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Thread: Trailer weight towing capacity 2500HD Vs 3500?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    San Jose, California
    Posts
    244

    Post

    I have a friend considering a new truck, he went into the chevy dealer and asked about towing capacities. The brochure stated the following:

    3500 with Duramax and 3.73 max trailer weight 15,100

    Same in 2500HD is 15,600

    He called me and asked me why that was. The 3500 should be able to tow more payload. I was unable to answer his question.

    Input please..or thoughts so I may answer his question?

    Regards
    Jeff
    Regards<p>Jeff<p>2001 K3500 4x4<br />Duramax/Allison<br />Crew Cab<br />Long Bed<br />G80 rear<br />Victory Red<br />Gray Leather

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2000
    Location
    Washington
    Posts
    145

    Post

    Jeff,
    I believe the max rated capacity of both trucks is 22,000 lbs. The dually weighs more so it has to pull less to reach 22,000.
    However, the dually can handle 11,400 lbs. of bed load vs. the 9200 lbs. for the 2500HD.
    Don

    [ 04-04-2002: Message edited by: Don G ]</p>
    2003 GMC 3500 SLE, D/A, EC, LB, 2WD, White/Pewter, DeeZee boards, 5th wheel

  3. #3
    mdrag Guest

    Cool

    '01_DuraMax_Dooley,

    The 2500HD and the 3500 both have the same GCWR (gross combination weight rating - weight of tow vehicle/driver/fluids + weight of trailer). Since the 2500HD is lighter than the 3500, with the correct set up, it could pull a heavier trailer. So a 3500 CC D/A 4WD - being the heaviest of the models - would have the lowest trailering capacity for a bumper pull set up if one observes the GCWR...

    For fifth wheel trailering, the 2500HD has a lower GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) and rear axle rating, and therefore a lower kingpin weight rating than the 3500. So even though the 2500HD could pull a heavier trailer based on the GCWR, you have to take into account the lower kingpin rating - and then the 2500HD would not be able to pull as heavy of a 5th wheel as the 3500 and stay within the various ratings.

    Hopefully I didn't confuse you even more...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    San Jose, California
    Posts
    244

    Post

    Thank You guys,
    I was trying to explain this to my friend. It is a game of math. With all these new trucks it is application dependant. 5th wheel I would use a 2500HD however a 11'6" camper(which is what I planned on) a 3500 is the most practical way.

    I forwarded the information to him.

    Carry On..........
    Regards<p>Jeff<p>2001 K3500 4x4<br />Duramax/Allison<br />Crew Cab<br />Long Bed<br />G80 rear<br />Victory Red<br />Gray Leather

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Groton, CT
    Posts
    140

    Post

    Hi guys

    I also believe that the type of truck he buys will play a factor. i.e. Reg Cab, Ext Cab, Crew Cab, Short bed, Long bed, 2WD or 4WD.

    If he wants the highest towing capacity, 16200lbs, then a 2500HD Reg Cab 2WD Long bed is the way to go. If he wants the least 15400lbs, then a 3500 Crew Cab 4WD is it.

    I know it sounds weird that the larger truck tows less, but the weigh of the truck is factored in as well. With the 3500 CC 4WD weighing the most, it tows the least.

    At least that is according to the Silverado brochure.

    my 2 cents anyway
    2002 Chevy 2500HD CC SB 4x4 LT, Charcoal/Graphite, D/A, Locking Diff, HD Trailering, Skid Plate, Firestone 265\'s, Bilstiens, Banks Exhaust, BedRug, XM Radio, KD Headlight Harness, Retrax Bed Cover. Recent add-ons: Juice, Predator.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    San Jose CA
    Posts
    25

    Post

    The killer for the 2500HD is the 9200 lbs for the rear axel.
    Once you get everything in/on your truck including the pin weight of the 5er it sin;t hard to go over the 9200 lbs.
    Now maybe they will raise all that when they have a few more years under the Dmax.
    They raise the CGVWR from 2002 to 2002

    Keeping my fingers crossed cause I want a 2500HD, but want to tow a 35" RV (15,000lbs)
    Wanting a DMax

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Fresno, CA, USA
    Posts
    129

