I have been towing for work and recreation for 30 years. The biggest difference I have experienced is comfort. I do not mean luxury, I mean tension level. The modern half ton has gotten quite good at towing capacity, but it does not offer what the HD trucks do, mass. The HD trucks are not overwhelmed by the trailer in the same way. If you will be towing often, look for an HD. If you will only be towing once, or twice a year the half ton will be just fine. I prefer the heavier trucks myself.
Also depends on what you are towing. If you are only towing like 5k...say a small car car/trailer, there is no need to have a huge diesel. I see too many people who think they need a HD for the smallest things. But yeah if you are towing heavier things, then absolutely get the HD. I'm upgrading my older 1500 to a 2500 and it's definitely helpful with the bigger loads.
Only small truck I ever owned was a ranger when I was 16. Ever since it has been 2500-4500. I recently had a coupler break on a jobsite trailer while towing. I dragged that trailer over 2 miles down a hill trying to slow down and maintain control. The guys in the truck all agreed it would not have ended as good as it did if it wasn't for the crew cab long bed diesel. Exhaust brake slowed the truck as I worked the brake controller. I was doing 65mph when it happened. Scariest experience towing I ever had.
I almost went with the 2500 but ended up getting the 1500 3.0 Duramax. I don’t tow much but a 12’ livestock trailer sometimes. Best truck I ever owned and I came from a Ford Raptor.
I just sold my 2017 Ford Raptor for a 2023 Silverado 1500 High Country with the 3.0 duramax lzo motor and it is hands down the best truck I have ever owned. It is very smooth and has a great ride.
What you all do is my dream job. I've been working on commercial aircraft for almost 35 years now but my true love is vehicles. I always told people I work on aircraft to support my habit of great vehicles. And I've owned a ton of them over the years...I love them all. You all rock.... I wish I had your job!!
I shouldn't have read the comments, a little negative. These trucks are gorgeous, well designed and super functional. I think the interior is perfect. I don't need a laptop on my dash to satisfy me, seems distracting.
The best bet is to buy a used loaded heavy duty pickup as it’s very likely only been driven back and forth to work and to the local mall.I have a couple neighbors with GMC Denali pickups that if you throw so much as a pine cone in the bed of their truck,they would have a heart attack.
Duramax vs Duramax, or me (1500 Duramax) and my brother-in-law (2500 Duramax). I tow a Rockwood 2509s (~750lbs hitch and 5700lbs)(mainly OH and IN, next week MI) and get around 12 MPGs. His trailer is bigger than mine and gets 10-12 mpg towing (14 with the tailwind). Recent trip (no trailer) between Southwest Oh and Bloomington, In and back then to Columbus, Oh the next day. The Fuel Economy computer for the 400, 50, and 25 ranges bested out at 30.6, 35.1 and 36.7 mpgs. Speeds ranging from 75 to 55 and stop and go when I was not on the interstate. Typically I get around 26mpgs in mixed (mainly suburban) driving around town in the 1500 Duramax. Just broke 17,000 miles. The 3.0L Duramax is a great half-ton engine option.
Nice comparison! I've been driving my 2500 Duramax for about 6 months now.. Highway driving, which most of my miles are, I'm just shy of 20 MPG. Suspension is a little stiffer than my previous smaller truck, but when I hook my travel trailer on the back.. it's a really nice ride!! Very similar specs to mine, my payload is 3300 lbs... and... I can attest that it needs more room to turn!! Overall, I love my truck. Love the videos! Keep 'em comin!
Have a 2wd F250 gasser for similar reasons. Besides not wanting to pay an extra 20k just to get a diesel… Had 4x4 been available near me at time may have considered it, but pricing these days with shortages really priced me out.
@@TheCamaro5 perhaps could have been more clear. In my area only available units with diesel were that much more at the time. Due to limited availability.
I have a heavy thick rubber mat I put in the bed of my Chevy 2500HD and it makes a good difference in the ride, it feels more comfortable, smoother and safer, because it not bouncing around as much on a bumpy road. The type of mat I used is the ones you buy to put on the floor of a stock trailer they are thick and soft enough for the animals have a comfortable ride not sliding around. .
I've owned both...if you pull more than a small boat or a riding mower get the HD ! They pull with ease, factory brake controller, more stable and it's what they are made for and in my opinion are more stable on the road.
