Should Your GMC Sierra 3500 HD Be a Dually?
When you need a big honkin’ truck to get things done, the GMC 3500 HD is ready to handle the job. The 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD offers a variety of power levels and configurations to meet your needs. The question you’ll want to answer isn’t whether or not to get this truck but should you have a dually configuration or not?
What is the GMC Sierra 3500 HD dually?
In its simplest terms, a dually truck has four wheels in the rear instead of two. These trucks are easy to spot with the massive fender flares over the second set of rear wheels. A set of dual rear wheels (DRW or dually), allow the truck to have more contact with the road. This added contact provides greater stability, balance, and traction. This translates to greater pulling power.
What are the pros and cons of a dually?
Looking to the experts at J. D. Power we learn:
Pros
- Increased maximum payload and towing capabilities
- More stable for pulling a trailer, especially when facing windy situations
- Ideal for a fifth-wheel trailer or larger and heavier trailer
Cons
- Decreased fuel economy
- Can be more difficult to drive and park thanks to the heavier and wider body
- More expensive than non-dually trucks
- Less comfortable when a load isn’t attached
The GMC Sierra 3500 HD in the dually configuration is made for towing and is at its best when you’ve got a large trailer attached to the fifth wheel connection.
Is a dually better for towing using a fifth-wheel setup?
Yes, in fact, dually trucks are made for towing a trailer that uses a fifth-wheel setup. You’ll recognize this setup because it appears the trailer is attached to the truck bed, not the rear hitch. This gives your GMC Sierra 3500 HD more towing power because of the placement of the connection.
How much does a GMC Sierra 3500 HD dually tow compared to a non-dually truck?
The standard version of this heavy-duty truck pulls 20,000 pounds using a conventional hitch or 21,300 pounds with a fifth-wheel setup. These numbers require the Duramax diesel engine to provide the power. A standard setup with a gasoline engine offers a tow rating is 14,500 pounds with a conventional hitch and 16,530 pounds with the fifth-wheel configuration.
For the dually version of this GMC truck with the Duramax diesel engine, the tow rating is 20,000 pounds using a conventional hitch, but 35,500 pounds using a fifth-wheel configuration. Dually models with the gasoline engine, the numbers are 16,010 pounds for a conventional hitch while the fifth-wheel configuration offers 18,000 pounds of towing power.
How much is a 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD?
This GMC truck doesn’t come cheap. The base, Pro trim starts at $41,400 and the price range tops out at the Denali trim which begins at $70,800. These figures are for standard-style trucks with the gasoline engine. The diesel engine adds about $10,000 to the price and the dually configuration also increases the price.
Are dually trucks worth it?
When you need the biggest towing power you can find, there aren’t any trucks better equipped to handle the job than those with a dually layout. You’ll have the traction, stability, and strength you need. On the other hand, the added cost, increased number of tires, and reduced fuel mileage could be a drawback. Dually trucks also don’t do as well out on the trails. The added wheels decrease the off-road capability.
If you’re looking for a big strong truck to pull your horse trailer or RV where you want to go, you can’t go wrong with the 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD in the dually setup. Of course, if you don’t need as much power as what this GMC truck offers, it won’t do you much good.
Next, learn more about how the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV is already winning awards, or watch the 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD review in the video below:
This article was updated on 7/23/2022.
