New to truck owning, couple of questions for those with more knowledge.

[Kyle.B]

Bought my 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation 4x4 about a week ago, figuring certain things out along the way. I still have some either basic or more in depth questions.

 

1. How can I figure out the load capacity of my tailgate?

 

2. I have the 2.7T, aside from the obvious engine upgrade are there any other ways to increase (safely) the towing capacity of the truck?

 

3. Are levelling kits used for anything more than appearance?

 

4. why are there so little aftermarket parts and accessories for the 19+ GMC' ?

 

5. are there any more major or minor known problems to look out for and perhaps do preventative maintenance on?

 

Thank you in advance for any and all information, as well as any advice that I may not have asked about.

[CamGTP]

1. Not sure on that one, wonder if that is listed in the owners manual though.

 

2. From a legal standpoint, no you can't. If you got caught by a sheriff/DOT officer and they actually went through everything, you could be fined for towing more than allowed by the truck.

Also if there were factory parts that you could buy to get the max towing allowed for a truck with your engine/transmission, the GM dealer is not going to re-program your truck for those changes or give you a new door sticker with new ratings.

 

3. It's all about looks.

 

4. I guess that depends on what you are looking for. Lots of interior and exterior stuff you can buy but many of the performance based stuff is down to a handful of stuff. More for the V8 trucks than the Turbo 4 Cylinder truck. GM made it far more difficult to mod these new truck so it's either taking much longer to produce parts or the people that make the stuff just don't plan to do it because R&D costs are too high.

[swathdiver]

You could have a leaf added to your spring packs or buy ones rated to carry more weight.  Even though that little motor is plenty powerful, you don't really want to drive around towing 14,000 pounds.  Around town it'll haul more on flat ground but you don't want to be north of town on the Turnpike or drive up to Sugarloaf Mountain!  

 

I think the weight limit of the tailgate is around 800 pounds if memory serves, better double check before taking my word for it.

[StinkyCheese]

2.  What are you wanting to tow that you're wanting a higher rating?  But like CamGTP said what it says on the door is what you can do.  If you want more "legally" then you need a different truck.  With half tons you almost always run out of cargo/tongue weight before you hit the max tow.

 

Congrats neighbor on the new to you truck.

[newdude]

9 hours ago, Kyle.B said:

Bought my 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation 4x4 about a week ago, figuring certain things out along the way. I still have some either basic or more in depth questions.

 

1. How can I figure out the load capacity of my tailgate?

 

2. I have the 2.7T, aside from the obvious engine upgrade are there any other ways to increase (safely) the towing capacity of the truck?

 

3. Are levelling kits used for anything more than appearance?

 

4. why are there so little aftermarket parts and accessories for the 19+ GMC' ?

 

5. are there any more major or minor known problems to look out for and perhaps do preventative maintenance on?

 

Thank you in advance for any and all information, as well as any advice that I may not have asked about.

 

 

1 - 1999-2018 trucks, GM has listed 1000lbs tailgate capacity when evenly loaded/spread on the gate (no loading ramps as it doesn't spread the load evenly).  No # has been published for the 2019+up trucks yet.

 

2 - Legally, no.  Truck is rated for what its rated.  2021 GM re-certified the 2.7T using SAEJ2807 towing rules and increased its towing weight to 9000lbs.  So legally, you'd have to trade for a 2021+newer 2.7T (or other engine).

 

3 - Mostly looks.  Get new UCAs if you level.

 

4 - Not sure what you mean?  There's loads of stuff out there for these trucks.  Tonneaus, window visors, hood deflectors, wheels, mud flaps, steps, etc.  If you are talking performance wise, cat back exhausts and intakes are available for the 2.7T, but the ECM is still locked up so no tuning.  

 

5 - 2.7T likes to fail EVAP purge pumps for some reason.  8 speed can shift funny sometimes.  Leaf springs may be noisy.

Edited May 21, 2022 by newdude

[Gangly]

On 5/20/2022 at 9:36 PM, Kyle.B said:

Bought my 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation 4x4 about a week ago, figuring certain things out along the way. I still have some either basic or more in depth questions.

 

1. How can I figure out the load capacity of my tailgate?

If its the multiflex:

The Multi-Flex Tailgate offers Silverado customers six unique functions, allowing for easier access to bed cargo, enhanced loading solutions and a standing workstation. With a weight capacity of 375 pounds (170 kg), different configurations for the Multi-Flex Tailgate activate using a key fob or two tailgate-mounted buttons, one for the full gate and another for the second-tier loading and storage options.

 

2. I have the 2.7T, aside from the obvious engine upgrade are there any other ways to increase (safely) the towing capacity of the truck?

Legally, No.  You can only legally tow what your sticker weights say that you can tow.

 

3. Are levelling kits used for anything more than appearance?

Yes, as long as you go with a leveling kit that utilizes shocks/springs instead of pucks.

 

4. why are there so little aftermarket parts and accessories for the 19+ GMC' ?

