"Inaccurate Towing Capacity" letter from Chevy

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 29, 2014

update - lady called me back and looks like they are going to try and put me in a new truck too. She says they can't just replace the axle gears, say they're engineers say there is too much work involved re-programming everything.

I may have only had an 86 Chevy and a 98 Chevy trucks but I wouldn't think they would have to reprogram anything since I don't believe any electrical goes to factory diffs. I could be wrong though.

I think they just don't want to mess with just replacing the gears since the tolerances have to be right between the ring and pinion and all.

EaZ8 · October 29, 2014

ya well we might get a couple dollars for the fuel mileages lies but a minor change in towing capacity I cant see any reason to expect anything other then oops we're sorry bout that

wait....theres a refund for bad gas mileage?

Doug_Scott · October 29, 2014

I may have only had an 86 Chevy and a 98 Chevy trucks but I wouldn't think they would have to reprogram anything since I don't believe any electrical goes to factory diffs. I could be wrong though.

I think they just don't want to mess with just replacing the gears since the tolerances have to be right between the ring and pinion and all.

Has nothing to do with precision of tolerances between ring and pinion. That has been the same since the hypoid gear set was invented.

It effects transmission programming, engine pcm programming, likely also impacts stabilitrack and abs as well. I was told the same thing 4 years ago when I swapped the 3.23 for 4.10 in my truck. Even if I had of put 3.73 gears in they would have said the same thing. The dealer was surprised by this, and told me they were lucky they had not done a gear swap on a new vehicle sale like they normally did once or twice a year in the past.

Try ordering the factory trailer brake controller for a 2010 and newer truck not equipped from factory for it and see what happens. The parts manual specifically states you cannot just install the factory brake controller after the truck has been built. It requires many changes, that cannot be done easily..

Doug_Scott · October 29, 2014

update - lady called me back and looks like they are going to try and put me in a new truck too. She says they can't just replace the axle gears, say they're engineers say there is too much work involved re-programming everything.

Very surprised GM is not just pointing to the lines in the brochure(as well as every ad they ever put out) that said "specifications are subject to change without notice". They did that to me years ago when they changed the standard equipment between the time I ordered a car and the time I took delivery of the factory ordered car. The car came with illuminated sun visor mirrors as standard equipment on both sides according to the brochure, and the ordering guide the dealership had, but when the car arrived, it did not have the illuminated mirrors on both sides. Took a week or so for GM to tell the dealer that specs had changed, and told the dealer to show me the lines in the brochure saying it was within their rights to make these changes.

JumpMaster82d · October 29, 2014

Very surprised GM is not just pointing to the lines in the brochure(as well as every ad they ever put out) that said "specifications are subject to change without notice". They did that to me years ago when they changed the standard equipment between the time I ordered a car and the time I took delivery of the factory ordered car. The car came with illuminated sun visor mirrors as standard equipment on both sides according to the brochure, and the ordering guide the dealership had, but when the car arrived, it did not have the illuminated mirrors on both sides. Took a week or so for GM to tell the dealer that specs had changed, and told the dealer to show me the lines in the brochure saying it was within their rights to make these changes.

Let me see if I got this straight....your comparing not having a light on one of the flip down mirrors that changed before you actually purchased the car to a trucks towing capacity dropping over 30% after almost a full year of ownership? That's a little apples to oranges on a couple levels.

Bottom line is, I purchased a truck to do a certain task. GMC stated that it could do that task and now a year into it they state it cannot through no fault of a consumer. It was not a misprint in the tow rating (wouldn't matter if it was) as the wording on the letter they sent stated specifically that it was overheating at max tow capacity.

GMC has recognized this issue and has stepped up to the plate and made me satisfied.

EXSlider400 · October 29, 2014

Agree with above post. Took a few weeks but GM and I/Wife came to agreement. so satisfied here to.

Doug_Scott · October 30, 2014

Let me see if I got this straight....your comparing not having a light on one of the flip down mirrors that changed before you actually purchased the car to a trucks towing capacity dropping over 30% after almost a full year of ownership? That's a little apples to oranges on a couple levels.

