5th Wheel Towing Capacity seems really low on some 2500's

[Ron Myers]

I have been doing a lot of research on towing capacity of the GM 3/4 ton trucks between 2015 and 2019. Can someone explain why the 5th Wheel Towing capacity on a CrewCab, 4WD, StdBox is 1900 lbs less than the same truck with a 2WD? I would normally expect that difference to be about 200-300 lbs between the 2WD and 4WD drive variants. In general when looking at the capacity chart for 5th towing on a 2500, the capacity ranges seem to vary widely. In fact on what I would expect to be the most popular configuration, a 2500 CrewCab, with Duramax, and Std. Bed, is only rated at 13,400. This just seem really low to me for a 3/4 ton pickup.  What am I missing?

 

Thanks in advance

Ron

[davester]

It's probably just an licensing limit .  Vehicles with a lower rating will have lower tax/licensing fee's to pay in some juridictions.  If you need more, you get a 3500, and you pay the higher fee's.

[dplarson]

I'd think the weight difference between the trucks is more of a factor than 2-300lbs. Not just the 4wd components but the extra 1/2 cab and rear seat etc.
In addition to the comment above about licensing.

Sent from the demons in my head

[Waaazooo]

The truck is rated as a 10k LB truck. Subtract it’s wet weight and you have the payload capacity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ron Myers]

1 hour ago, dplarson said:

I'd think the weight difference between the trucks is more of a factor than 2-300lbs. Not just the 4wd components but the extra 1/2 cab and rear seat etc.
In addition to the comment above about licensing.

Sent from the demons in my head
 

To be clear, its the same truck configuration. Both CrewCabs, both diesels, and both 3.73 rear gearing. The only difference is 4WD vs 2WD.

[Ron Myers]

2 hours ago, davester said:

It's probably just an licensing limit .  Vehicles with a lower rating will have lower tax/licensing fee's to pay in some juridictions.  If you need more, you get a 3500, and you pay the higher fee's.

I can't imagine licensing fees would impact official towing capacities? Fees vary from state to state. Towing capacity must be measured objectively using power, weight, braking, and physics.... But perhaps you are on to something, I am going to look at Ford and Dodge to see if they have similar disparities of towing capacities on their 3/4 ton trucks.

Edited November 30, 2019 by Ron Myers

[davester]

It was my understanding that, at least in the past, 2500's generally had a gvwr just under 10k lbs, and 3500's went over that, but both the 2500's and 3500's shared mostly the same parts.

[Gerry C.]

I have a '19 25000 Duramax and after extensive research on this subject during the past two weeks, I found that there are only 3 differences between a 2500 and 3500SRW. 1) 3500 has 18" tires rated at 3590 lbs. The 2500 has 17" tires rated at 3195 lbs. 2) 3500 has 18" wheels and 3) the 3500 has  helper springs. In a "diesel" configuration, the 2500 & 3500 srw share the same exact motor, transmission, differential, chassis frame and main spring pack. In a gas configuration the 2500 has a differential without the additional gussets welded to the pumpkin. The gas 3500 has the same diff as the diesel 2500 & 3500 trucks with the welded gussets. Anyone know if a 2500 with all those upgrades can be recertified by the NHTSA? Thanks.

[Waaazooo]

I have a '19 25000 Duramax and after extensive research on this subject during the past two weeks, I found that there are only 3 differences between a 2500 and 3500SRW. 1) 3500 has 18" tires rated at 3590 lbs. The 2500 has 17" tires rated at 3195 lbs. 2) 3500 has 18" wheels and 3) the 3500 has  helper springs. In a "diesel" configuration, the 2500 & 3500 srw share the same exact motor, transmission, differential, chassis frame and main spring pack. In a gas configuration the 2500 has a differential without the additional gussets welded to the pumpkin. The gas 3500 has the same diff as the diesel 2500 & 3500 trucks with the welded gussets. Anyone know if a 2500 with all those upgrades can be recertified by the NHTSA? Thanks.

Front sway bar has a higher spring rate. I’ll try to find the part numbers. I doubt it’s considered for the GVWR.. great write up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ewbldavis]

Keep in mind how much heavier the diesel engine is. It immediately reduces your payload.

