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By Zane Merva Executive Editor, GM-Trucks.com 6/19/2014 General Motors has announced that starting with the 2015 model year it will report towing capacity determined using SAE J2807 recommended testing practices. The more rigorous testing procedure has been held at arms length by the big three for years. Pickup producers have long overstated the capacity of their trucks using internal test procedures. The new J2807 standard brings everyone up to the same playing field. This means every pickup is finally being rated for towing capacity in the exact same manner from the 2015 model year forward. That's great news for consumers but the much more rigorous test lowers the "official" capacity numbers that many automakers love to throw around in ads.The Silverado and Sierra 1500 will see their towing capacity adjusted slightly down for the 2015 model year due to the new testing requirements. Only one Silverado and Sierra configuration, a 2-wheel-drive double cab with the optional 6.2L engine and the Max-Trailering package, will retain the prior year's rating of 12,000lbs. GM describes the new SAE J2807 test like this: --------------------- Performance standards for trailering vehicles: To help ensure that vehicles can confidently tow the rated maximum trailer weight under a variety of real-world driving conditions, SAE J2807 establishes specific test protocols. These include: Cooling capability on a long highway upgrade modeled on the Davis Dam grade on Arizona SR 68; Launch and acceleration performance on a level road and a 12 percent upgrade; Combined handling performance – understeer and trailer sway; Combined braking performance – stopping distance and parking brake-hold on grade; and Structural performance for the vehicle and hitch or hitch receiver. New calculations for trailer weight ratings: In addition to the performance standards, SAE J2807 also uses a specific set of assumptions to calculate maximum trailer weight ratings: For light-duty full-size pickups (GVWR < 8,500 lbs.), SAE J2807 assumes that the tow vehicle includes any options with higher than 33 percent penetration; It assumes there is both a driver and passenger in the vehicle, each weighing 150 pounds; It assumes that tow vehicles also include up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment (where applicable); and For conventional trailer towing, SAE J2807 assumes that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue. --------------------- Here's how some of the most popular Silverado/Sierra 1500 configurations compare with last year: Configuration 2014 Rating / 2015 J2807 Rating Regular cab 2WD 4.3L V-6 6.5’ box 3.43 axle 6,400 lbs. / 6,100 lbs. Double cab 2WD 5.3L V-8 6.5’ box 3.08 axle 6,900 lbs. / 6,500 lbs. Crew cab 2WD 5.3L V-8 5.7’ box 3.42 axle 9,800 lbs. / 9,400 lbs. Regular cab 4x4 4.3L V-6 6.5’ box 3.42 axle 7,600 lbs. / 7,600 lbs. Double cab 4x4 5.3L V-8 6.5’ box 3.42 axle 9,600 lbs. / 9,200 lbs. Crew cab 4x4 5.3L V-8 5.7’ box 3.73 axle 11,200 lbs. / 10,800 lbs. Attached Images: Click here to view the article