I wish I had the cash to buy *another* 2500 Suburban 4x4 with the 8.1 (no longer made) to just sit it back in the garage until I wore this 2004 out. I just pass the higher fuel costs on to the client.

The advice on the tire pressure is good. E rated 10ply tires at full inflation are rough ridin' bastards. I do 75lbs towing and 40lbs cruising --makes a HUGE difference in ride quality.

Gawd, I am glad I don't have a diesel right now --$3.96/gal in the heart o' Texas vs. $3.12 for regular.