Guys, I noticed that GM is offering a 1500HD truck now. Why in the world is it neccessary to have a 1500HD? If you need a heavier truck, WHY NOT BUY A 2500???

I don't understand why these companies keep offering so many variations of the SAME THING. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

 

Marketing people need a gimmick to keep selling.

GM's next idea will be the "Impervious Avalstench, keeps your salad fresh just like tupperware while parked or driving"

 

I'm not an expert, but I believe it works like this.

1500 = F150
1500HD = F250
2500 = F350
3500 = F350 DRW

I think the 1500HD is only if you go with the CC.

Waxy

 

The 1500HD is actually the equivalent of the F-150 7700. It's also the eqivalent of the old standard F-250. It comes with an 8 lug axle and it is not rated for same as the F-250 SD or the 2500.

P.S. The only reason I know this is I had to talk my wife's uncle out of this and into the F-250. It wasn't easy, but he is now the proud owner of a 03 F-250 XL w/ 5.4 and plow package.

 

Close, but I think they just added intermediate steps. The 1500HD is not quite an F250, the 2500HD is not quite an F350...

 

So then:

1500 = F150
1500HD = F150 7700
2500HD = F250/F350 SRW
3500HD = F350 DRW

If so, that's actually a better systems IMHO. I think the F250-F350 SRW thing has become really redundant. If they're the same truck but for tires, and there is such a small difference in price, why bother?

Why not just make all SD SRW trucks F250's and make the GVWR 9900lbs? That would seem to make things easier to me, and if you're buying, it elimates the payload problems with the 8800 lb rating on the F250. You now get the same truck, only it's rated at 9900lbs.

Then the F350 would be the DRW version.

I know that in the past there were significant differences between the F250 and the F350 SRW, but as of now, they are only VERY minor, so why not just eliminate one or the other?

Any thoughts fellas?

Waxy

 

I think it better to just eliminate all chebbys & dogdes and leave the line of real trucks alone (JMHO).

 

Waxy,

EXACTLY. See, that's why I was so confused. I see these 1500HDs and 2500s running around town, and they are the same thing! It's confusing to the buyer, a waste of time for the manufacturer, and just plain dumb.

The 1500/F-150 should be a regular half ton. The 2500/F-250 a SRW with 9,900 lb. rating. And the 3500 should be the DRW setup with the max payload and towing. Dodge had the right idea for years (although they are even offering 3500 SRW trucks this year).

That would solve the confusion, and would keep each model unique and distinguished from the others.

 

That is close, but it actually goes like this:
GM also has a 3500HD, but, from what I hear, it's a different beast altogether.

 

Thanks for the insider info NoMo (our secret double agent)..

Waxy

 

in the years 95-97 ford had a F250LD - Light Duty
and a F250HD - heavy duty, the F250LD was a F150 with a larger rear end and springs... These differnt versions didnt fly so well so the classes only lasted 2 years....
Jetjock16

 

Quote: Waxy,

EXACTLY. See, that's why I was so confused. I see these 1500HDs and 2500s running around town, and they are the same thing! It's confusing to the buyer, a waste of time for the manufacturer, and just plain dumb.

The 1500/F-150 should be a regular half ton. The 2500/F-250 a SRW with 9,900 lb. rating. And the 3500 should be the DRW setup with the max payload and towing. Dodge had the right idea for years (although they are even offering 3500 SRW trucks this year).

That would solve the confusion, and would keep each model unique and distinguished from the others.



I don't think this would be a very good idea. I think sometimes what a customer looking for a truck really wants is choices, and with Ford's current available configurations for their trucks this is what they get. For example, some people just plain don't like duallys, think they are ugly, etc, but they would like to have an F-350. If it was so that all you can get that is an F-350 is a dually, I don't think that would be very good. Some people also want something like a regular cab F-350 SRW, etc. I think this is one major area where Chevy went wrong, only offering the 3500 in dually form. While I am on the subject of having choices, I think Dodge made a mistake with the '94-'01 Ram when they didn't offer a crewcab version, and now in the newest generation they don't offer an extended cab. This is one area where Ford really shines, they give the customer so many, many choices, and they can pretty much configure their truck however they want it.

 

I know one difference about the 97-99 LD F-250's. They had seven lug nets per wheel. Get your rims now because they will be obsolete in 5 years.

 

If they did that I think the price of a Ford truck would jump. the demand for the same thing would drive the price up. also Ford would have no reason to up grade their trucks because you would be stuck on one truck and they would know that you had not other options. like it or not you should be glad there are other trucks to choose from.

http://community.webshots.com/script...ecurity=DoDhJN
http://community.webshots.com/script...ecurity=XuldwF

 

1500HD = Ham Dorito