Test Drive

[RSmoak]

I spent about 3 hours test driving the 2006 Chevy Silverado 2500, crew, long box, Duramax, Allison this past Saturday 03/25/06. I was definately impressed. Plenty of power, but the tranny made the difference.

First is low and it stayed there driving through the dealer's lot. Shifting was seamles and unnoticable. The tranny downshifted like a manual when the brake pedal was depressed. Manual shifting was easy to implement. At 60mph the tac barely registered above 1500rpm. 35mph to 75mph on a short on-ramp when I punched it. No sluggishnes or delay when punching it at 60mph.

Ride and handling very good.

GM got it right with this 6 speed auto. Wow!

Ralph

[RSmoak]

I spent about 3 hours test driving the 2006 Chevy Silverado 2500, crew, long box, Duramax, Allison this past Saturday 03/25/06. I was definately impressed. Plenty of power, but the tranny made the difference.

First is low and it stayed there driving through the dealer's lot. Shifting was seamles and unnoticable. The tranny downshifted like a manual when the brake pedal was depressed. Manual shifting was easy to implement. At 60mph the tac barely registered above 1500rpm. 35mph to 75mph on a short on-ramp when I punched it. No sluggishnes or delay when punching it at 60mph.

Ride and handling very good.

GM got it right with this 6 speed auto. Wow!

Ralph

[SuperGewl]

Just make sure you pick the corect truck to pull the load you intend to pull. A 3/4 ton is great as long as you don't plan on pulling over about 12k. Also check the hitch weight of what you are planning on pulling. This is where most get into alot of trouble. Their hitch weight is more than what the truck with passengers and stuff is designed to handle.

[K-Star]

max trailer weight for a 2500 DMAX/Ally is about 16K for 2WD or 15K for 4WD (these are 2003 #'s).

What you really need to look at the the reserve GVWR of a 2500. If you are planning on pulling a 5er, the pin weight can very easily overload your GVWR in the heartbeat (no pun intended). The curb weight the specs show is for an empty truck, no options and 150# driver. You need to calculate the rest. Add in occupant weights, 100# for a hitch, and gear you take camping with you. Then subtract that from the GVWR. that is how much reserve you have for 5er pin weight.

I've been down this road. I had an F-250 with a 28' 5er (not a lite). I then learned all about GVWR and GCWR. I was about 300# over the GVWR.

You don't mention a trailer type, but if you are looking at a 5er that is anything but a lite or under 25', you should really consider a 3500. A dually for the heavier trailers.

I had an `02 GMC 3500 DMAX/Ally. I agree that it is a fantastic combination. They nailed it with this one. If I could have gotten 4.10 gears I would still have it. But the dually only came with 3.73's. My new trailer was within the weight ratings of the 3500, but (with 3.73's) it didn't quite have the stuff to pull it on a hill.

[RSmoak]

Yeah. I don't plan on pulling more than a 12k GVWR fiver. I also want to avoid duals because I'll need a daily back and forth to work tuck. The Ram 2500 didn't have enough reseve GVWR to accomodate 2400lbs in the bed plus fuel, family, pets, and driver. And you can't get a long box single Ram 3500 anymore. That's why I went looking elsewhere. This one has the reserve capacity. Hate to say it but, the ride and power were better to.

Ralph

[JRMora]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RSmoak:
And you can't get a long box single Ram 3500 anymore.Ralph </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmm. I see a lot of LB 3500 SRW's at our dealership. I drive a dually, but I'm pretty sure that Dodge hasn't stopped making SRW 1 tons.

Where did you hear they aren't being made anymore?

Juan

[RKamperRV]

I have the '01 2500HD Silverado D-max/Allison. It is a great truck. I am in the process of buying a new 5er that will have about 2200# pin weight and a GVWR of right at 12,000. This is well within the limits of my truck. I am looking forward to giving it a workout as my old TT never really made it work.

[TXiceman]

You need to be stepping up to a 1 ton and possibly a dually if you go over about 32' in actual 5er length.

Ken

[RSmoak]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Juan
Hmmm. I see a lot of LB 3500 SRW's at our dealership. I drive a dually, but I'm pretty sure that Dodge hasn't stopped making SRW 1 tons. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's what I thought until I was doing a build and price 2006. As soon as you take an 8 foot bed with a Quad Cab, dually becomes the only posibility. So I sent Dodge an email inquiry through the ask a question link. The reply stated that Ram 3500 SRW is only available with the 6.33 foot box.

Doesn't matter to me anymore anyway. Since my test drive I'm sold on the Duramax Allison combo in a Silverado 2500HD long box. I don't care for the styling but everything else beat Ram for me. And I currently drive a Ram.

Ralph