[james schaechter]

All I know is that I have driven both ends of the spectrum on weight rating and the factory ratings seem to be written for flat ground normal conditions with no need for emergency braking and of course a brand new vehicle. If this fits you, read the brochure, drink the factory Kool aid and buy the cheapest one. It can certainly work in those conditions. I tend to keep my vehicles for hundreds of thousands of miles! I need more tolerance than the minimalist design for cost containment.

I have had a couple of duramax diesels and love them. The first was a 2002 LB7 stick shift that I ordered New and put 358k in before selling it. It is well over 400,000 Miles now.

The truck I have now is. 2007.5 duramax with Allison auto. Tows great, but the re-gen for the dpf is the most counter intuitive emissions solution, it burns more fuel to clean the filter. Crazy! I think we are still in the dark ages in terms of the emissions for diesels. If I was to buy a new truck, I would consider a gasser. The chevys make decent power with the 6.2.

You seem to want a half ton small engine. They make a max tow with. 300 hp 5.3 that would pull an open trailer with no issues.