Silverado 3500HD vs Silverado 5500HD. How much can they haul and tow?

Silverado 3500HD 1-ton dump compared to a Silverado 5500HD Medium Duty. Payload and Towing Comparison.

[trickmytractor]

Who ever did the math on wheel base and bed length 👎 too much over hang on bed. Rear axle in center of bed 👎

[matthewanderson]

They do rate the medium trucks silly. I think we both could agree that the 5500 in the video would handle 19, 500 pounds better than even the 3500 regular cab diesel that just got delivered for a few reasons: heavier weight, wider front track, better tires and physically bigger size.

Of course the law only cares about the factory numbers so it is what it is.

[kidluk]

Ugh! I’m a GM guy and it annoys me to no end that GM doesn’t make a consumer tow 4500/5500 vehicle like Ram and the F word company 😎

[UltraSS-njkd]

I hit the scales quite a bit.. the numbers (curb) on my tractors are usually way off because of the implements & different trac tires, grill guard, etc. So i see how much my trucks actually towing. My wood floor equipment trailer gains about 350lbs when it rains i learned.

[karldawnlang]

Very informative. Have K3500HD 6.0 reg cab chassis with preps, had Lee Transport install Knapheide flatbed with gooseneck and a Hi-Jacker sliding 5th wheel. Haven't turned back since. Pulls and handles perfect for me. Yes, you "turbos" may beat me to the coffee shop; however, the fresh pot fills my cup. Ha!

[arlingtonguy]

That was very helpful. I’ve been struggling to understand payload, towing and truck weight capacity and this video really helps.

[PlayWaves]

You can see in this video the 5500 is actually not much bigger compared to the 3500. I've seen people complain saying GM made an F-650 for there 4500 and 5500 trucks but it really isn't. The reason they went with wider fenders is for a greater wheel cut which means a tighter turning radius and a lift forward hood which is easier to service.

[gcflower]

Great video and explanations! I have been using the CAT app and really like the convenience. My primary use is for towing a 5th wheel RV and the app has allowed me to learn different weight combinations with more or less water, fuel, supplies, ammo, etc.

[grahamgeiger]

Maybe this is a state by state thing or maybe I'm mistaken but in WA when I go through the scales all they care about is not overloading the axles or the overall gvcr. They don't minus the max gvw from the truck from your gvcr limiting your trailer weight if your truck is empty or atleast underweight. I've hauled through the scales many times and by your explanation I'd be overweight. I've been stopped and gone through the checks and I've never had a issue. Axle weights and Gvw for just solo and gvwr for truck and trailer. As long as you don't go over any of those numbers no problems.

[alexanderspenser]

Thanks for the reeducation. Lots of drawbacks on the medium duty. Old body style, less load capabilities. Don't understand why GM only puts their toes in the water.

[fordmuscleluis]

Nice comparison between the Silverado 1 ton vs medium duty trucks

[seanpizzo]

2 things from my perspective. One, when considering the GM 5500 vs the Ford F550, Ford knows of their massively expensive fuel system problems and does nothing about it. I just picked my 2017 F550 up from the shop on Monday, been in there since December, $19K later. I'm not hearing of any major issues with the GM medium duty trucks yet. Not saying there aren't any. Just my own experience along with several friends of mine going thru similar situations with their Ford F450+. Second, Id really like to know why the power and torque numbers on GMs medium duty trucks don't compare or even exceed those on the L5P in the 2500/3500.

[ronthompson]

Some very interesting information. Much appreciated and and a very hot topic ... because a lot of desire to tow big rv's...or carry them and tow a boat or trailer of some sort... and it boils down to the numbers not the "physical capabilities ". DOT APPROVAL.. you might not be hauling a "commercial load"... but the numbers still apply. If you're in an accident... and you're over weight...using those factory numbers per DOT. You're going to get a citation...salt on the wound.. if you're over a certain amount you're now required to have a CDL LICENSE... and that is costly and even more costly in the advent of an accident..more salt on the wound.. NOONE questions the "physical capability " of the vehicle to be able to tow / haul the load. It's all about the numbers based on DOT REGULATIONS. THIS VIDEO is the best and most complete and honest on this subject. Buy your truck from this guy. I am a diehard Chevrolet owner. But I truly wish they would setup the 4500 or the 3500 . With the wider front end offering the better turning radius and large tow /haul capacity NUMBERS. Plus the comfortable ride quality and interior features... 👌

[aegeusmax]

Great video. Very informative. Reassuring that I made a good choice when buying a dump trailer.

[kenbearsley]

Good explanation of the wieght and towing comparison for the vehicles.

[joeg]

WRONG! CGVW is ONLY for OEM warranty concerns, has nothing to do with DOT. DOT only cares about GVW and axle ratings as far as weight is concerned. You can tow what you want as long as it's done safely, that you do not exceed each of the vehicles (truck and trailer individual GVW ratings) and as well as all axle ratings. Watch your tongue weight as it's added to truck. And that's it. If I wanted to tow 45K with the C3500 or C5500, I can, as long as the I don't exceed trailer GVW, truck GVW and all axles. So you are better off with trucks spec at out fully, 19K for the C5500 and ensure you know what you are hauling! IMO you left capacity on the table and short changed your customer. Otherwise nice presentation.

[ACFT]

I own a 1999 C 3500 last year for the C/K series, Any way it has a 5.7 gasoline 2wd automatic dually plow ready with dual fuel tanks & I always limit it 2 tons in the dump bed the bed is a ( HEIL ) That was good info on how much I can tow with a load in the bed & that doesn't sound like much. & You where very honest about the competition in towing ratings but they have other issues & I'll always be a Chevrolet guy! I also own a 2003 Silverado 1500 5.3 for towing my travel trailer .

[Tiersmoke]

VA MD DC PA DOT officers never questioned any of my "backyard" flatbed, dump beds, or box van builds. Oh or any of my "homebuild" dump trailers.

[AveryExcavating]

This is exactly why we went with a 3500 one ton. Plus you get the 445/910 power rather than the detuned duramax in the 4500/5500

[umadbrooo]

They can tow and haul more than the sticker and you can see that all the time. It’s just that new trucks are safer to tow/haul especially the diesels. I have a ram 5500 19, 500 and ram 3500 14, 000 they are beast.