In the market for a new Duramax

[Duramaximos]

Selling my 2007 LBZ - hope I don't regret this

Looking for your thoughts on the LML models. I'll be buying a low km 2011 or 2012, 3500 SRW or DRW, crew cab, long box.

Need the additional hauling capacity. My goal is to carry a full size camper (Arctic Fox or Bigfoot), and tow a 20' boat.

Originally had my eyes set on a dually, but the hauling capacity of the LML is significantly improved and the SRW should do what I need (by the numbers). Will I be disappointed with the SRW while hauling the camper?? Considering the camper will only be used part-time, the dually might be over-kill....

Thanks!!

[257wbyhunter]

i bought a brand new one 2012 last year 3500 srw traded my 07 in the new one pulls alot nicer then the old and the larger fuel tank is nice. the old ones are alot more snappy but the new one has alot more bottom end pulling power. i find with my 32ft 5th wheel i just set the cruise at 115 and go. with the old one was only 3/4 ton and needed air bags with new on hook up and i just touch my overload springs.

[Smokinyotes]

Mine is a 2011. I had an 03 before this one. My 03 was programmed to make the same hp as my stock 2012. I only have 42000 on my 11 but so far it's great. You will love the engine brake pulling a trailer

[Duramaximos]

Thanks for the feedback!

I should clarify, I'm looking at slide in, in-box campers. 11.5' Bigfoot are my favourite.

The boat and trailer, while 20+ feet, is not overly heavy. I suspect no more than 500# tongue weight from the trailer.

[JB_AOL]

GET A DUALLY.. WHile you may be fine on the weights with SRW, Duallies are soo much more stable. Not to mention if you get a dually, your camper options are that much more as they can carry more.

[Taco]

I'd never buy another dually for hauling the occasional big load, they're a massive pain in the ass bombin' around empty. Go with the SRW w/18"-20" rims and standard sized tires, stiffens up the side wall and virtually eliminates tire roll

[npbra]

Have an older Duramax dually right now, previously a 3/4 ton Duramax. Once you tow with the dually, you will never go back. More stable, higher weight capacity, and actually has a good ride.

[Duramaximos]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. Keep it coming!

The truck will be used for three primary purposes:
1/ Tow the boat to and from southern AB lakes and occasionally into BC lakes - 40%
2/ Tow the same boat and haul a camper - 30%
3/ The third purpose will be to take (unloaded) highway trips with the family (Mom, dad and two boys). We currently use the truck for this because it offers us more room to stretch, and better safety compared to our daily-driver. Will also use it to haul the occasional load of lumber, firewood, soil, your typical "truck" duties. This makes up the other 30%.

Which would you choose:
1/ 2009-10 Duramax 3500 Dually - payload 4100#
2/ 2011 Duramax 3500 SRW - payload 4100#

The 09-10 dually's can be had for about $4K less than the 2011.
All other things being equal which one should I choose?

[leeaspell]

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

GET A DUALLY.. WHile you may be fine on the weights with SRW, Duallies are soo much more stable. Not to mention if you get a dually, your camper options are that much more as they can carry more.

Duallys suck if you actually take them off the highway or use them in the winter. Any mud at all and your screwed, you end up with a 24 inch wide racing slick, same as snow.

[gmcmax05]

Originally Posted by leeaspell

Duallys suck if you actually take them off the highway or use them in the winter. Any mud at all and your screwed, you end up with a 24 inch wide racing slick, same as snow.

What he said, dually's suck in the mud & snow unless they're loaded up with weight. I just got rid of my '11' dually & got a '13' srw for this reason. The srw is the way to go for what you plan on doing with it.