Need towing capability info and technical advice

2930 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by buckmeister2, Jul 25, 2013

oldbuck

Discussion Starter · Jul 9, 2013

Hello,
I am a new member looking for towing capability ratings on a 2014 GMC 1500. I currently own a 2004 Chev 2500HD with Duramax, great truck, no issues with towing my 6300# trailer. Bought the deisel thinking I would buy a much heavier 5th wheel, never did that.

Looking at new gasoline engine truck to tow the same 6300# trailer.

GM rates the 2014 1500 as follows...5.3 engine with 3:08 axle 6600# max towing. Now change to 3:42 axle and it changes to 9600# max towing.
This does not appear credible with an 11 % reduction in axle ratio to gain 45% more towing power with such a small change in gearing.

Another discrepancy is the 2013 1500-truck with 3:08 axle gearing is rated at over 7000# towing with a less powerful 5.3 engine.

At some point GM specs are not truthful.

I sure want to buy the right gearing, darn trucks are pretty expensive for us retired guys, don't want to make a bad choice.

Anyone who have any thoughts on this?

Also would like to really like to talk to someone in GM with real technical knowledge not just some fluff marketing weasel , anyone have contact info I could use?

Thanks for your help!

oldbuck

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CKNSLS

· #4 · Jul 10, 2013

In my 2011-5.3 Silverado I just completed towing my 29foot-5,500 pound travel trailer around the U.S. The total towing miles were a little over 8,000. It has the 3.42 axle and did just fine. I had ZERO issues with the truck as well as the trailer. FYI-there are not any standards on how tow ratings are determined for specific trucks. The industry was trying to come up with some, but it hasn't gone anywhere. You will be fine with the 3.42 gears. Here is a little info-
http://www.caranddriver.com/feature...-sae-trailering-standards-explained-tech-dept

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CKNSLS

· #6 · Jul 16, 2013

The towing mpg under normal circumstances was between 10-13mpg. If there were hills or a strong headwind I saw as low as 8mpg. Most towing (back in the Eastern U.S.) was pretty much flat.

Solo driving-14 to 15 around town and if I kept it at 65-70mpg I can achieve 20mpg on the highway. I did put an additional 10,000 miles on my truck over and above the towing because we did extensive "touring" using the truck on our trip.

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