2500 vs 3500 Towing

CBTX · February 17, 2020

New member looking at purchasing a new HD. I am interested in thoughts and experiences with towing in the 2500 vs 3500 and short bed vs long bed with a gas engine. I have a 38’ bumper pull travel trailer that weighs about 12K fully loaded with gear. I haul it about 20 weekends a year for varying distances. I have pulled it with several different trucks including f250 diesel and the same truck with a gas engine. I think the gas engines in any modern 3/4 or 1 ton truck has plenty of HP for the job. The issues I have had with the gas trucks is they tend to move around on the road more which is not a good feeling with that much weight behind you. I think the diesel feels more stable due to the extra weight of the engine up front. I am trying to decide if a 3500 with a gas motor would feel more stable and how much difference a long bed would make. Any thoughts or real world experience with this subject?

jjackkrash · February 17, 2020

A 3500 SRW will give you more payload capacity but not more stability over a 2500 for a bumper pull (its pretty much the same truck). A long bed will help a bit. But your basic problem is a 38' sail that weighs 12K lbs. pulling from an angle well behind the axles. If you want to improve towing stability the two things that will help are two more wheels (a DRW) or projecting the pivot point to the axle to make it tow more like a fifth wheel. That means a Pro Pride Hitch or a Hensley Arrow.

https://www.propridehitch.com/propride-3p-trailer-sway-control-hitch?sku=3P-800-2.5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI54TAwvvX5wIVE6vsCh3qDgCiEAQYASABEgJfh_D_BwE

jjackkrash · February 17, 2020

For point of reference, I tow a similar size trailer and recently went to a DRW from a 2500 and, yes, it makes a big difference.

Dan Forsythe · February 17, 2020

I used to tow a nearly identical camper (only 9k# tho) with a 2011 Chevy 1500 with the 6.2 in it. looking back that was a dangerous combination, the only thing that made it halfway safe was the weight distribution hitch, I wouldn't have pulled that rig without the hitch in place. I also pulled the same camper with a F250 diesel and it was night and day difference but i still used the distribution hitch but more for sway control at that point. All that to say this, regardless of what you go with get a distribution hitch, but get one with solid bars, not the chains, so you have sway control. 38' is too much to be pulling off the bumper IMO. I'll never do it again.

XY74 · February 17, 2020

I have one of those Propride hitches. Well worth the price IMO, they work great! Using it on an Excursion SUV with a 35' trailer.

L86 All Terrain · February 18, 2020

Honestly I cant see the gas engine making the truck feel squirrely and light. Most of the easy-nerves are coming from the diesel's ability to tow better. I think there is 300lbs between the Duramax/"Allison" combo vs. the LT motor/6 speed? Being that you are towing nearly half of the year, I would go diesel if you are in warmer climates. DEF doesn't like old climates, I tear my hair out dealing with those dumb systems. Fuel consumption is bad when towing with gas trucks. I got an average of 8-9mpg towing 6,000lbs loaded one way about 1,500mi on a little 16' T/A deck trailer with my 18 6.0L.

CBTX · February 19, 2020

I am really trying to talk myself out of the $10K add for the Duramax but I know I will regret going back to a gas engine. I appreciate everyone's input.