2500HD or 3500HD

[JnJnKatiebug]

I am window shopping for a new tow vehicle. Probably a year or more away from pulling the trigger. What I want is a SRW short bed. I am leaning toward the GM with a Duramax. I was thinking I wanted a 3500 but my friend tells me the only difference is the rear suspension. He says the 2500 with airbags will do the same thing and offer a better ride. Can anyone comment on this. Are the axles and brakes the same. I tried to research this but did not really find what I was looking for.

thanks for any input.

[IdaD]

the bear II wrote:
The 3500 has many differences from the 2500 including brakes, axles, springs, shocks, cooling and frame.

Wow. :E

[Mortimer_Brewst]

On the SRW I believe the brakes are the same. You can verify this by looking up parts on rockauto.com.
While either the 2500 or 3500 willl work for your current trailer, opting for the 3500 might save you a lot of cash down the road. Though you might not be considering it now, down the road you might opt for a fifth wheel. The 3500 is the smart choice.

[Old-Biscuit]

SO why don't you go test drive EACH and check out the Data Sticker on drivers door jamb so you can compare ride/handling AND GVWR/Cargo Carrying Capacity etc?
(not website mfg. published 'info')

[Lwiddis]

Well, I’ve got TOO MUCH TRUCK and it’s just terrible....terrible! All that truck under me. Pulls anything. Lots of power. I just...hate it.

[camp-n-family]

The difference in cost is probably about the price of those airbags. Get the 3500 and be done with it.

[gbopp]

You don't see many complaining because they have too much truck. 😄

[sgfrye]

downtheroad wrote:
Get the 3500 and be done with it...then you don't have to put band-aids on it like airbags, helper springs, etc.

With the cost of trucks today, it's chump change difference between the 2500 and the 3500 and you get the increased payload. I doubt you will even notice the "ride" difference.

X2
Same with the Ford F-250 and f350. I love my f250 but if a new truck is in my future I would spend a little more and go 350.

[ScottG]

Get the 3500. It's a bargain when buying new.

[guidry]

If it were true then the 3500's would have air bags. I would suggest get the 3500 and see the ride difference between the long beds and short beds. Long beds ride better towing. I've had both.

[Lwiddis]

Never noticed a difference in ride between 2500 and 3500 when riding with friends.

[donn0128]

2500 GVWR is likely 9900
3500 SRW GVWR is likely around 11,000.
That a lot more than springs
Different tires, wheels, spring packs, plus who knows what else.
Cost difference? Depending on who you buy from from zero to several hundred dollars.

[trailerbikecamp]

Not sure where you are, but look at local MV registrations. In my province, any vehicle with more than 10k lbs GVW regardless of how that vehicle is used, is considered a commercial vehicle.

I would love a 3500, but the GVW men's I would pay $280/yr for annual registration, compared to $85 for a 2500. Doesn't matter, that I would only use it a couple of times a year to tow my fiver.

[rhagfo]

JnJnKatiebug wrote:
I am window shopping for a new tow vehicle. Probably a year or more away from pulling the trigger. What I want is a SRW short bed. I am leaning toward the GM with a Duramax. I was thinking I wanted a 3500 but my friend tells me the only difference is the rear suspension. He says the 2500 with airbags will do the same thing and offer a better ride. Can anyone comment on this. Are the axles and brakes the same. I tried to research this but did not really find what I was looking for.

thanks for any input.

What your “Friend” told you is basically true, But for the difference in cost you will be far better off with the 3500!!!

We currently tow a 12,360# GVWR 5er with a 2500 and it does well, but over GVWR.

[the_bear_II]

The 3500 has many differences from the 2500 including brakes, axles, springs, shocks, cooling and frame.

I was much happier with my 3500 longbed dually crewcab than I was with my 2500 srw single cab. The ride towing felt similar to a luxury car. Empty the 2500 and 3500 were similar ride quality.

Longbed Duallies provide a very stable ride when towing. Shortbed ride can be choppy depending on the roadway especially if the road is built in sections. If the sections are just the right length and your speed is right it will create a porpoising action that feels like a bad amusement ride.

[ljr]

A few years ago I replaced a 3/4 T I was very happy with only because my taste in campers outgrew it. That avoidable upgrade cost me a bundle. My rule of thumb since then has been to buy a TV not for my current camper but for the next one.