Which hd would be better?

[larrygerald]

I'm trying to figure out which 4th Gen hd would be better. We seem to have a lot of 2500 and not many 3500 around here. I want to tow a heavy fifth wheel. I thought the 2500l3500 were same minus derating on paper but I'm starting to second guess myself. I was leaning towards a 2500 and adding bags for extra payload, to try and get a better ride unloaded. I want to tow a heavy fifth wheel. The 2500 doesn't have the payload on paper. Is the 2500 way underrated or would I be better off going with the 3500?

 

[tjfdesmo]

3500 for sure.

 

[JohnCA]

3500 is very stiff, 1500.lbs of tongue weight

 

[crash68]

I want to tow a heavy fifth wheel.

Expand on this a little further on how it's going to be used and what size/type your looking at.
There's some fivers light enough for a 2500 if your short trip and/or limited use.
If your thinking of a +12K lbs toy hauler your easily into 3500 territory and most likely will want a Cummins if your going through the mountains.

 

[larrygerald]

According to chat gpt the only difference is the springs and the sticker between the 2500 and 3500,

 

[larrygerald]

It says you can add air bags to overcome the lighter spring weight

 

[larrygerald]

We are mainly on flat ground, looking into a luxury fifth wheel like a keystone Montana or jayco pinnacle, they are pretty heavy

 

[Dean2]

You want to tow a lot of weight, and you are buying for that purpose, then don't screw around with bandaides and half measures, get the 3500. You want it to ride better with no trailer, put some weight in the back.

 

[turkeybird56]

You want to tow a lot of weight, and you are buying for that purpose, then don't screw around with bandaides and half measures, get the 3500. You want it to ride better with no trailer, put some weight in the back.

Seriously, that much mass, ^^^ DITTO ^^^

 

[Sandevino]

3500 for what you’re wanting to tow.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Uh, 3500. Why is there a question? Look @ the GCVWR tow tables.

Your only question is whether to go with dually or not. Also, diesel needed for that load.

 

[crash68]

We are mainly on flat ground, looking into a luxury fifth wheel like a keystone Montana or jayco pinnacle, they are pretty heavy

Pick the trailer you want first then match the truck to it. There are similar sized trailers that have varying weight. Also check with the camp sites you'll want to frequent as they can have size limits on trailer, mostly due to lack of room to maneuver them around within the park. There also ease of maneuverability, there's a significant difference hustling a 36'-40' trailer around on the roads vs 30'-33' trailer. Also if you go with a 6.4' bed truck you'll most likely need a slider fifth wheel hitch for the bed, some trailers are more accommodating for "short bed" trucks.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

I'm trying to figure out which 4th Gen hd would be better. We seem to have a lot of 2500 and not many 3500 around here. I want to tow a heavy fifth wheel. I thought the 2500l3500 were same minus derating on paper but I'm starting to second guess myself. I was leaning towards a 2500 and adding bags for extra payload, to try and get a better ride unloaded. I want to tow a heavy fifth wheel. The 2500 doesn't have the payload on paper. Is the 2500 way underrated or would I be better off going with the 3500?

Heavy weight should go on the leaf spring suspension not the coil suspension

 

[larrygerald]

Heavy weight should go on the leaf spring suspension not the coil suspension

If it's just springs why not just add bags

 

[mdc1990zr1]

If it's just springs why not just add bags

Google it. Leaf springs handle more weight. Coil springs are for comfort. Air bags don't increase load capacity, they are for leveling the load.

 

[tron67j]

If it's just springs why not just add bags

Bags add nothing for payload capacity, they will just lift the truck and won't help at all when needed most, driving and dealing with traffic.

My cousin has the Pinnacle, if you are looking at trailers like these gotta' go at least 3500 DRW. It is too much for a comfortable drive with a SRW. Restating what was said above, find your trailer first and then get the right truck.

 

[larrygerald]

Payload capacity on paper or what the truck can do? Is there something different other than the leaf springs?

 

[dreamalaska]

Good discussion here. In real-world experience (not the factory maximum load rating table), what are some opinions on where a “reasonable” towing weight cut line is for the 2500 crew-cab chassis?

 

[JohnCA]

The geometry of how leaf springs are mounted to the frame has a lot to do with how they handle weight, and how much better the ride gets as you add more weight.

 

[Dean2]

Good discussion here. In real-world experience (not just the factory load rating table), what are some opinions on where the towing weight cut lines are for the 2500, 3500 SRW, 3500 DRW?

There are at least 500 threads on this forum alone about towing, weight capacity etc. Punch the keywords into the search function and you have a month of reading. Why would anyone want to type for 2 hours to answer what has already been covered ad nauseam.