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What is unique about the Max Trailering package on the 6.2L?

Nitrousbird

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Jon A Senior Enthusiast

Jon A

Posted
Posted
On 11/5/2018 at 8:06 PM, Nitrousbird said:

I have the 6.2L , Premium Plus, Z71 and I'm wondering what it would take to come close to duplicating the Max Trailering Package.

The only thing that can't be changed, thus the most valuable thing to some people, is the higher number on the payload sticker.  There's no changing that.  But if you aren't paranoid about the weight police, you can easily make the non-NHT tow as well or better in every way than a factory NHT.  That's what I've done with mine.

 

Tow Mirrors:  You can add them, highly recommended.  One of my favorite mods.

 

Rear springs:  You swap them or use airbags which are much better anyway.  Highly recommended (airbags).

 

Shocks:  The NHT gets slightly differently valve shocks, but they're still crappy.  Good aftermarket shocks will be better, highly recommended.

 

Gears:  Nice, but expensive and with a 6.2 and 8-Speed you may feel no need to swap.  They make a bigger difference with the 6-speed and/or if you go to bigger tires.

 

Cooling:  You can swap, of course, but the NHT radiator is only a tiny bit thicker.  I've done a whole lot of testing and shown the non-NHT radiator isn't the limiting factor in any commonly encountered situation.  You can have cooler temps than an NHT with a thermostat swap, and tuning the fans will help even more.

 

Trans cooling:  As mentioned, it's exactly the same.

 

 

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cperk Enthusiast

cperk

Posted
Posted
The Max Trailering package can't be found on lots.  I have the 6.2L , Premium Plus, Z71 and I'm wondering what it would take to come close to duplicating the Max Trailering Package.
 
So here is what GMC's sight says:

3.42 rear axle ratio
- Yes, this one is a given - and an important upgrade.  Gear swap required.
 
Integrated trailer brake controller
- Available as a stand alone or part of a couple different packages - nothing unique to the Max Trailering Package
 
8-speed automatic transmission
- Premium Plus and Denali both have this 
 
Increased towing and GCWR rating
- Just a rating
 
Automatic locking rear differential
- Isn't this just a standard feature on all the 4WD trucks?

Handling/Trailering Suspension Package
- Isn't this just marketing for the shocks and springs mentioned below?
 
Enhanced cooling radiator
- From what I've read, the radiator comes with a transmission cooler integrated into it without this package, and not just the regular flow-through cooler that has been done for decades.  What is different about this "enhanced" cooling radiator?  Different P/N?
 
Revised shock tuning
-  What is different about these shocks vs. base and Z71?  Would it be an upgrade or downgrade towing wise swapping to these shocks over the Z71 shocks?

Heavier duty rear springs and increased RGAWR
- What springs are used?  P/N?  How different are they vs stock/Z71?
 
9.76" rear axle  
- Standard in the 6.2L trucks,
 
Trailer brake controller
- Yeah, it is listed twice
 
Trailering Equipment
- Uhhh, don't all the trucks have this?
 
From what I can tell and guess, there is a lot of marketing and the real differences are:
- 3.42 gears|
- Different shocks, but unsure what makes them different
- Assuming stiffer rear leafs - an easy and I'm guessing cheap swap
- "Maybe" a different radiator or external tranny cooler
 
Anyone with any insight on this?  

I haves 2015 I’ll sell you.


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  • 7 months later...
Slash L86 Enthusiast

Slash L86

Posted
Posted

I found one in a dealer lot 20 miles from my house. Was even the pearl white color w/o a sunroof that I wanted. Perhaps would prefer a longer bed sometimes. But, short one fits in most standard sized garage's, barely and it's lifted 2". Drove it home 11/15/18.

Side note: had drivers side head replaced at 4,000 due to porous casting or something that made a pin hole in it.

Thanks to GM for the loaners I had for over a month while they got it sorted from a backordered head gasket, least that was their excuse for that long in shop.

Mean time I put 4,000 miles on the loaners taking my extended vacation time seeing the sights. Good timing I guess as I didn't rack up miles on mine. ?

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