Tow Big or Tow Home

Thanks for all the great info. and work which has been done by Cool J and others here to solve this issue. Before I tackle this fix myself though I'm hoping GM will provide a solution to this problem with a dealer retrofit, since they'e the ones who created this issue after all. That's likely naive and overly optimistic on my part but I thought it was worth a try. I therefore called GM Customer Service to share this problem so it gets on their radar. They did assign a Case Number to my call, for whatever that's worth. I then also discussed the issue with my dealer so this issue will hopefully get back to GM through dealer feedback - I provided the dealer my Case Number to include with my complaint. My suggestion to both was that GM should install the same connector plug in the bed as on the bumper. As has been discussed here, there's no need for a 4 pin connector in the box and with a 7 pin and camera port connectors in both locations the cameras could be used with either a 5th wheel or bumper tow. If there's a need for a 4 pin connector that could then be easily done with a 7 to 4 pin adapter. Again, I realize it's optimistic and naive on my part to think GM will provide this fix but I'm hoping if others also contact GM Customer Service and their dealer our concerns will be heard. If you're interested in doing so, the number I used to contact GM Customer Service is 1-888-988-7267. There will be the typical voice menu prompts but it you just press 0 at each prompt it will quickly bring you to a live representative. Thanks in advance to anyone who is so inclined to contact GM and their dealer to try to get them to provide this fix.

Thanks for all the help. If you do another weight check after you get your 5th wheel I'd be interested in how it all comes out (including the trailer wt.) if you feel like posting it here.

Yea, that 500 lb difference is curious. I'll have to check window stickers - the 7,877 was from the literature. Bottom line, the real wt. is what matters so it's very timely you just weighed yours last week. Your 4960 front axle aligns well with MTU's thoughts and comes in 640 lbs less than the std. front springs and 1040 under the HD springs. I wonder how much of 5th wheel wt. ends up on the front vs. rear wheel axle? Since it sits right over the rear axle I would think that would carry most of the load. Have you ever weighed each axle with a trailer or load of any sort?

Great, thanks for the info. I'm looking to get a 3500 Diesel, CC, Std. Box, 4WD with SRW. It has a curb wt. of 7,877 lbs and I'm curious how much of that is on the front vs. rear axles but can't find that info. anywhere. I'm asking because I'm just curious how close the unloaded wt. on the front axle is to the Stnd. Spring FGAWR of 5,600 lbs vs the HD Spring FGAWR of 6,000 lbs?

Thanks for the insight on corner diving with a load Sniperdan. Are you happy with your decision to not get the HD front springs even though you haul heavy sometimes? My "heavy load" use will be for pulling a 5th wheel camper. The campers we're looking at weigh between 12,000-14,000 lbs and have 5th wheel hitch wts. between 2,350-3,050 lbs. It will be also be used for pulling my boat and snowmobiles and just everyday grocery getting without a big load though and like you, I don't want the stiffer ride when not hauling heavy, so I don't want to get the HD front springs if they only have limited benefit while towing the 5th wheel. So that's what I'm trying to figure out, if they would offer better handling/safety when towing the 5th wheel or if it really doesn't matter much for my use. Thanks everyone for your input.

Thanks unit! I've noticed that most of the trucks on the lot have the Snow Plow Prep. Package as well, as you said it must be a popular option. I'm getting a diesel so the 220 amp alternator is included with that. As far as the skid plates, I'm confused. Like you, I'd seen that a transfer case and oil pan skid plate come with the Snow Plow package, but then I was looking at the Standard Features - Mechanical and saw the following was included: "Skid Plates - Help protect the front underbody, oil pan, differential case and transfer case". So I don't know if the skid plates with are supposed to come with the Snow Plow Prep Package are different than the skid plates which are supposed to be a Standard Feature?

Thanks MTU! If the HD Front Springs don't increase either the GVWR or GCWR, does that mean they don't increase the Max. Payload, Max. Ball Hitch Trailer Wt. and Max. 5th Wheel Trailer Wt. Ratings?

Great discussion. I'm planning to purchase a 2020 GMC 3500 and am trying to decide if I should get the HD Front Springs - either as a separate option or with the Snowplow Prep. Package. We test drove one truck with the HD front springs and one without and felt the one with the HD springs had a little rougher ride so don't want to get the beefed up springs without understanding what the benefits are. I don't plan to use a snowplow so I'm trying to find what, if any, change they make in the hauling and towing specs. but haven't found that info. on either GMC's or Chevy's website. Thanks redwngr for the link to the chart showing the GVWR/FGAWR/RGAWR with the standard and HD springs. While the HD Front Springs increase the FGAWR, the GVWR didn't change, so based on that I don't see an advantage yet for my use in hauling and towing. Is there a similar chart showing the Payload, Max. Conventional Trailering, Max. 5th Wheel Trailering and GCWR Capacities for the standard and HD Front Springs? Thanks in advance for your help!