Is the max tow package worth it?

[GM MAN VINCE]

I'm about to be a new comer to the truck world I have never owned one. I've got a few questions hopefully you guys can help me out. I currently drive a car back and forth to work that averages about 28 mpg I'm keeping the car for this purpose because my commute is 80 miles round trip. My car may last me another year or two it's getting on up there in miles so the truck will eventually take it's place as a all time dd. I own a 18' car hauler that weighs around 2000lbs I plan to eventually pick up a fox body mustang that will weigh around 3000lbs that I will tow back and forth to the drag stip. Other than that the heaviest thing may tow is a fishing boat to the nearest lake or river.

 

Is the max tow worth it in my situation?

 

3.73 vs 3.42 really that big of a difference?

 

Is it better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it?

 

Haven't made up my mind yet on a serria or silverado but it will be a 4 door crew cab 4x4.

[rjbrolltide]

In my opinion it's worth it had 12 with 3.42 and really didn't like pull camper up any hills don't think gas mileage suffers too much either

[KARNUT]

It depends on what you want to spend, striped 4wd drive or loaded. If your just worried about the gear, you have a race car that means a gear change is no brainer for you, as well as any other mods you may want or need. I wanted the 6.2 but the package that goes with it at the time would add 20,000 to what I paid. I get the power I want for a lot less. There is even ways to do it with out effecting the warranty. I know a few people who wait till the end of the year to buy a strip truck they build form there. As you read in this very informative web site there are very passionate and opinionated enthusiast.

[nomadicdogg]

tow package is only about $800 if I remember right from my order... worth every cent. its there when you need it. wont hurt you when you dont. might get a bit less MPG but, your buying a truck...
I also opted for the 6.2, there when I need it.. which is every time I am in the truck lol
good luck

[TxTruckMan]

You will lose 1-2 mpg depending on your driving habits with the tow package, but it'll tow much better. You need to weigh your priorities.

[Jon A]

I'd say for most who will do a fair amount of towing as their main thing it's worth it, though for what you describe it's certainly not needed. It's not much money so it really comes down to personal preference.

 

For example, in my case towing will be secondary to driving offroad. So with plans for bigger tires, gear and diff swap, getting it without the towing package made more sense. Gears and pretty much any diff you can think of are available for the 9.5" axle--Truetrac, Detroit Locker, E-Locker, Auburn and Yukon limited slips, etc. As far as I know, nothing is available for the 9.76" axle yet.

 

The G80 isn't as strong as the aftermarket carriers so I actually would feel better about the all around durability of the 9.5" with an aftermarket diff than I would the 9.76" with the G80. And if you're planning to swap in 4.11's anyway it doesn't matter much what ratio it comes with. And the slightly softer rear springs should give a nicer ride offroad.

 

For those who have no interest in any of the above but will be towing a fair amount, I would suggest getting the max tow.

[GM MAN VINCE]

Picked up a white dimond gmc slt today with the max tow package. 4x4 crew cab I love the truck but why doesn't it come with a trans cooler? Not a big deal as it's easy to add a aftermarket one just thought it came standard with the max tow.

[Jon A]

It does have a tranny cooler, it's just not as obvious as those put on older vehicles. There's a good description of what it looks like in another thread.

[zacharywhitson]

I have a 2010 max tow 6.2. I will be buying anew one in the next few months. I can't tell you how many times I've thought "glad I got the 3.73!" . I tow a 4500lb fishing boat that catches some wind and even with a tuned headered k&n'd 6.2 the bottom line is 3.42's would make me run in 5 th gear and lose major fuel economy. 70mph is lugging along at 1900rpm even with the 3.73. I can do it and have for thousands of miles with my boat, but I won't consider anything less that a 6.2 and a max tow again. Trust me kicking down to 5th gear will KILL your mpg. On my canada trip last year I had a best tank of 14.2 and a 2200 mile average of 12.6. A 5.3 with a 3.42 (4 speed days) would be looking about 9mpg. It's a balancing act to tow comfortably with a halfton gasser and get decent mpgs

 

IMO

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thewhitestallion]

when towing about a 3k trailer, according to the dic I was getting better mpg's running 70-75mph in 5th gear than in 6th gear. but I didn't do it for that long of a period. I just remembered a member on here saying that and I thought I would try it. and the plus when staying in 5th gear I was running about 2200-2400 rpms and just a slightest movement in the pedal towards the floor the truck responded much better. so if I tow again on the highway I will prob just run in 5th gear.

[mbrand]

Keep in mind that with the max tow option a lot of other things come with it. You couldn't add those things for the price that they charge. The addition of transmission cooling, electric brake controller, change in suspension running, etc., aside from gear ratio change is worth it in my book. I have the max tow package on my 2014 SLT All Terrain and am hooked up to a trailer a few times a month year round. I have the 5.4 as I rarely tow over 5,000 lbs, and it is usually closer to 3,000. My previous vehicle was a 2500 Yukon XL with a 6.1 engine, 4.11 rear end and I find my Sierra does just as well. The integration of the electronic braking with my 3,000 (empty weight) flat bed up and down the Southern Ohio Appalachian roads is alone worth the extra money. You can't get that integration with any after market purchases. It really comes in handy when the trailer is loaded with ATV's, Side by Side, log splitter, or Utility Tractor with attachments.

 

The cooling package alone will cost you close to $400 if installed after market due to the tight engine compartment spacing, etc.

 

Finally, the extra starting acceleration is nice.

 

Yes gas mileage will suffer a bit, so calculate that over the course of a year. I ran the same type of calculation when going to larger tires with a more aggressive tread, as I hated getting stuck at my cabin with a trailer attached due to loss of traction.