GMC 2500 Diesel SRW vs GMC 3500 diesel SRW

[dduncan]

I am looking into buying a new vehicle for retirement. Looking for the differance between 3/4 ton and 1 ton. Have not drove either one. Most of the 5th wheels I am looking at have a pin weight of 2200 lbs. The 3/4 ton has a carry weight of 3000 lbs. 1 ton of 4000 lbs. Cost are with in $2000 of each other. Vehicle size look to be the same. Does the 1ton have a rougher ride? Does it drive differant? If everything is =, Why buy a 3/4 ton over a 1 ton.


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[davel1971]

I have a 2014 Chevy 3500 SRW Duramax. The cost difference was much less than $2000. The added payload comes from auxiliary helper springs. Payload difference, at least for 2014, was 1600 additional lbs for the 3500 over 2500. Ride will be exactly the same, since when empty, the helper springs aren't contacting anything. Mine holds the weight of the 5th wheel beautifully. Definitely recommend 3500.

[Kenny kustom]

One tonne for sure.
Payload gets eaten up really fast


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[davel1971]

I had a 09 GMC 2500 before I got the 14 Chevy 3500. I think the 3500 rides better.

[dduncan]

Thanks for all the help. Are brakes and rotors the same on 1 and 3/4 ton pickups?


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[davel1971]

Originally Posted by dduncan

Thanks for all the help. Are brakes and rotors the same on 1 and 3/4 ton pickups?


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for SRW, yes, for dually, probably different, but not necessarily bigger.

[MillerTime]

I just bought a GMC duramax 3500 Denali. The 3500 single wheel and dual wheel were the same price for the same options and right now the 2500 is actually a little higher at the dealer i used. Now these are all similarly equipped Denali's, but the dealer i used was selling them cheaper than most dealers with lower trim levels. You just have to shop around on the web. Autotrader will help and know what rebates you can qualify for....ie., Farm bureau, credit union, military, curent gm owner, etc.

I just sold my old 2005 Chevy 2500 4x4 Duramax for a premium! It had 134,000 miles on it, was stock other than exhaust and wheels/tires. No chip or tuner. It was in good shape and the LT interior (same as Ltz now) was almost perfect. It rode rougher than my new 3500 but most of it was probably the tires.
I think the 3500 will hold its value and be easier to sell. I looked around for used 3500s but they were almost the same or more than new price, and 3500s sold fast. But honestly my old 2500 was only on the market for about 2 weeks before it sold.

[Computer Nerd]

I own a Chevy 3500 SRW Diesel. We bought our truck before we bought our 5th wheel. The cost difference was negligible and the additional payload and capacity allowed us more options when choosing a fifth wheel. Go for the 3500.


Computer Nerd
2014 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Duramax
2016 Sandpiper 35ROK

[EXGMTech]

I believe the DRW has a more stable ride & less prone to sway or shift around at highway speeds when towing a 5er with a semi passing.

[hbillsmith]

Can you get a 3500 SRW with Double Cab (not Crew) and Standard 6.6 Ft bed so it would fit in my garage?

[aceinspp]

I'd opt for the 1 ton DRW as it's more stable when towing and the ride is about the same as a 3/4 . I had a 1 ton dully and really enjoyed how well it handled my 5er. The ride in these new trucks is no comparison even for a truck a couple of years old. Later RJD

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

Can you get a 3500 SRW with Double Cab (not Crew) and Standard 6.6 Ft bed so it would fit in my garage?

According to the gmc build-your-truck, website, you can only get a double cab long bed or the crew cab with a shortbed or long bed , other than the single cab long bed.

[bplantcjf]

I have a 2013 Chevy 2500 Duramax with 18" wheels and SRW. It pulls my ultralite 5th wheel just fine. I tried a slightly heavier 5th wheel thinking to upgrade but I didn't like the way it pulled. I think I should have gone with a 1 ton. I also wouldn't get the 18" wheels again (they came on this one). Too high and the front of the 5er sits a little higher than I would like and I only have 5" of clearance off the truck. Go with the 1 ton.

[Docgeo]

I've been driving a 1 ton GMC 3500 Diesel Dually for 8 years. I pull a 15000 pound fifth wheel trailer. I love the truck. Dual rear wheels give better towing stability. I find most people don't start with a bigger fifth wheel but eventually trade up. If you start with a truck that can handle the larger trailers you won't have to upgrade later.

[jkdairy]

I bought a 2015 Chevy 2500 Duramax crew cab one year ago. Pull a Sandpiper 365SAQ loaded to about 15,500 lbs. No problem with the truck. I still have my 2007 Chevy 2500 Classic Duramax crew cab also. The 2015 is so much more truch, especially with the exhaust brake. I live in Washington State and have pulled in WA, Montana, Oregon, etc through many mountain passes. Pulled the trailer all the way back from Ohio with the 2007.

When I was buying, I looked at a 3500. Only difference was overload springs and price. I think the payload was the same for a crew cab short bed so I went with the 2500. I don't see the need fir a 3500 unless you are going DRW

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

Can you get a 3500 SRW with Double Cab (not Crew) and Standard 6.6 Ft bed so it would fit in my garage?

The 2015 model year the only one that made a truck that would fit in my garage and be able to shut door was SuperCab Ford F350...

I was told that in 2017 model year there will not be Ford SuperCab with new body style roll out but there could be one introduce in later years depending on demand. It was truck salesman that told me that so you judge how reliable that is. I sure hope it isn't true.

[RafenJulie]

In my humble opinion.
As the preponderance of responses here in this thread indicate, conventional wisdom dictates that a one ton truck is better than a three quarter ton.
It's about your covered wagon being safely hauled and stalled.
Stopping is the most important aspect of the vehicle along with the ability to meet the specifications required to tow the GVWR.
If you are going to be pulling a cart, a pony will do.
But if you are going to be pulling a prairie schooner, a good team of mules is what your are going to need, let alone want

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by RafenJulie

In my humble opinion.
As the preponderance of responses here in this thread indicate, conventional wisdom dictates that a one ton truck is better than a three quarter ton.
It's about your covered wagon being safely hauled and stalled.
Stopping is the most important aspect of the vehicle along with the ability to meet the specifications required to tow the GVWR.
If you are going to be pulling a cart, a pony will do.
But if you are going to be pulling a prairie schooner, a good team of mules is what your are going to need, let alone want

your opinion would be correct, if it wasn't for the fact that 3/4 and 1 ton SRW trucks have identical axles and brakes.

[Kenny kustom]

I'll take the extra payload of the one tonne


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[jkdairy]

Originally Posted by davel1971

your opinion would be correct, if it wasn't for the fact that 3/4 and 1 ton SRW trucks have identical axles and brakes.

So true! When I ordered my 2500, the identical 3500 was $2000 more. I would have ordered whatever was cheaper