cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

GMC 2500 question

marcindy
Explorer
Explorer
Today, went and looked at a 2015 GMC 2500 Duramax with the All Terrain package. I can't really tell if the All Terrain option change the payload or towing capacity. I'm hoping someone here can clarify what the real differences compared to just the SLT.
We are planning to change to an Open Range LT308BHS, which is supposedly "1/2 ton towable", but after going through all the numbers, I feel 3/4 ton is better way to go.

Thanks
22 REPLIES 22

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
marcindy wrote:

Now to start researching Tonneau covers.....

Partsengine.ca
Prev: 2010 Cougar 322QBS (junk)
02 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9L CTD 3.55
07 Dodge 3500 4x4 SRW Mega 5.9L CTD 3.73
14 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew 6.4L Hemi 4.10
06 Chevy 1500 4x4 E-Cab 3.73 5.3L
07 Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi 3.55 / 2010 Jayco 17z
All above are sold, no longer own an RV

marcindy
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks eveyone. yes, the discount from the FIL is pretty good. Unfortunately I'm going to settle for a 2500, which for what I need now is totally ok. We are excited and can't wait for the new TV and TT. Need to spend today/tomorrow cleaning out the HTT, and taking off solar/inverter

Thanks for all the advise. I'll post pics in the next couple weeks.
Now to start researching Tonneau covers.....

ACZL
Explorer
Explorer
ksss wrote:
I ordered my 3500 in the third week of November, and picked it up Feb 2nd. However there was considerable shutdown time during Christmas so I think you can take a week or a 10 days off of that time.


If your FIL worked there, then he should be eligible for a employee discount (with Ford, it's called the "X" plan). If so, you may be able to get a better discount off price than one who doesn't have that option. Not paying close attention to the GM line of trucks, do they offer a short wheelbase 3500 like they do for the 2500? Few years back Ford had what I thought was probly a very rough riding truck, a short wheelbase dually CC. My 1st shortbox was a '97 Chevy ext cab. Though we graduated to a CC (won't go back till kids are gone and then maybe not), but won't have another long box in my lifetime. Have yet to get into a situation where it became a problem. That's what "D" is for on gearshifter. Previous truck was a F250SD and that towed rig in sig w/o a problem. Truck went south, so ended up getting the 350. Like what other posters have said, it adds a bit more capacity. Not that the 3/4 ton wouldn't do it, but IF you ever get into an accident and your overweight for truck (same could happen w/ the 350 as well), ambulance chasers will have a field day. As the weights and sizes of some trailers go, seems that they are forcing us folks into 350/3500duallies, 450's etc. IMO, you start pushing those weights on the common person, 2 things: 1. That's a lot of weight for someone to tow who doesn't tow a lot AND w/ that much weight and may not know how to react/handle it, 2. better off getting a 650/750 or used class 8MD truck.

Okay back on subject, but look into a discount thru your FIL.
2017 F350 DRW XLT, CC, 4x4, 6.7
2018 Big Country 3560 SS
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"

45Ricochet
Explorer
Explorer
The non tow period mostly has to do mostly with the rear axle, ring and pinion getting married. Engine is ready to tow with varying RPM's.
Having said that, not sure what they do with a class C MH axles :W
2015 Tiffin Phaeton Cummins ISL, Allison 3000, 45K GCWR
10KW Onan, Magnum Pure Sine Wave Inverter
2015 GMC Canyon Toad

Previous camping rig
06 Ram 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins Smarty Jr 48RE Jacobs brake
06 Grand Junction 15500 GVWR 3200 pin

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
I personally would not be concerned pulling 8K for 30 miles on a new engine right from the dealership. Take it easy, avoid any WOT, the truck is not going to be harmed by that load for that distance.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1

marcindy
Explorer
Explorer
The searching continues for a 3500 SRW. There have been a couple around here, but go very quickly. I've got 2 weeks today until we get our new trailer (that my current Sequoia can't drag home). My question now is how long to break in a new motor before I can tow my 8,000lb trailer home (~30 miles)?

Thx

APT
Explorer
Explorer
Get the SRW 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)

therink
Explorer
Explorer
I ordered November 6 and took delivery December 16. I was ahead of the holiday shut down. I think 4 to 6 weeks is pretty much normal.
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.

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
I ordered my 3500 in the third week of November, and picked it up Feb 2nd. However there was considerable shutdown time during Christmas so I think you can take a week or a 10 days off of that time.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1

marcindy
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks. I'm not personally tied to GM, but it does run in the family on my DW side (FIL worked their 30+ yrs). Anyone know current lead time to order from factory?

45Ricochet
Explorer
Explorer
Another 3500 vote here but GM don't make that many compared to Ford or Ram. You might set in a Ram or Ford and see how it fits you unless of course your a die hard GM guy, which I understand.
2015 Tiffin Phaeton Cummins ISL, Allison 3000, 45K GCWR
10KW Onan, Magnum Pure Sine Wave Inverter
2015 GMC Canyon Toad

Previous camping rig
06 Ram 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins Smarty Jr 48RE Jacobs brake
06 Grand Junction 15500 GVWR 3200 pin

06bowtie_guy
Explorer
Explorer
I was lucky when I got my truck, it was on the lot by some odd chance. I was just recently looking to upgrade and no one had anything other than 2500 HD's on the lots. No 3500 in single or dual wheels.

I was looking for a dually this time around and only one found in Ontario. Now I wait for one to be built but I will get all the options I want.
On Order - 2015.5 Sierra 3500HD SLT 4SA
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 SRW
14 XLR Hyper Lite 30HFS5

therink
Explorer
Explorer
If looking for a new SRW 3500 you will likely have better luck factory ordering. This way you don't have to settle for what ever you find.
Factory order pricing is no different than buying off a lot and you can order it built exactly how you want to. This has been no experience with two different 3500s I've owned.
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.

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
I had a '12 2500HD and this time opted for the '15 3500HD with the 10800 GVW option. Handles hitch loads much better than did the 2500HD. I think you will have better luck doing a search for the 3500 in the smaller, rural dealerships. There are a lot of them here, in fact more 3500 than 2500's typically at the Chevy dealership, not so much from the GMC dealer. The Chevy dealership here figured out that customers are typically happier with more truck than less truck, especially when the price is nearly identical.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1