I have a 23 2500 LT gasser. A white “basic, outdated truck” everyone has told me. It’s done everything for us perfectly, except fit in a small parking spot. I will hopefully keep it forever.

I really like the way the “hood” comes off and gives you access to the entire engine, for that it’s my favorite

$53k for a 4x4 2500 reg cab truck is crazy inflation is ridiculous right now

The drum at the u-joint of the rear axle is the parking brake

THANK YOU for finally doing 2500 HDs and bigger! Most people who actually do work use a 2500 HD whether Ford or Chevy or Ram. They last the longest, and are the best value for the money, always. I personally like GMC's more than Chevy's.

The 6500 is heavy duty for sure. I have a 5500 and it's 4wd, single cab. The more weight we added and pulling over the course of the last year has finally eased the suspension up a bit. At first it would hurt your back and you could barely talk! But now I enjoy it. Very capable truck and gets compliments everywhere being it looks lifted and has big polished aluminum wheels 😁

Fun Facts: the 4500, 5500, & 6500 use the headlights and cab from the 2014/2015 Silverado. The last Kodiak/TopKick trucks used the cab of the Express/Savanna vans & before that it was always an older cab from previous generation pickups.

Its painfully obvious this isnt the world i grew up in or want to live in. That 2500 is a 20,000 dollar truck. Nowhere near worth 53k. For 53k it should have every bell whistle and haul the whole family. What a joke.

This is the best video you have made in the last 6 months..... you don't have to fly to Hawaii to see Tacoma launches to make good videos.... Also, thank you for having young kids on your videos, and not just old geezers like me (I'm 54 y/o)

I believe the drum on the rear drive shaft is the emergency brake was on a older truck

Like the one guy said, I don't have kids or anyone else to worry about, and I would still get the crew cab (applies to both, the 3500, and the 6500), because the back seat area can be used as storage space for additional stuff you might want to have on hand, and if you need to, you can carry up to 5 others with you. Having the crew cab just adds to the options of things you can do with either truck (3500 / 6500).

New TFL Truck video at 3:30am? Wonderful. Just what I needed on this sleepless night ❤😂

24:48 that is the parking brake. large drum brake is required to meet FMVSS requirement to hold full GVWR on a hill

My town has a brand new 6500HD with a dump bed. I had it out plowing this past winter. With a plow and a packed sander in the bed it actually rides damn good. Driving around for 12-18 hours straight thru was not bad at all. Comfortable truck

I’ve always wondered why GM never offered a 4500 to compete against Ford & Dodge. Why is that? To me it seems they are missing a market. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a pick up bed on these medium duty trucks. Our ambulance district has a 5500 Chevy chassis on the rig. Seems nice.

Really puts our economic situation in perspective when I can be SURPRISED that you can get an almost fully loaded diesel dually for ONLY $91k. I was honestly thinking it was going to be well over $100k, considering we've seen Ford and GMC high trim diesel 1 ton duallies push $120k. $91k isn't bad, considering you get all of the capability of those more expensive trucks without giving up too many of the tech and luxury features. P.s. I really like that 6.6 gas V8. I'm glad that GM and Ford both saw the increasing complexity, declining reliability and increased cost of the diesel power plants and came back out with large displacement gas V8s. I'm not a Ford guy but I commend them for coming out with a true big block. If GM put a big block like idk a 7.4 in 2500+ trucks, they would officially be on my dream truck list❤. That 6500 is just too cool. I'm glad that GM got back into the medium duty market after abandoning it years ago. Crazy to think that the big 3 made everything from compact trucks to semis at one point...I'm glad GM recognized their mistake and cane back out with these medium duties. Great video as always guys!

I bought a 1985 Chevrolet Kodiak C60 with a CAT 3208 and 4 speed Allison regular cab and gravel dump box (low side) to use as my pickup. I use 1983 Chev B60 42 passenger bus with a 8.2l Detroit Diesel and Allison as my family van and a 1997 Chev c2500 Suburban with a 6.5l diesel as my runabout. Guess which truck I liked.

