im looking for a 2000-2004 chevy truck to haul my 5k travel trailer
i have been looking at kbb.com at the various engine combos and i see "HD" besides some trucks but noticed the values are higher on non-HD trucks? could someone explain what that is?

in these years 2000-2004 what are the best engines for towing? are there any negatives that I should know about?

thx

 

Duramax. Hands down

 

Duramax engine had injector issues though I'm not sure if they are already solved or not.

But as far as towing is concerned, this engine is the best!

 

If your main purpose for buying a rig is for towing diesel all the way.

This is a shot in the dark about the kbb values, but maybe the non HD models are better equipt inside and therefore hold more value... Maybe there's not as much demand for HD models so they go for cheaper... It's hard to say why some things hold value and others don't. Bottom line is it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

Go with the HD models if you can. I asked the same type of question in this forum. Bigger is better as always. As I've learned through the many folks on this web site, a heavier frame, a heavy duty transmission, bigger brakes and bigger engine is the way to go. It appears with the option packages that GM has mated with the bigger trucks you get a vehicle that is better suited for towing and hauling. What you give up is ride and mpg.

I ended up with a 1500HD, which is between the 1500 and 2500. Diesel is the way to go other than the mechanical issues stated by previous posters. My boss has a 2004 2500HD crew/long bed that he pulls a 32 ft. 5th wheel with all over the mountains and has had very few problems with it. The weirdest being a chaffed wiring harness that shorted out.

If diesel isn't for you then go with a 6.0L. I bought my truck with the intent of buying a slide-in truck camper but now I am wavering and thinking about going back to a trailer. Either way I think the HD or at least the 2500 is the way to go.