1993 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually 5th Wheel Towing Weight

[roadtriptoforever]

I bought an older GMC Sierra for towing a big heavy 5th wheel around before looking up the official specs. Because of its age I couldn't find much online so I call GMC. They are telling me thisbig truck with a dually and a turbo diesel engine and GMC is telling me it can only tow 9,000 lbs

 

How is it a gas ford F-150 can pull 11,500 but this big dually can only pull 9,000?

 

Am I getting bad information? How do I find out what i can really pull on a 5th Wheel hitch?

[newdude]

What kind of options do you have on the truck? 2 or 4 wheel drive? What cab? Gear ratio? 6.5 or 6.2 diesel?

[roadtriptoforever]

Sorry for my stupidity. This is my first pickup. How do I find the answers to the questions you asked?

 

 

What kind of options do you have on the truck? 2 or 4 wheel drive? What cab? Gear ratio? 6.5 or 6.2 diesel?

[newdude]

Sorry for my stupidity. This is my first pickup. How do I find the answers to the questions you asked?

 

 

 

All good lol. I actually may be able to save you the trouble. I found the heritage vehicle info on C/K pickup trucks for 1993 on the GM Heritage Center: https://gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Chevrolet-Trucks/1993-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

 

Maximum towing capacity for 2 or 4 wheel drive 6.5 turbo diesel is 9000lbs for all cab configurations and both auto and manual transmissions. The charts for towing are on page 5 and 7 on that link.

[roadtriptoforever]

So the fact it is a 5th wheel doesn't matter? Everyone I talk to says my 5th wheel weight should be significantly higher.

 

I've looked at like Ford f-350's and their guides have different weights for 5th vs bumper hitch

[newdude]

So the fact it is a 5th wheel doesn't matter? Everyone I talk to says my 5th wheel weight should be significantly higher.

 

I've looked at like Ford f-350's and their guides have different weights for 5th vs bumper hitch

 

Correct as far as GM literature is concerned. You could figure maybe, staying on the safe side about 1000lbs over that 9000lbs figure.

 

GM now on the newer trucks they publish both sides of the figure, standard hitch or 5th wheel/gooseneck.

 

If you want to figure it out for a better result, find the door tag on your drivers door and look for the GCWR of the truck, if its on there. Go to a truck scale and weigh the truck (you and a full tank), and then subtract your scale weight from the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating). That will give you some sort of ballpark to work with.