I purchased a new 36' Yellowstone with a Dry weight of 12140lbs so between my family and the gear we are probably at 13500 or so. I currently have a GMC 2500HD 6.0 gas. Before you tell me I shouldn't pull it and to stay off the road, I'm happy to say I'm not pulling with this truck. We don't take long trips mostly to the camp club we belong to on the N. CA coast about 30min and 4 turns away from our house so my truck would get us there if I needed it to. We would like to take long weekend trips up to the Sierra once and awhile or to other places, but once again we don't go cross country. I have been looking at the 2500 & the 3500 with the 5.9 HO Diesel. I think the 2500 would be fine in all our situations but I'm leaning towards the 3500 so there will never be a boubt. Now my question - In my case I don't feel I need the dually nor do I want it. This will be a truck that is driven 85% with nothing attatched if not more. Please give me your thoughts on 2500, 3500, dullay or not.

Thanks

 

Have you thought about a SRW 3500? That trailer would be pushing the limits of a 2500 in my opinion.

 

Unclehoovy,

Is your trailer a 5th wheel or tag along ??

I like the dually for pulling anything just for the added stability. Sometimes the extra tires and width are an inconvenience ... 6 of one, half-dozen of the other I guess. MnTom has a good idea ... the best of both worlds.

PISTOL

 

I have both, get the dually . Pulling 13K

 

The dually really changes the equation on stability. I highly recommend the dually when over 12K. Your pin weight will probably scare you when you load it up and fill with water. Mine is about 3300 pounds - - throw that into the equation and you quickly find the 2500 will not cut it. And, your truck will also weigh more than you expect.

Bob

 

At 15K you are probably going to be over the rear tire limits on a single rear wheel.

Maybe, maybe not.

The stock tire limits will be 6390 pounds.

The truck itself with fuel and a 5th wheel hitch is probably going to weigh a good 3000#, leaving 3390# before you hit the tire limits.

Bob's tongue weight is 3300# so you can see that is playing it pretty close. If you ask me close and under is fine. Close and over is no good.

FYI in terms of the truck itself, a single rear wheel 3500 is basically the same thing as a 2500 with overload springs and the cool cab clearance lights.

There is always an option of a single rear wheel with aftermarket 19.5" wheels (very high load rating-- up to 5000# per wheel!)

 

I'll bet that 5er only puts about 2600-2800 in the bed. Go for the srw 3500. The dually is too much truck for the little your going to tow and the srw will do the job -- to spare. I've got one and tis real stable with our Alfa at about 13500lb.

 

You have a good size fiver there and you might be surprised at what it will weigh after you load it up. Your safest bet is the dually. It give you a safety margin and the extra stability. If you can't live with the dually go with the SRW 3500. The 2500 is not up to the job so is not even an option for you. Good luck.

Casey

 

As most have said, I'd go with the dually. MUCH more stable and you get used to the hips real quick. I have the dually and only tow 5 or 6 times a year usually only about 300 miles round trip.

Also, when I was thinking of getting this truck the first choice was a 2500. I then speced out a 3500 dually the same way I wanted the 2500 and there was only about $1800.00 difference in the price. I'm sure glad I got the dually.