Updated Tow Vehicle

[shov]

I had to say good bye to my 2006 GMC Duramax and say hello to my NEW 2016 Chevrolet 2500 LTZ/Z71 Duramax. What huge improvement in these vehicles over a 10 year period of time. I have debated on what to add to it to help load leveling, I have searched through the Timbrens, LoadLifters, Firestones, finally deciding on adding a set of overload springs that will keep my stock ride until I put a load in the bed!

B&W and springs get installed on the 12th of April, then I plan on hooking it to the 5th wheel and seeing how she pulls!

[old timer]

I like the adjustably of the air bags myself. They sure help the shocks smooth out the ride

[shov]

I debated long and hard between the 2, not even sure I would need either one with the new suspension. So, we'll see how it goes...

[notanlines]

Might I ask what would you bring you to buy a new truck that you need to make improvements to in order to do a job for which it is originally intended? It would seem to probably most of us here that the 3500 might have fit your situation a little better.

[wbdvt]

I am curious on the payload capacity of your TV. I bought a 2016 2500 HD Duramax Long Bed 4x4 and my payload is 2216 lbs so the pin weight of your 5ver would be overloading my TV.
What does your sticker say for payload capacity?

[shov]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Might I ask what would you bring you to buy a new truck that you need to make improvements to in order to do a job for which it is originally intended? It would seem to probably most of us here that the 3500 might have fit your situation a little better.

It's really no different than those that but a 3500 and add air bags to a truck. I am just beefing it up ahead of time. In the these trucks there isn't a difference in the springs between a 3500/2500. Beside the decal on the door and the emblem on the side of the truck.

[bagged123]

I'm curious of your GVWR and Pin of your 5'er as well. I bought a '15 GMC 2500 CC Duramax All Terrain and my payload is 2200, the pin of the new Alpines put me over my payload.

[therink]

For what it's worth, the payload on my 3500 GM SRW crew shirt bed duramax is 3700. I bought this truck specifically for my fiver. I recommend you do the same if not too late. That alpine pin must be around 3000.

[2014301ktmhauler]

Payload is 3898 on my low option LT trimmed CCSB 3500 SRW Duramax.

[bsmith0404]

Very nice truck, but I'm going to 2nd what the others have said. I had a 2011 durmax 2500 when we bought our Alpine. The numbers on your Alpine are almost identical to mine, the numbers on your 2016 Dmax are almost the same as my 2011. As you can see, I now have a 2011 3500 DRW.....the change in truck was because of the Alpine. With all of that said, you only mentioned that you bought a new truck, not a new trailer, so I'm guessing that you were towing the Alpine with your 06 so yes the 16 is going to be an improvement, but my personal opinion, you still missed out on what could have been.....basically, if you think this truck was a huge improvement over your old one, you ain't seen nothin yet!

I also find it interesting that people continue to speculate what the difference is between a 2500 and 3500 SRW truck. I've doe some quick searches and even on truck forums there is a lot of "I think". Some say larger axle tubes, others say the part numbers are the same, some say an extra overload spring, others say no. Some say different brakes, other say the same. I did a quick search at Autozone for rear brake pads, they list a part number for the pads on the 2500, but don't list a part available for the 3500. That would lead me to say something is different. I don't like to speculate, so I'll just say the sticker on the door says the 3500 is a more capable truck.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Might I ask what would you bring you to buy a new truck that you need to make improvements to in order to do a job for which it is originally intended? It would seem to probably most of us here that the 3500 might have fit your situation a little better.

Originally Posted by shov

It's really no different than those that but a 3500 and add air bags to a truck. I am just beefing it up ahead of time. In the these trucks there isn't a difference in the springs between a 3500/2500. Beside the decal on the door and the emblem on the side of the truck.

If buying new why not get a 3500 with a higher sticker GVWR, and maybe save the band-aids??

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Very nice truck, but I'm going to 2nd what the others have said. I had a 2011 durmax 2500 when we bought our Alpine. The numbers on your Alpine are almost identical to mine, the numbers on your 2016 Dmax are almost the same as my 2011. As you can see, I now have a 2011 3500 DRW.....the change in truck was because of the Alpine. With all of that said, you only mentioned that you bought a new truck, not a new trailer, so I'm guessing that you were towing the Alpine with your 06 so yes the 16 is going to be an improvement, but my personal opinion, you still missed out on what could have been.....basically, if you think this truck was a huge improvement over your old one, you ain't seen nothin yet!

I also find it interesting that people continue to speculate what the difference is between a 2500 and 3500 SRW truck. I've doe some quick searches and even on truck forums there is a lot of "I think". Some say larger axle tubes, others say the part numbers are the same, some say an extra overload spring, others say no. Some say different brakes, other say the same. I did a quick search at Autozone for rear brake pads, they list a part number for the pads on the 2500, but don't list a part available for the 3500. That would lead me to say something is different. I don't like to speculate, so I'll just say the sticker on the door says the 3500 is a more capable truck.

I have just confirmed on brakes from auto zone 2500 SRW and 3500 SRW part number are the same MKD1411 for SRW. Now for your DRW vehicle I know the brakes are Hyro boost making it different. No one is comparing the DRW and SRW in this topic. I'm considering a DRW Duramax believing the 2 are like apples to oranges.

[Sulphur1]

Just been through the comparison of 2011 Chev 2500HD to 3500HD SRW with a GM parts man. The difference is in the springs. The 3500HD SRW has a heavier rear (with 2 'helper leafs and associated bump stops) and the front torsion bars are also different so shows in a higher front & rear axle rating on the door sticker. Rear shocks are also different.
Have ordered the rear springs, U-bolts, bump stops + Bilsteins to increase my GVW to sum of axles of the 2500HD sticker. Only about 60kg below the 3500HD SRW door sticker.
'Better way would have been to get the 3500HD to suit the 5er pin weight!
Cheers
Jon

[shov]

Folks. I bought what I bought. I loved the truck. I looked for a truck identical to this 3500HD variety out West and could not find it. So, I bought the 2500HD and added 3 overload leaf springs (stock 3500HD has 2). I am not worried about the door decal. It's no different than adding HP and torque after you buy a car/truck. It was stock and now it's better than stock.


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[bsmith0404]

Enjoy the new truck, the new ones are nice. Just a thought, the OE shocks are junk IMO, add some Bilsteins to it to go along with those overloads, you will be much happier....if you haven't already done that.

[shov]

Thanks bsmith! I have been looking at that. Haven't yet tho


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[bsmith0404]

I changed mine out after about 50k miles, they were junk, collapsed and didn't rebound. I should have changed them after 5 miles. I like Bilsteins, but know others who are very happy with KYB. IMO stay away from the typical "off road" brands like Rancho, and definitely stay away from the Monroe and Gabriel.

[shov]

Mine came stock with Rancho, guessing because of the Z71 package?


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[bsmith0404]

Must be, didn't know GM was doing that.

[shov]

They don't seem to bad. Night and day compared to my 2006


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