I test drove a 4cyl 1500 elevation with the updated interior... And while I never had any real complaints with the old interior, the new one absolutely blows it away.

I had a 5500 Chevy chassis on a 35' Super C RV. It ha the 8.1 V8 gas. It was a blast driving it. Those 19.5" tires are quite expensive!

Here in Qatar it is mostly 2500s and some 3500s. The 2500s are used for towing heavy things such as campers to the beach or to the desert while the 3500s are used as wreckers by the police or as larger tow platforms. Saw one or two F 650s used as boom trucks..that is it. F 350s - F 550s are used as fire engines and recovery rollback/box trucks (also some old GMC topkicks as well).

Amazing video! That dealer is very nice to let you drive their trucks like that!

It’s insane what the truck market has become, giving people close to 1000 ftlbs of torque, in a close to $100,000 truck, that most likely doesn’t have the experience to handle that kind of task, is why insurance rates are at record highs. Semi trucks in the 70’s made less power than the modern 3500 truck.

Thanks Andre! Love the 6500!

When I worked for Caltrans Tarzana Road crew. We had a '06 Chevy 4500 Cone truck. With the straight frame the doors would open just above the guard rails. The best truck for grabbing problem debris off the busy US-101 & I-405. Drove a variety of straight frame GM & Ford trucks when working at Caltrans. I wish Ram had a straight frame 4500, with a Cummins and the ZF Powerline transmission. As a class A licence holder, I found the straight frame GM & Ford trucks rather "sporty" to drive, compared to the air brake equiped larger vehicles. I meet a guy with a Chevy 4500 Crewcab 4wd with a flat bed camper, that he had upgraded to a set of 22.5" wheels with wide base tires. With no other modifications, he handled overland situations rather nicely. He had less trouble on rough terrain than the highly modified 3500 trucks.

I drive a 2023 Chevy 6500 rollback truck for one of my jobs and it doesn't even have 7500 miles on it and it already has issues with the exhaust system. It has some check engine code for a Catalytic converter heater that causes the truck to start rough and idle rough until warm. The engine pulls strong with the 6 speed no complaints there and the exhaust brake is useless outside tow/haul mode. And it gets pretty good gas mileage for a truck that size with the Duramax. I would never ever buy one but hey my employer is somewhat happy with it.

For some reason, "Allison" by Elvis Costello is now playing in my head. Great entertaining video, guys! "🎶My aim is true!🎶"

I just bought all of them from that dealer.......I wish ... but back in the 2000 I owned 5 Chevrolet Silverado 's and a s10 boss truck.extended cab 4x4. They were the years you can still get that wt 2500 lt reg cab z71 with that HG Country front end . ,KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.....😅 MAYBE AFTER I SELL MY HOME IN NJ I WANT TO BE A EMPLOYEES OF TFLTRUCK... KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK UNTIL THE NEXT TIME.😊

Great video guys! One other advantage of the new 2024s is that guys are trading their low mileage 2020 to 2023 HDs in to get a nicer interior. This allows folks like me more options to find a better deal on depreciated, lightly used trucks

The main issue I see with 5500 and up trucks is they are little trucks trying to be a big truck. A Ken worth or freightliner medium duty will last a lot longer than any ford, GM or Ran truck.

The only issue with the Chevy tail gate step is that if you keep a hitch/ball in your receiver, as most work trucks will, you can’t lower the step without hitting it on the ball. Ford’s step doesn’t have the same issue. Do like how Chevy gives the option to have lights and speakers integrated into their step though, pretty sweet.

This video was awesome

Andre's description of shifting the TC into 4WD was perfect 😂 "It's like, an event." 👍

Andre on the 6500 driveshaft it's not a Balancer it's the parking brake.

