Going racing can be an incredible experience but what’s even better is being able to take your best buds along for the ride. This 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 6500 might be the perfect tool for just such a job. In fact, it can haul your car along with your buddies at the same time. Could this be one of the most comprehensive toy haulers ever?
The 6500 platform is a good basis with which to work. This particular example comes with a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 that makes 350 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. It transmits that power to the ground via an Allison gearbox, a two-speed transfer case, and four-wheel drive.
That’s great because the 6500 has a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 22,900 pounds. It can handle a gross combined weight rating of up to 30,000 pounds. Having the right drivetrain makes all the difference here. Both the Duramax and the Allison components are well-known for reliability. The chassis should have no trouble either and the beefy Michelin tires are clearly top quality. If one or two should go flat, there are not one but two spares in the back of this truck.
The cabin might be the least exciting part of this truck and even it has some very attractive features. That includes cloth upholstery, a small but touch-sensitive infotainment system, automatic climate control, automatic headlights, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
While there are a few blemishes here or there, the cabin looks great considering that this truck has over 50,000 miles on the odometer. Other options make this truck more practical like factory-installed cruise control, wide wing mirrors, and a dual-camera backup monitor.
The camper section demonstrates what one can do in a very limited footprint. It houses three beds, a breakfast-nook-style corner with seating and a table, and a bathroom including a shower and a sink. A microwave and refrigerator ensure that occupants can keep their food cool and warm it up on demand. One of the bunk beds even has an integrated TV at its foot. Another bed is a king-sized mattress.
Throughout the camper, you’ll find extra storage spaces too. Above the kitchenette area, beneath the seating in the breakfast nook, and under the lower bunks is more storage. In fact, there are storage spaces on the camper’s outside as well. Back inside you’ll find several power outlets and even a thermostat to keep the temperature comfortable for you and your buddies.
Now for maybe the most important part of this whole thing, the rear deck. According to the auction listing it’s rated to haul 3,500 pounds which is more than enough to handle most race cars that’ll fit on its 14×8 pad. For example, a bone-stock Mazda Miata MX-5 RF Club weighs just 2,454 pounds. How does one get a car up onto it? Why that’s the job of the seven-foot tuck-under loading ramps.
So let’s recap a little here. This truck can haul four people, all of their things, provide a place to sleep for at least three of them, and hold a race car (or really any car) on the back of it. That’s a killer combination and one that many of us can probably think of a way to use.
[Mercedes’ Note: I don’t want to be a downer, but I see a lot of problems with this rig, and all of them involve that rear deck. The deck itself doesn’t lower or raise and sits pretty high off of the ground. Look at that ramp photo up there, I’m doubtful that you’re getting a Miata up that and you’re definitely not getting a low racecar up it. I think you would want much longer ramps, but will the truck have storage for them?]
The listing states that the truck has a lift kit and it also has chunky tires, which suggests some sort of off-roading ability. But that rear deck is just going to drag on everything if you did anything other than perfectly flat ground. I dig the looks, but I’m feeling this is more form over function.]
With all of this knowledge, we’re passing the question off to you. What would you pay for this three-in-one rig? The bidding on Cars&Bids was pretty hot and heavy toward the end of the auction but nobody would go above $57,000. At that price, it failed to meet the reserve and the seller is still looking for a buyer.
That reserve could have something to do with a lien that is currently on the truck or perhaps the seller just wants to be sure they get a specific figure for it. Regardless, we thought it was worth highlighting this very weird, very capable three-in-one pickup that looks ready for a serious part at LeMons.
