Chevy Silverado should I get 2500 or 3500

[zorr59]

I just purchased a Dutchman Rubicon M2600 TH. 30 ft to the tongue. Dry weight 7100lbs. 3900 capacity. Total Trailer GVRW 11000.

I have 2 harley dressers at 850 lbs each. I would only carry about 30 gal fresh water

I currently own a 2009 Silverado 1500. With tow package etc. I know I have to upgrade truck. The 2500 & 3500 max trailer are the same. The rear axle is more on the 3500. I do not want diesel or a dually as this will be our truck for everything else.

I have WD hitch installed.

Question...... Will the 2500 be enough.

[IdaD]

zorr59 wrote:
I just purchased a Dutchman Rubicon M2600 TH. 30 ft to the tongue. Dry weight 7100lbs. 3900 capacity. Total Trailer GVRW 11000.

I have 2 harley dressers at 850 lbs each. I would only carry about 30 gal fresh water

I currently own a 2009 Silverado 1500. With tow package etc. I know I have to upgrade truck. The 2500 & 3500 max trailer are the same. The rear axle is more on the 3500. I do not want diesel or a dually as this will be our truck for everything else.

I have WD hitch installed.

Question...... Will the 2500 be enough.

Yeah, a 2500 is enough. Get a 3500 if you foresee upgrading later on, but for that setup a 2500 would be fine. Practically speaking the main difference between a 2500 and a 3500 these days is the payload sticker - the actual trucks are identical or nearly so in most cases. Frames, axles, brakes, engines, transmissions, etc. - all the same.

I use my diesel daily and it does great. I'm not sure why you'd think it would struggle in that capacity. I considered a gas HD model but really don't ever see going that way after owning a diesel. They get great fuel economy and are just effortless in how they go about their business.

[mkirsch]

You're going to find a whole lot more 3/4 tons than 1 ton SRW's on the market, because there were a whole lot more of them to begin with.

Best chance of finding one is an F350 SRW, because there are way more Fords out there than any other brand.

Depends on your timeframe. You will be able to find the right one if you look long enough.

[fitznj]

I picked up a (used) 3500 with the 6.0L even though I was not looking for one and I did not really need the payload.

No regrets - its a dream to tow, better brakes, heavy duty everything (compared to my previous TV), the 6.0l has plenty of torque and I still get 11mpg when towing.

Botton line: if you have a choice - choose the bigger TV

[spoon059]

No brainer. If buying new get the 1 ton. Empty it will ride the exact same as the 3/4 ton (except Ram which offers coil 3/4 ton and leaf 1 ton) and it is rated to handle more weight. As noted, the 1 ton has a beefier rear axle. The minimal cost difference now will give you WAY more flexibility in the future.

Don't listen to the nay-sayers... if you don't want or need the diesel, the 6.0 gas has plenty of power. Yes, a diesel will pull better and get better mileage doing it, but the 6.0 will do just fine with your weights.

[Beavis01350]

Have you ever heard somebody say "I have too much truck for towing"

[Need-A-Vacation]

zorr59 wrote:
Thanks everyone for the info. First I am looking for used truck. Can't afford the new ones. 2011 - 2013. Haven't really looked for 3500. Will start thanks for that info.
Will let you know what I find

Ken

Verify the truck you find has the 4.10's, and not the 3.73's. Will the 3.73's pull it, yes they will, but you will be over the gcwr.

Depending on your tw, the factory hitch is only rated for 1500lbs, so you may need a more stout hitch.

Good luck in your search!!!

[JIMNLIN]

I just purchased a Dutchman Rubicon M2600 TH. 30 ft to the tongue. Dry weight 7100lbs. 3900 capacity. Total Trailer GVRW 11000.

I have WD hitch installed.

Question...... Will the 2500 be enough.

It will be fine for that size trailer.

You sure don't need a one ton SRW or a DRW truck for just a 11k GVWR trailer....unless you just want one.

My old '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins NV5600 tranny does a fantastic job pulling my 11200 lb 5th wheel trailer and my heavier GN flatbed trailers.

[kohai]

zorr59 wrote:
I just purchased a Dutchman Rubicon M2600 TH. 30 ft to the tongue. Dry weight 7100lbs. 3900 capacity. Total Trailer GVRW 11000.

I have 2 harley dressers at 850 lbs each. I would only carry about 30 gal fresh water

I currently own a 2009 Silverado 1500. With tow package etc. I know I have to upgrade truck. The 2500 & 3500 max trailer are the same. The rear axle is more on the 3500. I do not want diesel or a dually as this will be our truck for everything else.

I have WD hitch installed.

Question...... Will the 2500 be enough.

I wish I had opted for the 3500 to not have to worry as much about weight -- I'm close to my payload. It's not like one drives really different as a daily driver and the prices aren't very different. I've read on here that some states treat the 3500 as a commercial vehicle, so that could make it more obnoxious to own the 3500 (California?). Or, they tax it differently. 3500's tend not to have a tire pressure system on them. I have the diesel, it is enjoyable to drive even when not towing. The latest model years of GMC have isolated the cabs more from the engine noise.

[Devocamper]

zorr59 wrote:
Thanks everyone for the info. First I am looking for used truck. Can't afford the new ones. 2011 - 2013. Haven't really looked for 3500. Will start thanks for that info.

Forgive me but I'm still learning the acronyms. What is SRW? Or DRW?

Will let you know what I find

Ken

SRW = single rear wheels One wheel on each side of the rear Axle , DRW Dual rear wheel two wheels on each side of the rear axle .

[zorr59]

Thanks everyone for the info. First I am looking for used truck. Can't afford the new ones. 2011 - 2013. Haven't really looked for 3500. Will start thanks for that info.

Forgive me but I'm still learning the acronyms. What is SRW? Or DRW?

Will let you know what I find

Ken

[azdryheat]

I would go with the Diesel for hill pulling power and with the 3500SRW for current and future towing needs.

[Devocamper]

there is not much difference in the cost of a 2500 vs 3500 with the same engine and options, personally would never tow with a gas truck after having towed with a diesel and you can never have to much truck when it comes to towing, a single rear wheel 3500 work as a daily driver for many people and handles your towing. I use my dually for a daily driver during the summer months and it is not a big deal ,maybe park a little further out but I do that anyway even with the car to try and save myself from the parking lot dings and dents. Good luck and safe travels

[W5CI]

I pulled my 12K Cedar Creek with a 2013 GMC 2500HD gas burner, It was all it could handle, I traded for a 2015 Ram 3500 DRW Diesel and man you cant believe the difference. If you shop around you can get a real deal on one. I paid less for the Ram than I did for the 2500HD. More is always better

[the_bear_II]

I've had 2500s, 3500, and now have a C4500 with the Duramax and Allison plus exhaust brake. The 2500s were SRW, the 3500s and C4500 are DRW. All have been long beds and the 3500/4500 crew cabs.

My favorite of course is the C4500. It is a dream tow with.

My last 3500 crewcab dually long bed I used a daily driver in and out of Downtown Los Angeles. It was great, very comfortable on the freeway s and around town. Parking sometimes was an issue but I tend to park far out in parking lots where no one else parks.

X2 on the diesel it makes for a great tow and in my opinion is no different than a gas engine as a daily driver. Be sure to get an exhaust brake equipped diesel. Downhill towing is a breeze.