Comparing the Silverado 1500 and 2500 Is About More Than Just Numbers

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If you are in the market for your next used truck, then you should know that the Chevy Silverado has won its fair share of awards, being named by Kelley Blue Book for Best Resale Value in 2020. But what may be causing you to scratch your head is trying to decide between a Silverado 1500 and a Silverado 2500HD. Should you buy a 1500 or 2500? When you stop into our used Chevy Silverado dealer in KY, we will be able to show you what these great trucks have to offer. However, a great deal will depend on what you are looking for in your used truck.

There is more to the two trucks than just the different numbers. The Silverado 1500 is a versatile full-size truck, while the Silverado 2500 is a heavy-duty truck with the power to get the tough jobs done. At Dan Cummins, we have an amazing inventory of used Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2500 pickup trucks on sale, with a broad array of trims, powertrain choices, and other options. Come by today and see why your next used truck should be a Chevy Silverado.

What’s in the Numbers?

There is a simple way to remember why a Silverado is called 1500 or 2500. The 1500 number denotes a half-ton truck, while 2500 stands for a three-quarter-ton capacity. Both of those trucks actually far exceed this nominal payload capacity. Still, the industry has stuck with the 1500 and 2500 numbers since it is an easy way to remember the primary difference between the trucks. The other way is to go beyond the numbers and see that the Silverado 1500 is a full-size truck, while the Silverado 2500 is a heavy-duty truck. Let’s take a look at some other key differences to help you make up your mind which used pickup truck fits your needs better.

Three Types of Cab Configurations

One thing that Chevy has done over the years is that it offers a wide variety of options on its trucks, starting with your choice of cab. Whether you are buying a Silverado 1500 or 2500 new or used, you are going to get a choice of three great cab configurations. The Regular Cab has two doors with one row of seats, able to seat up to three passengers depending on the type of seats. A Double Cab has two seats up front and three in the back, allowing you to fit up to six passengers. This configuration has two full-size doors in front and a pair of half doors in the back. The Crew Cab also seats up to six passengers, but it has four full-size doors and a roomier back seat.

In general, Silverado trucks with a Crew Cab are going to be more expensive than similar models with a Regular or Double Cab. Also, the added weight of the Crew Cab may have a negative impact on fuel economy and towing capacity depending on things like engine options and choice of drivetrain. Still, it is good to know that you can get either a Silverado 1500 or 2500 with the cab type you want, so this factor won’t make your decision for you.

Choice of Drivetrains

Chevy offers the Silverado 1500 and 2500 in a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. If your goal is to be able to tow the heaviest trailers with your truck, then rear-wheel drive will give you the maximum towing capacity. If you would rather have the added traction for slippery surfaces, you should go with four-wheel drive – especially if you want to use your Silverado for off-roading. The good news here is that most models of the Silverado 1500 and 2500 come with a choice of drivetrains, so this will not be a deciding factor. However, keep in mind that some Silverado 1500 and 2500 trims are four-wheel drive only.

Engine Options

Here is where the proverbial rubber meets the road. Historically, Chevy has given the Silverado 1500 more engine options than the Silverado 2500, but at the same time has equipped the Silverado 2500 with more powerful engines. This makes sense since Silverado 2500 models have a higher average gross vehicle weight than Silverado 1500 trucks.

The 2019 Silverado 1500 and 2020 Silverado 2500 debuted the fourth generation of the Silverado, and they continued this key distinction. The fourth-generation Silverado 1500 offers a choice of five different engines: a 2.7-liter Turbo engine, a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6, a 5.3-liter Ecotec3 V8, a 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8, and a 3.0-liter Duramax 3.0-liter Turbo-Diesel I-6. All of these are smaller than either of the two engines offered on the current Silverado 2500: a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine and a 6.6-liter V8 Turbo-Diesel. However, the smaller size and lighter weight of the Silverado 1500 will give it better fuel economy than the Silverado 2500.

The third-generation Silverado models also have this difference. The 2018 Silverado 1500 features three engine choices: a 4.3-liter V6, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8. You should note that Chevy did not offer a diesel option on the third generation model of the Silverado 1500, choosing to add it to the line for the 2020 model year. The 2018 Silverado 2500 gives you the choice of either a 6.0-liter V8 gas engine or a 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8. You should keep in mind that the gas engine on the third-generation Silverado 2500 is not as powerful as the one on the current fourth-generation truck.

Towing Capacity and Payload Capability

If your goal is to use your truck to tow the heaviest trailers and carry the most cargo in the bed, then you will be better off with a used Silverado 2500. This model can generally outperform a used Silverado 1500, no matter the trim or engine type. For example, the 2020 Silverado 2500 is capable of towing up to 18,500 pounds or carrying up to 3,979 pounds of payload. The best you can get out of a 2020 Silverado 1500 is a still-impressive 13,400 pounds of towing capacity and 2,250 pounds of payload. One thing that should be noted is that the old designations of a half-ton truck for the Silverado 1500 and a three-quarter-ton truck for the Silverado 2500 have gone right out the window since a half-ton is only 1,000 pounds and three-quarters of a ton is just 1,500 pounds.

Trims, Special Editions, and Options

The Chevy Silverado 1500 is the most versatile and popular truck model built by Chevrolet. As a result, Chevy gives more options and choices on each model than on any other truck in its lineup. This is why there are eight different trims and three special editions of the 2020 Silverado 1500, while the 2020 Silverado 2500 is offered in a total of five trims with no special editions. As a result, you will probably have an easier time finding a Silverado 1500 with all the features and options you want on a truck. If your goal is to use your truck for many different tasks and not just towing and hauling, then you might prefer a Chevy Silverado 1500.

Two Great Trucks to Choose From

The Chevy Silverado 1500 represents versatility. This is the truck that can handle a tough work week and still double as a family transport on the evening and weekends. With more trims, special editions, and engine options to choose from, the Silverado 1500 makes it easy to get a truck that fits all your wants and needs. On the other hand, if you need a truck with the power to carry heavy loads and move large trailers like boats, campers, and work equipment, then a used Silverado 2500 might just be the truck for you.

One thing is constant – no matter which Silverado you choose, it is in the numbers that you will be getting a great used truck with the reliability and dependability you need. Come visit our dealership today, and drive out with a used Chevy Silverado 1500 or 2500 that will give the performance you desire in a pickup truck. At Dan Cummins, we have the perfect used truck for every driver.

Tags: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Chevrolet Trucks
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