3500hd Srw Vs 2500hd

[BlackSilver]

I've found I can purchase a 3500HD SRW LTZ trim for essentially the same price as a 2500HD with the same LTZ trim.

 

Truck will be used primarily to tow a 5th wheel camper.

 

Is there any good reason to consider the smaller 2500HD?

[2000DV4.8]

I've found I can purchase a 3500HD SRW LTZ trim for essentially the same price as a 2500HD with the same LTZ trim.

 

Truck will be used primarily to tow a 5th wheel camper.

 

Is there any good reason to consider the smaller 2500HD?

 

 

I didn't know they were making a SRW 1 ton again... Sweet!

 

I'd be interested to see how the numbers compare between the two.

[s-ten]

I would say the only reason would be if you wanted a 6.5' bed, then get the 2500HD. Otherwise the 3500HD SRW would probably be better just because it is a stronger truck..

[jake111]

I haven't kept up on differences between the 2500HD and 3500 SRW on the newer models, but a few years ago, the differences included:

- an extra leaf spring in the rear

- 7" wide rims instead of 6.5" which might accomdate larger replacement tires

- 265 tires (3500SRW) instead of dinky 245's (2500HD)

- Load Range E (3500SRW) which means you might have to always get LRE's in the future, even if oversized, even if you really only need LRD's, as tire dealers become more liability conscious (scared). For example BFG AT TA/KO LRD's have thicker thread and many people seem to get much longer life than with the LRE's; the tire shop may not care that a larger LRD tire has a higher carrying capacity than the stock LRE.

[Ranger]

The stock tires on my 2500HD were Load Range E and I had no problems "downsizing" to a Load Range D when I bought my bigger A/T tires...Funny thing is I may be putting Load Range E tires on my 1500 pretty soon as that's the only size that would fit my truck without a lift, d**n 18" rims.

[BlackSilver]

- Load Range E (3500SRW) which means you might have to always get LRE's in the future, even if oversized, even if you really only need LRD's,

 

I pull a 7-ton trailer. "D" range tires with their squishy sidewalls and lower inflation limits would be a really dumb choice with huge lateral stability problems. It ain't all about weight capacity.

[wellinghurst]

I haven't kept up on differences between the 2500HD and 3500 SRW on the newer models, but a few years ago, the differences included:

- an extra leaf spring in the rear

- 7" wide rims instead of 6.5" which might accomdate larger replacement tires

- 265 tires (3500SRW) instead of dinky 245's (2500HD)

- Load Range E (3500SRW) which means you might have to always get LRE's in the future, even if oversized, even if you really only need LRD's, as tire dealers become more liability conscious (scared). For example BFG AT TA/KO LRD's have thicker thread and many people seem to get much longer life than with the LRE's; the tire shop may not care that a larger LRD tire has a higher carrying capacity than the stock LRE.

 

my 2500HD came with E's, not D's

[ZZ327]

Id get the 3500, will have more of a stable ride.

[moloss]

get the 3500......you need to be thinking about gawr, gvwr and gcwr......long story short worry about the weight police! the little sticker means everything to them......and oh yeah safety....Chris.

[2017HD]

If you go to the Chevy web site and compare the Payload and GVWR between the 2500HD and the 3500HD SRW you will find that the 3500HD SRW can only handle about 700 lbs more. If the powertrain is the same between the two then the GCWR will be the same and therefore the towing capacity will be similar. Most people who tow large fifth wheels go for the DRW 3500HD which has close to 2000 lbs more GVWR and payload.

 

Here are the numbers -

2500HD GVWR 9200 lbs Payloads from 3000 to 3800 depending on cab/bed combos and 2 and 4WD.

3500HD SRW GVWR 9700 lbs Payloads from 3500 to 4600. 3500HD DRW GVWR 11,400 Payloads of 4700 to 5100 lbs.

 

Since they share the same drivetrain the GCWR for the 6.0L Gas is 16,000 with the 3.73 and 18,500 for the 4.10

the DMax is 22,000.

 

Recommended fifth wheel towing

2500HD 12,000 to 15,000 lbs for the gas ;12,500 and 15,800 for the DMax.

3500HD SRW 9300 to 12,600 lbs (gas) and 14,600 to 15,300 for the DMax.

3500HD DRW 15,900 to 15,500

 

Wheels, tires, and brakes are all the same.

[moloss]

If you go to the Chevy web site and compare the Payload and GVWR between the 2500HD and the 3500HD SRW you will find that the 3500HD SRW can only handle about 700 lbs more. If the powertrain is the same between the two then the GCWR will be the same and therefore the towing capacity will be similar. Most people who tow large fifth wheels go for the DRW 3500HD which has close to 2000 lbs more GVWR and payload.

 

Here are the numbers -

2500HD GVWR 9200 lbs Payloads from 3000 to 3800 depending on cab/bed combos and 2 and 4WD.

