2004 Silverado Towing Capacity
Hey Gang - I need a sanity check to go over my calculations. I have a a 2004 1500 Extended Cab Shortbed Silverado 4 x 4 with a 5.3 liter engine, HD towing capacity, 3.73 rear end fitted with E Rated ...
Forum Discussion
The manufacturer's GVWR rating doesn't just take into account how much the truck can weigh without breaking axles or blowing tires BUT how well the truck brakes, steering, and various electronic stability and control systems can handle a specific maximum amount of weight. Starting and keeping a heavy weight moving is almost always easier than stopping it or making it go in the direction you want it to go in an emergency maneuver. If you greatly exceed GAWR you may break something quickly, if you exceed GVWR (or GCWR) you are going to have a rig that doesn't handle in a manner the manufacturer feels is reasonable. I can remember when GM had a footnote for some of their trucks that the GCWR could be increased by about 25% for low speed operation (i.e. farmers towing wagons) but it didn't mean that the average buyer should use that rating because the performance wouldn't be suitable for normal operation.
GVWR can never exceed the combined GAWR or total acceptable tire load AND in MOST cases it will be far less than either of these numbers because one or more components will be at its safe design limit before the other maximums are reached. If a truck has a 4,000 pound front GAWR and a 6,000 pound rear GAWR then rating it at 10,000 pounds GVWR would require absolutely perfect weight distribution when loaded; who wants to tell poor Aunt Edna that she is going to have to ride on the hood to make the axle weight distribution work properly :)
GVWR can never exceed the combined GAWR or total acceptable tire load AND in MOST cases it will be far less than either of these numbers because one or more components will be at its safe design limit before the other maximums are reached. If a truck has a 4,000 pound front GAWR and a 6,000 pound rear GAWR then rating it at 10,000 pounds GVWR would require absolutely perfect weight distribution when loaded; who wants to tell poor Aunt Edna that she is going to have to ride on the hood to make the axle weight distribution work properly :)