 

If you plan on tugging a decent size 5th wheel, you are much better off getting the 1 ton. I've shopped and even my gasser is tight on pin weights/payload.

[redwngr]

Max 5th wheel trailer ratings,

2019 2500 dmax order guide: 

 

All dmax are 3.73, CC is 2wd CK is 4wd, 743 is std box crew, 943 is long box crew 

 

CC25743    15400 (6985)
CC25943    14800 (6713)
CK25743    13500 (6124)
CK25943    12400 (5625) 

2500 crew std box, 2wd rated 1900 lbs higher than 4wd

2500 crew long box, 2wd rated 2400 lbs higher than 4wd

(side note: Ball hitch ratings for above models are 13000 for short box and 14500 for long box) 

 

All duallies are long box, so there are no '743' numbers for drw.

 

CC35743 w/SRW      17500 (7938)
CC35943 w/SRW      17400 (7893)
CC35943 w/DRW      23100 (10478)
CK35743 w/SRW      17200 (7802)
CK35943 w/SRW      17200 (7802)
CK35943 w/DRW      22700 (10297)

 

3500 CC Std box, 2wd rated 300 lbs higher than 4wd

3500 CC srw long box, 2wd rated 200 lbs higher than 4wd

3500 CC drw, 2wd rated 400 lbs higher than 4wd. 

 

4wd crew std box 3500 is 3700 lbs higher than 2500 

4wd crew long box, 3500 srw is 4800 higher than 2500

4wd crew long box 3500 drw is 5500 higher than 3500 srw

4wd crew long box 3500 drw is 10,300 higher than 2500

 

And just for fun, when looking at 3500 DRW

Tow ratings the dmax is significantly higher than the gasser.  (SRW's the numbers are closer.)

Payload ratings the gasser is a significantly higher. (Again, in SRW, the numbers are closer). 

 

 

These kinda show why we need to look the ratings up rather than making assumptions about the rating for a certain model version.

 

Right truck for the job, and all that crap.

Relationships between various models could be all different for the 2020 trucks, with the all new frames, axles, and cooling systems. For sure there are higher tow ratings available at the upper end.

[Zippity]

Yes, I find it completely ridiculous that GM could badge these trucks as "HD" tbh.  My esentially brand new 2019 Denali 2500 HD w/duramax has a sticker payload rating of only 1840 lbs apparently.  Is there any chance that this is a mixup?  Is it really possible this truck weighs in at ~8200 lbs? The strangest part is according to vin # decoder and on gm official site building a 2019 denali hd with same options, the ratings are in the range of ~ 3000 lb payload capacity.  At this low of a rating with 2 adults on the smaller side and 2 young children, I could barely tow (tongue weight) an EMPTY Ultra Lite travel trailer with no additional contents inside, let alone a 5th wheel (pin weight) ....

Edited January 3, 2020 by Zippity

[Camren Ondang]

My base model 15 GMC 2500HD duramax double cab long box has a payload of 2600lbs, which means be limited to GVWR of 10k puts my weight at 7400lbs ish. My one co worker has a 18 denali 2500 duramax crew cab short box has a payload of 1800lbs. Options cut into payload which on a 3/4 ton is limited as is, especially with the diesel. I haven`t played with the GM site but I know the Ford one only lists maximum for the most part. You pretty much have to go to dealerships and look at stickers, or go 1 ton

[mbsfgts]

I have 19 2500 Denali 4x4 diesel with a payload of 1900 as well.  My fault for not knowing but dealer told me a could pull just about any 5th wheel I wanted......now I wish I knew then what I know now, would have picked a different truck.

 

[MAX FIX]

That is why the dealer tell us we can haul any trailer we want so we won't buy a different truck. I do feel that this truck with a set of airbags could haul anything just not legally. The duramax has plenty of power, the drivetrain and frame are the same as the 3500. I feel good stopping power with down hill, engine braking and large 4 wheel disc. I believe insurance would be a factor as well, if something where to happen. The truck itself is a beast, it is just the rating game. Most DOT officers check weight and see if your tires are able to handle to load, again insurance and the #'s game