I am not here to start a flame war, but I was looking at tow ratings since I was looking to get a newer truck (just found one today), but I am shocked how high the 1/2 ton trucks tow rating have gone. GM is stating a 1/2 ton CC std bed with 3.42 gears and a 5.3V is rated at 9700 lbs. While a 2500hd CC STD bed with the 3.73 and the 6.0l is at 9700 lbs. How can this really be true? My opinion if I am around 9K I would never put that behind a 1/2 ton. I mean everything is larger on the 3/4 tons. Bigger axles, bigger breaks, bigger frame.

The 6.0 has been de-rated for whatever reason. It's 3.73 tow rating was higher a few years ago. They can rate half tons that high because it is based on towing a flatbed fills of bricks, not a travel trailer.

Yep, it can be true, the TV is lighter, so it doesn't need to move as much mass.I believe you answered your own question in the last sentence. My opinion if I am around 9K I would never put that behind a 1/2 ton. I mean everything is larger on the 3/4 tons. Bigger axles, bigger breaks, bigger frame.

Because the marketing dept has more say in tow ratings than the engineers...that is, until they adopt SAE J2807. Until then, it's the dartboard approach and comparing them to what the other guys artificially rate theirs at. GM has a 1500 they rate to tow what? 12,000?And before the GM guys get their panties in a wad, the others are just as bad. Toyota's trailer ratings are realistic as they follow J2807.

I would like to see one of those comparison tests of a 1/2 ton vs a 3/4 ton using a TT so you have the "sail" effect. Yea found a 2500hd 6.0l today that had low miles on the clock for the year. Got a good deal on it. I hate to see the duramax go, but the "salt" belt rot it starting to take hold of the body and I decided to unload it before it got too bad. Right not the only "visible" spot not is the fuel door. I am back to gas for now. Hopefully I will have this until we are ready for a 5th wheel camper.

Manufacturer tow ratings are useless. You will almost always run out of payload well before you reach the tow rating.

1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton towing | Good Sam Community

Frozen001
Explorer
May 10, 2014
I would like to see one of those comparison tests of a 1/2 ton vs a 3/4 ton using a TT so you have the "sail" effect. Yea found a 2500hd 6.0l today that had low miles on the clock for the year. Got a good deal on it. I hate to see the duramax go, but the "salt" belt rot it starting to take hold of the body and I decided to unload it before it got too bad. Right not the only "visible" spot not is the fuel door. I am back to gas for now. Hopefully I will have this until we are ready for a 5th wheel camper.
ib516
Explorer II
May 10, 2014
Because the marketing dept has more say in tow ratings than the engineers...that is, until they adopt SAE J2807. Until then, it's the dartboard approach and comparing them to what the other guys artificially rate theirs at. GM has a 1500 they rate to tow what? 12,000?

And before the GM guys get their panties in a wad, the others are just as bad. Toyota's trailer ratings are realistic as they follow J2807.
rhagfo
Explorer III
May 10, 2014
Yep, it can be true, the TV is lighter, so it doesn't need to move as much mass.

I believe you answered your own question in the last sentence.

My opinion if I am around 9K I would never put that behind a 1/2 ton. I mean everything is larger on the 3/4 tons. Bigger axles, bigger breaks, bigger frame.
lbrjet
Explorer
May 10, 2014
The 6.0 has been de-rated for whatever reason. It's 3.73 tow rating was higher a few years ago. They can rate half tons that high because it is based on towing a flatbed fills of bricks, not a travel trailer.

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1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton towing

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