Beefing up half-ton for gooseneck
- Thread starter Negligence
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crashz
Veteran Member
I didn't mean to mislead anyone with my post. The list was of potential upgrades, so don't get to hung up on the dollars and cents, but more the point that any and all upgrades to a leased truck will go back to the dealer unless the truck is purchased.
I'd say my list of potential upgrades is about right. Even the "ricer" brake upgrade. I upgraded to EBC pads and noticed a big difference in lack of brake fade on hills. None during daily driving. The tranny guage will eventually lead to an additional aux cooler in my experieince. And the tire upgrade helps reduce the squishy feeling while towing. I upgraded to a Load D tire and felt an immediate improvement.
The gooseneck hitch cost was just a shot in the dark. I'm assuming around $500 due to cutting the bed to mount the hitch.
Remember too that my list of upgrades, and basically any upgrade will only allow the truck to better handle its rated load capacity. No legal upgrade will change the GVWR of the truck, the front or rear GAWR or Combined GVWR.
I'd say my list of potential upgrades is about right. Even the "ricer" brake upgrade. I upgraded to EBC pads and noticed a big difference in lack of brake fade on hills. None during daily driving. The tranny guage will eventually lead to an additional aux cooler in my experieince. And the tire upgrade helps reduce the squishy feeling while towing. I upgraded to a Load D tire and felt an immediate improvement.
The gooseneck hitch cost was just a shot in the dark. I'm assuming around $500 due to cutting the bed to mount the hitch.
Remember too that my list of upgrades, and basically any upgrade will only allow the truck to better handle its rated load capacity. No legal upgrade will change the GVWR of the truck, the front or rear GAWR or Combined GVWR.
Iplayfarmer
Super Member
Sure they can!
In fact I just went after mine with a sharpie (R) marker as a temporary measure. Now I can put 2500 pounds in the bed of my 1/2 ton Chevy, and I can pull a 36 foot travel trailer. That was a whole lot cheaper than helper springs and upgraded brakes.My neighboor who runs a wrecking yard is keeping his eye out for a good sticker from a Chevy 1 ton dually as a permanent fix.
Builder
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Sure they can!
My neighboor who runs a wrecking yard is keeping his eye out for a good sticker from a Chevy 1 ton dually as a permanent fix.
I hope you're kidding. You're putting other drivers and yourself in a lot of potential danger.
Diamondpilot
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Seems to me you asked for opinions then did not like the answer. Looks like you had it in your head that you are going to do it either way.
As long as you do not exceed any limitations everything will be fine. The problem is your truck has about 8,550# of towing available and with what you are wanting to haul its going to be tough to keep under that weight. You would be much better served with a bumper pull horse trailer of the appropriate size then upgrade when you can get a 1 ton truck.
By the way I may be off on your towing capacity but my Towing Guide I use in my marine business list a 5.7 4x4 QuadCab Short bed at 8,550# max with the 3.92 axles. I am giving you the best numbers. If it has 3.55 axles its only 7,550#. These numbers are with the Hemi 5.7 Many of the older motors like the 318 and 360 were much better towers due to the low end torque.
Chris
As long as you do not exceed any limitations everything will be fine. The problem is your truck has about 8,550# of towing available and with what you are wanting to haul its going to be tough to keep under that weight. You would be much better served with a bumper pull horse trailer of the appropriate size then upgrade when you can get a 1 ton truck.
By the way I may be off on your towing capacity but my Towing Guide I use in my marine business list a 5.7 4x4 QuadCab Short bed at 8,550# max with the 3.92 axles. I am giving you the best numbers. If it has 3.55 axles its only 7,550#. These numbers are with the Hemi 5.7 Many of the older motors like the 318 and 360 were much better towers due to the low end torque.
Chris
Wis Bang
Gold Member
because the truck and trailer may arrive intact!
87 posts and most of them are trying to talk him and you out of it...
And another post that doesn't make sense
Diamondpilot
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Be a good 800# lighter to start with. Then you don't have all the expense of the hitch needed for a truck that is on a lease. Not to also mention the truck is a lease and I have leased about 10 vehicles and they will try to stick it to you for minor damage, not to mention a hole in the bed from a hitch.
Chris
OP
Negligence
Bronze Member
Well, let me clear a few things:
I did not intend to use the 1/2 ton from the very beginning, I did in fact research my options as best I could. I considered upgrading to a 2500/3500 -- I went so far as to meet with my dealership about it. My monthly payments would be more than doubling to step into a heavier truck (lease vs. finance, since they are no longer leasing at low rates). That simply isn't worth it for the little amount of heavy towing I will be doing.
Second, I did look into local, cheap 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Found a lot of nice ones in the $6,000+ range, but that is pricey to only use several times a year. I already have two vehicles. As someone said before, another vehicle to maintain and insure is not what I had in mind. Anything cheaper than $6,000 and there was a fair amount of work to get it road-worthy and safe.
I also spoke to the dealership and they informed me a gooseneck was fine as long as the holes are filled back in. Apparatenly even some new 2500/3500's come with the holes pre-drilled for hitches. When my lease is done it is guaranteed I will be moving to a 3500, so I'm not concerned about penalties.
I do appreciate all the responses. I posted with an open mind to collect opinions and advice. Just because I've decided to stick with what I've got does not mean I had planned it that way all along (otherwise, why would I have even started this thread?)
I did not intend to use the 1/2 ton from the very beginning, I did in fact research my options as best I could. I considered upgrading to a 2500/3500 -- I went so far as to meet with my dealership about it. My monthly payments would be more than doubling to step into a heavier truck (lease vs. finance, since they are no longer leasing at low rates). That simply isn't worth it for the little amount of heavy towing I will be doing.
Second, I did look into local, cheap 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Found a lot of nice ones in the $6,000+ range, but that is pricey to only use several times a year. I already have two vehicles. As someone said before, another vehicle to maintain and insure is not what I had in mind. Anything cheaper than $6,000 and there was a fair amount of work to get it road-worthy and safe.
I also spoke to the dealership and they informed me a gooseneck was fine as long as the holes are filled back in. Apparatenly even some new 2500/3500's come with the holes pre-drilled for hitches. When my lease is done it is guaranteed I will be moving to a 3500, so I'm not concerned about penalties.
I do appreciate all the responses. I posted with an open mind to collect opinions and advice. Just because I've decided to stick with what I've got does not mean I had planned it that way all along (otherwise, why would I have even started this thread?)
