Drawbacks to Max Tow?

Ten7 · February 5, 2015

Sorry for the long post and I know this topic is kind of beat to death, but I'm about ready to purchase or order a '15 Sierra and one of my main hangups is whether or not to go with the NHT package. I don't tow a lot, maybe 4-5 times a year. I have a 14' tandem axle trailer (1500lbs) that I haul up to 6K on once or twice a year but usually less weight and these are short 10-15 mile trips. Maybe once every year or two I will travel long distance (800+ mi one way) and may pull the trailer with ATVs on it. Maybe 4500 lbs. So no real heavy duty towing, dont own a camper, etc.

I have a company car for work and only drive my truck 4k-6k miles a year. I live on 2 miles of hilly gravel roads, drive about 4 miles of pavement into town, then just town driving. I rarely drive interstate. From what I've read, the 3.73 gears will cost you a little MPG but there is not a lot of difference in town mileage where I do most of my driving.

So for what I do I'm sure the 3:42 rear end would be fine. However I want to add larger tires. I'd like to go 35's but will probably end up with 33's for practicality reasons. If I'm doing the math right, 33's will drop my effective ratio to approx 3.55 from 3.73.

I currently have an old Ram with a gutless 230 hp 318. I plan to keep this truck for quite a while (had the old one 12 years) and I dont want to regret my gears. I never seem to hear anyone say they wish they hadnt got the 3.73's but I've read many say they wish they had them. I havent had the opportunity to drive both but will try before I buy.

Am I overlooking any drawbacks here?

nards444 · February 5, 2015

Personally for what you tow max tow is not needed. of course youll get the better gearing. Im not sure of any drawbacks, MPG might be a little lower, but with better gearing youll make up for it while towing. Only with the NHT option is you cant get the Z71 package. Which if you ask me Z71 is paying money for nastalgias sake, as Z71 gives you very little anymore.

I got max tow on the chevy because when I bought it, I had a boat trailer weighing 10k, my boat now loaded probably is around 8. so for me it warrants it. Personally I prefer a truck with the better gearing anyways.

thetruck454 · February 5, 2015

I ordered the max tow, but the most I tow is just over 7000lbs. I ordered the max tow because of the mirrors and the extra 400lb capacity rear springs. I highly doubt the difference in mileage between 3.73 and 3.42 is much, but it does give you the extra power if you want larger/heavier tires. For me the cost alone of upgrading to the tow mirrors was more then enough to justify getting the max tow package. As was said Z71 is just a novelty so I fell I wasn't missing much.

newdude · February 5, 2015

I assume you are looking new? Leftover 14 or a 2015? You have some options. You could go with a 5.3 NHT which is the 6 speed 6L80 and 3.73 gears. If you are looking for the 6.2, 2014 will be 3.73 gears and 6L80. 2015 6.2 will be 3.42 gears and the 8 speed 8L90. With the 8 speed they can run the 3.42 and have the same performance as the 6 speed and 3.73. So, if you are considering the NHT, its more so what engine you want with it. 6.2 availabiliy however is an ongoing issue and 2015 6.2 NHT is on a very long constraint period.

Ten7 · February 5, 2015

Thanks for the replies so far. I will be getting the 5.3 to avoid the premium cost for the engine as well as the need to run premium fuel. I also feel the z71 package doesn't amount to much so I am not worried about that. I'd rather spend the z71 money on real shocks, and I can bolt on a skid plate if needed.

Mainly, I just don't want to feel under geared with 33's and the occasional towing I do. The tow mirrors seem great for function, not necessarily crazy about how they look. This will be a new 2015, and I don't mind ordering it.

Dr. ice · February 5, 2015

I assume you are looking new? Leftover 14 or a 2015? You have some options. You could go with a 5.3 NHT which is the 6 speed 6L80 and 3.73 gears. If you are looking for the 6.2, 2014 will be 3.73 gears and 6L80. 2015 6.2 will be 3.42 gears and the 8 speed 8L90. With the 8 speed they can run the 3.42 and have the same performance as the 6 speed and 3.73. So, if you are considering the NHT, its more so what engine you want with it. 6.2 availabiliy however is an ongoing issue and 2015 6.2 NHT is on a very long constraint period.

Have you heard any specifics on the constraint. I currently have a 2015 6.2 with the Max Tow setting on Code 3000 for several weeks. The truck order was placed on October 22, 2014.

calgator73 · February 6, 2015

The 3.73 is much more responsive around town. Compared to the 3.42, fuel economy is about the same. Really cheap option for what you get.

bwh2003 · February 6, 2015

Have you heard any specifics on the constraint. I currently have a 2015 6.2 with the Max Tow setting on Code 3000 for several weeks. The truck order was placed on October 22, 2014.

I was in front of you by about two months. I would be curious to know how many are on order at this point. No one knows why they are holding them.

carthman · February 6, 2015

Granted I haven't towed anything yet but no regrets on my max tow. Since I only pull the travel trailer once or twice per year I opted not to have the tow mirrors.

redwngr · February 6, 2015

Have you heard any specifics on the constraint. I currently have a 2015 6.2 with the Max Tow setting on Code 3000 for several weeks. The truck order was placed on October 22, 2014.

That's why I deleted NHT from my 6.2 truck (in early October). Got the truck in November.

Dr. ice · February 6, 2015

I was in front of you by about two months. I would be curious to know how many are on order at this point. No one knows why they are holding them.

Dr. ice · February 6, 2015

I heard at one point they were to start producing our configuration January 15. What code are you sitting at? What does your dealer tell you?

redwngr · February 6, 2015

I heard at one point they were to start producing our configuration January 15. What code are you sitting at? What does your dealer tell you?

If they did, the first ones should start to show up any time.

Ten7 · February 6, 2015

As with all the other threads, still no one regrets the 3.73 gears so I'm leaning that way. Considering I would want the trailer brake controller either way the cost difference is only about $1000. From the sounds of things I could recoup half that if I decided to sell the tow mirrors, but I looked at them again in person tonight and they look better than they do in pictures IMO. I also like the idea of the rear lights in the mirrors.

I dont really NEED this option for what I do. But I have buddies who have larger trailers, skid loaders, dump trailers etc I may want to borrow and this would be better suited to pull them if I do.

Does anybody regret the 3.73s???

calgator73 · February 6, 2015

As with all the other threads, still no one regrets the 3.73 gears so I'm leaning that way. Considering I would want the trailer brake controller either way the cost difference is only about $1000. From the sounds of things I could recoup half that if I decided to sell the tow mirrors, but I looked at them again in person tonight and they look better than they do in pictures IMO. I also like the idea of the rear lights in the mirrors.

I dont really NEED this option for what I do. But I have buddies who have larger trailers, skid loaders, dump trailers etc I may want to borrow and this would be better suited to pull them if I do.

Does anybody regret the 3.73s???

Not me...guess it depends on your priorities. Never heard of anyone with a truck complain that it can do too much.