4500 roll back

[JoeyD]

A friend of mine is looking at a 4500 for a rollback for his body shop. He is not getting a wheel lift as he needs it mainly for picking up and dropping off cars. GM has a 17.5k gvw option for the 4500. I was thinking that the truck and deck will be close to 10,000lbs or so. Is that low or high? Will this be enough truck?
GM has a zero finance rate for 3 years and 2 g's cash back thats why he wanted to get the 4500. I said get the 5500 but it only offers a 2 k better gvw and not zero percent and cash back.

[techprof1]

My truck weighs 12080.

I am assuming that a rollback would have a lot more iron than my bed. See pics in sig. It is pretty heavy. That doesn't leave alot for 17,5K gvw. Pretty much the same cost for a 5500. I would lean toward that.

[JoeyD]

It will be reg cab 4x2 and aluminum bed. I agree on the 5500

[MartyB]

Get a 5500 with the 2200 series Allison vs the 1000 series. If you could get a 2400 Allison, that would be better yet, a bit lower gears in 1-3.

A roll back will be closer to 13-15K lbs, depending upon deck type, ie alum vs steel, length etc. Get all the GVWR you can depending upon the cars/suv's etc he plans to carry.