Should I get a 2020 GM 3500 DRW or a 4500?
Well it is getting to be New truck time again. First off, I am not married to any brand. I have owned them all at one or more points. That said, The Rams and Fords did not make the cut this time a...
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I sat in and walked around 6500 CC 4X4 a couple days ago. The interior was done in LT type trim. I thought it as really quite nice. I owned a GMC 5500 4X4 CC for 12 years. I don't think that truck shares much with the current one. I will say take one for a drive. The 5500 was really a stout medium duty truck, pulled and hauled very well even over its GVW. The ride unloaded or not loaded heavy enough was borderline inexcusable. I hated driving it, it was seldom not loaded but it needed a lot of weight to tame it down. The interior of that truck was not to medium duty grade. A lot of plastic and while functionable was not that great and clearly was designed along the lines of the GMT400. The new medium duty has a really nice interior, especially considering its a medium duty truck.
Getting the medium duties worked on in the past was a huge pain at least under warranty. I don't see that quite as big of a deal with the large number of IH and GM medium duty dealers, but it will not be as easy as an HD GM truck.
Things to think about. The warranty on mine was less than typical GM truck warranty, not sure that is still the case.
The power on the MD duty trucks are less than an HD, certainly due to duty cycle math. It may be enough for a relatively light load such as a 24K rv.
The above issue about DEF location not being on the passenger side is a non issue. I fill up at trucks tops and simply use the DEF fill pump on the other side. Not sure what 97chevor is talking about.
As for the bed, I had a flatbed on mine that I had fabricated for the truck. Great for my use, may not be for yours. I would consider mounting a current HD box on the MD truck, not sure if that is possible, but I bet it would work with very little fabrication. May have to cut the frame rails to fit but there are truck upfit shops that do that everyday. I am sure Highway Products does or will have a top of the line product for this truck that will be usable, look great and cost a shittload of money, but most likely worth every dime.
Lastly, I would go with a 3500 HD knowing what you have shared what about your situation. Mostly because the load your proposing would put you at the top of the GVW of a current HD (that would not scare me in the least). However with the 2020 HD you are very comfortably well below its max capacity. With that, you can get it worked on at any GM dealership, there are no HP/TQ reductions. The ride will almost certainly be better. The dealers here have truck loads of the 2020's in route, you could have one in weeks if you wanted one or order exactly what you want and wait about 8-10 weeks.
Some MD upsides as I see them:
The new MD trucks will have a high CDI factor if that matters to you. Medium duties used for purposes like this have a very high resale value. Not abused by employees, maintenance is done on time, and always age better than MD trucks that are in a fleet. The peace of mind that you have way more truck than you need. It was explained to me that these trucks can be ordered with a high degree of comfort, it is all about what you are willing to pay for. I have not speced one out yet to see that first hand.
Insurance will certainly depend on your company. Mine does not care if I use a MD truck for personal or business. I would certainly look into it, but I doubt it will be deciding factor in your decision.
Look foward to seeing what you do.
Getting the medium duties worked on in the past was a huge pain at least under warranty. I don't see that quite as big of a deal with the large number of IH and GM medium duty dealers, but it will not be as easy as an HD GM truck.
Things to think about. The warranty on mine was less than typical GM truck warranty, not sure that is still the case.
The power on the MD duty trucks are less than an HD, certainly due to duty cycle math. It may be enough for a relatively light load such as a 24K rv.
The above issue about DEF location not being on the passenger side is a non issue. I fill up at trucks tops and simply use the DEF fill pump on the other side. Not sure what 97chevor is talking about.
As for the bed, I had a flatbed on mine that I had fabricated for the truck. Great for my use, may not be for yours. I would consider mounting a current HD box on the MD truck, not sure if that is possible, but I bet it would work with very little fabrication. May have to cut the frame rails to fit but there are truck upfit shops that do that everyday. I am sure Highway Products does or will have a top of the line product for this truck that will be usable, look great and cost a shittload of money, but most likely worth every dime.
Lastly, I would go with a 3500 HD knowing what you have shared what about your situation. Mostly because the load your proposing would put you at the top of the GVW of a current HD (that would not scare me in the least). However with the 2020 HD you are very comfortably well below its max capacity. With that, you can get it worked on at any GM dealership, there are no HP/TQ reductions. The ride will almost certainly be better. The dealers here have truck loads of the 2020's in route, you could have one in weeks if you wanted one or order exactly what you want and wait about 8-10 weeks.
Some MD upsides as I see them:
The new MD trucks will have a high CDI factor if that matters to you. Medium duties used for purposes like this have a very high resale value. Not abused by employees, maintenance is done on time, and always age better than MD trucks that are in a fleet. The peace of mind that you have way more truck than you need. It was explained to me that these trucks can be ordered with a high degree of comfort, it is all about what you are willing to pay for. I have not speced one out yet to see that first hand.
Insurance will certainly depend on your company. Mine does not care if I use a MD truck for personal or business. I would certainly look into it, but I doubt it will be deciding factor in your decision.
Look foward to seeing what you do.
