Real life experiences towing w/ max tow 6.2

[Diver6]

I figured out how to post a pic with the help from Krusty, the truck handles it great barely squats it down at all.

[tdgold]

^Diver6,

 

^{I have a similar truck and curios about the 5th wheel ride. I pull a 32' travel trailer and bounces like hell on bridges and gears way down on hills. How does the 5th wheel pull?}

 

^Thanks,

 

^TG

[myGMC2]

Wow, some of you guys are pulling some big rigs. That gives me a lot more confidence about a small 5.5 to 6K trailer and boat.

[Scooter Scott]

My apologies to revive an old thread but would love to see more real life experiences.  I just bought a 2018 SLT CCSB 6.2 w/ max tow and looking forward to using it.

[truckguy82]

I think the big limiting factor is the suspension. The cooling is pretty good, and the power and trans of a 6.2/8speed combo is bordering on overkill. Keep in mind when they design the suspension it’s to make everybody happy.

 

with some light suspension mods you can probably safely tow A LOT of weight.

[Brian Watters]

I have a 2018 GMC Denali with a 6.2 and 3.23 rear end, Looking hard @ a so called half ton towable 5th wheel, I see one in this thread but would certainly like to learn more, Does magnetic ride effect any of this  > ?

 

BRW

[TRKLGND]

Payload is the killer, not the weight of the trailer. You will easily max out your payload capacity long before you exceed the max towable amount.

[dieselfan1]

On 1/28/2017 at 7:37 PM, Diver6 said:

I figured out how to post a pic with the help from Krusty, the truck handles it great barely squats it down at all.

What's the pin weight? Barely squats??! C'mon

[Gagliano7]

On 1/28/2017 at 8:37 PM, Diver6 said:

I figured out how to post a pic with the help from Krusty, the truck handles it great barely squats it down at all.

Looks like it sits level like that. Wish my truck looked like that without load instead jacked up 3in in the rear. 

[truckguy82]

I dont have a lot of towing experience. But I’ve towed 12-14k lbs on several occassion with a dump trailer. I’m not really sure whats so risky about it. It feels perfectly fine.

 

it’s about 15 miles to the dump and it’s mixed highway, city. Takes about 30 minutes to get there.

 

no trans overheating, no weird body movements or lack of control. Feels just like I’m towing an emtpy trailer only it accelerates slower.

 

only mods i have are bilstein 5100’s and a brake controller.

[Pearl2017]

If you tow a lot # and want to have a confident feel when you do it with a 1500 max tow.

 

Bilstein shocks at least in the back.

Air bags pressurized to regain normal ride height once loaded.

Eibach rear sway bar

WDH for bumper pull

Bumper pull, Make sure your hitch receiver fits snugly. Mine was very sloppy loose so I "Fixed" it ...nice and snug now for minimal sway

 

The shocks dampen the bouncing, the Airbags efficiently support the additional load, the sway bar stabilizes the rear and the WDH moves the weight forward of the rear axle.

other than the TT trying to sway the truck it is rock solid pulling at its maximum rating 12k+ lbs and bumper pull. 5th wheel will more inherently easier to achieve stability.

[truckguy82]

Yeah I feel like real limiting factor is the size of your trailer. My 14k lb dump trailer is no issue, but I can easily see how a gust of wind would blow you around like a ragdoll if your towing a 33ft long camper. In which case I’m not sure how a slightly heavier 3/4 ton truck would help much.

 

 

[BB68]

1 hour ago, truckguy82 said:

Yeah I feel like real limiting factor is the size of your trailer. My 14k lb dump trailer is no issue, but I can easily see how a gust of wind would blow you around like a ragdoll if your towing a 33ft long camper. In which case I’m not sure how a slightly heavier 3/4 ton truck would help much.

 

 

My new one has 20's and that has helped with cornering and wind whipping. I never cared for larger wheels but they do help stiffen the side walls of even P tires.

 

I have also found when it gets windy simply slowing down helps more than anything. We used to do a lot of Rocky Mountain snowmobile trips - always windy at that time of the year.

[Diver6]

9 hours ago, dieselfan1 said:

What's the pin weight? Barely squats??! C'mon

My pin weight is 1500# yes I'm over a little on cargo weight but good an all other numbers., it handles it ALOT better than my travel trailer which was lighter. 

The only complaint I have is the shocks are not the best, I get a lot of bouncing on rough roads.

We just did a trip to the smokie mountains and it did great thought the mountains.

[mitchely03]

how much did the rear sway bar help?