What are towing dimensions for a 16 2500 Z71 Duramax

Debra in Cali · October 2, 2016

I know that I have seen the dimensions for the tow capacity for these beast, but I can't find that post that was posted in the last few weeks. The post showed the specs from GM. I need a traditional hitch and 5th wheel hitch information. Thank you.

O_J_Simpson · October 2, 2016

You have to include the varibles. Look at the towing guide.

geektoad · October 2, 2016

http://www.gmc.com/trailering-towing.html

Debra in Cali · October 2, 2016

Thank you especially geektoad. I have this guy on an RV site that is telling me that I can only tow 14,000 lbs with a 5th wheel set up and I know that it is 18,000. But I want to be able to refer him to a website or other printed material.

SouthpawHD · October 2, 2016

Your biggest limiting factor will be your payload.

The 14k pound figure might be based on the overall payload. For example, 14k at 15% pin weight puts you at 2,100 in the box, leaving only a few hundred pounds (if that) for people and gear.

Debra in Cali · October 2, 2016

Your biggest limiting factor will be your payload.

The 14k pound figure might be based on the overall payload. For example, 14k at 15% pin weight puts you at 2,100 in the box, leaving only a few hundred pounds (if that) for people and gear.

The payload for the 2500 is 3275. So it is possible, but stretching it if you tow a 18,000 lb trailer, giving you a pin weight of 3000. You add in a 200 lb driver and a 50 lb dog and you are by a smidge still under. I am going to tow a 18,000 lb 5th wheel trailer. Hmmm NO. But this clown that is on the RV site ( a Ford F-450 ) owner. is telling me that I have a tow weight of 14,000 lbs and a pin weight of I think 2,400 lbs for a 5th wheel set up.

Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions here at the pin weight vs payload is about the same thing. I am thinking that pinweight is the weight of the trailer that is that exerts itself onto the rear axle while being towed. It is not the weight of the total trailer since it will have 4 other tires to distribute the rest of the trailer weight. So the 2 tires in the truck plus the 4 tires on the trailer. Take the weight of the trailer divide by the number of tires and presto your pin weight. So if it weighs 18,000 lbs,divided by 6 tires equals the 3,000 lbs. Then payload needs to include anything that truck bed and cab is carrying, ie passengers, equipment, etc. I know that all of these calculations are based on the weight distribution is equal front and rear on the trailer tires.

I am a beginner in all of this, so I am learning a lot about all this. We are in the process of purchasing a 5th wheel trailer. We are calculating the weight of the trailer we can safely tow and the length with which we are willing to negotiate the highways and byways of North America. I don't want to tow anything much longer than right around 50 feet (truck and trailer). Out on a major highway with flowing traffic it is a cakewalk. But, I have also pulled a trailer through Los Angeles more than once. Negotiating lane changes in traffic to get into the proper lane for a interchange is a nightmare. I am usually ready for a drink after about 1 hour. And if you aren't moving with the flow of traffic, (usually 70) you are prime for being a road kill. They don't care that you are only suppose to be going 55 and that you are a behemoth to stop, they will cut in front of you. Don't believe me, ask any trucker, but be prepared for long conversations with many stories.

Skeld · October 2, 2016

The capacities change a lot depending on the spec of the truck. Basically the whole thing is slightly misleading, and what I have found is that GM is suffering on payload and tow rating in a lot of the actual specs that people use.

It's slightly baffling to me that you give up 3,000 pounds of towing to go from a double cab to a crew cab.

SouthpawHD · October 3, 2016

The payload for the 2500 is 3275. So it is possible, but stretching it if you tow a 18,000 lb trailer, giving you a pin weight of 3000. You add in a 200 lb driver and a 50 lb dog and you are by a smidge still under. I am going to tow a 18,000 lb 5th wheel trailer. Hmmm NO. But this clown that is on the RV site ( a Ford F-450 ) owner. is telling me that I have a tow weight of 14,000 lbs and a pin weight of I think 2,400 lbs for a 5th wheel set up.

...

Let's back up for a minute. Not sure your payload can be 3275 in a diesel crew cab config. I have a gasser (motor weighs less than a diesel), and my payload is right around 2800. I have a 4x4, so your might be 4x2 so that would add some, but again because yours is diesel, not sure it can be that much. What does your yellow sticker on your door jamb say?

Debra in Cali · October 3, 2016

My husband says that there is no sticker. But I do have a 4WD. But I am going to the dealer tomorrow to find out why I don't have a sticker with important information about it. I am so frustrated in all of this. The more research from the manuals from GM/ data from GM websites I see, the muddier the water.

SouthpawHD · October 3, 2016

Double check, every vehicle leaving the factory must have a sticker, federal law I believe.

Debra in Cali · October 3, 2016

That is what I was thinking. I just went out and checked. No sticker.

SouthpawHD · October 3, 2016

Just so we are clear, you looked at the drivers side door jamb (when door is open, it's in the lower left area of jamb/body area/inside door panel of the truck)?

It states something about tires and cargo carrying capacity.

Debra in Cali · October 3, 2016

Yes, it is there. I was looking for it on the inside of the door and not the door jamb, as was my hubby. Thank you. It is so frustration to have all of this data available with various answers in each of the. My duramax owners manual states conventional towing weight at 13,900 lbs but does not even mention 5th wheel towing, even though it is wired for a 5th wheel set-up.