Yet Another Tow Capacity Question

jimsryker wrote:


Wow, more good info here Jimnlin! I have to admit something here. This RAWR is a new term to me. What is this and how do I find my value on this. I don't recall seeing this in my manual. I upgraded to new Michelin E rated tires. 9" wide and approx. 3400 lbs. each. I have heard my 2500 is a 3500 less a leaf spring. Same power plant, etc... It's for this reason that I have posted this. The dealers all say that they sell these Voltages all day to 3/4 ton diesel truck owners but you have to do your homework before taking them at their word. I am hoping more with experience chime in here. Thanks!

Loading to the GAWR number WILL exceed your truck's payload rating by a significant margin.
Depends on what number you want to believe and how much cushion you believe the engineers figured into those numbers.
Loading to GAWR instead of GVWR will probably result in an unstable feeling rig, I know mine was!
Your truck probably has an official payload rating around 2100-2200#, which does not leave much for pin weight by the time you add people, stuff and hitch. Look at the yellow tire loading label on your drivers door pillar for the actual numbers for YOUR truck.
My truck is not so different except it is 2WD and would be maxed out on payload with my 9600# fiver if it was 4WD.
BTDT - pulled a 15K GVWR fiver that put me 400# over GVWR for a VERY short while until I realized it was too much trailer for the truck.
YMMV.
As for the LLY overheat issue - it was reported on less than 1.5% of trucks with that engine and only showed up on those under extreme grade, heat and maximum trailer conditions.
Some rocket scientist of a GM engineer thought it was a good idea to pull hot intake air from behind the radiator!
This changed in 2006 and GM would install the 2006 LBZ air cleaner system on the LLYs for anyone who asked (there was a TSB out on it). This drew cool air from under the fender. So if you look at a 2004.5 or 2005 LLY, check to see if it has a square (original) or round (replacement) air cleaner box. Too late now for the warranty to cover it of course.
I had mine done and I did see a 10 - 15 degree drop in running temperature. I have never heard the secondary fan kick in since.