Love this episode. I am actually trying to choose between Chevy 1500 Diesel and 2500 Diesel. I don't really need another 2500. But like some of the features of the HD. Would like to see a full comparison including a 6,000 lb trailer pull Ike Gauntlet and 100 mile flat towing comparison. Try to use similar feature level on each if possible. I know sometimes you have to test what they lend you.
In my area, you can have the HD in any color you want, as long as it's white. 1500 isn't much different. If you have a 1500 short bed, make sure you get the extra trailer as an option if you actually plan to carry anything.
One thing I rarely hear is the difference in ground clearance. I loved my half ton GMC 1500 4x4, but got tired of reattaching the front valance just going on country roads, small ditches etc. Went with a Ram 2500 4x4, don't necessarily need the added payload / towing, but solved the ground clearance problem.
I love comparison tests! Good video. I only wished you had measured the interior depth differences of the beds and the side window height differences. The numbers are different and the beds, tailgates, not doors are interchangeable.
I would take the HD Chevy, all day, every day. I like the HD drivetrain, larger size, larger capacity (mine would be a long bed, also), and greater towing capability. (I will say I'm not wild about a 3.42:1 differential on the HD, as I'd rather have a 3.73:1, or 4.10:1 gear ratio, although it's most likely to compliment the 10 speed Allison.) The HD also doesn't require premium fuel, so, that's a plus. No HD truck has the turning radius of a half-ton, but I'm used to that, and it doesn't bother me. There is nothing in or on the 1500 that beats the HD that would make a difference in my choice of getting an HD GM truck.
That Diesel has nearly twice the Torque and we know Torque is what gets a vehicle moving anyways so I'm not surprised the HD Duramax gets moving almost as quick as the gas LTZ💯👍
I do not hate the interior whatsoever. It works. It’s simple. It looks good. It’s all you need. But it IS very far behind. Especially in the High Country/Denali trucks. It’s sad. Cant wait for the half ton and HD refresh coming soon. I will be buying the refreshed Denali HD
Can you do an 11,900lb IKE with these two? I believe that you have yet to do a “super ike” with the new 6.2/10 speed. Would love to see it. Thanks for the video.
I tow a 10k lb trailer with a 2019 Silverado 5.3 and it does just fine until you're trying to stop it quickly or, you're going down a 10% grade and with applying light to heavy brake pressure is not doing much to slow you down. Talk about some white knuckle towing. Therefore, I have a HD truck in my sights for a more confident towing experience.
@@marcelo403polo2 right! Looking at the new half ton tow ratings, they're up over 12k lbs now. Nuts. Never would I tow a trailer that heavy with a truck that weighs half that weight.
Nobody ever talks about it but I have a 2020 3500 Duramax and my favorite feature to this truck is the 360 degree lighting that it has. When your backing a trailer at night it worth its weight in gold!! Absolutely love it!!! I would have bought this truck for that feature alone!
You can get a well equipped F350 XL super crew 176" diesel that will out tow and out haul the F150 and F250 for $60k. Was looking at the F150 and F250, looking for a heavy duty payload package F150 - but found a lone F350 XL 6.7 diesel that was better than every F150 and F250 on the lot for less money than they wanted for these less capable trucks. This also had the FX4, STX, HD front axle, 12k GVW package, 5th wheel prep, and 3.31 locking rear diff.
Originally I was 100% set on an F250 Platinum. The new F150 is just hard to pass up all that tech like on board generator, on board scales. I guess it boils down to what you're doing with the truck. It's also hard to pay the same price for a less capable truck. Still going with the F250. But would love to see a video comparing them to solidify that choice.
I had a '79 C10, a '92 Silverado C1500, and I have a '99 Tahoe Z71. Do you remember the selling point for those trucks? You didn't need a ladder to access the cab or bed.
@@Heffelz8 at a measly 6', I just don't have to use the step on my Tahoe. Being an older truck driver that drove a Kenworth W900L for a while I have no problem driving large vehicles. But, when I go home, I don't want to have to climb into my personal vehicle. I also work on my own cars, and I don't want have to use climbing gear to change the spark plugs. I look at the aerodynamics too. Today's GM trucks don't get any better fuel mileage despite more efficient engines because the they are over a foot taller. After my mom died, I took my dad to the store. He never had ridden in my Tahoe and immediately offered me $2000 for it. And I responded with laughter. A few weeks later he found a '97 in slightly worse shape with 220k, and now his Chrysler 300 Touring Edition just sits in the garage.
