3500 vs 3500 extended

[campersmd]

The Chevy Express 3500 has a max tow rating of 10,000 lbs with either the 135" or 155" wheelbase. I have heard that the longer the wheelbase, the more stable the towing is. The question is "How much wheelbase is enough"? 135" is already pretty long and stable.

I prefer the 135" wheelbase for daily driving. Do you think it would be necessary to upgrade to the 155" extended wheelbase for towing an 8,000 lb (loaded) 34' TT?

[dblackburn2367]

tow with 135 express 3500 32 ft evergreen. best tv I have ever owned feed the 6.0 and let her go but the 3500 rides like a log wagon

[skipnchar]

long wheel base is OK but often over rated. You see VERY few rail dragsters towing trailers and their wheelbase SHOULD make them the preferred vehicle 🙂

[Tequila]

It is sure nice having a dually, it's rock steady even without a sway bar. Only issue is I now am up one level on Mexican toll roads which charge by the axle. (dually counts as 2)

I would only put the truck in 4WD if I was at risk of getting stuck. I do not use 4WD much. 2 years ago I used it in a slightly muddy area in Mexico. I then drove 60 MPH on the toll roads for 200 miles and forgot to take it out. I I was noticing my mileage was down and when I pulled to the side for my dog to pee, i saw fluid over the the inside front wheel wells. I then realized it was shooting out the top of the vent in the transfer case due to overheating. Fortunately I was just outside Navajoa where there is a GM dealer. they put it up on the hoist inspected it, topped it up and sent me on my way, never had an issue since. The charge? Zero. Heck i can't even cross the entrance of the driveway to the GM dealer here without them charging me 100 bucks. They even pressure washed the fluid off the wheel wells.

Since then I avoid 4WD or remind my wife to remind me I engaged it.

[jaycocreek]

On a barely-related side note: does anyone ever tow in four-wheel drive mode? We never really have, but does anyone think it would help in certain situations on the highway? Thanks!

All the time around here. More control and less likely to have the rear slide into a fish tail. Dropping a link or two in your WD hitch helps also putting more weight on the rear for traction.

[PacNWChris]

We were towing a 35' (tongue to bumper), 6,600# (dry) rear kitchen trailer with a Nissan Titan ... with the intent on upgrading the TV in the not-too-distant future. Loaded, the trailer was just BARELY under the tow capacity and GCWR for the truck. The truck weighed just over 5,000# and had a 140" WB.

Well, we upgraded sooner than expected to a F350 diesel. It's much, MUCH heavier and has a 156" wheelbase. We went with the short bed for LOTS of reasons including: it's also a daily driver for one of us, it will fit in the driveway (but not the garage - the Titan didn't even fit), *hate* the look of a dually (sorry DRW lovers) and IMHO ... it looks better. We had the opportunity to tow with it over a short distance, about 40 miles over one of the passes in the Cascades (Snoqualmie Pass), and it already feels much more substantial and secure - even in the rain yesterday. We still had one of the friction-style WD, anti-sway hitches on it too. I think the weight of the TV certainly contributes to the feeling of stability too!

Our ProPride hitch arrived on Friday, so I'm super excited to install it and see how it compares. The anti-sway function of the hitch is independent of the weight placed on the tongue (unlike our current hitch), so I think our combination - even with the shorter WB - will work out pretty well.


On a barely-related side note: does anyone ever tow in four-wheel drive mode? We never really have, but does anyone think it would help in certain situations on the highway? Thanks!

[AlbertaNewbie]

Considering my truck is 140" WB with a 33' tip to tail trailer with 7200lb loaded weight, then 135" for that length of trailer IMO is too short as mine gets a little squirrely sometimes with wind (not sway, but tail wagging the dog in heavy crosswind). I'd go longer WB for the peace of mind.

[gmw_photos]

If I were choosing one of those vans over the other, I would likely bias my opinion to the longer WB version for towing. And shorter for daily driving. 🙂
So, yes, I would look at what percent of total driving miles will be for each, and "how important" the added safety is during the towing miles.
Me personally, I would go the long WB. I tow with either a 126" Frontier or a 172" F350 dually. Long WB is nice for stability, no doubt.

[Trackrig]

The longer wheel base is going to be more stable when towing on snow or ice, but I doubt if you'll do a lot towing in those conditions.

I have several vehicles that I drive in the winter. One is a Ford 3/4T 4X4 long bed crew cab. The other is a Jeep Wrangler. If the back end breaks loose on the ice in the truck, it seems like you have forever to react to it in the truck. If the Jeep breaks loose, I have to be a lot quicker in my reaction time.

Bill

[DutchmenSport]

Unless you are having issues with your current truck or problems towing, "no."

If, on the other hand you are having issues, sway, a rough ride, porpoising and just want to spend a bunch of money, then "yes."

But if your gonna pay the expense, go all the ay and get a dually, long bed, diesel and you'll never buy another truck again.