2500 vs 3500 GMC
 

What are the differences in SRW?

I remember an older post saying that it was just the springs in the back making a higher payload possible for the 3500. What are the real differences or options? Looking at a 2013 GMC Denali 2500 HD Duramax SRW, suggestions???

Thanks.

payload is a little more. Other than that towing is the same. Personally I would stay a 2500 unless you really needed the 350, if I went 350 it would be the dually. really if your towing that 29 ft boat a 2500 is fine. I tow my 29 ft with a 1/2 ton

All the payload differences are on the GM website. If you plan on using pretty much any aftermarket wheel / tire combo with a SRW the gains of 3500 over 2500 are pretty much negated. Not many of the aftermarket wheels and larger tires have the load capability.

I went with the 3500 SRW for the extra payload, but more for an increased safety margin with a fifth wheel because there's no way I'll max out the gross payload. The 3500 does drive quite a bit "stiffer" than the 2500 I had prior to it.

If you go 3500 and go to aftermarket wheels / tires, I suggest you check the load ratings for the wheels and tires and keep your OEM wheels in the corner of the garage in case you need them one day.

Hope what I went through figuring all this out when I did it can be of help. Bottom line is there's not much difference with the SRW unless you plan on a decent sized fifth wheel.

You guys pretty much confirmed what little research I did on my own. My understanding is that the 3500 has a higher payload rating (bigger rear springs) for the possibility of adding in the 5th wheel if needed.

Is this correct? Then there is no difference other than the increased payload on the rear end?

shouldnt be or at least nothing numbers wise. probably a little worse gas in the F350. But if I could get the 350 for the same price i might take it. But I have always found that the 3500SRWS are kind of a waste, either go 2500 or dually,

I Just Bought A 3500 Dually And Its Outrageous Goes Down The Highway Like A Car And Will Pull Anything You Want Fuel Mileage Is In The Low 20s Unloaded And I Got 15 Pulling A 35 Donzi CC Up To Ny Last Week For A Break In ,,Should Do Better Once Its Broken In ,,The Mileage Is Slowly Getting Better ,,,Love The Truckhttp://i45.tinypic.com/28hzdk2.jpg

I see you are in Cape Coral and do marine transport. Do you know Denny H? If so, how is he? Haven't talked to him in a long time, hope he is well.

Thanks for the advice, killer truck! I would buy the dually, but it wouldn't fully suit my needs.

I went from an 01 2500 8.1 CC to a 07 Classic 3500 LBZ CC. Only diff is could tell is an extra leaf in rear springs.

Love it and it pulls the Cig No porblem.
I put 20s on it w E rated tires.

Now about the 20 MPG NOT ME!! maybe 14 Unloaded

the new truck, gas or diesel?

The rear springs are different in the 2500 vs 3500 in the number of stages. Usually the 2500 is single, Suburban, or at the most two stage in trucks. The 3500 has three stage springs to help out with ride when it is unloaded.

I prefer the positive road stability of the dually. The SRW is too prone to wind shear and bumper steer.

20+ stock towing must be a lucky man or that lie o meter is way off.

But seriously is that truck stock or not.

I have a Bully Dog on mine. Good power.
About MPGs I am usually at about 14 per gal.
Any of these guys saying 20+ mpg
never get past 1000 RPMs. Or spend ALOT of time on a flat bed trailer and count that as mileage.
But if Fuel milage is what we cared about I dont think we would be in the sport of Hi Perf Boating

At 65/70 I Get 21mpg According To The Computer In The Truck ,When I Towed The Donzi Up To NY It Ranged 14.6 to 15 ,,,At Same Speed ,,Truck Is Bone Stock And No Reason To BS Thats What It Says,,,Next Trip i Will Figure It The Old Way And See

I went from this 06 to this 2012. Both Duramax. Same fuel mileage with both trucks for me, about 14mpg towing 10k lbs or empty.

Maybe my right foot is the problem :D

Thanks for all the advise guys. Test drove the 2012 2500 4 door short box SRW, what an awesome truck! Might order or hold out for the 2013 3500. The spring setup is pretty neat, the helpers only come into play when loaded so as not to sacrifice ride quality. Might as well get a 3500 if you're spending that kind of money on a GMC truck.

back in the day the 2500 had the semi floating 14 bolt rear end and a smaller frame but when the 2500 hd was introduced the rear end was upgraded to the 1 ton full floating 14 bolt and also it was give the same frame as the 3500. So if you found out that the springs are different then that would be the only real difference along with the wheels.

I would think you are correct. The spring system is pretty neat, the helpers are reversed "up" and make contact with two brackets w/ bumpers that are attached to the frame. It only makes contact when loaded (or possibly if the axle travels that far unloaded). Seeing as the option isn't that much more $$$, I would think it's the only real difference. Please , correct/inform me if I'm wrong.

BTW, it's really hard to get any real information out of a salesman. I can find out more about the truck spending 15min on the GMC website, kinda sad......

Yes the 3500 has different springs, wheels/tires, and axles to pump up the tow rating. There is even an air bag factory option nowfor the 3500. The 2500's share a lot with 3500's typically but new changes in 2011has added a LOT to the 3500 that the 2500 doesn't have. The stability of DEW is so great that now that I have gone that route I am not interested in SRW now.

DRW? To haul a 24' boat or something else? That's a lot of truck!

hes talking bigger later on, a DRW definitely overkill for a 24. really anything under 12k lbs its probably overkill

Oh I just saw this.
I had a gasser 2500 when I got my 24' Formula's. Now I'm planning on moving up to 382 or 400.
I pulled the trigger early on the truck because I wanted the current production engine design but not the emissions. This 06 LBZ is exactly that and for any differences in program etc I can tweak this truck to be whatever I want. I love it too.