I saw almost this exact kind of thing on a local Ford dealership website... The F150 waa stupid expensive (and typically over 65k to 80k+), same with the F250, then there was a lone F350 XL 6.7 diesel 176" super crew with the 12k GVW package, heavy duty front axle, and cloth interior - $60k! Thanks, but the F350 killed everything else for less money. Even had the 3.31 rear locker, 5th wheel prep, FX4, and STX packages.
Good comparison guys, thanks. Although you did make some comment, it would have been good to mention more about the other engine options and their capabilities, especially the 6.6L gas HD like I have which would cost about the same as the 6.2L 1/2 ton. I’ve come to like their interior mainly because it reminds me of my 2013 generation RAM’s layout = functional and large buttons and just enough and not too much screen (what happens it that breaks down?!!). I don’t care for space ship size screen (where does it end?). Re: suspension, here’s a great solution (revealed secret) that I invested in with my 2500HD and … so happy with. I changed my rear shackles for Sulastic shackles and my rear stiffness softened at least 50% without changing my payload capacity. Loved my sold RAM, loving my Chevy HD and because of improved suspension and its massive capabilities.
And this is based on? I’ve had all brands of trucks and currently have a ‘20 cc with the 5.3and it tows just fine. Obviously it isn’t a 6.2 or EcoBoost but is right there with my old truck ‘14 Ram 1500 with the Hemi
My 5.3L 2020 Silverado 1500 LT crew cab 4x4 with max trailering package tows my 6000 Flagstaff travel trailer with no issues. However, this is nowhere near the truck's limits or anything of "actual" weight. However, I purposely bought a smaller trailer so that I could tow comfortably with this 1/2 ton truck. Averaging 9.5 MPG towing, mostly on the highway at 63 MPH.
My 2020 5.3 10 Speed trail boss LT tows our 27 foot travel trailer fully loaded 7,500 pounds with no problems, even at cruising highway speeds no struggles at all 😎
TFL did an Ike with a 5.3/10 speed trail boss and were extremely impressed . That’s why Andre always refers to it when talking about the 5.3. With the 10 speed it’s a very good powertrain.
I've always owned chevy and still do a 2001with 160000on it. but the new silverados specifically the 1500 is the worst designed looking chevy. It looks like a Toyota especially when they lost the squareish wheel well and the Toyota has them wth is going on! I like the seirra but if I went out to buy new today I'd have to buy a ram. Just so clean and smooth looking. Plus air suspension.
I feel that the Chevy is a love it or hate it kind of thing. I am definitely looking forward to the mid-cycle refresh for the 2022 model year. Personally, I like the front by comparison to the other brands because they're too sleek to look like a truck in my opinion. To each their own of course.
I have a 2001 Silverado also and absolutely love those body styles. Just simple. I really like the early 2000s Silverado 2500s also. Reminds me of 70 chevy front end. I'm not a fan of any of the new trucks. They are just ugly looking.
@@Ka_Gg I have a 2014 Silverado, so far it has 125,000 trouble-free miles. I average between 22 to something 24 MPG. I even off road it sometimes. So far so good...
The Silverado HD 2500 comes with a 8’ long bed but also a standard 6’9” short bed that’s not available on the Silverado 1500 trucks which comes with a 5’8” short bed, 6’6” standard bed, and the 8’ long bed as options.
I’d take either. Matter of fact I had to go through all of this in 2014 GMC year. I went with the racing half ton and am very happy. But my towing is limited. I like Racing over big time work truck and it is smaller but still…. If they figure out how to get both? No light weight diesel go 5.3 and be happy. Believe it from an owner
I special ordered a 2022 2500HD base GMC Sierra 6.6gas July 15 and with the small amount of options mine was $45,000 with suppliers discount. Alot better than this 1500 shown for a crazy amount.
I want to still love Chevrolet trucks, but they’re blatantly behind the competition when it comes to interior layout & powertrain selection. Ford is the benchmark & Ram does a great job with interior features + layout. GMC would be my 3rd choice & that’s only because I refuse to give market share to the Japanese (even though the Tundra is stamped together in the US w/ many North Am parts).
