The 3500 is much better suited for trailering. The multi stage springs aren't in use when empty making the ride similar to the 2500.
The problem I had with my 2010 2500 and stock leafs is spring fatigue pulling trailers regularly.

 

Test drove 2013 denail ccsb denali def a stiffer ride settled for the 2500

 

BS it is the same leaf spring pack untill it squats 2-3in. and the overloads kick in!

I just went 3500 and love not have TPMS, can air the rears down for a nice ride when empty, check the price, the 3500 was no more money when I spec'ed it out, why would you not get it???

Forgot to add you cannot get the 20in. wheels on the 3500.

 

thats what i did!!!

 

Why cant you get 20's in 3500?

 

x 2

 

Google musta lied to me because i just went and some of them had the 20's.

 

I just traded a 2500 CCSB for a 3500 CCLB and my new one rides better. It wont touch the extra springs till you put a decent load on it.

 

I had the 3500 SRW in the Dodge and it was definitely a firmer ride. Too firm. Drove the Silverado 2500 and 3500 and again the 3500 seemed too firm for me.

 

I can't complain about the ride in my 3500 of course I didn't test drive a 2500. But coming from a half ton it is a little rougher but doesn't bother me at all.

 

I am in a similar quandary. Aren't the axels the same? Couldn't one get a 2500 and, if needed, add, say, helper springs?

 

I guess gm is different than other manufacturers? A good friend of mine has a F250 and 350. The 350 keeps a trailer with a backhoe on it all the time and that's the only way it's a tolerable ride. I've borrowed it a couple of times as well as I rode in his 250 and there seems to be a very noticeable difference. He even says so his self. He bought the 250 to have as a second truck and pretty much refuses to drive the 350 unloaded. Maybe the GM is different, but in my experience there is a difference. If your driving around unloaded most the time and your only towing 8k pounds when you do tow, a 3500 just seems like overkill and I don't really see any reason for it. I don't think, I could be wrong, that it would even have any better resale value, maybe even a lil less just because most people aren't looking for a 1 ton. That's just my 2 cents. Since your buying new, I guess just drive both. See if they will let you have each one for a day. One of my previous trucks the dealer let me have it for the weekend to decide.


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An F-250 and an F-350 are completely different. I'm pretty sure the 350 has a solid front axle while the 250 has independent front suspension.

On GM's, both the 2500 and 3500 have IFS, the front suspension is the same between the two.

My co-workers F-350 came with 20" wheels, as stock equipment. Compared to my 2500HD, his ride is noticeably stiffer and more harsh.

 

It is all about what you are going to do with the truck.

If you tow - go with the 3500HD that is what I did. Especially if you are going with a fifth wheel.

2500HD - 10,000 GVWR
3500HD - 11,600 GVWR

Once you purchase the 2500HD you can't really do anything to increase the GVWR. Springs and air bags will improve the ride when towing.

 

I bought the 3500 ccsb srw Denali and I think it rides great. My last vehicle was a 07.5 GMC half ton that o had put 3/4 ton springs in. The 3rd stage of leafs never gets used until under a load anyway. It has to start to squat before the bump stops start to apply them. I drive around empty 90% of the time and when I do tow mostly its always really light. A 4 wheeler trailer and 3 wheelers at most. One in bed. So yes yhr 3500 is very comfy IMO even empty.

 

I have the factory 20's on mine and did not feel comfortable when towing our 5er with the stock Goodyears. That's why I went to a 275/65/20 BFG. They have a 3750# load per tire the same as the 18's and only about 1 1/2" taller.

 

one thing to keep in mind, the price to replace tires on larger rims is considerably higher than a 17in rim

 

Thanks for all the replys, looks like I will go 3500!

 

Good Choice!

I have a 3500 SRW LMM. I don't notice any major ride difference between it and a 2500. Don't notice any difference in the new 3500 DRW's I have test drove either. These are all crew long beds fyi. Now the short beds could be a different story............Seems like that's what you all have around here...lol!

 

They probably arent offered cause the 3500 is classed more like a work truck and to keep costs down they probably dont offer that option

 

work truck Bahehahaheha Keep costs down, :rofl I just bought a 2014 3500 with a sticker price of 54,000.

 

Forget, the 20's. I want to know why there is no 19.5 option for the 3500's. Commercial grade tires will last way longer. With the weight ratings as high as they are on these new trucks LT tires make little sense.

 

that's a much better question. You are right, they will last longer. Even though it will ride much harsher, stability will be much better with heavy loads

 

I know several people that have the 3500 and absolutely hate the 20's

They use the truck strictly for work and dont want 20's as the cost of the replacement tires is higher and initial cost is higher as well.

There may be other reasons but this is most likely part of it.

 

Hope you find one that you like as you cannot order a '14 anymore as the order cut off has already happened.

3500 does not have the stupid TPMS!

 

I am holding out for a 2015. I have waited this long so might as well get the latest and greatest. I have heard rumors of a new duramax engine (2016 MY?) that does not use DEF and DPF but an electric element filter in exhaust system to clean up exhaust emissions. It has been killing me to wait this long and the LML seems like a great engine but some have had a $hitty time with emissions.

As soon as GM releases some incentives for the 2015 GMC's there will be one in my driveway!

I just got a family member into a 14 LML, man that thing is sweet!

 

One thing to consider between the 2500 and 3500 if your only towing a 8000lb trailer.. Both will tow it fine, your getting a extra 1600 GVWR with the 3500 but depending on your state you will also be paying more on registration. Here in Comifornia, its about $100-150 more on registration a year...

 

I'm in AZ, will have to check on that...

 

In Albert its considerable cheaper to insure a 3500 over a 2500

Saves my boy 1200 per year on insurance

 

California is 100 bucks more just because it's a 1 ton?? Lol my tags are $150 total a year for my13 lml!

Gotta love this pos state. I was born there I'm glad I haven't lived there since 1999.


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AZ bases your tags / registration cost on the depreciated value of your auto. Aka a 50k truck will cost $500+ for years. F'N BLOWS!

 

I just traded a 2500 for a 3500 2 months ago. I had to get a different license plate, couldn't transfer old one. Had to be tagged as commercial and registration much higher.

 

Interesting, it seems every State/Province has different rules pertaining to Heavy Duty, Light Trucks. Up here we have a luxury tax applied to vehicles over a certain cost and the 2500HD's and under are subject to it while the 3500HD isn't, even though both vehicles have similar pricing with the 3500 being slightly higher, comparing options to options. Insurance however is based on GVW which means it costs a little more to insure the 3500.

 

My boys insurance dropped over 100 a month ause he bought a 3500 over a 2500

Its f****d how they calculate some of that stuff