Honestly Nolan, if you’re not going to be towing something 50% of the time a 1/2 ton GM is a great buy, especially one that’s 2 years old with low miles. I have the 5.3L in mine with the Active Fuel Management (shuts off 4 cylinders) and it easily tows my friends 22-foot boat. GM also offered the 6.2L (same 403hp they put in the Escalades) in the 1/2 ton as an option, the 6.2 doesn’t have Active Fuel Management.
Diesel trucks are great and I’m not trying to steer you either way, it’s your $$$, but diesels usually cost more to repair, fuel costs more, and a diesel truck usually costs more to begin with. You’re more than welcome to drive mine if you want.
My (our) 2005 Crew Cab Chevy stickered for 39000, fully optioned out. 5.3L 1/2 ton. Paid 14750 almost exactly 2 years ago. Pulls any of our cars on my trailer with absoutely no issues…set the cruise on ~73 and goes for hours without issue.
I would stay away from a 2004.5 and down lots of injector problems and the extended warranty is long gone on them. For a few grand more find a 06/07 if duracrack is the way you want to go.
