Towing capacity (again)

[98GMCClubCab]

First, I know it's a '98 but it seems to fit in with this forum better. Sorry.

Question is findind the right tow rating. I went camper shopping last night and I really need to know the "true" tow rating.

This truck is the GMC 1500 extended cab long box. It has the heavy duty package, only available for a couple years I believe, wich gives it the 14 bolt rear instead of the 10. It has larger brakes, leaf springs, u-joints, but still the L60E tranny. It has a 350 Vortec with 3.42 gearing and 6600 lb GVWR not the standard 6200 lb rating of the regular 1500.

All tow ratings I can find list it around 7500 lbs, but they are for the regular 1500, not the heavy duty one I have.

Does it make a difference in the tow rating? I would think so. I need to know what this truck can really haul.

Any help would be appreciated. I want the biggest camper forthe money and weight is critical.

Thanks, Scott.

[shorepatrol2]

First, I know it's a '98 but it seems to fit in with this forum better. Sorry.

Question is findind the right tow rating. I went camper shopping last night and I really need to know the "true" tow rating.

This truck is the GMC 1500 extended cab long box. It has the heavy duty package, only available for a couple years I believe, wich gives it the 14 bolt rear instead of the 10. It has larger brakes, leaf springs, u-joints, but still the L60E tranny. It has a 350 Vortec with 3.42 gearing and 6600 lb GVWR not the standard 6200 lb rating of the regular 1500.

All tow ratings I can find list it around 7500 lbs, but they are for the regular 1500, not the heavy duty one I have.

Does it make a difference in the tow rating? I would think so. I need to know what this truck can really haul.

Any help would be appreciated. I want the biggest camper forthe money and weight is critical.

Thanks, Scott.

 

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3:42's are little tall for heavy towing

[98GMCClubCab]

Yeah, I know. I think so too. I tow 6000lbs now with it and go easy in third. Great gas and it handles well. Funny thing is, everything I read says 3.42 and 3.73 are the same tow rating. I was going to regear to 4.10 but only plan on having this truck for 2-3 years and moving to a 2500. Only want to buy the camper once and the truck a little later. I tow around 2000-2500 miles per year. Not a real lot. Do about 6 trips a year no more than a 3 1/2 hour drive. Will venture further when the 2500 comes into play. Not with this truck.

Still can't find ratings for this oddball. Any clues to a web site would help.

Thanks, Scott.

[redvett]

Look on the sticker on the drivers door it has the GVWR that can easly be towed by the vehicle. If it has the GVWR 6600 lb that you stated its in the window.

[98GMCClubCab]

Look on the sticker on the drivers door it has the GVWR that can easly be towed by the vehicle. If it has the GVWR 6600 lb  that you stated its in the window.

 

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Isn't the GVWR rating on the truck sticker on the door jamb for it's payload front and rear, not what it can tow?

[Rolandd]

I think my '95 had a GCWR: gross combined weight rating. This is the total combined weight of the truck and trailer and is really a rating of what the brakes and drive line can handle as I understand it. The truck is long gone and was a light duty K2500 so I cannot help you with numbers.

[redvett]

My GVWR on my 04 EXT 4x4 is 6400 and the front is 3925 & rear is 3750 total of the front & rear is 7675 and i never exceed this ever to be safe. My manual says not to tow more than 7800lbs trailer weight so they add 125 lbs to the total.

[98GMCClubCab]

Mine has the same front and rear #s as yours. Only difference is the GVWR is 6600. I didn't know that's how they did it. Thanks.

[svensk]

I would not tow over 7k with a 1/2 ton. Your tall gears will pull ok, but that won't be the issue. You want to be concerned about braking, and stability in high wind situations. Towing a 7K pound camper into a 25-30mph head or crosswind can be a nightmare.

[sc4808]

Luckily ther is no "Tow Rating Police"

 

I would not go over 7K lbs or so with your truck.

 

Unfortunately the weight of the trailer is not the only thing that will determine if your truck tows it well. The way that the trailer is designed and loaded will have more effect that the actual weight. I have seen trailers that only weighed 5000 lbs that had to be towed by a 3/4 or 1 ton, if not they would sway severly and I have towed over 15000 lbs with a half ton with no issues, it just depends on the trailer.

 

Now as far as the issue of the truck holding up to towing that much depends on the condition it is in and maintenance history. Definately have a trans cooler and trailer brakes. You have the simi-floating 14 bolt which is stronger than the 10 bolt but not as strong as the full-floating 14 bolt.

[98GMCClubCab]

It has a large tranny cooler and a Teckonsha Prodigy brake controller. I don't mess around with braking. Stopping has always been the issue with trailers. I always use the boost to have the trailer slightly pull back on my truck, keeping both under control. I travel mostly New Hampshire and Maine. Low highway speed limits and mostly wooded highways so to cut down on cross winds (but your point is well taken, safety first).

Just looking to get 2-3 years before the 2500 comes but I don't want to skimp on the trailer and then regret it in 2-3 years. But if I can't tow it safely, then I can't.

Thanks for all your help, Scott