U don't need the fancy large touch screens and all the eye candy crap - U really think those touch screens and fancy stuff is gonna last past 300,000 or 400,000 miles? The motor and transmission quality is where it counts. duh
Honestly, Andre always has a good mood whenever he is around trucks... He never seems like he's bothered by anything. And I agree with Nathan, I am also not a chrome person. I really dislike it when it is over done. It's tacky.
Since mid size trucks are very close in size to half tons now, I feel like if I needed something bigger than a Colorado, I’d just get the 3/4 ton. Lots of benefits, including when it gets old and the check engine light is always on for different reasons, it’ll still pass inspection.
False the LTZ half you can use your knee to close the gate like the HD. You just can’t toss it up. You can use the button in the cab to close the tail gate also. Just hold the button to close.
At this point there have been numerous reported cases of people buying brand new Chevy trucks over the past several years and having a problem with vibration and chassis jitter going down the road. Dealers have done everything but address these issues, from blaming tires & balancing issues to simply gaslighting & maintaining that they don't feel it. Have you guys ever even addressed this, or are you just cheerleaders?
For 17% more money it's 90% more truck including a heavy frame that won't rust out even with the cheap ass GM wax coating. If you want a city comfort vehicle then you want a car or large luxury SUV.
Yes, but I can live with the outside. That center stack and park bench seat combo is more than I can bear. One ram, three Fords, and all the rest Chevy and GMC over the years but I could not buy a GM truck right now. Fix the interior and quick!
Too bad about the 3.0 small fuel tank . Ram gives u a 33 gal . When towing the milage drops and who wants to stop ever 225 mi ! 2500 beats u up ride but if you need the towing heavy duty
These trucks looks so different. Think the 1500 should be the Silverado and the 2500 the Cheyenne. Would bring back a classic name and differentiate the two models. Didn't like the 2500 when released but must say getting use to it.
No comparison. I've owned the 1500 5.3 1500 6.2 now the 6.6 Diesel. The 2500 HD is by far the best. It's my everyday driver. My fuel cost has gone down about 300 bucks a month before the gas/fuel prices skyrocketing.
Why not do the 6.6L gas v the 6.2L. I think that will be a better comparison. I’m in the market for either one. I did order a LTZ 2500HD, but wonder if a 1500 would be better?
Most people tune their diesel truck so once it’s tuned that truck will be more in the mid 6 seconds 0-60. Maybe quicker depending on tire size,lift etc
This was a truck review, was hoping for a comparison. Also you need to similarly equip each vehicle so you're comparing Apples to Apples. Putting the diesel against the premium 6.2 wasn't even a fair comparison
Do you have an actual source for that statement? Numbers? Stats? I’d really like to see the numbers on reliability because I’m in a position to purchase the 2500 or 1500
I'm trying to decide between the 2023 gmc 1500 and the 2024 gmc 2500 gas. It's tough. I'll tow but not all the time. I like the size of the 2500 and want the new infotainment center of the 2024 gmc 2500. This is tough
thats what I thought. Bought the 2500 anyway. Got it home and my wife came out and looked at it. First time she has ever really commented on my new rigs but with this she said "bad ass" Suddenly it wasn't ugly anymore.
3500 regular cab dually. My preference. I would look at the diesel also but I'm not a big fan of v8 configuration for these motors. And Rams have rust on day 1 or the factory because they keep using different metals together. Y I've kept my 07 3500 chevy gas.
TFL folks, thanks for the video this is very good comparison. If ever you have a chance, is it possible to see the comparison of 1500 diesel vs 2500 diesel? I am looking to buy one. Thanks in advance and more power to you guys.
Good video, always looking to see improvement thru the generations. Curious, comparing the towing capabilities; my 1500, a '17, BIC@12500 & my '11 2500 @16400. Your right, work vs play; the 2500 tows 9klb daily and the loaded 1500 6.2, 8spd is backup & pleasure.
Yes. The 5.3 is truly a wonderful engine for the 1/2 ton. I love to see the 5.3 offers with a hybrid plug-in engine. If the 5.3 is too heavy, then a turbo v-6 IF THE V-6 weighs less. I’d like to see ford offer the hybrid with a 50 mile battery only and plug in option. To me the hybrid diesel would be absolutely my dream truck. A small power diesel with a 50 mile battery hybrid plug-in. Why 50 miles? Because 3-4 days a week, I’d never run internal combustion engine.
