Posted 2005-06-13 9:59 AM (#1305) Subject: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 17
Location: maryland
Dumb woman trying to buy truck that wont break the bank!! I am looking at a 2001 chevy 3500 extended cab dually, gas engine, 2WD, with $30,000 miles and it does have the haul/tow button in it for when you are towing. It has a 8cylinder, 6.0 liter engine. Right now I have a bumper pull trailer but want to upgrade to a 2 or 3 horse with small lvng qtrs or large dressing room gooseneck. I will only ever haul 1 horse, maybe once in a blue moon 2 horses. Also it wont be my everyday vehicle, only to go to shows on weekends in summer, fall or to get hay ,etc. I was wondering if this will be enough truck for when i upgrade to the gooseneck trailer, because i plan on keeping it for a long time.
Posted 2005-06-13 11:32 AM (#1306 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 23
For fifth-wheel trailering, the '01 3500 with the 6000 V8 and extended cab is rated to tow only 9,800 pounds. This is with the 4.10 rear end, so if the truck has a 3.73 (you should ask) the capacity will be even less, probably around 7,800 pounds. This doesn't feel right to me — ok for a 2H or 3H or tag-along or even an aluminum 2H GN depending on which rear end the truck has, but throw a living quarters into the mix and I think you're into a different class of engine & transmission (8100 gas or 6600 diesel, and the Allison 1000, capacity just over 15,000 pounds in either case).
Posted 2005-06-13 11:53 AM (#1307 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 17
Location: maryland
Thanks for the info. when you say the "rear end" what exactly would that be listed on , on the spec sheet? Just for future reference. Does this enignie compare at all to a Chevy 2500 hd gas engine ?
Posted 2005-06-13 12:15 PM (#1308 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by candace on 2005-06-13 12:53 AM
Thanks for the info. when you say the "rear end" what exactly would that be listed on , on the spec sheet? Just for future reference. Does this enignie compare at all to a Chevy 2500 hd gas engine ?
The "rear end" is also known as the rear axle ratio. You can find what your truck has by looking in the glove box. there will be a sticker there with the "RPO" codes
For 2001 :
GT4
Axle Rear 3.73 Ratio (DUP With 5 x 1)
GT5
Axle Rear 4.10 Ratio (DUP With GT8)
GU4
Axle Rear 3.08 Ratio
GU6
Axle Rear 3.42 Ratio
Example... if you have GT5 on the sticker, you have a 4.10 rear axle ratio.
Posted 2005-06-13 12:34 PM (#1310 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 17
Location: maryland
Thanks for all the help. It sure is confusing!!! and really hard around here to find something used that doesnt start at $32,000. the one i am looking at is only $24,000 with 31,000 miles. And alot of people haul 3 horse trailers with the 2500 HD chevy's and 2 horse with small lvng qtrs thru hills in western pennsylvania. i thought this size truck would serve my purpose. if further info would help here are additional specs:
ill have to check the inside of the door sticker again for the other numbers. i guess i was just hoping this would work!! And also need some winning lottery numbers so i can just say "get me the biggest truck there is " ! Then i wouldn't have to worry ! Ha HA!
Posted 2005-06-13 1:49 PM (#1311 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 30
Location: Denver CO
I like the 6.0L Vortec, it has decent torque for it's size. But as mentioned you do want the 4.10 axle ratio. With what you describe with one horse maybe two and if you are on fairly level ground, it should work fine. Does it have a ball in the bed now? Will they let you have the truck for the day? You want a tow package. Not a big LQ, but you know that.
Posted 2005-06-13 2:24 PM (#1312 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 17
Location: maryland
thanks. right now it doesnt have the ball in the bed, just the factory installed hitch to the frame with the light plug. here is what the spec sheet says :
Posted 2005-06-13 2:36 PM (#1313 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 30
Location: Denver CO
That tow capacity seems off. I don't think your payload is going to be higher than trailer capacity. That's the conventional trailer capacity without a wdh. My GM chart for gooseneck/5th wheel shows 10,300# tow cabacity 3500 with 4x2 extended cab 6.0L automatic tranny and only comes with 4.10 axle ratio.
Posted 2005-06-13 3:01 PM (#1314 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 17
Location: maryland
yes,
This truck is at CARMAX, and they dont really know any info, this is just the print out. They are not really helpful, they want me to buy the $$$ truck for $32,000. Is this truck good for hauling any type of goosenecks? Just a small 2 horse with dressing room?
Posted 2005-06-13 3:07 PM (#1315 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Candace .. the info that MrTruck posted says your truck will handle a 10,000 pound GN trailer.
With 10,000 pounds you can get a 3 horse slant with 4 foot short wall trailer. Steel or Aluminum, they'll be about the same. The dually will do very well for stability. I'm like you , I have a 2001 3500, it's only job is to pull the 3 horse SL with 4 foot DR. The 8.1 and Allison engine was an extra cost option for the 3500. It was well worth the cost 4 years later.
Posted 2005-06-13 4:09 PM (#1317 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Candace ...
Your truck with the 6.0 engine (well, Carmax's) does not have the Allison. Only the 8.1 lit engine was available with the Allison.
Here's my opinion... a 2001 3500 with the 6.0 for $32000 is not something I would buy today. The price is too high. I bought a NEW 2001 3500 LT 8.1 l & Allison for a lot less than that. Maybe this truck at Carmax has every bell & doo-dad ever made. But, for hauling horses, I wouldn't have it at that price.
Otherwise, I believe, that 6.0 lit 3500 dually will handle anything up to a 3 horse GN 4 foot short wall trailer very well.
Posted 2005-06-13 4:20 PM (#1318 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 17
Location: maryland
Cool thanks for all the responses. This truck they only want $23,000 ( 6.0 liter gas 8 cyl 2wd dually ext cab) . They have another one that is $32,000 its a diesel 2004 dually . Which i like, but cant afford a $400.00 plus payment. That is why i am considering the 2001. sory for the price confusion. Candace
Posted 2005-06-13 7:52 PM (#1319 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 1563
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by candace on 2005-06-13 5:20 AM
Cool thanks for all the responses. This truck they only want $23,000 ( 6.0 liter gas 8 cyl 2wd dually ext cab) . They have another one that is $32,000 its a diesel 2004 dually . Which i like, but cant afford a $400.00 plus payment. That is why i am considering the 2001. sory for the price confusion. Candace
Even $23,000 is steep to me. With all the incentives, gm card rebates, etc Pm Mail sent to you..
Posted 2005-06-14 3:08 AM (#1320 - in reply to #1305) Subject: RE: question for MR. Truck
Posts: 256
Location: rocky mount nc
$23,000.00 is too much money for that truck, something more like $19,000.00 would be more inline and that's if it were in near perfect condition. Truck has a large payload capacity but your towing is going to be limited, remember , you can never have too much truck, maybe too much payment. Before you pay 30 plus thousand for a used D-MAX, check on a new one, with the deals they got til July 5 I'm looking mighty hard at making a change myself, not that I need to, just in heat for a new truck.
question for MR. Truck
