Towing capacity 4wd vs 2wd.

[dirtyoldman]

It seems obvious the GM didn't really care about giving the cheap 2wd regular cab trucks much towing capacity. Still, I'm coming out of a truck with a higher tow capacity and I miss it. I like this truck so much more that it seems a big inconvenience to grab the one ton to tow a trailer.

 

It seems like the only difference is the rear gear ratio. I was thinking of swapping those for a numerically higher set to get closer to the tow capacity of the 4wd. Is there anything else I'm not thinking of?

[Andy Seibel]

Actually the 2wd trucks have slightly HIGHER towing capacity than an equally equipped 4WD. The difference is the weight of the 4wd components. The gear ratios available are identical and you can actually tow MORE with a regular cab than a crew, again because the extra cab weight is subtracted from your total capacity.

 

If your truck has low towing capacity, you probably have the 3.08 rear end.

 

I just verified this by looking at my 2015 Silverado book that I got at the dealership. I cannot verify if this has changed sine then, but I can't believe it would.

[dirtyoldman]

4wd is the only way you can get the 3.42 rear in a regular cab truck with the v6. Pretty slim pickings on the dealerships with these trucks.....

 

I believe I have a 3.2x rear end. 6000# tow capacity. Looks like they did it because of the very slight mpg advantage on the highway. Just not what I want. It looks like I can get a 3.42 or 3.73 ring and pinions set.

[dirtyoldman]

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

[dasimmon]

Actually the 2wd trucks have slightly HIGHER towing capacity than an equally equipped 4WD. The difference is the weight of the 4wd components. The gear ratios available are identical and you can actually tow MORE with a regular cab than a crew, again because the extra cab weight is subtracted from your total capacity.

 

If your truck has low towing capacity, you probably have the 3.08 rear end.

 

I just verified this by looking at my 2015 Silverado book that I got at the dealership. I cannot verify if this has changed sine then, but I can't believe it would.

yup

[dirtyoldman]

Did you see the chart I posted? There is no such thing as a similar equipped 4wd truck, can't buy them that way.

[dirtyoldman]

I can't figure out how to post pictures.

[Andy Seibel]

So you got the v-6 and you're complaining about your towing capacity? (The v-6 is the only option that has 6,000 lb capacity)

 

Yes, the v-6 has crappy towing capacity. No surprise there.

 

If you want to put a different rear-end in your truck, Go for it. Still won't change the engine size.

I would have just bought a v-8 that comes ready to tow.

[dirtyoldman]

Seriously? This thing has as much horsepower as my v10 ford with a 15000 towing capacity. I'm plenty happy with this little engine. Us regular cab guys don't have much to pick from. This truck was the only one within 800 miles optioned the way it is. Can't get a v8 without all the other interior options unless I special ordered it. Just not worth it. A 4wd truck set up the same as mine is rated for 7600#, was thinking about swapping gears to get a little more acceleration and towing capacity.

[michigan2500hd]

Nothing wrong with swapping gears. Except that it's very expensive. It would definitely make the load on the engine more manageable and make the trans last longer.

 

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[Darth_Vader]

Nothing wrong with swapping gears. Except that it's very expensive. It would definitely make the load on the engine more manageable and make the trans last longer.

 

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No it's not.

[Sierra706]

Seriously? This thing has as much horsepower as my v10 ford with a 15000 towing capacity. I'm plenty happy with this little engine. Us regular cab guys don't have much to pick from. This truck was the only one within 800 miles optioned the way it is. Can't get a v8 without all the other interior options unless I special ordered it. Just not worth it. A 4wd truck set up the same as mine is rated for 7600#, was thinking about swapping gears to get a little more acceleration and towing capacity.

Towing capacity is lower because the manufacturers now follow a guideline, instead of just making up numbers however they feel. Your v10 Ford more likely than not did not adhere to the SAE J2807 for towing, and could be rated different if it did.

 

Also take into account horsepower is not the only determining factor in towing. Brakes, chassis, transmission, tires, etc all play a part. Which is why a 3500 will have a higher towing capacity than a 2500 even with the same engine.

 

 

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[dirtyoldman]

I do understand that.....just addressing the comment about the "puny" v6. What is different between the four-wheel-drive and two wheel drive other than the gear ratio? You mentioned brakes and suspension and frame. Are any of those different between those two models?

[michigan2500hd]

I believe the drive line is the same with the exception of the rear axle being a old style 10 bolt on the v6. Which was fine for the GMT900 with all the v8's except the 6.2. I think they should use the 4.3 v6 in more applications. It would be just fine in the Tahoe's and yukons ( always with the option of larger engines). It would help the CAFE numbers too.

 

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[dirtyoldman]

thank you. I happen to agree. I think this engine is just incredible! The 4.3 is what won me over from the fords with the ecoboost. I have driven the 5.3 in a rental suburban (2014) and was impressed with it in there. I didn't even test drive a v8 truck this time though. I just wasn't willing to step up that far in trim packages to get what I wanted.

 

It's pretty silly the complete lack of options us regular cab guys get though. Everyone scrunched up their face and says "why do you want a standard cab 2wd truck?" I couldnt be happier though!