Newer semi-trucks/gvwr vehicles 26k+ are all air brakes/transmissions, but the older machines can be hybrid hydraulic/air or pure hydraulic. When you go to take the clp-a (commercial learners permit) test in Nevada, you have to request the air brake endorsement, and combination endorsement separately. All of the tests have overlapping knowledge requirements from the other endorsements, but are graded separately.

The dealer can sell them without a body. You'll save quite a bit of money by bringing your truck to a body outfitter yourself. On just a flatbed dump for a 3500 cab and chassis I saved $10k.

We use the 6500 as the body for our larger Ambulances at my company. I personally love them

The big thing on the pinion of the rear axle is the e brake not a balance thing.

My dad use a to have a 2009 6500 it had luxury sears I loved that thing man

I’m not in the market for anything, but it would be interesting to see a video about GM cab over engine trucks.

I love the sequential turn signals on the high end models

I think the white is also popular because it’s easy to touch up with spray paint when work trucks get banged up.

I expect the dually has cruise control - explains why Andre chose that one !

You were talking about needing a crew crab for pulling a trailer. It seems to me that most people that get one to pull a trailer get a short bed. That is only just over 2" longer than a standard cab with a long bed. And if you are not pulling a trailer, you can't haul much. So if you are actually looking for a work truck, a standard cab long bed is the best.

I just bought a nearly identical 3500 high country. I love the truck, but it has a few annoyances. It would be perfect if GM fixed these. (Albeit, I have not towed with it yet) 1) The Bose audio is less than premium. It's probably better than the base audio. 2) The seats look, but don't feel like high line. Pretty firm. 3) Zero 12v outlets. I get this in a family car, but not in a truck. 4) Can't see a numerical coolant temp gauge. Feels like the engineers are either hiding something or don't understand towing. 5) Rear seats don't fold flat. I'm sure this is a safety thing, but coming out of a GMT800 I really miss that. Great video guys!

Don't see many single cab 8 foot beds around here, local dealer has none on the lot ever, They say no one wants them. You should show off the cab forward trucks sometime, The 6500 and 7500 have Cummins in them.

Don't know why anyone in canada or where you get salt would argue that boxed is better than c channel. That c channel frame could last forever, even if you try to keep a boxed frame clean it will not last 15 years in the salt belt and it'll be scrap.

White is easier to sell when it comes to fleet vehicles, and easier to sell when they are used. As a few people already pointed out, the drum on the axle is the parking brake. Also, since the 6500 is a commercial truck, they don't update the interiors as often. Medium duty trucks also share the same frame specs, so if you have a service box bolted to a truck that the cab is totaled out on you can just bolt the service bed to a new truck with no modifications because frames are all standard. I think between 2000 and the current model Kenworth T800 the dash has changed maybe three times, and the basic cab shape has only changed once. I can tell you between 2007 and 2023 the dash in a Mack Granite has only had one change. How many updates or major changes to the big three's pickups in that same time frame? Dodge was still making the 2nd Gen in 2000.

If I were to go do Hotshot trucking? I'd full out and get the 5500 Silverado. I have a CDL-A already so no biggie.

I love that 2500 HD. I also love the 3500 HD.

These "you didn't know existed" headlines just means you didn't know. Real folks know these things.

The Petro and TA truck stops specialize in the Cummins repairs.

Also, it’s been said that the WT trims are derated in power due to being commonly used for fleet vehicles.

All the medium duty trucks have old interiors...... I rented a early 2000s Ford dump truck one time and it had early 80s interior in it.... I was blown away

Those are some great trucks. But I'll keep the 4th gen 6.0 without AFM/DFM in my w/t trimmed 3500HD.

I like how Alex got andre,s truck doesn't have cruise control in the conversation 😂😂

@24:50... That's the parking brake. Also, very few states, if any, require an air brake endorsement any more. All CDL's are based on GCVWR. The Feds say no special license is needed for a vehicle under 26001 Lbs. GCVWR with air brakes. @25:50... Just the tip. The exhaust is 3". @28:40... This is why so many people buy the F450. It's the only pickup available with the wide front axle and high angle steering.

