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  1. #1
    Fireside Member 2ACDogs's Avatar
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    2021 GM 2500HD vs 3500HD ride

    We're going to be ordering a 2021 Sierra HD 6.6 gas soon, we have it all spec'd out but the only question left is 2500 or 3500. I understand they're identical except for the rear springs. We'll likely be upgrading the TT in a couple of years and while I don't see us ever getting a monster and I prefer TT vs 5er the cost difference to go to a 3500 is minimal. This truck will be used as a DD quite a bit so my question is for anyone with a 2020 or 21 Silverado or Sierra HD truck, did you test drive both and is there a noticeable difference in ride unhitched? Thanks
    2017 Imagine 2150RB
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  2. #2
    Site Sponsor NB Canada's Avatar
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    Consider licensing costs in your state

    Up here in Canada I think we have it lucky

    It is a small charge every year to make a vehicle legal for the road

    I have heard comments from some saying their 3500 is 600 or more each year??? To me that is insane


    2021 Imagine 2400 BH
    2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew
    2021 Imagine 2400 BH
    2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 Crew 1840lb payload

  3. #3
    Left The Driveway
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    I didn’t even know about the extra registration fee for a 3500. Check with my state and they do charge base on GVWR.

  4. #4
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jayman07770 View Post
    I didn’t even know about the extra registration fee for a 3500. Check with my state and they do charge base on GVWR.
    Tell the dealer the full weight of the rig, also. I assume this is same in all US states, but in NC when I registered the dealer submitted me for a 25,000 lbs tag. The vehicle tag accounts for the GWVR of the fully connected rig. I had no idea either, but my sales guy knew to ask how we are going to use the truck.
    Colin & Tracy
    '21 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ/Z71/SRW, Long bed, Anderson UH
    '21 Solitude 310 GK-R

  5. #5
    Big Traveler CWSWine's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JM0397 View Post
    Tell the dealer the full weight of the rig, also. I assume this is same in all US states, but in NC when I registered the dealer submitted me for a 25,000 lbs tag. The vehicle tag accounts for the GWVR of the fully connected rig. I had no idea either, but my sales guy knew to ask how we are going to use the truck.
    States do things differently. Kansas goes by GCWR not GVWR. RVs with built-in toilet and plumb is exempt from the requirement of counting the weight of the RV. I register my 1 ton for 11,500 but that did meant if I hookup a cargo trailer and exceeded 11.500 GCWR I could be fined.

    In Kansas, you can register your truck for a GCWR between 8,000 and 80,000 pounds(anything over 12,000 pound goes in 2000 pound jumps) your choice but your still can't exceed your vehicle's manufacture ratings but the state will take your money.
    Dennis & Ellie
    Current 2017 Newmar Ventana Class A & 1994 Airstream Excella Classic Limited Project
    Sold - 310-GK-R Delivered 28 Oct 2016
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by CWSWine View Post
    States do things differently. Kansas goes by GCWR not GVWR. RVs with built-in toilet and plumb is exempt from the requirement of counting the weight of the RV. I register my 1 ton for 11,500 but that did meant if I hookup a cargo trailer and exceeded 11.500 GCWR I could be fined.

    In Kansas, you can register your truck for a GCWR between 8,000 and 80,000 pounds(anything over 12,000 pound goes in 2000 pound jumps) your choice but your still can't exceed your vehicle's manufacture ratings but the state will take your money.
    All this talk about legal load capacity?

    The max weight on the sticker is just a number. I’ve heard printing a new sticker is the fix. Getting the yellow on the new sticker to match yellow on old sticker may be the hardest part. And, others have suggested using round numbers to make it easier to remember. Who can remember 21,237? Just make it an even 26,000. Problem solved.

