Tom Witnauer

I run snow tires on our 4WD and AWD vehicles. It isn't to go better, it is to stop and corner better. Plus, you can only wear out one set of tires at a time. I just replaced the snow tires on our one vehicle after 11 winters and about 90,000 over that time period; not sure how many of those were on the snow tires. Point being, if you keep the vehicle for more than a few years, the tires can last a long time, plus it keeps your summer tires around longer as well. That said, I have quite successfully driven 2WD trucks in the winter. With studs and weight in the bed, they are quite capable. However, I much prefer 4WD as it is that much better, though without the studs and weight in the bed, they are not as good in 2WD as the ones that were set up that way.

Lack of the cup holders are frustrating as are a few other details. I had a 2016 2500 WT that had the flip down arm rest in the back seat with cup holders. Now the lowest trim level to get that feature is the LT and it is an option. Further, if I recall correctly from the configurator, you have to have convenience package 1 and 2 or 1 with I believe the advanced trailering package. I believe selecting the optional seat triggers other forced upgrades to be able to get that option. My 2016 also had the task lights in the mirrors and a 110 outlet. Both options on the LT and similar forced options before they can be added. Therefore, my 2022 doesn't have any of the above features that my 2016 WT had. I ended up with an unspoken for truck the dealer had on order that was already scheduled for production, so I canceled my order and made compromises. Very happy with the truck, but the missing features from older, lower spec trims is disappointing, but not at all surprising.

I can tell you that there are 2 different bed view cameras and from what I can tell, only one allows you to add the "see through" trailer option. The description for that will include: Includes 2 Trailer Camera Provisions I believe it adds an additional plug on the truck to accommodate the trailer camera that you also have to buy ($595). If you select the camera first, it will select the correct bed view camera. It will also ask you to either select Convenience Package II or the Advanced Trailering Option. If you already had Convenience Package II selected and then tried to add the Advanced Trailering Option, it will deselect the Convenience Package II. I think (ask you dealer) that Convenience Package II already includes the items for the Advanced Trailering Option, so if you select one, it deselects the other. That is what I was finding when I went through the builds (way too many times).

When you "test fit" the truck to your garage, please remember that the HD trucks have (3) different over all tire sizes. The 17" rims have an over all tire height of around 31.5", the 18" is around 33.1" and the 20" is around 34", meaning the truck could sit about 1.25" higher with 20's vs 17's. Use an online tire size calculator to verify, but there is quite a difference.

Actually, Ford has the same limitation, they just bury it in the owner's manual. From page 329 of the 2022 F350 Owner's Manual: "The trailer tongue weight should never exceed 10% of the maximum towing capacity when towing a conventional trailer, and should never exceed 15% of the maximum towing capacity when towing a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer." However, since the 7.3 with 4.30 gears is rated at 20,200 pounds for gooseneck (crew cab 4x4), 15% gives you 3030 pounds, versus 2460 pounds for a gas 6.6 GM. This only applies to the 7.3 with 4.30 gears. With 3.73 gears or any 6.2, they are very close to GM and, in some cases, a bit lower. With conventional towing, even the 7.3 with 4.30 gears is maxed out at 15,000, so it would only gain 50 pounds in tongue weight. I think this is all tied to the SAE rating.

I was curious, so I found the link you were referring about the payload/towing tags. https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/228416-2500-hd-10650-lbs-gvwr/page/5/#comment-2576876 The reason for the difference is the diesel. These towing tags are all set up for 10% tongue weight and 15% pin weight of the max towing. So, since the diesel tows more, the tongue and pin weight are higher. I still find the tongue weights really low and would like to better understand how they arrive at them, but look at any GM tag, and they are all exactly 10 and 15%.

As expected, the rear axle GAWR is higher on the 3500. Less chance of overloading the rear axle when towing. Depending on the size of the trailer, and how much you might load in the bed of the truck while camping, you may overload a 2500 faster than you think. 2500: 3500:

One important note about the Alaskan package, if you care, or if it matters to you. The Alaskan package comes with MT tires. These look great, BUT, GM de-rates tongue weight and towing compared to other tires. It is somewhere around 1200 pounds tongue weight (vs 1450 gas) and 12000 towing (vs 14500 gas). This will show up on the B pillar sticker. These MT tires are used on other packages like the Z71 Sport, but that would fall out of your target price range anyways. The GMC doesn't offer much, but one difference (if you care) is that GMC will have LED headlights/tail lights (mixed with some halogen), where the Chevy trucks would only have it for the cab markers and mirror lights until you step up to the LT Z71 Sport or LTZ. Otherwise, the GMC trucks are pricier without offering much more other than a different style. As noted, they do package them different, some better, some worse. Mechanically, and capability wise, they are the same. I have heard people argue that the GMC is a superior truck in terms of quality, but I have owned both over the years, and never saw a difference in quality, but everyone has different experiences, so your experience may as well. Both really nice trucks, whichever you choose.