OK...as promised, I'm responding to my own thread to relay how I feel about my decision to move up to a 3/4 ton truck, for anyone still reading this.
Been almost a month since I bought the Chevy 2500 HD Z71 6.0L, 4.10 rear axle double cab. My Hawk was a little too heavy for my Silverado 1/2 ton. What I've learned:
1) The ability of the 3/4 ton to 'handle' the load of the Hawk, vs. the 1/2 ton, is VASTLY superior. With the 1/2 ton, I could feel the weight on the back, the inertia of that weight really pulling you to one side when in a turn, braking distances, etc. No problems with the 3/4 ton. In fact, I would go as far to say that I don't really notice the camper being back there at all. A huge difference.
2) The ride of the 3/4 ton is much stiffer and firmer than the 1/2 ton. The 1/2 ton wins out in this category - well, not exactly....as time has passed, and I've had a chance to drive the 3/4 ton more, the increased stiffness of the ride has become less noticeable. Seems now the only time I notice the ride is when I consciously think about it - and, even then, it doesn't feel as stiff as when I first got the truck. Adaptation on my part, I'm sure. Also, it's worth noting that I let some pressure out of the 80lb 10 ply tires, down to around 60 front and back, which smoothed out my ride. And, once I actually put the camper on the truck, the ride softened even more.
3) Gas mileage was better in the 1/2 ton, by about 3-4 mpg all around.
4) Increased height of the 3/4 ton off the ground is a plus for 4 x 4 driving/off the grid driving. My last trip was into the Bighorn mountains in my home state of Wyoming, and we went off road...the 3/4 ton was a dream. Feels like you can go anywhere.
5) My 1/2 ton had a 5.3L V8. It handled hills just fine, plenty of power. But, now with the 6.0, even with the added total weight of the 3/4 ton, seems to have even more power when called upon.
If I think of anything else I'll post it here, but overall I have to say that I'm VERY pleased with trading up. Gas mileage is a negative, and the stiffer ride (when I notice it), but the handling, braking, agility of the pickup, power, are all much better with my 2500. Probably the biggest benefit I've noticed, to me, is simply the 3/4 ton's ability to carry the camper virtually effortlessly. One thing I've thought about doing in the future...maybe adding some Ride Rites to the back. Not really necessary for the payload, but some folks with 3/4 tons have posted that the ride smooths out even more with the air bags installed. Not sure if I'll do it, but something to consider. I had them on my 1/2 ton, and I did notice the difference in the ride.
Hope this helps any of you thinking about getting a new/different truck.