Bottom line is, I purchased a truck to do a certain task. GMC stated that it could do that task and now a year into it they state it cannot through no fault of a consumer. It was not a misprint in the tow rating (wouldn't matter if it was) as the wording on the letter they sent stated specifically that it was overheating at max tow capacity.

GMC has recognized this issue and has stepped up to the plate and made me satisfied.

No, I am stating that the brochure contains a disclaimer stating that specifications are subject to change without notice, and I then provided a first hand experience of having that disclaimer applied. How you choose to interpret a clearly written post is not really my problem.

Having said that, what damages have you incurred due to this change in specifications? I can understand GM "stepping up to the plate" to correct some damage caused by this, or even some loss in value to your vehicle due to this(and you have no loss in value until you actually sell the vehicle). My post was to simply say that in my opinion, I would not expect GM to do anything to correct something that actually did not cause any damages. Especially with the disclaimer in all advertising.

Good for you that you got something. But don't get your panties in a bunch because someone else does not see the validity of the settlement. Its not like GM is going to read this and suddenly remember they have an "out" in this and back out of the deal, although I would see some humour in that happening just due to your attitude.

JumpMaster82d · October 30, 2014

No, I am stating that the brochure contains a disclaimer stating that specifications are subject to change without notice, and I then provided a first hand experience of having that disclaimer applied. How you choose to interpret a clearly written post is not really my problem.

Having said that, what damages have you incurred due to this change in specifications? I can understand GM "stepping up to the plate" to correct some damage caused by this, or even some loss in value to your vehicle due to this(and you have no loss in value until you actually sell the vehicle). My post was to simply say that in my opinion, I would not expect GM to do anything to correct something that actually did not cause any damages. Especially with the disclaimer in all advertising.

Good for you that you got something. But don't get your panties in a bunch because someone else does not see the validity of the settlement. Its not like GM is going to read this and suddenly remember they have an "out" in this and back out of the deal, although I would see some humour in that happening just due to your attitude.

Simple. I purchased my truck to tow a 7100lb tractor/trailer setup that I routinely haul for various reasons. Upon doing my due dilligence in purchasing my truck, I read in the owners manual that it was capable of towing 8500lb. Almost a year later that number drops to 6500lb and now my tractor/trailer is too heavy.

Your "visor light" example still doesn't pan out, for two reasons. First, they changed the product before you entered into a legal binding contract to purchase it. Had GMC changed the tow rating prior to me purchasing my truck, then I would've simply bought another. Secondly, it's the totality of the circumstances, you don't buy a car because it has or doesn't have visor lights. However, one most certainly often times purchases a truck for its ability to tow.

Since you keep going about the "disclaimer," that is applicable to your example above, ie; the vehicle changes before it hits the lot. That disclaimer does not cover a product that has a change in the vehicles specifications once the vehicle is purchased. The 1999 Ford Cobra, for example, didn't produce the advertised 320hp Ford claimed. So Ford recalled over 8000 of them and fitted them revised heads, cams and an intake to resolve the problem. Unfortunately, GM would not simply swap the rear end/ring and pinion so they replaced the truck. There are several more examples out there, but I'm sure you get the point.

If that disclaimer were to hold that much power, then companies would over promise and under deliver on just about everything to give them an edge over their competitor(s) and once the consumer became aware of it, just refer them to that "disclaimer" and tell em to shove off. Fortunately, as I stated, that disclaimer is due to production line changes that may alter a vehicle between being advertised and hitting the dealer lot, not to reneg on a one year old purchase.

kiwihiwi · April 23, 2015

hello,

our 2014 sierra too has 2000lbs less towing than it was supposed to have when we bought it. any trips? our customer service rep in cali won't talk to us.

thanks

sonja

dbannerz71 · April 24, 2015

6 speed 3.08 and 4 speed 3.73 are supposedly similar final ratios and when GM adds the 8 speeds it will also improve. When GM said the 3.08 could tow 8600 we believed them. If it can not then they should of not said it could. Wet fart or not.

I do have to say that the 3.42 does have a little bigger balls but I haven't driven it enough to compare mpg.

