Did any of you come from TRX/Raptor to a 3/4 ton?

clemsondds · Aug 11, 2023

Just curious if anyone has switched from a raptor/TRX to a HD? I have a raptor now and will be looking to trade it in soon. I pull my boat 5-6k lbs about once or twice a month 100 miles or so. I would love something that pulls it and you don't even know it's back there. But I also daily my truck and so I would like something that doesn't feel so big and awkward around town. I was leaning toward the 37 raptor or a TRX, but have just read so many mixed reviews on towing. Some say they are great and some say they hate towing with them lol. I have a gen 2 and so I hear towing is better with the gen 3 but I got a feeling I might still wish I had something bigger. I am leaning toward the 2024 AT4X...I like the creature comforts (nice interior, heads up display, massage seats...) but also the power and "off-road" capability. Just not sure about how the ride quality will differ from my gen 2 raptor. Also wouldn't know whether to go with gas or diesel v8. I haven't ruled out the SD either... And I know I need to go test drive some but it's just not possible right now. There's no trucks in my area that are available to test drive and I also have no time. So just trying to do the majority of my research online and then will narrow it down. So, I guess what I'm asking is: for those who have switched from 1/2 to a 3/4 ton, was it a huge difference and are you happy with your decision? thanks!

JerseyMike · Aug 15, 2023

curious myself, have a 2019 raptor which I love but the new GMC 2500 HD AT4 is really nice....never had a 2500 though and certainly don't need it (although who really needs a raptor?), would be nice to have a snow plow option too and running regular gas offsets the MPG difference (I average 16 in raptor, would probably drop to 13-14 in GMC but with 87 octane)

Ohiost90 · Aug 15, 2023

I went from an older 1500HD to my 22 2500HD, gas. Will never go back unless manufacturers start making 6.5 ' beds with a payload capacity of around 2500pds readily available.

The high, squared front end of these GMCs does make a difference behind the wheel, but I got used to it after a few 100 miles.

FDE-4X · Aug 15, 2023

Not sure if it's helpful, but I went from a 2500 Denali to a TRX. My TRX was unfortunately stolen, and I'm now in an AT4X. To give you perspective on use case, I only towed about 10% of the time, and so the TRX was a dream to me. I was used to driving a big truck, but the TRX was a big "magical" truck. I moved to an AT4X after it was stolen, and I would be remiss if I didn't say I was disappointed. Sure, the skinny pedal was part of it but there was more than that -- the seats in the TRX were nicer, the sound system was better, the panoramic sunroof was better...the list is much longer than this.

Here is what I would say: if you are towing more than 9k lbs then the TRX is not for you. If you rarely tow >9K lbs then the TRX is likely for you. It really is a compromised, and even my kids ask me when I'm getting another "Ram" again.

I'm sure this will turn some folks off, and that's ok. This is my honest review going from a 3/4 to a supped up 1/2 ton to a pretty middle of the road 1/2 ton. Your experience may vary, you may be butt hurt by me calling an AT4X a middle of the road 1/2 ton, but it is what it is.

JerseyMike · Aug 16, 2023

I rarely tow and even then it is with a utility trailer. I love the TRX and have driven them a few times (2 friends of mine have them). Problem I have with the TRX is the fuel economy....averaging 10mpg on premium is a tough pill to swallow. Raptor is what I have now and I love it but it is a gen 2 so doesn't have all of the cool tech of the newer raptor plus I always worry about cam phaser issues (never had issue with them with this or my last raptor though)

I like the look of the AT4 (or AT4X) in both the 1500 and 2500 but I do see the at4 and even at4x as competitors for the tremor and not the raptor/trx, 2500 as competitor for tremor and power wagon

thanks for the honest review....bottom line is I may miss how special the raptor is with either option

JerseyMike · Aug 16, 2023

FDE-4X said:
Not sure if it's helpful, but I went from a 2500 Denali to a TRX. My TRX was unfortunately stolen, and I'm now in an AT4X. To give you perspective on use case, I only towed about 10% of the time, and so the TRX was a dream to me. I was used to driving a big truck, but the TRX was a big "magical" truck. I moved to an AT4X after it was stolen, and I would be remiss if I didn't say I was disappointed. Sure, the skinny pedal was part of it but there was more than that -- the seats in the TRX were nicer, the sound system was better, the panoramic sunroof was better...the list is much longer than this.

Here is what I would say: if you are towing more than 9k lbs then the TRX is not for you. If you rarely tow >9K lbs then the TRX is likely for you. It really is a compromised, and even my kids ask me when I'm getting another "Ram" again.

I'm sure this will turn some folks off, and that's ok. This is my honest review going from a 3/4 to a supped up 1/2 ton to a pretty middle of the road 1/2 ton. Your experience may vary, you may be butt hurt by me calling an AT4X a middle of the road 1/2 ton, but it is what it is.

on another note, you have had both a 2500 GMC and 1500, which would you prefer (if they both had similar interior tech/screen etc....)?

gemarsh · Aug 16, 2023

JerseyMike said:
on another note, you have had both a 2500 GMC and 1500, which would you prefer (if they both had similar interior tech/screen etc....)?

If'n you would like a second opinion, I have all 3. A 21 1500 Denali, a '22 3500drw Denali, and a '23 2500 AT4 premium. So the same tech down to the HUD, minus the 2500 doesn't have the tailgate kicker.

The 1500 has adaptive ride and adaptive cruise. The little duramax has a high score of 41 mpg on the DIC. If'n we travel out of state, that is what we'll take. The ride is great.

But the 2500 has become my daily farm driver/ parts chaser. Twice the power of the 1500. Ride is what I would call what the 70's/80's/90's 1500's rode like. You know your in a truck, but agile and tough.

The 2500 will be the last to leave the farm.

FDE-4X · Aug 16, 2023

gemarsh said:
If'n you would like a second opinion, I have all 3. A 21 1500 Denali, a '22 3500drw Denali, and a '23 2500 AT4 premium. So the same tech down to the HUD, minus the 2500 doesn't have the tailgate kicker.

The 1500 has adaptive ride and adaptive cruise. The little duramax has a high score of 41 mpg on the DIC. If'n we travel out of state, that is what we'll take. The ride is great.

But the 2500 has become my daily farm driver/ parts chaser. Twice the power of the 1500. Ride is what I would call what the 70's/80's/90's 1500's rode like. You know your in a truck, but agile and tough.

The 2500 will be the last to leave the farm.

I'd agree with this. The mileage in the 1500 with the 6.2 is not really that much better than a 2500. On average driving (mixed), I only get about 15 mpg in my AT4X. For comparison, I got 14.6 mpg in my 2500 with the duramax and I could easily get 11-12 mpg in my TRX (I could also easily get single digits

)

adeerchaser · Aug 16, 2023

I went from a Gen. 1 Raptor to a 2500 Duramax. Cannot compare towing- 2500 all day long. Ride comfort- Raptor all day long. I have made full circle as I now have a 2022 AT4x. Having a farm truck to pull heavy loads now, so my side by side is all I pull with my AT4x. As for driving, ride, parking, heck everything- LOVE THE AT4x!

Gilbertb11 · Sep 19, 2023

I came from a 2019 Raptor to a 2024 3500HD AT4. Trailering my kid's MX bikes around has become so much easier and safer. The 3500 is not lacking in the camera department.