  7. #7
    Seasoned Camper
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    New Chevy 3500hd here. Needed the capacity for a Solitude, but you are correct. The only difference is an extra rear spring and about $1000+ cost. The engine and transmission are identical. I didn't test the 2500s but you can turn a 2500 to a 3500 or even more with more springs or airbags if you want to go that route and need the boosted capacity.
    For the negligible price difference, why not go 3500? Better to have an not need than need and not have, IMO.
    Colin & Tracy
    '21 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ/Z71/SRW, Long bed, Anderson UH
    '21 Solitude 310 GK-R

  8. #8
    Long Hauler Canyonlight's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JM0397 View Post
    New Chevy 3500hd here. Needed the capacity for a Solitude, but you are correct. The only difference is an extra rear spring and about $1000+ cost. The engine and transmission are identical. I didn't test the 2500s but you can turn a 2500 to a 3500 or even more with more springs or airbags if you want to go that route and need the boosted capacity.
    For the negligible price difference, why not go 3500? Better to have an not need than need and not have, IMO.
    Colin - I thought in my research over the last year or so that this new generation HD had a couple other differences between 2500 and 3500 too. Seems I recall something different in the rear axle but I cannot find the information now.

    You are right on that the two prior generations (2011-2104 and then 2015-2019) were only the extra spring capacity (750 or so lbs. ?) and that the 2500 was required by the fed to have TPMS.

    If I find this information I will share it on the forum. Maybe someone else knows and can share as well. We have a few new generation 2500 and 3500 owners on the forum.

    Dan
    Dan & Carol
    2014 303RLS Reflection #185 (10/2013 build)
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  9. #9
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by Canyonlight View Post
    Colin - I thought in my research over the last year or so that this new generation HD had a couple other differences between 2500 and 3500 too. Seems I recall something different in the rear axle but I cannot find the information now.

    You are right on that the two prior generations (2011-2104 and then 2015-2019) were only the extra spring capacity (750 or so lbs. ?) and that the 2500 was required by the fed to have TPMS.

    If I find this information I will share it on the forum. Maybe someone else knows and can share as well. We have a few new generation 2500 and 3500 owners on the forum.

    Dan
    I would definitely ask the dealers rather than trust some random crazy person on the internet!
    However, I asked a two different dealers when looking at new 3500s. I wasn't going to buy a 2500, but sitting next to each other you can see they look the same so I asked. Both said the one spring is the only different.
    The one other difference if you want to pay the premium, the Denali and High Country have a slightly different spring setup for a "slightly" smoother ride. I drove a Denali - loved it but couldn't justify the extra 10k - and I really couldn't tell a difference 3500 to 3500.

    Additionally, if you want to save some money - and I don't recall the hierarchy of the GMC line, but for Chevy it's:
    1. High Country
    2. LTZ
    3. LT
    4. WT

    You can build an LT out with all the same options, including leather, and save about 15k between 3 and 1. The LTZ and High Country have more chrome and fancy finishes on the exterior but it's the same truck otherwise. On our LTZ I have the full safety, trailering, Z71 off road, and 5th wheel hitch prep, but not the convenience packages with things like GPS and the power running boards. It came in just a hair under 70k with tax, title, delivery to the house (free), and the paint/interior protection add-on.
    Last edited by JM0397; 03-05-2021 at 02:28 PM.
    Colin & Tracy
    '21 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ/Z71/SRW, Long bed, Anderson UH
    '21 Solitude 310 GK-R

  10. #10
    Setting Up Camp
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    Quote Originally Posted by Canyonlight View Post
    Colin - I thought in my research over the last year or so that this new generation HD had a couple other differences between 2500 and 3500 too. Seems I recall something different in the rear axle but I cannot find the information now.

    You are right on that the two prior generations (2011-2104 and then 2015-2019) were only the extra spring capacity (750 or so lbs. ?) and that the 2500 was required by the fed to have TPMS.

    If I find this information I will share it on the forum. Maybe someone else knows and can share as well. We have a few new generation 2500 and 3500 owners on the forum.

    Dan
    Correct, the 3500 has a 12” ring gear compared to a 11.5” ring gear in the 2500. I’ve driven both 2500/3500 HD’s on the 2020 models and didn’t notice a big difference in ride quality. 👍

    Hope that helps?
    2020 GMC Denali 3500HD
    2018 Grand Design Solitude 310-GK
    TST - TPMS
    B&W Companion 20k hitch

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