I am sure the tundra 4.11 gets very low mpg. Max tow in a new GM 1500 is a pretty high capacity. Heck 12000 is what 2500 were reaching not to to long ago.

They are...The 6 speed with 3.08 gears is DEEPER in every gear than the 4 speed with 3.73 gears. Notice that 5th gear in the 6 speed is essentially the same as 4th in the 4 speed...

RPO Code GU4 = 3.08

RPO Code GU5 = 3.23

RPO Code GU6 = 3.42

RPO Code GT4 = 3.73

6 speed

1st: 4.02 x 3.08 = 12.38

2nd: 2.36 x 3.08 = 7.27

3rd: 1.53 x 3.08 = 4.71

4th: 1.15 x 3.08 = 3.54

5th: .85 x 3.08 = 2.62

6th: .67 x 3.08 = 2.06

4 speed

1st: 3.06 x 3.73 = 11.41

(If 4.10: 3.06 x 4.10 = 12.55)

2nd: 1.75 x 3.73 = 6.52

3rd: 1.00 x 3.73 = 3.73

4th: .70 x 3.73 = 2.62

You need a 4.10 rear end gear ratio on the old 4 speed to be DEEPER than the 3.08 rear end gear ratio on the new 6 speed.

Could be what is overheating the trans is when it drops into 6th gear when towing at max capacity. Otherwise, not sure why the lower rating.

EXSlider400 · April 24, 2015

The issue was our camper trailer fell out of the listed towing capacity when updated, which may have caused future truck damage and placed liability on me for exceeding the limit. If I was not towing the camper then I would have kept the 3.08...but that is the main reason we bought the truck since my regular cab is too small (both towing capacity and seat room).

Even though I was put in a same year Denali (and increased my note), it has the same options my SLT had and I had to start over on the financing. So where I paid a truck note for 9 months, I lost....and I had to pay mileage I drove on the SLT. (I even figured out the truck was supposed to have A/C seats because perforated seats and RPO code but they had the wrong switch in the dash...and painted the tailgate handle so that was a win for them).

It wasn't a great deal, but I did what I had to in order to be in safe limits with my family while towing the camper. The Denali is nicer, but I was ok with the SLT and lower note. And buying another camper was not an option.

SouthpawHD · April 24, 2015

hello,

our 2014 sierra too has 2000lbs less towing than it was supposed to have when we bought it. any trips? our customer service rep in cali won't talk to us.

thanks

sonja

Welcome to the site. We are going to need some more information about your vehicle - motor, gear ratios, etc. and we can offer some help.

I had a similar experience - dealer sold me a 2013 Silverado and said it would tow around 9,500 pounds. Come to find out, it would tow around 7,500 because of the 3.08 gears instead of the 3.42 that I wanted. Needless to say I was rather upset!! Fortunately after some strong negotiation, the dealer took it back and I got this 2014 and couldn't be happier,

EXSlider400 · April 24, 2015

Was this because the incorrect information printed in the owners manual (early build 2014's) that had to be updated? I had to prove my camper fell out of range with the update/reduction but was in range before the update/reduction before I could get any help.

dbannerz71 · April 24, 2015

Well trailerlife.com shows 8200lbs towing capacity for my 1999 5.3L Chevy Silverado z71 4x4 with 3.73 gears. That was with the old 4spd trans. 3.08 with the newer six spd has more mechanical advantage in all gears except for 6th gear. The new 5.3L has more horse power. So my question is, why would the K2 trucks be rated LESS (3.08 that is)? Frames are supposed to be stiffer, rear gears are beefier (9.5"). Doesn't make sense.

BlackZ71Silverado · April 24, 2015

I got the same letter and my truck dropped 2000lb on both the tow rating and the GCWR. My truck is a CC 4x4 5.3l w/3.08.

Needless to say I'm not happy and very interested to see what the dealer can do.

You shouldn't be surprised at all. The 3.08 gears are not for towing, it's an MPG highway gear. What should have surprised you was the initial tow/payload rating with those high gears. Dealer can't and won't do anything for you. What exactly do you expect from them?

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