Well I finally bought a real truck (I hope). I've had Datsuns and Toyotas but I wanted something that has some payload ability! The main reason is I want a truck camper, not a huge one but one that has everything the wife and I want.

I bought a 2005 1500 HD and so far I am loving it, except for people's ignorance. Mainly salespeople in the camper industry. I have found some data regarding this model and from what I've found it's payload is 2766 lbs (cargo weight rating actually is 1950lbs), that's good but I plan to enhance that cabability.

I guess my main question is why would Chevy confuse the issue. Why a 1500HD and not just a 2500? What really are the differences? I've got the 6.0L and 4 wheel disc brakes. What other things am I missing or better yet what did I get? I was surprised by the price differences between the 1500 and 2500's while I was looking.

Nevermind the bed length, I just didn't want the long bed with crew cab. I drove a 2007 crew cab/long bed and it was nice but just a little longer than I wanted. And never mind the Duramax Diesel, no argument from me that it's the best way to go if you are hauling and towing campers, but it doesn't fit my daily driver needs.

Great website, it sure is hard to find information about this truck though. Hopefully with time and advise from other forum members I can get more comfortable with this truck.... Overall though I am enjoying it so far.

Thanks,

ecutts in Colorado

 

well number one, you only have a 4l60e trans in the 1500hd, then your axle is still a 8.6 instead of bigger, the 2500 comes with 4l80e trans which are alot stronger and durable. other than that, not much besides the frame being bigger.

 

So, a bigger frame, how about brakes? Is the 4l60e transmission standard on the 1500 trucks?

I haven't seen the 1500 HD much here in Colorado. So I did not gain much besides the engine and a bigger frame? So if I add better shocks or helper springs (not my first choice) and maybe stabilizer bars I should be good enough to handle a camper that has a wet weight of approx 2000lbs? I think this truck can handle that with no issues.

 

I think you got a good truck for your needs. You said a small camper. The difference in cost could be because the 2500HD comes with a 4000 pound payload and an 496CI gas motor or a duramax deisal. Both the bigblock gas and the deisal are available with an Allison HD Automatic Tranmision and 4.10 rear ends that really make these trucks HEAVY DUTY!! Are they worth the extra money? That depends on how much and how often and how many miles you will be towing or hauling. If your camping local now and then you should be fine. I pull large trailers from the east coast to the west coast and love my 2500HD. On the other hand if i.m going fishing and pulling my bass boat to the lake I take my wifes half ton silverado with the 5.3 and 3.73 rear end and i am good with that. Hope this helps.
Don

 

i think the 1500hd's had the 4l80e, not the 60, easy way is to check the glove box rpo numbers, i cant remember the 80 but i think the 60 was M30.

 

yes
M30 : TRANSMISSION, AUTO 4 SPD, HMD, 4L60E, ELECTRONIC

 

and the 2500hd also come with the 6.0

 

I went out to my glove box after work today and copied down the "Service Parts Identification" list, this is what it says:

1CGCK13U05F864256 153.0 HSGZSP CK15743 AG1 AG2 AJ1 AM7 AN3 AU0 AU3 A31 BVE B30 B32 B33 B71 B85 CJ2 CMD C49 C6P DF5 DK7 DL3 DNR DT4 D07 EVA E63 FE9 FT2 FT3 GT4 G80 JH6 KC4 KNP KUP K34 K47 K68 LQ4 MT1 NA4 NP5 NP8 NT9 PY0 QIW R9U R9Z SAF SLM TR3 T96 UC6 UE1 UK3 YD6 YE9 YGK ZHH ZY1 Z82 Z85 1SC 1SZ 15U 52I 522 6GL 7GL BC/CC U929L 522
Any of you folks can help me interpret this data?

 

yeah, I've got the 6.0L engine. I think it's called the LT3 engine.

 

Hey ecutts, I don't have an answer for ya but wanted to congratulate you on your new truck. You're obviously a proud new daddy