GM has done a really good/terrible job of locking down the PCM's on these trucks limiting performance enhancing mods.  Also, its a platform that has only been around a few years now.  It will take more time before the aftermarket really picks up.  Hopefully with the introduction of the ZR2, the aftermarket manufacturers will start producing more options for our vehicles.

 

5. are there any more major or minor known problems to look out for and perhaps do preventative maintenance on?

Lifter failures and rear window leaks are the most common, but you shouldn't have to worry about lifter issues with your 2.7.   The rear window leak is a bigger issue and a good portion of people will experience it.

 

Thank you in advance for any and all information, as well as any advice that I may not have asked about.

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by Gangly

[swathdiver]

Curious, I also hear of people paying (registration and taxes) to use their vehicle in a higher weight class and having no problems with the government operating that way.

[KARNUT]

3 hours ago, swathdiver said:

Curious, I also hear of people paying (registration and taxes) to use their vehicle in a higher weight class and having no problems with the government operating that way.

I’m answering the question I think your asking. Hauling my equipment with 3/4 and one ton trucks and gooseneck trailer I would register the combination for 25K. When going out of state through the check points it was legal. People would get their panties in a wad over the truck would be over burdened. Actually the stopping and load carrying falls on the trailer and it’s capabilities. And proper weight distribution. Maintaining speed is the purpose of the truck. I always geared my trucks for maintaining 60 mph in drive usually 3K RPMs gas. Lower of course with diesel. Today’s 3/4 one tons do it with ease right out of the box.

[John813]

The towing part gets brought up a lot over multiple truck forums. 

 

IIRC even if you switched out the gears to the max tow package, for example, your door sticker still is the limit when it comes to the DOT. 

Now, could you improve the springs, gearing and brakes and then tow more than what it says and have a competent rig? Sure. But there is a grey area when it comes to insurance god forbid you get into an accident and DOT/Highway patrol don't allow you to jump above the listed towing capacity of a similar optioned truck from factory. 

 

[diyer2]

Another towing capacity thread.

Why buy a 1500 and wonder about towing capacity? 

[calgator73]

On 5/20/2022 at 10:36 PM, Kyle.B said:

Bought my 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation 4x4 about a week ago, figuring certain things out along the way. I still have some either basic or more in depth questions.

 

1. How can I figure out the load capacity of my tailgate?

 

2. I have the 2.7T, aside from the obvious engine upgrade are there any other ways to increase (safely) the towing capacity of the truck?

 

3. Are levelling kits used for anything more than appearance?

 

4. why are there so little aftermarket parts and accessories for the 19+ GMC' ?

 

5. are there any more major or minor known problems to look out for and perhaps do preventative maintenance on?

 

Thank you in advance for any and all information, as well as any advice that I may not have asked about.

I've never heard of DOT going after a private individual for weight issues as you're not required to hit the scales.  Might be more of a civil liability problem if you wreck.  You might be able to do some upgrades to give you a qualitatively better experience.  LT tires, 5100 shocks, proper weight distribution but the door sticker is the door sticker.

[KARNUT]

15 minutes ago, calgator73 said:

I've never heard of DOT going after a private individual for weight issues as you're not required to hit the scales.  Might be more of a civil liability problem if you wreck.  You might be able to do some upgrades to give you a qualitatively better experience.  LT tires, 5100 shocks, proper weight distribution but the door sticker is the door sticker.

Believe me you cross the scales with a questionable load, there you will stay. It’s always wise to have the proper insurance. My first diesel pulling truck was a 3/4 ton dodge. My combination registration was 25K. I did demos in Florida with my clearing equipment for the DOT. They were widening the interstate run offs for the coming speed limit increases. I actually did the first section of clearing  outside of Jacksonville Florida. Amusingly they would gravitate towards my truck seeing and hearing it pulling up. My father would keep them busy while I unloaded my tractor. That would last until the first tree fell. Not once was load question for safety.

[CamGTP]

Here in Minnesota you are under certain situations. We have weight stations that require anyone that is over 10,000lbs to stop on the scales if the weight station is open. Doesn't matter if you are regular guy or work for a company. If the truck and trailer can haul over 10,000lbs combined you are required to stop.

 

Most of these weight stations are in the Twin Cities metro and greater metro as well as coming into the state from North Dakota on I-94.

Edited May 24, 2022 by CamGTP

[StinkyCheese]

On 5/24/2022 at 10:41 AM, KARNUT said:

Believe me you cross the scales with a questionable load, there you will stay. It’s always wise to have the proper insurance. My first diesel pulling truck was a 3/4 ton dodge. My combination registration was 25K. I did demos in Florida with my clearing equipment for the DOT. They were widening the interstate run offs for the coming speed limit increases. I actually did the first section of clearing  outside of Jacksonville Florida. Amusingly they would gravitate towards my truck seeing and hearing it pulling up. My father would keep them busy while I unloaded my tractor. That would last until the first tree fell. Not once was load question for safety.

We don't really care about a lot of things here in Florida

[KARNUT]

3 minutes ago, Chevyguy85 said:

We don't really care about a lot of things here in Florida

Much the same in Texas. Live and let live. I’ve seen things done with pickups that would blow the screamers minds.