I was thinking about ask you single cab review!!

I have never seen a drive threw that I could not go threw and the drive up Bank’s are the tightest .

Love the look of a nice clean white truck.

My dad’s 2003 7.3 powerstroke ZF6 xlt 4x4 crew cab short bed was 60k back in 02. Sad but true. Nowadays that’s an 80k truck. He just got a new 6.7 F-350 super cab long bed 4x4 and it was an about 65k. If you can configure your own, it’s still possible to get a decent price on a 3/4 to 1 ton truck from ford and I’d assume you can do the same with GM and Ram

I missed the old kodiak forty five hundred where they came looking like irregular pickup.

I'd love to see you guys do a $70k used tow rig challenge comparing a 3500 dually vs Class 5 vs Class 8. You can buy really nice used Class 8 for under $70k. This is the decision I've been trying to make. I currently live in a diesel pusher motorhome but I'm selling it and buying a 5th wheel. I think this would be great content for the channel. You could even do an Ike Gauntlet towing a 20k Lbs. 5th wheel.

I wanna see them do a 2024 dually(HD) vs a early 2000 dually(HD)

How is the hell is a high country a basic truck?? The 2500 was a great bit

They used Allison transmission in the early 2000s behind the 8100 vortec...but was a 6spd I think

When Chevy first came out withe these trucks it was just the 4500 & 5500 on 19.5 inch wheels. They announced the 6500 and we were hoping for a more capable truck with 22.5 inch wheels, but we were disappointed. GM needs a 26,000 lb 7500 & a 33,000 lb 8500 model for dump trucks & municipal plow trucks and to compete with the F650 & F750.

That 6500 is in the range called "Hot shot" this term lies between heavy duty and full bore semi trucks

Love to see you IKE the 6500

Id love to see a video with the 6500 on Ike gauntlet. I live in south Texas and see a lot of 6500 on the road pulling 40 foot goose neck trailers(10,000 # empty) with about 15,000 # of payload. I'm interested in buying one but I'm curious as to how they pull. Also we have nothing but flat land down here.

Funny how Andre's choices have changed, went from a base XL F150 hybrid to a trailboss Colorado, to (if given the money to buy it), would go for a fully optioned High Country, lol. You're turning into Roman, haha.

The drum close to the rear end is the parking brake. As far as the special license for air brakes, you don’t need one in the state I live in just as long as the gvwr is under 26,001

Proud to be an American Working Man this morning. Another great vid to start the day. Thanks TFL Truck guys

We have all of the big 3 and the only one that we don't have problems with is the gmc gasser my boss is planning on changing all the work trucks to it other than are 3 tow pigs

White paint pigment is titanium dioxide which is really cheap compared to other colors so never the upcharge. Saves a lot of money if you're buying a fleet of vehicles and that's a good point on making your business logo stand out too.

Might need a 6 foot ladder for those truck-washes.

That High Country badge gets super hot on summer days and can be painful if you rest your arm on it. Looks good but not best place for it there on the armrest.

I think it's hilarious when any time they're doing a review they remind andre that he didn't get cruise control😂

My local ram dealership just added a diesel repair shop next door that is open 24/7 for hot shotters needing emergency repairs.

Yeah ford and dodge use solid front axle... GM has been using IFS for years and if you are in rough terrain consistently the front ends used to fall apart real fast.

Back in 2016, Ford was introducing their next generation of full-sized trucks with I think 150 to 550 now having aluminum bodies. No idea if 650 and higher did or not. I went onto Ford's website to see how high I could get the price to go and topped out a little over $90,000. This was likely a 450 or 550 with everything I could add. I joked that it won't be too long before the price is well over 100,000, ..., well here we are. I can't get too mad at the companies raising prizes, got to with inflation, but if it's not a company truck, I'm not buying a 2-door for $53k, even if it had a diesel. To me, that Truck is worth under $40k. Hell, even under $30k. I got to have a 4 door. All my dad had was 2 doors, and that got old really fast.

