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2500HD vs 3500HD

Jason Hewitt
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Jason Hewitt New Member

Jason Hewitt

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Im getting A fifth wheel travel trailer next month. We are going to start camp hosting, so the truck will mostly be used to drive into town for supply runs.  The dry weight of the trailer is going to be about 14000 lbs.

I just wanting to know what the difference is between the 2500HD and the 3500HD SRW. im definitely going with the 6.6 duramax and the allison 10 speed. 

One dealer told me the only difference is one leaf spring in the rear. Not sure if that warrants another 20k to the price.

Edited by Jason Hewitt
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Another JR Senior Enthusiast

Another JR

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Assuming the 2024 is the same as the 2020-2023 in these areas …

 

The price difference between similarly equipped 2500 and 3500s should be a few hundred dollars. 
 

The 3500 rear leaf spring pack has a second stage spring on the bottom that engages sooner than the second stage spring on a 2500. Contrary to what you will see in some threads, the main spring packs are different. You see that on an unloaded truck as a big difference in the gaps above the bottom spring in the spring pack. Also, the 3500 has a third stage separate spring and bumpers above the axle. Most people call this the overload springs. The 2500 does not have this third stage nor the hardware and bumpers for them on the frame.  Some have mentioned a trim option of the 2500 that has the 3500 spring configuration for 2024. 
 

Payload difference will be 600-800 lbs. 

 

The 3500 diesel has a larger rear differential gear set. I don’t think the 2500 diesel has it, but I could be wrong.  The gmc web site should tell you that. 

 

3500 forces you to get tow mirrors. Great when you need them, but block your view quite a bit when you don’t. 2500 it’s optional. 
 

The empty ride is noticeably more firm in the 3500 due to the spring difference but not horrible.  Lowering tire pressure makes a big difference. When you test drive, the dealer has everything at max pressure, so keep that in mind. 18s ride better than 20s in my opinion. 
 

What did I miss?

Shougham New Member

Shougham

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I had a 2020 HD 2500 Diesel and also have a 12500lb 5th wheel. Loaded we were right at or a little over on payload. I traded for 2024 3500 HD mainly for the payload increase and Another Jr is correct about the ride both loaded and unloaded. Very happy with the upgrade

Ranger473 Enthusiast

Ranger473

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I don't have experience with the 2500 but I sure like my 3500.  I sold my Ford F250 and bought the 3500.  

BuckWallace Enthusiast

BuckWallace

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Posted

If you're towing that heavy of a 5th wheel then definitely get the 1-ton. Not sure where the extra $20k is coming from, though. Trucks with identical trim/features should only be about $1k different between a 2500 and 3500.

BuckWallace Enthusiast

BuckWallace

Posted
Posted (edited)

With average pin weight of 20-25% of the trailer weight, you're looking at around 2800-3500 lbs. My 1-ton SRW gasser has a payload of a little over 3900 lbs, so a diesel will have a few hundred less than that. Some people might even recommend a DRW...

Edited by BuckWallace
MTU Alum Enthusiast

MTU Alum

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Posted

3500 will be the right choice.  It will give you some extra payload so you have to worry about being over GVW.

 

A 2500 max tow would be an option as well.  This is a re-badged 3500.

 

#iworkforGM

  • 4 weeks later...
BCGM Enthusiast

BCGM

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Posted

Don't want to derail the Op's thread but if any of you have anything to add to my thread I started " 2500 in Canada " Please feel free to add 

Thank You !

chwilliams Enthusiast

chwilliams

Posted
Posted (edited)

Get a 3500 unless you need the lower numbers of the 2500 for some reason, like state licensing and/or tax stuff, and you don't have an already existing use case that's ok with the 2500's lower payload.

Edited by chwilliams
being pedantic
Another JR Senior Enthusiast

Another JR

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Posted

In some states the 3500 costs a lot less to license because its gvwr puts it in the commercial truck range. 

BCGM Enthusiast

BCGM

Posted
Posted

Not sure if this has been mentioned already but here goes .In my research to but a 2024 Chevrolet 2500 HD  is if you get the MAX TOW package on the 2500 it is the same as the 3500 . Automotive Inquiries has a video on You Tube concerning this . I think its the first one he does when he buys the Red 2500HD  Custom 

BigBru Enthusiast

BigBru

Posted
Posted

I checked with my insurance provider, a 3500 AT4  is $800 a year less in insurance than the same 2500.

I am in Canada though.

Another JR Senior Enthusiast

Another JR

Posted
Posted
On 2/26/2024 at 4:55 PM, chwilliams said:

Get a 3500 unless you need the lower numbers of the 2500 for some reason, like state licensing and/or tax stuff, and you don't have an already existing use case that's ok with the 2500's lower payload.

I think we’re kind of saying the same thing, but I’ll say it a little differently. Setting aside the licensing and insurance cost differences that may vary by location, I would not recommend simply defaulting to a 3500 because it has more payload capacity. The ride is noticeably stiffer on a 3500. If you know you don’t need the payload, a 2500 will be more comfortable. It’s worth taking a good look at your needs and deciding if you really need the extra stiffness and 600 or so lbs of extra payload rating. It sounds like the OP needs it. 

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