That's the post that got my attention and why I posted. I wanted a more fair view of what the C4500 was and why in a latter post I say it's not a fair comparison putting class 4 trucks against class 6 trucks. I think hav2ride was also in other posts asking about M2's trying to decide between the two. So the two trucks do get talked about together often. We're not consumer reports here. My trailer reviews do show the unique points of those trailers. I report what most folks don't get the chance to see as the trailers are being built. With trucks you can compare 5 truck brands and pick a winner. How do you accurately compare 150 trailer brands? We do the best we can. I write for magazines also and show me the truck review in any of the major truck magazines from any writer that is harsh on the truck manufacture. We are civilized. Large forums on the other hand can have a vocal small group that likes to bash dealers and manufactures. We haven't been strict on enforcing kindness here like most large forums end up doing. I've learned in my life that being negative never works. Something I learned from Zig Zigglar. Doesn't work with kids, spouses, bankers, horses.

HWB I am glad you read my last three reviews. You can read them all and the truck and accessory reviews at http://www.towingreview.com/ . In my Hart review last month at the beginning I asked for comments about what folks wanted to see in the reviews. I didn't get any suggestions from your there. It's not an easy task. But we try.

No, TxV....I am giving an HONEST account of my experience of medium truck shopping from a middle age female's perspective. I am simply sharing MY rationale for MY choice. It is a proven fact that most women want alot of creature comforts that most men consider unnecessary. More women haul the kids to shows and trailrides than men. I am sure alot of women reading this thread can relate to that. Women also are bigger on preventive maintenance and prefer  to haul their horses down the road without having to worry about potenial breakdowns and not getting the tool kit out. I am not trying to turn this into women vs men. But, some of you guys are intend in trying to overpower others opinions. I answered this post because more women ARE going to the larger trucks for pulling their LQ trailers and I thought they would be interested in how I arrived at MY choice.  

Diesel sites and FROM G.M. Read the G.M ads.They state its  rated as a LIGHT duty.So is the 6.0.That why the optinal engine in a 650 series Fords is a B series Cummin.Both of those I believe  is a 250k overhaul and the B series is 350.They can and will go longer in pickups as they are  not in  a continous run at max rpm application.Now that 4500 with a CAT and a REAL Allison would be worth looking at.

As I said in my original post in this thread, GM rates the Duramax lower horsepower and torque in the C4500/5500 vrs. HD 2500/3500. This was common on 2 ton trucks in the past and you will see this with a gas engine in a 1/2 ton verses the same gas engine in a 3/4 ton. The reason given by GM management as well as a common practice in the past was because the larger class 4 and above cab & chassis trucks where designed to be loaded or towing 90% of the time verces 10% of the time for a pickup truck. Detuning the engine was to increase life.

Ford and GM rates their diesels in class 2 and 3 trucks at 250,000 miles life expectency and Dodge rates their diesels in class 2 and 3 trucks at 300,000 miles. As is a published press release from the manufactures. The real question with modern diesel trucks isn't how long will the engine last but how long will the transmission last. Allisons have an edge there. Cat is pushing their auto tranny in RV's this year. We'll see how well the new 6 speed auto from Dodge does this fall.