They never said what size engines in the 2500 HD.

aack! the tailgate step on the 08-16 super dutys was game changing but the stripper pole had to go. now chevy has reimagined it in a different erect position.

Medium Duty trucks typically are never rated higher than 350hp no matter what engine they have and that huge drum that was on the rear diff is actually the parking brake. Medium duty trucks with hydraulic brakes typically have the parking brake on the driveshaft.

Stay tuned next week where we take this beast for our first ever show exclusive Ike test, never done before on this channel.

24:50 That's the parking brake, Andre...

Wow, they must have excellent allocations to have enough trucks to need to park them in a field!

I’ve seen those Chevy 6500s with international badges

2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025? Which year should I buy new off the dealer lot for the most $$ off MSRP is the question one should consider.

Is no one gonna talk about the Chevy avalanche in the background? Or am I the only who noticed it next to the yellow Colorado to the right 2:48

10,000 trucks on the lot because no one buys the expensive trucks. The wonderful Duramax no one said ever ! The basic Single cab is still over $50,000 ! Diesel engines do get better MPG's but at least where i live is $1.60 a gallon more. Plus the cos of DEF. More maintenance. No thank you !

I drive a 79 Chevy 2500. It can tow 6000lbs at 70mph and 10000 at 45 mph. These trucks do a lot more than they used to. A new half ton would out tow me. But it’s so easy to work on and it’s beat up so I don’t mind doing work in it. Who has 50k to blow on a base model work truck. It’s getting ridiculous

have a 23 high country 2500 and while I kind of miss the new interior I had in the 1500 I have to say I prefer my front grill over the new one....just not a fan of the lights of new gen

A 2500 Duramax Max Tow is a beast!

I would like a 5500 with a flatbed to park the car on while I'm towing my 32 foot travel trailer. Even an older Semi with a sleeper and a flatbed would be nice.

Yeah a new 2024 gas 2 door base model 2500 now costs what a 2019 high country diesel crew cab cost new. That 2door base model should cost $40k.

Manufactures IMO need to STOP making changes for the sake of changing crap for the new year. Make a truck, box frame, durable drive train, with more than enough cooling for the engine and transmission, keep everything simple, I do NOT need or really want messaging heated and cooled friggin seats! I do not need most of the gimmicky bull crap, I want physical HVAC controls and radio controls! build a solid work truck, in huge massive numbers, keep it simple reliable durable, and DO NOT CHANGE IT unless it NEEDS to be changed, so in quantity you can massively reduce the cost to manufacture! 55k for a low end full size HD gas burning pickup is insane And I’m not saying don’t make these $ trucks but in addition to, having a low cost durable full size AND do the same thing for a small truck like bring back the S10 and do the same thing, if you got a full size like above in the mid 30k range and a S10 that’s durable and reliable well built like above but simple and not changing a low 20k S10, I’d be all over that like a bun on a hotdog.

I put a toneau cover on my truck and it makes the tailgate release inside and on the key fob useless. I have to pull the tailgate out from under the cover when I release it. Then the dampener is so slow I usually push down on the tailgate to hurry it up. Two most useless things on my truck.

Doesn't recommend a regular cab for towing heavy but to actually tow heavy you need the regular cab to actually have the needed payload to tow with the proper weight distribution. Yes the 3500 is going to have a higher payload because its a different class of truck. The max payload with the base work truck is like 7,4000 lbs so you lose almost 2,000 lbs of payload with the high country over the W/T

If you ever did a “Build & Price” on any truck, or any GM vehicle, you’ll notice that any color but white costs extra. You want a base truck with a base price? White is the standard/base color.

these look like sensible daily drivers