Towing Descrepancy

Outbacker · June 10, 2008

When I was looking at the 2008 Sierra, one of the things that I was inquiring about was the towing capacity of the truck. My last Sierra had a max towing capacity of 8700 lbs, which is great. With this truck, I asked the manager whom I bought the truck from what the towing capacity was, and he looked in the information booklet that you can get at any dealership and for the 1500 extended cab, 4X4, regular box, K10753, it lists a maximum towing capacity of 8500 pounds. That was great, and I bought the truck. There are dozens of other reasons I bought it, but this was one of the key reasons. Last night I decided to bring out the owners manual and flip through it, and it shows that the towing capacity for a K-1500 extended cab, 5.3L, 3.73 axle ratio to be 7500 lbs . Both books give pounds and kilograms, and they are consistant, so it is not like there is a typo on one of them. I then looked it up on Trailer Life towing capacities, and they also show 7500 pounds.

So I am kind of disappointed about this. My current trailer is GVWR at 6000 pounds, but we were planning to upgrade to a slightly larger trailer rated at 7300 pounds, but I guess that is out of the question as it is too close to the capacity. It would be fine IF it was 8500 #, but it is not. Next time I am at the dealership, I am going to mention this and share my disappointment in their misleading documentation.

I guess the reason I am posting this is if you are looking for certain key qualities in a vehicle, do your own homework and do not take anyone's word for it. If I had looked deeper into the towing capacities, I would have found out this information before I signed the contract. Oh well, live and learn .

HawkeyeOC · June 10, 2008

The difference you may be talking about is probably in rear end gearing. With 4.10 gears you would get the extra 1000 pound towing capacity. A 3.73 rear reduces tow ratings from the maximun of 8500 pounds with that engine and cab configuration to 7500.

You can always change the gears.

svensk · June 10, 2008

My old dealer window sticker says 8500 with 3.73. At least I thought it did.

50usilverado · June 10, 2008

When I was looking at the 2008 Sierra, one of the things that I was inquiring about was the towing capacity of the truck. My last Sierra had a max towing capacity of 8700 lbs, which is great. With this truck, I asked the manager whom I bought the truck from what the towing capacity was, and he looked in the information booklet that you can get at any dealership and for the 1500 extended cab, 4X4, regular box, K10753, it lists a maximum towing capacity of 8500 pounds. That was great, and I bought the truck. There are dozens of other reasons I bought it, but this was one of the key reasons. Last night I decided to bring out the owners manual and flip through it, and it shows that the towing capacity for a K-1500 extended cab, 5.3L, 3.73 axle ratio to be 7500 lbs . Both books give pounds and kilograms, and they are consistant, so it is not like there is a typo on one of them. I then looked it up on Trailer Life towing capacities, and they also show 7500 pounds.

So I am kind of disappointed about this. My current trailer is GVWR at 6000 pounds, but we were planning to upgrade to a slightly larger trailer rated at 7300 pounds, but I guess that is out of the question as it is too close to the capacity. It would be fine IF it was 8500 #, but it is not. Next time I am at the dealership, I am going to mention this and share my disappointment in their misleading documentation.

I guess the reason I am posting this is if you are looking for certain key qualities in a vehicle, do your own homework and do not take anyone's word for it. If I had looked deeper into the towing capacities, I would have found out this information before I signed the contract. Oh well, live and learn .

I had the same thought, my 05 4.8 with the 3.43 was rated for 6700lb . bought a 08 thinking it was 8500( looked in the 05 manual) and rated for only 7500, this is with the z85 tow package.

Have you towed with yours yet? found my 08 very unstable while towing. had to upgrade the rear suspension to compensate hitch weight.

MS3DALE · June 10, 2008

The difference you may be talking about is probably in rear end gearing. With 4.10 gears you would get the extra 1000 pound towing capacity. A 3.73 rear reduces tow ratings from the maximun of 8500 pounds with that engine and cab configuration to 7500.

You can always change the gears.

It also depends on the engine,Mine is rated for 8500lbs. w/3.73's because I have the 6-liter.

If I had the 4.10's it would be rated for 10,500lbs.

You are right Hawkeye,If he had 4.10's he'd be OK for 8,500lbs.

Outbacker · June 10, 2008

Yeah, if I had the 4.10 it would be much better. Is it an expensive procedure to change out the gearing to a 4.10?

Thanks.

Woodcutter · June 10, 2008

Yeah, if I had the 4.10 it would be much better. Is it an expensive procedure to change out the gearing to a 4.10?

Thanks.

Not sure what the exact cost is ($1500-$2000?) but definitely not worth the cost of 1,000 lbs of towing capacity.

slimjim2525 · June 11, 2008

You should go punch your dealer in the mouth!! J/K..

HawkeyeOC · June 11, 2008

Yeah, if I had the 4.10 it would be much better. Is it an expensive procedure to change out the gearing to a 4.10?

Thanks.

Not sure what the exact cost is ($1500-$2000?) but definitely not worth the cost of 1,000 lbs of towing capacity.

