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2015 2500 Chevy Silverado Diesel

Gonecamping444
Explorer
Explorer
Looking to buy the 2500 but been thinking about the 3500 also,What do you get with the 3500 that you don't with the 2500,Whats the price different between the two?Thanks
26 REPLIES 26

Bigfoot_affair
Nomad II
Nomad II
Gonecamping444 wrote:
Looking to buy the 2500 but been thinking about the 3500 also,What do you get with the 3500 that you don't with the 2500,Whats the price different between the two?Thanks


These are based on diesel powered trucks.

2500 SLE comes standard with 17" wheels. SLT will come with 18" wheels and 20's are optional. TPMS, Tow mirrors are an option on 2500's

GVWR-10000 lbs
GCWR-24500 lbs
Max conventional trailering-13000 lbs
Max fifth wheel trailering-17100 lbs
Max payload-2800 lbs(This is subjective to how much the vehicle weighs) This was based on a CC 4x4 standard bed 6.5' with diesel engine.

3500's come only with 18" wheels. Tow mirrors are standard. Only real difference in the suspension of the 3500 is the addition of overload springs to account for the extra payload. No TPMS on 3500's with 11500 gvwr.

GVWR- 11500 lbs
GCWR- 24500 lbs
Max conventional trailering-13000 lbs
Max fifth wheel trailering-17100 lbs
Max payload-4300 lbs(This is subjective to how much the vehicle weighs) This was based on a CC 4x4 standard bed 6.5' with diesel engine.

Not sure if you are looking for diesel or gas? If you go with a gas 2500 the GVWR is 9500 lbs, 3500 the GVWR is 10800 lbs.

As for the price, I suggest you go to their web site and build two trucks, one 2500 and a 3500. I think you'll find that the 3500 may be cheaper or only a few hundred more... depending on the options you pick.


Clear as mud!

dpark
Explorer
Explorer
The ONLY difference in the two trucks mechanically is the added helper spring. They run the same frame, drivetrain, tires/wheels...I understand that some of you are trying to paint the picture that they are a different animal, but they are EXACTLY the same with the exception of the helper spring and the sticker inside the door. The 2500's even have the holes in the frame to add the helper springs. I would have purchased a 3500 if it were available for the small added cost, but was well in specs with the 2500 I bought.
2017 Chevy 3500HD LTZ+, Z-71, Nav, Duramax/Allison
2018 Coachmen Chaparral 360IBL
Honda EU2000is
Honda EU2000i Companion

Dayle1
Explorer II
Explorer II
As already stated only technical difference is tires/wheels and leaf springs. However there may also be a few other minor differences when it comes to standard equipment and option packages. It seems like my LT package doesn't include as many features as the same package on the 2500 series trucks. Not sure about the smaller details on the 2015's. Also agree there are fewer 3500s to pick from and maybe less price flexibility.
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders since '01
'13 Silverado 3500HD LT 2wd CCSB SRW, custom RKI bed
'19 Starcraft Telluride 292RLS
Rig Photos

Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Explorer
Gonecamping,

The 3500 may allow you down the road to get a bigger trailer that would otherwise be to much for the 2500 without needing a new truck.

I would have went that route if we could have found one.

APT wrote:
I think it's more like 1450 pounds extra payload. GVWR is 11,500 vs. 10,000. Cost varies by equipment. My friend got a GMC 3500 for $200 less than an equivalent 2500 with his exact equipment. He ended up ordering the 3500.


What year truck? I know it was that way for the '13 & '14's, but not sure about the new '15's.

As for the brakes, they are the same on the 2500 & 3500's. Even from what I have found they are the same for the 11.5" and 10.5" axle (25/3500 diesel vs 2500 gas).
Bubba J- '13 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT CCSB 4x4 6.0

'16 Jay Flight 32 BHDS ELITE 32 BHDS Mods Reese DC HP

WDH Set Up. How a WDH Works. CAT Scale How To.

APT
Explorer
Explorer
I think it's more like 1450 pounds extra payload. GVWR is 11,500 vs. 10,000. Cost varies by equipment. My friend got a GMC 3500 for $200 less than an equivalent 2500 with his exact equipment. He ended up ordering the 3500.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

Gonecamping444
Explorer
Explorer
thanks appreciate all the comments

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Get the 3500. Then you won't have to BandAid it later with air bags.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Randu
Explorer
Explorer
I believe that the Tires/wheels rated for more load in addition to the overload spring. I know my 2014 3500 is so much better than the 2500 that it replaced. I loved my old 2004, 2500 and thought that was all I needed until one of the body mounts broke.

Really enjoying 3500 and I was really surprised that the unloaded ride is about the same as the 2500. Randu
2017 Chevy 3500HD SRW Crew LTZ
4x4,Duramax, Allison.
2017 Jayco North Point 381DLQS
Previous: 2000 Travel Supreme
2005 Newmar Kountry Star
2008 Mobile Suites 36TK3

Bigfootchevy
Explorer
Explorer
If you can afford it buy the 3500. With the higher ratings this truck is much stronger than the 2500. Hopefully you are getting a diesel! If so that's the icing on the cake.

I had lots of 2500's but since 2011 I have had 3500. Got my 2015 last September.

The 3500 is the same size as the 2500, but higher payload, bigger springs and brakes.

Paul

JIMNLIN
Explorer
Explorer
3500 SRW trucks are rare at many dealer ships unlike dozens of choices at the same dealer ship for a same equipped 2500.

Depending on selections some 3500 SRW GM trucks can have payloads in the low to mid 4000s lbs on 7050 RAWR.
The 2500 is the same truck but with a smaller 6200 RAWR (rear spring pack/tires and wheels) on same configured truck with 3000-3200 lb payloads.

My son sold his old '02 Dmax/A and bought a white '15 2500 Chevy Z71 loaded with all the bells and whistles. Beautiful truck and rides better than the wife Impala and in my favorite color.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

Gonecamping444
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks therink

therink
Explorer
Explorer
You get 700 or more payload rating. My 1 ton SRW has a 11,500 gvwr and payload per the sticker is 3700. The cost is around $700.
Mechanically, I believe only difference is overload spring. What matters to me is the sticker towing a heavy pin fiver.
Steve Rinker
Rochester, NY
2013 Keystone Sydney 340FBH 5th Wheel, 12,280 lbs loaded (scale)
2015.5 GMC Sierra Denali 3500, SRW, Duramax, CC, Payload 3,700 (sticker- not scaled yet)

Take my posts for what they are, opinions based on my own experiences.