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3500 vs 2500?

Revnic

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SMiller Senior Enthusiast

SMiller

Posted
Posted

The 11.5" axle mainly. One thing to note is if you want an axle geared more towards hauling weight, Banjo style axles are ideal. Our Salsberry type axles are oriented towards towing.

 

Also I thought the 3500 had additional frame cross members...maybe two? Maybe I'm thinking of ford

No difference in frame.

 

Although it was already said I will say it again, all Duramax trucks come with 11.5 rear axle, all of them! The gas 3500 gets this axle as well while the 2500 gets the 14 bolt.

 

You are limited to 18in. wheels on the 3500 from the factory.

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Cowpie Senior Enthusiast

Cowpie

Posted
Posted

This. Payload is the difference.

 

If the 2500 will comfortably handle the trailer you have now and you will need to upgrade to a dull rear wheel when you get a new trailer anyway, then I'd say go for the 2500 and get the decked out 3500 drw down the road as needed. Especially if there is a much of a cost difference between 2500 and 3500.

 

Something to consider is registration cost between 2500 and 3500. In my state, yearly registration on the 3500 is significantly less due to the higher GVRW (I've been told it has something to do with GVRW being higher than 10k lbs). Not exactly sure, but it gets classified differently by the DMV when determining yearly registration costs. I had a 2015 Ram 2500 and registration was $550 for the year. About 4 months later, I traded it in on a 2016 Silverado 3500 (higher GVRW) and am on the hook for $150 to register it for the year.

 

 

I wish that same idea would be a reality with my heavy trucks. My semi truck tractor costs me almost $1900 a year in registration. Add to that, $550 a year in Federal Highway Use tax. All before it moves 1 mile. And in fuel tax alone, it costs an additional $13,000 a year in taxes. 2 million commercial trucks running around the U.S. and they don't have enough money to repair roads when you add all that up along with the fuel taxes that the car and pickup folks pay at the pump. Somebody is definitely skimming off the top!

COHauler Enthusiast

COHauler

Posted
Posted

This may be a small thing to some, but going to the 3500, TPMS on GM's are MIA. Anyone that has had issues with a tire pressure monitoring system can understand what I am saying.

jvbronco Enthusiast

jvbronco

Posted
Posted

 

 

I wish that same idea would be a reality with my heavy trucks. My semi truck tractor costs me almost $1900 a year in registration. Add to that, $550 a year in Federal Highway Use tax. All before it moves 1 mile. And in fuel tax alone, it costs an additional $13,000 a year in taxes. 2 million commercial trucks running around the U.S. and they don't have enough money to repair roads when you add all that up along with the fuel taxes that the car and pickup folks pay at the pump. Somebody is definitely skimming off the top!

My best guess is that the light duty truck/+10k weight class falls into some small business category other trucks do not. But only a guess.

 

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jvbronco Enthusiast

jvbronco

Posted
Posted

This may be a small thing to some, but going to the 3500, TPMS on GM's are MIA. Anyone that has had issues with a tire pressure monitoring system can understand what I am saying.

I miss my tpms and didn't realize they were not mandatory for 3500 when I purchased. Would not have changed my mind on the truck, but I was bummed when I figured it out. I never had issues on my other trucks and like the peace of mind, especially while towing.

 

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COHauler Enthusiast

COHauler

Posted
Posted

Not me. I can tell by the way my vehicle handles when tires have gone low. Trailers...not so much.

 

You can have them installed if you want them....

270wsmhunter Enthusiast

270wsmhunter

Posted
Posted

I miss my tpms and didn't realize they were not mandatory for 3500 when I purchased. Would not have changed my mind on the truck, but I was bummed when I figured it out. I never had issues on my other trucks and like the peace of mind, especially while towing.

 

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

This may be a small thing to some, but going to the 3500, TPMS on GM's are MIA. Anyone that has had issues with a tire pressure monitoring system can understand what I am saying.

 

TPMS are not MIA on 3500HD pickups, you need to find one with 10K rating. I just test drove a 2017 3500HD with the 10K rating and it had TPMS, I do not want the TPMS so found a different pickup with 10.8K rating without them. They are a useful tool but I grew up with a tire gauge and still know how to use it.

COHauler Enthusiast

COHauler

Posted
Posted

TPMS are not MIA on 3500HD pickups, you need to find one with 10K rating. I just test drove a 2017 3500HD with the 10K rating and it had TPMS, I do not want the TPMS so found a different pickup with 10.8K rating without them. They are a useful tool but I grew up with a tire gauge and still know how to use it.

