Towing Capacity 2009 3500HD DRW

[CapnDean]

I have been towing a dump trailer loaded with limestone and sometimes mason sand behind my 3500HD truck.   I have no problems whatsoever towing, but I am often dragging 16.000 lbs or better.

 

I just looked up the manufacturer specs on what this make and model truck can tow..... 9200 lbs.     WOW.....   I look up a 2021 3500HD and of course I see a configuration up to 36,000 lbs.

 

So the obvious question here is - - What the heck is so different about a 2021 one ton dually that allows it to tow 4X the weight of my 2009 Dually?

 

Anybody out there care to speculate?   I see trucks like mine hauling a lot more weight than I do without trouble.   What gives?

[CamGTP]

You need to have a 5th wheel trailer to tow heavy weights.

 

No truck can tow 36,000 on the standard hitch bolted to the frame, they are all using 5th wheels.

 

If your truck is a gas 6.0 with 3.73's they say you are limited to 9,200 on the hitch, with 4.10's you get another 2,000ish lbs. The Duramax can do up to 13,000 on the hitch with the right configuration and 16,700 on the 5th wheel.

 

Here is a 2010 guide, it's the same as 2009. The 6.0 and LMM duramax is the same from 2009-2010.

 

https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2010-GMC-Trailering-Guide.pdf

 

The frames, rear diffs, hitch and transmission are much beefier on the 2015-2019's and 2020+ trucks. That's why the towing capacity is so darn high on the new trucks. Plus you can only tow 36,000lbs with a 5th wheel on a base model single cab 2WD work truck in 2020+.

 

 

Edited February 7, 2021 by CamGTP

[Formulabruce]

 According to the Brochure your Dually's  GCVWR  is 20-22K lbs depending on the rear axle, 3.73 or 4.11 .

 Actual towing is  22K - your truck ( say 6k lbs) that is 16K . This sounds about right,  and near the limit.

 Many ratings are limited due to braking. GM tends to under rate towing for legal reasons involving unknown brakes on trailers.

Cameron is correct a LOT has been Beefed up ( probably due to competition).

 5th wheel is safest , I agree 100%.

 There IS a difference in The Gross Combined Vehicle weight Rating, and Bed capacity, and Weight on hitch, and towing capacity.

 

Edited February 7, 2021 by Formulabruce

[CapnDean]

On 2/6/2021 at 10:10 PM, CamGTP said:

You need to have a 5th wheel trailer to tow heavy weights.

 

No truck can tow 36,000 on the standard hitch bolted to the frame, they are all using 5th wheels.

 

If your truck is a gas 6.0 with 3.73's they say you are limited to 9,200 on the hitch, with 4.10's you get another 2,000ish lbs. The Duramax can do up to 13,000 on the hitch with the right configuration and 16,700 on the 5th wheel.

 

Here is a 2010 guide, it's the same as 2009. The 6.0 and LMM duramax is the same from 2009-2010.

 

https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2010-GMC-Trailering-Guide.pdf

 

The frames, rear diffs, hitch and transmission are much beefier on the 2015-2019's and 2020+ trucks. That's why the towing capacity is so darn high on the new trucks. Plus you can only tow 36,000lbs with a 5th wheel on a base model single cab 2WD work truck in 2020+.

 

 

I am using a gooseneck dump trailer, I have never seen a 5th wheel dump trailer.  I cannot imagine why a 5th wheel could tow more than a gooseneck.  Please explain.

[CamGTP]

Gooseneck/5th wheel, same thing.

 

GM rates them the same in the towing book. Per that link I showed you are limited to like 16,000lbs towing on a gooseneck and not 9,200lbs.