Still about half the price of a Tundra hitch

bbwb · June 11, 2008

I changed my gears from 3.42 to 4.10's...the gears were $1350 plus a reprogram at the dealer for $142.

bbwb

gvbhunt · June 11, 2008

The difference you may be talking about is probably in rear end gearing. With 4.10 gears you would get the extra 1000 pound towing capacity. A 3.73 rear reduces tow ratings from the maximun of 8500 pounds with that engine and cab configuration to 7500.

You can always change the gears.

It also depends on the engine,Mine is rated for 8500lbs. w/3.73's because I have the 6-liter.

If I had the 4.10's it would be rated for 10,500lbs.

Are you sure that number is right for the 3.73's? According to the chart, the 2wd extended cab with vmax package and 3.73's has a trailer capacity of 10,300lbs so the 4x4 would probably be closer to 10k, right?

MS3DALE · June 11, 2008

The difference you may be talking about is probably in rear end gearing. With 4.10 gears you would get the extra 1000 pound towing capacity. A 3.73 rear reduces tow ratings from the maximun of 8500 pounds with that engine and cab configuration to 7500.

You can always change the gears.

It also depends on the engine,Mine is rated for 8500lbs. w/3.73's because I have the 6-liter.

If I had the 4.10's it would be rated for 10,500lbs.

Are you sure that number is right for the 3.73's? According to the chart, the 2wd extended cab with vmax package and 3.73's has a trailer capacity of 10,300lbs so the 4x4 would probably be closer to 10k, right?

Yep,Actually a 2wd extended-cab w/the Vmax pkg. and 3.73's is rated for 10,200lbs,A 4x4 extended-cab with the Vmax package is rated for 10,500lbs. but..they come with 4.10's (were of course the 2wds have the 3.73's)

Because I didn't order the Vmax pkg. my truck has 3.73's and is rated for 8,500lbs.

A 2wd extended-cab with the 6-liter and 3.73's but WITHOUT the Vmax pkg. is rated for 8,800lbs.

gvbhunt · June 11, 2008

The difference you may be talking about is probably in rear end gearing. With 4.10 gears you would get the extra 1000 pound towing capacity. A 3.73 rear reduces tow ratings from the maximun of 8500 pounds with that engine and cab configuration to 7500.

You can always change the gears.

It also depends on the engine,Mine is rated for 8500lbs. w/3.73's because I have the 6-liter.

If I had the 4.10's it would be rated for 10,500lbs.

Are you sure that number is right for the 3.73's? According to the chart, the 2wd extended cab with vmax package and 3.73's has a trailer capacity of 10,300lbs so the 4x4 would probably be closer to 10k, right?

Yep,Actually a 2wd extended-cab w/the Vmax pkg. and 3.73's is rated for 10,200lbs,A 4x4 extended-cab with the Vmax package is rated for 10,500lbs. but..they come with 4.10's (were of course the 2wds have the 3.73's)

Because I didn't order the Vmax pkg. my truck has 3.73's and is rated for 8,500lbs.

A 2wd extended-cab with the 6-liter and 3.73's but WITHOUT the Vmax pkg. is rated for 8,800lbs.

So what is in that package that you do not have on the truck in your Sig? Besides the 4.10's? You have the 9.5" rear axle, the 4l70E trans, should have the external oil cooler and all its goodies. Just curious...

Reason that I ask is that my truck is probably built like yours and I figured the towing capacity was at the minimum 10k.

MS3DALE · June 11, 2008

The difference you may be talking about is probably in rear end gearing. With 4.10 gears you would get the extra 1000 pound towing capacity. A 3.73 rear reduces tow ratings from the maximun of 8500 pounds with that engine and cab configuration to 7500.

You can always change the gears.

It also depends on the engine,Mine is rated for 8500lbs. w/3.73's because I have the 6-liter.

If I had the 4.10's it would be rated for 10,500lbs.

Are you sure that number is right for the 3.73's? According to the chart, the 2wd extended cab with vmax package and 3.73's has a trailer capacity of 10,300lbs so the 4x4 would probably be closer to 10k, right?

Yep,Actually a 2wd extended-cab w/the Vmax pkg. and 3.73's is rated for 10,200lbs,A 4x4 extended-cab with the Vmax package is rated for 10,500lbs. but..they come with 4.10's (were of course the 2wds have the 3.73's)

Because I didn't order the Vmax pkg. my truck has 3.73's and is rated for 8,500lbs.

A 2wd extended-cab with the 6-liter and 3.73's but WITHOUT the Vmax pkg. is rated for 8,800lbs.

So what is in that package that you do not have on the truck in your Sig? Besides the 4.10's? You have the 9.5" rear axle, the 4l70E trans, should have the external oil cooler and all its goodies. Just curious...

Reason that I ask is that my truck is probably built like yours and I figured the towing capacity was at the minimum 10k.

Good question Brad,The main thing is the 4.10's like you mentioned,also the cooling fan motors and rear leaf springs are different from a truck with the "NHT" Vmax pkg. to one without it.

Your truck and mine are built alike powertrain wise (6-liter,4L70E trans.,9.5" rear-end,3.73's) The max. towing capacity for your truck,like mine,is 8,500lbs.,again this is because our trucks have 3.73's.