Good to know they have lower GVWR 3500's. Having a 3500 with a 10k rating would be worthless to me. I did hear that 11k and up doesn't require the TPMS.

 

Thanks for the knowledge.

m5guy Enthusiast

m5guy

Posted
Posted

Went from a 15 and a 16 2500HD Denali to a 17 3500HD Denali. Both Duramax/Allison. No TPMS is great as I like to run the tires at a lower pressure while unloaded for ride comfort. I found little difference between the two on the ride comfort side. Switched from the 18 inch wheels (only size available on 3500HD SRW) to a factory 20 inch wheel and went LT275/65R20 to get the higher-than-factory-18-inch load capacity.

 

Overall, I really no longer see a reason to get the 2500HD. To me, 3500 price point is essentially the same (no tax or registration differences in Michigan) plus I get much more payload capacity with the overload springs and frame stops. Once we hook up our boat, considering pin weight, passengers, and all the gear we throw in the back for a week excursion - have to believe I'm beyond rated limit for 2500HD.

 

Just my .02.

i82much Enthusiast

i82much

Posted
Posted

Went from a 15 and a 16 2500HD Denali to a 17 3500HD Denali. Both Duramax/Allison. No TPMS is great as I like to run the tires at a lower pressure while unloaded for ride comfort. I found little difference between the two on the ride comfort side. Switched from the 18 inch wheels (only size available on 3500HD SRW) to a factory 20 inch wheel and went LT275/65R20 to get the higher-than-factory-18-inch load capacity.

 

Overall, I really no longer see a reason to get the 2500HD. To me, 3500 price point is essentially the same (no tax or registration differences in Michigan) plus I get much more payload capacity with the overload springs and frame stops. Once we hook up our boat, considering pin weight, passengers, and all the gear we throw in the back for a week excursion - have to believe I'm beyond rated limit for 2500HD.

 

Just my .02.

 

ground clearance is rated as much higher on the 2500hd. probably just due to the smaller rear axle on the gassers, but something to think about if you take your truck offroad.

redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted

The only way to get the factory to put TPMS on the 3500 is to also get the C7A option. This limits the cab/box/drivetrain options that will be available.

 

UJM Tire Pressure Monitoring System (does not apply to spare tire)
1 - Included and only available with (C7A) 10,000 lb. (4536kg) GVWR.

 

Which requires the 6.0L and SRW.

 

C7A GVWR, 10,000 lbs. (4536 kg) with single rear wheels
1 - Requires *35743, C35943, *35953 or *35903 models and (L96) Vortec 6.0L V8 SFI engine. Requires (AY0) single-stage air bags.
  • 1 year later...
Cowpie Senior Enthusiast

Cowpie

Posted
Posted
On 6/28/2017 at 6:08 PM, Buckshot556 said:

Man, keep your truck and you'll be able to buy that Toy Hauler even sooner.

 

My 2500 frame is already drilled and tapped over the rear wheel. I think those are for the helper springs. I may look into installing those on mine

I found it much simpler of a proposition to put Sumosprings in place of the stock bump stops.  Gives 1500 lb of extra support.  I had previously installed a set of McGaughy’s 2” drop shackles to take out the “cat in heat” rake.  The Sumo’s rest right on the axle.   I have thrown over a ton of material in the back and my 2500 just starts to reach level.  I had the Sumo’s installed in about 15 minutes, and that was even removing rear wheels to make the job easier.

Rosco Enthusiast

Rosco

Posted
Posted

I have been debating the same thing and will probably go 3500 SRW (10,800) after reading this thread. Now I am trying to decide SLT or Denali :)

CRApex Enthusiast

CRApex

Posted
Posted
On 11/12/2018 at 10:38 PM, Cowpie said:

I found it much simpler of a proposition to put Sumosprings in place of the stock bump stops.  Gives 1500 lb of extra support.  I had previously installed a set of McGaughy’s 2” drop shackles to take out the “cat in heat” rake.  The Sumo’s rest right on the axle.   I have thrown over a ton of material in the back and my 2500 just starts to reach level.  I had the Sumo’s installed in about 15 minutes, and that was even removing rear wheels to make the job easier.

Do you notice a harsher ride with the Sumo's?

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