New 2500 or 3500? Same $ and MPG.

Wasax3 · October 18, 2012

My 1500 will be paid off soon and I'm going to start saving my pennies for my next truck, which will be a diesel. I know I've worked my truck harder than most HD owners and they handle it like a champ!

Reasons I want an HD diesel:

-Crew cab with 6.5' bed

-Long distance highway driving

-Long distance back road and off road driving (in rolling and mt terrain)

-Ability to use cheaper off road diesel. (I average a few thousand miles a year off road)

-Better towing in all of the above.

- I plan on keeping it for a long time, with a lot of miles.

So, to my point...

I've been spending a lot of time researching 2500s and just for the fun of it checked out the 3500s. Now I'm fairly sure a 2500 would work just fine for me, but I noticed that according to the "Build your own" on the Chevy website, the 3500s are extremely close in price and fuel economy.

Now with that, it makes sense to get a 3500. It appears I'd pay the same amount, get the same mileage, and get a lot more truck!

So, how wrong am I?

KMGZ400 · October 18, 2012

im pretty sure the only difference between a 2500 and 3500 SRW is that the payload is increased.

if i was ordering a truck, id get a SRW 3500 over a 2500. why not?

tyhuck · October 19, 2012

Go with the 3500. I am on my next truck. I was gonna get a 2500 CCLWB, but like you said, they are so close in price, so Im just gonna go with the 3500 just so if I ever did need the extra payload, I have it.

Wasax3 · October 19, 2012

2013 silverado 2500HD Crew Cab, Standard Box LTZ 4WD, Diesel: $55,210

2013 silverado 3500HD Crew Cab, Standard Box LTZ Single Rear Wheel 4WD, Diesel: $55,985

And both claim they get 680 miles off a 36gal tank, aka 18.8 MPG

Plus, I just washed my truck after 3 hunting trips in a row and judging by all the sand, mud, and gravel that came off, I'm pretty sure I was close to my 1500's payload limit!

therink · October 19, 2012

I am went from an 08 2500hd ext cab to a 12 3500hd. The two trucks are night and day, but the 11+ HD frames are different. If you tow a trailer, you won't regret going with the one ton.

Steve

Wasax3 · October 19, 2012

I am went from an 08 2500hd ext cab to a 12 3500hd. The two trucks are night and day, but the 11+ HD frames are different. If you tow a trailer, you won't regret going with the one ton.

Steve

Can you explain a little more on how they're night and day?

brainpause · October 19, 2012

Somebody may correct me, but I don't think dyed diesel (offroad) can ever be used on highway vehicles. I believe it is intended for farm equipment and such, not for hunting trips off the paved road.

HEMICAT · October 19, 2012

Yeah, that's true, but what are the chances of someone checking his fuel tank? Only thing to consider would be ride quality, and some packages might not be available on the TON, like Z71 appearance, but if those are not a concern then why not a 3500.

kstruckcountry · October 19, 2012

Yeah, farm diesel isn't supposed to be used on road, the dye lasts for at least 3 tanks of highway fuel, so you can't "clean" it out for highway use by just filling it up with road fuel. Pretty hefty fine if you get caught with red in your tank. Lots of farmers do it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Unless you're pulling or hauling 24/7, you're not gonna make a diesel pay. But yeah, I want one too.

Ianf · October 19, 2012

I think the main difference here in Ontario antway would be the nnual inspection requirement once the vehicle weight rating is over 10, 000 pounds it requires a different inspection schedule than a car and the insurance requirements last time I looks into it were more expensive for the one ton because it falls in a difference class. That might also be a consideration you should take into account as well as having to stop at weigh stations with a on ton. but not a 2500.

Nitro375 · October 19, 2012

Yeah, that's true, but what are the chances of someone checking his fuel tank? Only thing to consider would be ride quality, and some packages might not be available on the TON, like Z71 appearance, but if those are not a concern then why not a 3500.

A buddy of mine in Montana just got pinched for this. State Trooper did a random stop and "dipped" his tank. My cousins in Kansas and Nebraska have had their diesel rigs checked periodically so be advised.

scooby5121 · October 19, 2012

I think the main difference here in Ontario antway would be the nnual inspection requirement once the vehicle weight rating is over 10, 000 pounds it requires a different inspection schedule than a car and the insurance requirements last time I looks into it were more expensive for the one ton because it falls in a difference class. That might also be a consideration you should take into account as well as having to stop at weigh stations with a on ton. but not a 2500.

One Ton is cheaper insurance than my other trucks with co-operaters insurance in the Toronto Area, and as for the gas/diesel inspections I have been pulled over in all my trucks , at one point or another and have had my fuel tanked checked for colored fuel. On highway 25 in milton ontario, on the QEW in Oakville, and these were random stops. These were not at inspection stations. My one truck was a 1500 and the other was a 2500 series Chev/Gmc that I use as my personal vehicles, and my One Ton is used for Travelling State Side.

Wasax3 · October 19, 2012

Somebody may correct me, but I don't think dyed diesel (offroad) can ever be used on highway vehicles. I believe it is intended for farm equipment and such, not for hunting trips off the paved road.

The roads I'm talking about are not public roads and there aren't any DOT laws on them. There are no weigh limits, no speed limits either. I usually burn through two tanks of fuel while on these roads before coming back out to reality, aka pavement.

Either way, I can also buy on road diesel in bulk and still save quite a bit of money legally.

brainpause · October 19, 2012

Somebody may correct me, but I don't think dyed diesel (offroad) can ever be used on highway vehicles. I believe it is intended for farm equipment and such, not for hunting trips off the paved road.

The roads I'm talking about are not public roads and there aren't any DOT laws on them. There are no weigh limits, no speed limits either. I usually burn through two tanks of fuel while on these roads before coming back out to reality, aka pavement.

Either way, I can also buy on road diesel in bulk and still save quite a bit of money legally.

Understood, but the dyed diesel "stain" can still be detected in various ways other than dipping the tank, so I've been told. After you burn two tanks of dyed diesel, then return to road diesel, there is still dye in the tank and on equipment.

I don't have a big problem with it myself; I think we are all just trying to save you some headache.

Larry

therink · October 19, 2012

I am went from an 08 2500hd ext cab to a 12 3500hd. The two trucks are night and day, but the 11+ HD frames are different. If you tow a trailer, you won't regret going with the one ton.

Steve

Can you explain a little more on how they're night and day?

The 11+ HD'S frame is so much improved, as are the brakes and suspension. So much tighter and no more cab flex and rattling doors. Aside from the infamous vibration at highway speed problem I had, I love the truck. I look forward to every time I drive it.

Steve