Badging only I believe. Some states charge considerably more to register a 3500. This is a get around.

Let's see if we can get a better answer.

@Mtu Alum

 

Badging only. Some states charge considerably more to register a 3500. This is a get around.

In MN other way around 3500 cheaper than 2500, mine is 120 per year.

 

Capacity between 2500 and 3500 SRW are the same 3500 DRW capacity is higher due to the DRW

 

To clarify, you mean the 2500 w/the 3500 max trailering package and the 3500 SRW capacity are the same...correct?

 

The components in chassis are same between 2500 max tow and 3500 single rear wheel. The only difference is the 2500 max tow's gvw is 200 to 300 lbs less than it's like 3500 model. This keeps the gvw below 12,000lbs and keeps you out of CDL if you are pulling around a 14k trailer which is a common weight on equipment trailers.

#iworkforGM

 

Thanks Mtu, that makes total sense. An easy way to keep the 2500 under the CDL radar and have the same basic capacity as the 3500 SRW.

 

Not all states require a CDL for a simple pickup such as a 3500 srw or dually. In the midwest, such as mentioned above for MN, a 3500 is less to register than a 1500. or 2500. One can tow the max of the said vehicle, as well as double tow with a 5ver or gooseneck. No special license. ( non commercial, private use )
...
Heck, one can help a farmer and drive a semi and not have to have a cdl.

 

Not all states require a CDL for a simple pickup such as a 3500 srw or dually. In the midwest, such as mentioned above for MN, a 3500 is less to register than a 1500. or 2500. One can tow the max of the said vehicle, as well as double tow with a 5ver or gooseneck. No special license.
...
Heck, one can help a farmer and drive a semi and not have to have a cdl.

I am fairly certain that if you are operating a class A vehicle commercially you have to have a class A CDL, regardless of state. If there are statutes that dictate otherwise I'd be interested in hearing about them. Farm use is the only exception of which I'm aware.

And a 2500 or 3500 pulling a 20k GVWR gooseneck is a class A vehicle (despite the power unit being a "simple pickup") since the sum of the truck and trailer GVWRs exceeds 26k and the trailer GVWR is over 10k. That's non-negotiable.

 

Thanks to everyone for posting. Before the thread was sidetracked on the CDL sub-topic, we gathered a few nuggets of info on the 2500HD w/3500 max trailering pkg vs. the 3500HD capacity (original question).

Mtu Alum pointed out that the two configurations are (physically?) the same but the 2500HD GVW is kept under the 12k threshold to keep it away from CDL territory. Interesting bit of engineering and marketing on GM's part (adding that one "package" to make them the same truck). If no other differences exist, I wonder why someone would choose the 3500 SRW over the 2500 w/3500 max trailering pkg (due to tax and registration implications in many states).

DuramaxDanZ71Sport also pointed out that some states charge considerably more to register a 3500, which I've heard elsewhere as well. Whether that was considered when engineering the 2500HD with the 3500 capacity or not, unsure. And some others have pointed out that not all states charge more for the 3500.

On the vigorous sub-topic CDL debate, here are the federal standards (which others have mentioned parts of but I'm posting here since the thread discussed).

Drivers are required to obtain and hold a CDL if they operate in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce and drive a vehicle that:​

• Class A - has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds (whichever is greater), inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater, or
• Class B - has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 10,000 pounds, or
• Class C - does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers or meets the hazard material regs

* States may have a more restrictive category for a class of license, or have additional codes for endorsements or restrictions on CDLs that are not mentioned in the Federal regulations​

** CDL reference: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers​

​

Although I would consider my original question answered, I'm still curious as to any other minute differences between the models (2500HD w/ 3500 max trailering pkg & 3500HD) so please do post them if you're aware of anything else. If I were a betting man, I would say the 3500HD has to have something the 2500HD does not .

Many thanks to all, Kurt

 

Here is WashiKanistan’s take on licensing

I have a 3500HD CCLB 4WD SRW, a vehicle for PRIVATE USE

GVWR……….….12250
Curb Wt………...8409
Max Payload….3841

I just renewed my license tabs
My pickup is considered COMMERCIAL Reason: I’m required to license it for 14,000 lbs

You might ask why when my GVWR is 12,250 lbs

WashiKanistan says you have to license your vehicle for 1.5 times it’s curb weight

(1.5)(8409)=12,614lbs

The two licensing tiers in this weight are 12k and 14k. Since 1.5 times my curb weight I’m FORCED to license it “Commercial” at 14,000lbs. Even though I do neither.

To reach a GVW of 14,000lbs I would have to put 5591 lbs in my pickup.

 

Hi JD. So how much extra did your "commercial" registration tag cost you (over the standard tag) up there in Washington state?

 

They just quote you the price for your tabs and I didn’t think to ask how much it would be if I could have licensed it for 12k. It didn’t really matter since I couldn’t license it for the lower weight. Would have been just that much more aggravation at Licensing. I don’t recall the pickup tabs price as I also bought tabs for a camper, a couple boats and a boat trailer.

 

FWIW here in Texas 6,001-10,000 =$54.00, 10,000-18,000 = $110.00

For some reason both my 2500 and my travel trailer show less GVWR than the door sticker, but TXDMV said it does not matter as they are both within the cost window anyway.

Maybe someone already mentioned it but here is a previous discussion
(35) NHT "Max Trailering Package?? | Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum (duramaxforum.com)

 

Question regarding the 2500 with the 3500 frame and bigger axle i.e. max tow package. Is the ride more stiffer then a 2500 without the max tow?

 

Hi there GetIt. I'm unsure as I've never driven one without the tow package. But my guess is that the tow package is most likely stiffer, extra leaf springs and all. I know mine (with a tow package) will rattle your teeth if I hit a bump the wrong way, not fun.

 

The 2500 that I drove rode rougher than the 3500 we bought. It didn't have the max tow package which means no overload springs on the 2500. My understanding is the 3500 has less spring until you hit the overloads, but then again, it could all be my imagination.

As stated, in Washington, I have to license my 3500 as commercial even though it is private use only and when I questioned the 14,000 licensing, was told my door sticker is my limit, not my license. Insurance guy said 3500 is more to insure also.