3500HD SRW GVWR 9700 lbs Payloads from 3500 to 4600. 3500HD DRW GVWR 11,400 Payloads of 4700 to 5100 lbs.

 

Since they share the same drivetrain the GCWR for the 6.0L Gas is 16,000 with the 3.73 and 18,500 for the 4.10

the DMax is 22,000.

 

Recommended fifth wheel towing

2500HD 12,000 to 15,000 lbs for the gas ;12,500 and 15,800 for the DMax.

3500HD SRW 9300 to 12,600 lbs (gas) and 14,600 to 15,300 for the DMax.

3500HD DRW 15,900 to 15,500

 

Wheels, tires, and brakes are all the same.

 

 

per 2004 owners manual

 

these are all crew cab long box 4wd srw

2500 6.0 9,700 trailer gcwr 16,000 4.10 ratio

2500 8.1 12,000 trailer gcwr 20,000 3.73 ratio

2500 8.1 12,000 trailer gcwr 22,000 4.10 ratio

2500 6.6 12,000 trailer gcwr 22,000 3.73 ratio

3500 8.1 15,200 trailer gcwr 22,000 4.10 ratio

3500 6.6 14,900 trailer gcwr 22,000 3.73 ratio

 

hope this helps.....

[wht2500hd...]

If you go to the Chevy web site and compare the Payload and GVWR between the 2500HD and the 3500HD SRW you will find that the 3500HD SRW can only handle about 700 lbs more. If the powertrain is the same between the two then the GCWR will be the same and therefore the towing capacity will be similar. Most people who tow large fifth wheels go for the DRW 3500HD which has close to 2000 lbs more GVWR and payload.

 

Here are the numbers -

2500HD GVWR 9200 lbs Payloads from 3000 to 3800 depending on cab/bed combos and 2 and 4WD.

3500HD SRW GVWR 9700 lbs Payloads from 3500 to 4600. 3500HD DRW GVWR 11,400 Payloads of 4700 to 5100 lbs.

 

Since they share the same drivetrain the GCWR for the 6.0L Gas is 16,000 with the 3.73 and 18,500 for the 4.10

the DMax is 22,000.

 

Recommended fifth wheel towing

2500HD 12,000 to 15,000 lbs for the gas ;12,500 and 15,800 for the DMax.

3500HD SRW 9300 to 12,600 lbs (gas) and 14,600 to 15,300 for the DMax.

3500HD DRW 15,900 to 15,500

 

Wheels, tires, and brakes are all the same.

 

That was a good post...

 

Don't get a 3.73 with a 6.0 motor.

 

The one ton will be heavier and will tow slightly less because of that. Will have slightly stronger brakes (the brakes are for the payload, not towing.) But one of the 2500HD models (configurations) should have bigger brakes.

 

I would get the diesel because there is no gas big block. If you can't buy a diesel then buy a 2500HD - that truck will be lighter. Either way I would want a diesel to tow a heavy load.

 

On some roads the max weight limit is 16,000 lbs.

[jake111]

I pull a 7-ton trailer. "D" range tires with their squishy sidewalls and lower inflation limits would be a really dumb choice with huge lateral stability problems. It ain't all about weight capacity.

 

For added stability I've been extremely impressed with the Frederico (Anti-)Swaybars, along with Bilsteins (yellow/blue ones). With a 2500 lb. camper in the bed and towing a 5k lb. toybox it was very stable even in the wind. I passed a dually with a camper that was swaying back and forth in a very scary way, but I have to believe he didn't have very good shocks (and maybe soft sidewall tires!!).

[Q101ATFD]

The one ton will be heavier and will tow slightly less because of that. Will have slightly stronger brakes (the brakes are for the payload, not towing.) But one of the 2500HD models (configurations) should have bigger brakes.

 

The 2500HD and 3500 SRW have the same brakes. There is, however a difference in the 2500HD and 3500 DRW brakes...

[wht2500hd...]

The one ton will be heavier and will tow slightly less because of that. Will have slightly stronger brakes (the brakes are for the payload, not towing.) But one of the 2500HD models (configurations) should have bigger brakes.

 

The 2500HD and 3500 SRW have the same brakes. There is, however a difference in the 2500HD and 3500 DRW brakes...

 

 

And therefore you may have more braking power with the 2500HD SRW.

 

I agree the one ton is probably more stabil; but it is purchased (over the 2500HD) mostly for hauling more payload. Or if you will tow AND haul. If you buy a one ton and you will only HAUL then you probably only need a 6.0L motor.

 

Many will buy the one ton DRW for towing with high tongue weights (payload); they must buy the one ton. Not saying the one ton tows better or worse than the 2500HD. This thread is about choosing the 2500HD over the 3500HD.

 

The one ton is heavier (with same configuration); that's what you want to know when deciding which one to buy if you can use either one.