I kind of want a 3/4 ton...

[letitsnow]

I would spend 10-15k if it was the right truck. Money isn’t really an issue. I could get a new truck, but I just like the gmt400 gmt800 trucks!

That's cool. You should be able to find a nice truck.

 

[RDF1]

If you do get a 3/4 ton here is what we did on a few of them.
Take several leaf springs out and added air bags for the weight, traction bars to keep springs from wrapping since there are less springs now, and some good shocks to help control it.
They ride wayyyy better empty since you can run the air down to 5psi empty. And level the truck with trailer attached.

Trying to talk my dad into doing this to his 2010 2500hd. It ride horrible empty. He bought it to pull his camper and it rides decent with the camper weight from the gooseneck. But driving it empty it will beat you to death.

Sent from my HiDiNg PlAcE

 

[Supercharged111]

One thing to consider is that the airbags do more to level the truck than add spring rate at low pressures. I'm sure yiu've towed this way RDF1 so there's probably no need to question it. I actually want to revert to a 1500 leaf pack on my 1500 and add some extra bags I have laying around for this very reason. The dually will likely get another upper overload and rely on 5-10psi to keep it off said overloads empty to try and preserve some semblance of ride quality. I'd prefer not to need to run the bags at 100psi to level the rig out fully loaded.

 

[RDF1]

One thing to consider is that the airbags do more to level the truck than add spring rate at low pressures. I'm sure yiu've towed this way RDF1 so there's probably no need to question it. I actually want to revert to a 1500 leaf pack on my 1500 and add some extra bags I have laying around for this very reason. The dually will likely get another upper overload and rely on 5-10psi to keep it off said overloads empty to try and preserve some semblance of ride quality. I'd prefer not to need to run the bags at 100psi to level the rig out fully loaded.

That's very true.
I just put a Firestone set on my buddy's '18 1500 sierra with 6.2/8sp.
We could feel the difference in 10psi empty. Backed it down to 5psi and it was better.

Loaded his HMMVE on a 28' trailer and leveled everything out. It rode great. But he bought some fox shocks to see if it helps slow down the rear end speed over some crazy humps/bumps on the interstate.

Sent from my HiDiNg PlAcE

 

[Stephen]

I had always wanted a crew cab but did not like the price of new. My previous truck was a 77 4X4 long bed with a 400 small block. Pulled great but I beat it pretty good. In 2000 I as driving by a local car lot that sold vehicles for SunTrust bank that had been off lease or repo'd. Saw a nice 96 C3500 crew long bed, 7.4L Silverado SRW 2WD. Only 46,000 miles. I bit the bullet & bought it and have never looked back. Has a 9600 GVW. Has 230,000 now and still runs & rides great. Has tow package have been towing a 30 ft TT and a 22 ft center console boat(Not at the same time) would not go back to anything smaller. You can't have too big of a truck , too much HP, too many guns and too much ammo.

 

[Jared Jackson]

This may be blasphemy, but I think I have settled on a NNBS that should be able to handle the duties...

2008 WT package, 5.3, 3.73, g80, factory tow package with external tranny cooler, 100k miles.

I think it is rated at either 8300 or 8500 max towing, should be able to handle a boat with ease and a decent size camper and gear.

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[Schurkey]

I know folks who'd tow that boat or that camper with an El Camino. The pullin' would be OK, but the turnin' and stoppin' might be a little treacherous.

Buddy of mine has a similar camper trailer, and a Glastron bow-rider, he pulls both of them together (boat hooked behind trailer) with a '97 K2500 454/7.4/L29

Seems to me that pulling either of them separately is 1500 territory, but you won't ever be angry that you have 2500 brakes or heavier-ply tires (until it's time to replace brakes or tires...)

 

[Jared Jackson]

I know folks who'd tow that boat or that camper with an El Camino. The pullin' would be OK, but the turnin' and stoppin' might be a little treacherous.

Buddy of mine has a similar camper trailer, and a Glastron bow-rider, he pulls both of them together (boat hooked behind trailer) with a '97 K2500 454/7.4/L29

Seems to me that pulling either of them separately is 1500 territory, but you won't ever be angry that you have 2500 brakes or heavier-ply tires (until it's time to replace brakes or tires...)

I agree, I think the boat is well within 1500 limits. The camper + gear is what starts to get outside of my comfort zone. I have seen people tow way to much with WAY to little and survive. I just wanted piece of mind and a decent buffer zone between the max towing and the actual weight of what I am towing.

 

[Jared Jackson]

This may be blasphemy, but I think I have settled on a NNBS that should be able to handle the duties...

2008 WT package, 5.3, 3.73, g80, factory tow package with external tranny cooler, 100k miles.

I think it is rated at either 8300 or 8500 max towing, should be able to handle a boat with ease and a decent size camper and gear.

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I just went and looked at this truck over lunch. Found rust where I didn't like it being. It was also a bit more worn than the pictures led me to believe. The PO didn't put a lot of miles on it, but they were hard miles!

 

[98chevy2500SS]

If I were you, I wouldn't get it, those trucks rust out faster than the 400's do.