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2500 HD or 3500 HD?

Lightning55
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 5th wheel that I tow with a 2013 Sierra 2500HD SLE Duramax. It does a fine job of towing but I want to upgrade to a nicer equipped truck with the newer generation 6.6L motor. I don't exceed the weight limits on my 2500 but I've been told that the 3500 actually rides better than my truck and has higher towing limits if I ever decide to get a bigger FW. Other than the rear suspension, the 3500 is the same as the 2500, so I'm told. The 2018 LTZ that I'm looking at looks like a locomotive by comparison to my GMC, even though it's not. I have other cars but I really like driving around in the truck even when not towing. I just don't want to over kill on my truck and feel like I'm driving around in a Freighliner. I guess I really don't need greater towing capacity but like the idea of a better ride when not towing. Anyone have a 3500 and wish they got a smaller,lighter truck?
44 REPLIES 44

S_Davis
Explorer
Explorer
I got $11,000 off a 2019 chevy 2500, plus floor liners and spray in bed liner last November, just for reference.

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
Lightning55 wrote:


$16k off? Wishful thinking. Maybe $10-11k off but that's still over my budget.


Or $14k off, but if thats over your budget, I guess used is good. New 2020 Dmax trucks without all the bells and whistles are like $46-50k.
It's all what "stuff" is worth to you.

Now deduct what you don't get from a used old style truck vs a 2020 and make sure that downgrade is worth it to you.

Out of curiosity, what are the prices and miles on the used ones you're looking at?
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
Huntindog wrote:
That would be about 9K under invoice.
Not happening with a newly released model. The factory is shut down, so there will be no new stock to replace what is on the lots. The dealers will not fire sale present inventory, as long as it is the only inventory available.

Possible with a leftover 2019, if you can find what you want.

When I was looking, they offered me a smokin deal on a 2019 dually.... Problem was, it was just about the same as my paid for 2011. Why would I pay money just to get a new version of my present truck.
I passed. You only live once. Buying what you really want, is sometimes worth it.


Yo, blue font dude. May want to tell the dealers that are selling the trucks in this price range they are doing it all wrong! LOL
Didn't see $63k, but every Denali that Dennis Dillon had was between $64 and $65k with standard "discounts", not the ones noone qualifies for.

However, if you think a 2011 GM Diesel is just about the same as a 2019 (2017 and up) then you may not believe me either....
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

ExxWhy
Explorer
Explorer
I would agree that 16K off a 2020 isn't happening. Speaking of GM trucks specifically, the 2020 update is significant. Loving mine. It's new, of course it's lovable. 🙂

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Lightning55 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Lightning55 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.

I looked at a new Denali 2005HD Duramax yesterday and it had a sticker of nearly $79k!!


In this environment you should get that truck around 63K.


$16k off? Wishful thinking. Maybe $10-11k off but that's still over my budget.


Ya never know til ya try! How about 7 years ZERO interest??? Lot's of reasons to buy new over used.

WHY did someone trade in a 2018???
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Lightning55
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Lightning55 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.

I looked at a new Denali 2005HD Duramax yesterday and it had a sticker of nearly $79k!!


In this environment you should get that truck around 63K.


$16k off? Wishful thinking. Maybe $10-11k off but that's still over my budget.

Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Lightning55 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.

I looked at a new Denali 2005HD Duramax yesterday and it had a sticker of nearly $79k!!


In this environment you should get that truck around 63K.
That would be about 9K under invoice.
Not happening with a newly released model. The factory is shut down, so there will be no new stock to replace what is on the lots. The dealers will not fire sale present inventory, as long as it is the only inventory available.

Possible with a leftover 2019, if you can find what you want.

When I was looking, they offered me a smokin deal on a 2019 dually.... Problem was, it was just about the same as my paid for 2011. Why would I pay money just to get a new version of my present truck.
I passed. You only live once. Buying what you really want, is sometimes worth it.
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
IdaD wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Lightning55 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.

I looked at a new Denali 2005HD Duramax yesterday and it had a sticker of nearly $79k!!


In this environment you should get that truck around 63K.


It varies by region but in my neck of the woods the GM dealers don't discount nearly as much as Ford or Ram. Consequently there are significantly more HD Fords and Rams running around here. I would agree that this is a pretty strong buyers market, though. Provided said buyer isn't unemployed and broke, anyway.


Yea it does suck when ya want something and the $$$ just ain’t there.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

IdaD
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Lightning55 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.

I looked at a new Denali 2005HD Duramax yesterday and it had a sticker of nearly $79k!!


In this environment you should get that truck around 63K.


It varies by region but in my neck of the woods the GM dealers don't discount nearly as much as Ford or Ram. Consequently there are significantly more HD Fords and Rams running around here. I would agree that this is a pretty strong buyers market, though. Provided said buyer isn't unemployed and broke, anyway.
2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Lightning55 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.

I looked at a new Denali 2005HD Duramax yesterday and it had a sticker of nearly $79k!!


In this environment you should get that truck around 63K.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
And they cost $64k after discounts.
That’s the number you should be comparing what you can buy used for.
Plus you’re getting more truck for more money with a 2020 model.
Leftover 19s are comparable and likely less $. Depending what’s out there.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Edd505
Explorer
Explorer
Lwiddis wrote:
Calbar repeats the tried and true rule...buy or select the TT/5er first, then match a TV to it. Good advice.


Or get the 3500 and you don't have to worry about going bigger, unless your going to 4500 class and there are few of those. Not much I wouldn't hook my F350 to.
2015 F350 FX4 SRW 6.7 Crew, longbed - 2017 Durango Gold 353RKT
2006 F350 SRW 6.0 crew longbed sold
2000 F250 SRW 7.3 extended longbed airbags sold
2001 Western Star 4900EX sold
Jayco Eagle 30.5BHLT sold, Layton 24.5LT sold

Lightning55
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.

I looked at a new Denali 2005HD Duramax yesterday and it had a sticker of nearly $79k!!

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
You really should be looking at NEW also. New has longer warranty and YOU know how it was treated. Most likely not a lot of difference in price.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD