2020 2500HD vs 3500HD ride quality?

MrChips · September 4, 2019

I'm considering trading my 2018 Denali 2500HD Duramax off on a 2020 HD and I'm wondering if there's much difference in ride quality between a 3500HD and a 2500HD? Any input would be appreciated.

powerhaulic · September 5, 2019

3 hours ago, MrChips said:

I'm considering trading my 2018 Denali 2500HD Duramax off on a 2020 HD and I'm wondering if there's much difference in ride quality between a 3500HD and a 2500HD? Any input would be appreciated.

I traded my '18 Denali 2500 Duramax for a 2020 3500 AT4 Duramax.

i am quite pleased with the ride quality, it is definitely firm but I would not say harsh. compared to the 2500 i am very pleased

MTU Alum · September 5, 2019

The three main differences between 2500 and 3500 SRW are: rear tire pressure increases from 70 to 80 psi, three stage leaf spring, and rear shock has more force. The second stage of 3500 leaf engages quicker than 2500, so larger bumps are more firm. In general, the rolling isolation is similar and larger bumps are a little firmer.

If you choose diesel engine, you get 12" ring gear and no engine torque limiting in lower gears.

#iworkforGM

Irish80 · September 5, 2019

4 hours ago, MrChips said:

I'm considering trading my 2018 Denali 2500HD Duramax off on a 2020 HD and I'm wondering if there's much difference in ride quality between a 3500HD and a 2500HD? Any input would be appreciated.

I can't say what going from a 2500 to 3500 would be like, but I can tell you my '20 3500 Duramax is much smoother than my '16 3500 gasser was. A couple days after I got my new truck I took it back in for them to wax and detail it and they gave me a '19 3500 Duramax for a day and the ride quality is noticably better on my '20. I'm not saying there is a thing wrong with the previous generation, I just think they put an awful lot of thought into the new trucks. Heck I haven't had a drop off coffee slosh out of my cup going down my gravel road yet.

MrGraff · September 5, 2019

My 2019 was slightly rougher ride wise, perhaps more nimble in steering. Overall the 2020 is a definite improvement, 10 speed is an eye opener.

MrChips · September 5, 2019

Thanks for the feedback everyone! One more question, some guys with the 2020 2500HD trucks have mentioned that they squat excessively with a trailer hooked up, is that the case with the 3500HD as well?

CRApex · September 5, 2019

9 hours ago, MrChips said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone! One more question, some guys with the 2020 2500HD trucks have mentioned that they squat excessively with a trailer hooked up, is that the case with the 3500HD as well?

I have a 2020 2500HD that I replaced my 2017 2500HD with. I had to install Timbrens on the 2017 as my 30' trailer squated my truck below level. I won't need them on the 2020, squat is minimal, still above level in the rear and rides much better unloaded.

Irish80 · September 5, 2019

9 hours ago, MrChips said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone! One more question, some guys with the 2020 2500HD trucks have mentioned that they squat excessively with a trailer hooked up, is that the case with the 3500HD as well?

I've had about 12000 lbs behind mine on an 18' bumper pull and I did not notice excessive squatting.

MTU Alum · September 6, 2019

With the same load, 3500 will "squat" less than 2500 with the same load if that load gets into the second stage of the spring.

GM trucks are designed with a forward rake so they sit level when loaded. If you level your truck, then you will deal with squat because you took the rake out.

CRApex · September 6, 2019

My 2500 is at the dealer right now getting a power retrax. They gave me a new 2020 3500 as a loaner. The 3500 does feel a bit stiffer than the 2500 but it still drives nice. I would say if you tow a lot, get a 3500. If you just tow occationally and just prefer an HD I'd say the 2500 is the way to go.

m5guy · September 6, 2019

Honestly couldn't tell the difference in ride in the 15-19 3500 SRW vs 2500 (owned a few of them both). If the 2020's are very similar, not sure why you wouldn't get the 3500. Price is basically a wash...

CRApex · September 6, 2019

14 minutes ago, m5guy said:

Honestly couldn't tell the difference in ride in the 15-19 3500 SRW vs 2500 (owned a few of them both). If the 2020's are very similar, not sure why you wouldn't get the 3500. Price is basically a wash...

I had a 2011 3500 HD, 2015 3500 HD and a 2017 2500HD and couldn't tell a difference in the way they drove. In this 2020, like I said above, you can notice a bit more of a stiff ride in the 3500 but it still drives nice, more noticeable difference than the previous gen trucks imo.

Tom Richart · March 18

I have 2012 3500HD Denali

without a load the truck really rides rough

with load it rides great

i I was wondering if I can do anything to make it ride smoother

i I was told it will ride rough because it’s a 3500

Dren Show · March 18

I recently went from a 2022 GMC 2500 Denali to a 2025 GMC 3500 Denali. For some reason the ride in the new 3500 is considerably better. Here are a few variables that I know about:

2500 had the snow plow prep package and the 3500 does not
My 3500 came with 65 psi in the rear tires and I normally ran 70 psi in the 2500

Chris

Chuck FB · March 19

6 hours ago, Dren Show said:

I recently went from a 2022 GMC 2500 Denali to a 2025 GMC 3500 Denali. For some reason the ride in the new 3500 is considerably better. Here are a few variables that I know about:

2500 had the snow plow prep package and the 3500 does not

My 3500 came with 65 psi in the rear tires and I normally ran 70 psi in the 2500

Chris

Is it pretty much the same spec truck otherwise, cab size, box length, engine type as per gas or diesel in both cases, I see its the same trim level although the new one has the refresh interior, and if they were the same as per having or not having the fifth wheel prep package, and if the same tire size, I am assuming all Denali's come with the same shocks but perhaps not if the X31 is chosen.

With a gas 2022 vs a gas 2025 there is one item that is certainly different and that is the transmission, I believe its over 100 pounds heavier than what the 6 speed is.

I have not sought out the opportunity to try a truck that had the snow plow prep but from reading comments of those that had the gas truck with the 6000 lb rated front bars and then swapping in the standard 4800 pound units ( 4800 standard if it was a crew cab short box gas truck ), that making quite a noticeable difference. A diesel truck in that truck configuration already comes standard with 5600 bars so I doubt it would be nearly as noticeable.

I don't know if there was a change in the rear springs between years but I noticed lately in looking at 2025 trucks on the lot between the 2500 and 3500, the bottom overload leaf is shorter in the 3500. If unloaded its not engaged anyway unless the bump was enough to do so but it almost looks like that bottom tapered overload leaf may engage sooner on the 3500.

Air pressure ( and of course tire size/side wall height ) that certainly makes a difference and I just got my 3500 very recently but had already planned on lowering the factory set TPMS placard pressure settings so that it wouldn't scream at me when I ran lower pressures. I have very little seat time in the truck yet but can say my lowering the pressure well down from the factory 60/80 even with the 20" wheels on stock tires, helps lessen the feeling of hitting a crack in the pavement that a soft riding vehicle doesn't even know is there.

A couple of questions about the info on your stickers on the door pillar, what does it say the front axle weight rating is ?, and does the tire pressure sticker state 60 pounds front/80 pounds rear ? ( of course that is maximum inflation only required to carry the trucks maximum weight rating )