C4500

garbonz · 11-09-2013, 11:35 AM

I have seen a couple of low mileage Chevy C4500's with tow beds come up here recently and wondered if anyone has experience with these vehicles. I kinda like the idea of buying a high capacity vehicle now so when I really upgrade, I have the right vehicle..

Here's a couple off the top I've seen on Craigslist....

2004 CHEVROLET C4500 KODIAK CREW CAB HAULER

2004 Chevrolet C4500

2003 GMC C4500 9' Hauler RUNS AWESOME

Ford Idaho · 11-09-2013, 11:55 AM

If you like it buy it.
The black one looks good.

If you are going to get a trailer with a large flat nose IMHO you are better off with something that size instead of a PU.

A FL-60 or a Ford 550 or 650...

garbonz · 11-09-2013, 06:39 PM

Thanks. I would assume it has a pretty heafty tow rating snd GVWR

Ford Idaho · 11-09-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

Thanks. I would assume it has a pretty heafty tow rating snd GVWR

Should be around 26,000lb.

garbonz · 11-09-2013, 07:54 PM

That should more than do whatever I might get to.

**ependydad** · 11-09-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

Thanks. I would assume it has a pretty heafty tow rating snd GVWR

The one listing said GVWR 17,500. I'd worry about a rough ride for everyday driving, but not basing that on actually experience.

I like the size better than a HDT.

Ford Idaho · 11-09-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

That should more than do whatever I might get to.

Do you know if any of them have air ride suspension?

That would be the one.
Easy on your trailer and your back.

dwaynerz · 11-09-2013, 08:42 PM

I would think air ride on rear axle should be relatively easy to retrofit. Not so much the cab tho.

Ford Idaho · 11-09-2013, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwaynerz

I would think air ride on rear axle should be relatively easy to retrofit. Not so much the cab tho.

If it has air ride it just might have air seats.

MillerTime · 11-09-2013, 09:12 PM

Hey G, get the vin on the 2, 2004s, if they do not have a 2 for the 8th digit on the vin then steer clear. That 2 is the engine code for the 2004.5, 2nd gen duramax (LLY).
The first gen (LB7 and 8th digit engine code of 1) that the '03 has is internal injectors and they were/are problematic and costly to replace, and on 1st gen they will need to be changed.
Good luck

MillerTime · 11-09-2013, 09:15 PM

Those kodiacs usually had air driver seats, the westen hauler one might have air on the cab, I believe some of the monroe trucks did. I would doubt on the regular flatbed truck though.

**ependydad** · 11-09-2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Those kodiacs usually had air driver seats, the wedten hauler one might have air on the cab, I believe some of the monroe trucks did. I would doubt on the regular flatbed truck though.

That's only the front seat, though, right? Not sure if it matters for the OP- we travel with 2 kids and often another adult or two. Dealers thought we were nutty for not wanting captains chairs and opting for the bench up front instead.

MillerTime · 11-09-2013, 09:31 PM

Yes the ones I've looked at were drivers only, or the converted trucks (western haulers and monroe) had cab mount air ride available. On a regular cab c4500/c5500 it may have the 60-40spit bench with the drivers side spit on air.
-Of course there may have been upgrades on any of these so it may be different.

garbonz · 11-09-2013, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Those kodiacs usually had air driver seats, the wedten hauler one might have air on the cab, I believe some of the monroe trucks did. I would doubt on the regular flatbed truck though.

Thank you all for this GREAT insight. Whats a wedten hauler? How do I tell them apart? Is there a primer online or something?

MillerTime · 11-09-2013, 09:46 PM

Sorry I ment western hauler- fat fingers on a little samsung phone.

The white truck with the black non-skirted flatbed is just a standard upfitted flatbed.
The western haulers will usually have skirted, paint matching beds, usually also have upgraded trim inside, sometimes different wheels, running board and other accessories and are usually labeled "western hauler" somewhere on them.
The monroes usually have dually looking beds- like on a 3500hd or similar but usually longer to match the 4500-5500 chassis, and other custom ammenities.

You should be able to see cab mounts by the bed or under the firewall with the hood tilted forward.

RodeoGeorge · 11-10-2013, 02:46 AM

I owned a Kodiak 4500 with a Western Hauler bed. Factory installed Link Air Suspension. I had custom front springs made, and it still rode like a tank. I installed the additional tanks on the rear bags, and little to no help. The Air Ride Seats seemed to accentuate the rough ride.

The wife was to the point where she wouldn't even ride in it, and I'm speaking of while towing. Unladen she would bounce off the headliner. LOL Thank goodness I had the steering wheel to hang on to.

With regards to towing, with the 6 speed Alison it was great, and the exhaust brake and larger brakes made stopping much better than the one tons that I've owned.

We now are back to a RAM one ton Cab and Chassis with a hauler bed, but have also downsized our 5th wheel (from a 40' Weekend Warrior Toy Hauler to a 8289WS).

I would strongly recommend that you test drive a 4500 before buying.

Here is a picture of what I had:

[IMG]

[/IMG]

RodeoGeorge

garbonz · 11-10-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodeoGeorge

I owned a Kodiak 4500 with a Western Hauler bed. Factory installed Link Air Suspension. I had custom front springs made, and it still rode like a tank. I installed the additional tanks on the rear bags, and little to no help. The Air Ride Seats seemed to accentuate the rough ride. The wife was to the point where she wouldn't even ride in it, and I'm speaking of while towing. Unladen she would bounce off the headliner. LOL Thank goodness I had the steering wheel to hang on to. With regards to towing, with the 6 speed Alison it was great, and the exhaust brake and larger brakes made stopping much better than the one tons that I've owned. We now are back to a RAM one ton Cab and Chassis with a hauler bed, but have also downsized our 5th wheel (from a 40' Weekend Warrior Toy Hauler to a 8289WS). I would strongly recommend that you test drive a 4500 before buying. Here is a picture of what I had: [/IMG] RodeoGeorge

Pic?

RodeoGeorge · 11-10-2013, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

Pic?

I posted a picture and can see it. Can you not see it?

I'll try again.

RodeoGeorge

garbonz · 11-11-2013, 12:28 AM

Got it now. Very cool looking. Comments on the ride etc. are very significant. I hadn't really thought about that.

RodeoGeorge · 11-11-2013, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

Got it now. Very cool looking. Comments on the ride etc. are very significant. I hadn't really thought about that.

Another thing to consider is insurance. I've been with USAA for years, and when I called them to insure my "Chevy Kodiak 4500 Truck" was told that they could not insure it because it was over their 1 ton limit. The referred me to their "partner" for larger vehicles (Progressive) and I was going to have to obtain a costly commercial policy.

Well, at that time, I titled and registered my vehicles in NM. When I went to Santa Fe to do their Rodeo I went to the DVM there to Title the truck. The woman at the DVM did not know how to title it, but found the Western Hauler yellow sticker on the door jam that listed it as a "RV". So NM titled the truck as an RV, I called USAA to insure my "Chevy 4500 RV", and obtained the insurance through them without a problem.

RodeoGeorge

You may also like: