truck questions 3500 vs 4500

[cmp-shooter]

Maybe I am crazy but I was thinking of tradeing my 03/3500 dually Duramax for a GMC 4500 WITH DURAMAX 5th wheel setup , does anyone know if the 4500 hauls a 5th wheel better than 3500 with same motor?? what I am trying to say is how is the drive line different on the 3500 vs 4500?? Is the rear end the only diff of the two?

[img][/img]

[Gonfishin]

I Dunno, but that sure is a sharp looking truck. Keep us posted on what you find out.
Rick.

[CountryGuy]

mpl897

Say this, that monster has FABULOUS mirrors! WOWSER!

[dsprik]

Just curious about the retail on that animal?

[jrgwdenner]

Hey, that's a terrific Montana! (See our signature!)

[richfaa]

That's a biga truck..

[Montana Sky]

mpl897,
Pick up a copy of Boating Life magazine, they did an article in the Jan copy on that very truck. The only difference is they were towing a boat. The biggest thing they said to watch out for is the above cab exhaust pipes like in the picture you posted. BL clamied it blew black soot and exhaust all over the front of the boat and they had a terrible time getting it off. I have actually been looking into the same rig as you, BL claimed to get pretty similar mileage towing as their 3500 Duramax did. Also try and get a vin number off that rig and call your insurance company, some companies will start charging commerical insurance prices for a rig of that size.

[Kathi]

They should name that one the BIG BUBBA!

[cmp-shooter]

That's not the truck I am interested in but similar to that; my friend is a gmc DEALER AND AM CHECKING INTO IT, WILL KNOW MORE LATER[price]. The exhaust stack soot is some thing that I didn't think of but would be a killer to the deal.don't need that on my Montana. will call my insurance company too....

getting a lot of good feedback thanks

[2007dura]

A local dealer had a Chevy similar to that, put not the stack exhaust. Had a custom interior, bed, real nice. Sticker on it was around $70K, but I think the conversion added close to $20K.

[BigBlue]

I have a Chevy C4500 with the 8.1 L engine. I can't give you a comparison between a 3500 and the 4500 since I never owned or towed with the 3500. I researched quite a bit on the web and I felt the going with a 3500 was pushing th envelope a bit. We had a Montana 3670RL and now have a Heartland Landmark. The 3670 RL had a gross weight weighting of 14000 lbs and the 3500 supposedly would pull that. However I was concerned about stopping it also. I found that the 4500 was great. It pulled the trailer really well and with the trailair hitch I had on it there was no bucking, bumping or anything. We upgraded to the Landmark with a gross weight rating of 18000 lbs. The truck still tows great.

There's lots of space in the crew cab and with the air ride seats it's pretty comfortable while towing. With the stiff suspension it does ride a little rougher when not towing but the seats help alot.

I choose the gas because I didn't want to have to hunt for diesel. Now with the price of diesel higher than gas it's about even. I've been getting an average of 7.2 mph with the truck. While towing it drops down depending on where we're traveling and how fast we're going. I've seen it as low as 5.6 mph going up the mountains. When not towing I've had it up to 9.6 mph. I purchased the truck in 2003 and the only rear end they offered was the 5.13. I understand now you can get some other ratios and that will play on what you get for mph.

I have the Monroe Versahauler bed instead of the Monroe pickup bed conversion. First of all, the Versahauler bed is cheaper than the pickup bed and I think it's more convenient. With the pickup bed you have to be concerned about clearance of the trailer with the sides. Hope this helps.

[Bob Pasternak]

Looks to me like those mirrors would create a couple of hellacious blind spots going around corners in town. JMHO

[DHenry]

Bob, why are you avoiding Oklahoma? Is there something there we should know about?

[Bob Pasternak]

DHenry: No, there's nothing that I know of that should be avoided in OK, it's just that in our travels we've not been able to steer through it. There are several places I'd like to see there as well as the Indian Festival at Anadarko. I have been through OK many times but not with the camper. New Jersey is the other one we've not been to with the camper either. We were on our way there a couple years ago from Boston when Jeanne's daughter's boyfriend was in an accident and we headed home early.

[BillyRay]

I do like the looks of it and have no doubt it would tow better, but it wouldn't be practical for us...as I use mine all the time as a primary vehicle.

[Parrothead]

I agree Billy Ray. I have enough trouble parking our 3500 CC Dually Longbed at the grocery store. I couldn't imagine trying to park that monster. LOL
Happy trails.........................

[Montana Sky]

I am one of those guys who parks at the farthest corner possible. I like the walk and excersise as well as keeping the dents and dings to a min. on my vehicles. I think driving the 4500 would be great, think of how many people would actually move out of the way when they see that baby coming in their rearview mirror. =)

[Parrothead]

I've found that a bit with the 3500 dually. People also stop and help me get backed out of parking places!
Happ trails....................

[Bighorn]

How high is the bed and bed rails? is it higher than a new 3500?

Ed

[palebluedot]

Will be interestering to see the Dodge 4500/5500 rumored to be coming in 2007 with a larger displacement Cummins. Also, you folks who use this size TV, do you carry along a smaller vehicle for getting around or just use the MD size truck?