    Post

    I tow a 3 axle 36" fifth wheel @ 15000lbs with my 01 2500HD D/A Reg cab. Factory sez max pin weight of 2500 lbs. My pin is a little over 2700lbs. On a certified scale my rear axle weighs 5560lbs. Max for axle is 6084. Everything works great so far. No add ons or modifications. Just hook it up and go!.
    2007 Classic 3500HD srw 4x4 D-Max, Ally, Reg cab, LB

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    Willits, Ca.
    Posts
    344

    Unhappy

    FYI - California owners

    I noticed that a few of the folks that made comments about this topic are listed as being from California. May I suggest that you take a look at the two links that I listed below?
    I doubt that very many of our CHP officers know about the weight restrictions or about the endorsement that is required. I KNOW that you will have to find someone at DMV who is willing to find the proper procedure to add the over 10k but less than 15k restriction 41 to your license. No, I did not make a typo, once you cut through all of the garbage at DMV you will find out that it is really called a restriction, not an endorsement. The number is D41.

    After saying all of that, why am I concerned about having it on my license? It might become very important if you have a accident and have to defend yourself in court. Just maybe the other person’s attorney will know about it and challenge your right to be towing your large 5th wheel trailer without the proper license.

    George

    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt2.htm
    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs3thru5.htm

    [ 04-04-2002: Message edited by: GBurton ]

    [ 04-04-2002: Message edited by: GBurton ]</p>
    2001 Chevy 2500HD, LT, ExtCab, 4X4, DMax/Allison, Lt Pewter Metallic/Lt Grey Int. 90 gal aux tank (auxtank.com), Ranch Hand Frontend replacement and Cowboy rear bumper.<br />Jorden Brake Controller<br />2001 32RK Alpenlite

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Kentwood, La.
    Posts
    290

    Post

    Regardless of the 'rated' limits, "In the real world" the 3500 will handle the heavier weights better than the 2500. I don't think it could be denied that duallies give more stablity that single wheels, when towing heavy weights. I have had both configurations, in the big 3 brands, and duallies are more stable. My $.02
    <b>Otis Alford --EMAIL-- oalford@bellsouth.net<br />\'02 3500 LS ZF6 spd, LWB, CC, 4X4, Dark Carmine, tan interior; <br />Una-Goose Hitch, with Jordan 2020 Ultima brake controller, <br />(FREE from GM) Commercial H/D Adrian Aluminum tool box,<br />Amsoil 2 Stage Air Filter, Synthetic oil and Gear Lube, Fumoto valve, <br />Husky contoured floor liners, Bed X-tender, Rhino bedliner,<br />Putco SS BOSS cab/bed running boards, Lund SS hood/bug deflector,</b>

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    s. dartmouth MA
    Posts
    64

    Post

    I'm not sure if this still applies to the new 2500HD versus the 3500 but everyone worries about getting the weight going, I've always been concerned about getting it stopped. The 3500 always had bigger brakes than the 2500's but that was on the older ones, I'm not sure on the new ones though. Just my 2cts.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Central Penna
    Posts
    102

    Post

    In my opinion...for serious towing, one should use a dually. I do not think 3/4 tons should be used for towing long and/or heavy trailers. I think duallies give the truck better stability and help correct over steer better. Also I think when on the highway if there is a blow out on truck or trailer that a dually is safer. And if the trailer catches the edge of the median and pulls the trailer off the road that a dually is better for correecting. This is just my opinion for towing heavy and long loads. With that said I believe that the GM 3500's are underrated and/or the 2500's are overrated. Even though the 3500 crews are heavier, I would much rather be maxed at 26000lbs in a dually than a 2500.
    <a href=\"http://photos.yahoo.com/theghost6600\" target=\"_blank\">http://photos.yahoo.com/theghost6600</a><br />2003 GMC 3500 Duramax 400 miles<br />2001 GMC 3500 Duramax Crew Warn 15k winch 62000 miles<br />1994 GMC 2500HD 454 Ext. 166000 miles For Sale!(Sold) <br />1989 GMC 3500 350 Refrigerator truck 212500 miles<br />2002 Polaris 700 545 miles

  12. #12
    Maverick Guest

    Thumbs up

    Well said Pizza Man. I'll have a large pepperoni with extra cheese please. Throw in an extra "Juice" box since I will get thirsty.

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