I'm trying to figure out if I can go from a 2001 GMC 2500HD that is starting to look old to a 1500 with the Max Trailering package. I have a Cougar 30RKS. I have a Equal-i-zer 4 point hitch. I have weighed my trailer and truck. The only thing I haven't done is weigh the truck empty to see what my actual current payload is.I'd like to move away from a diesel as I have a very short commute and end up parking it for 6 months over the winter and drive a beater. I am thinking of a gas truck.Trailer weighs ~8,000 fully loaded as per my last run over a scale. Assume max load of 8,200 lbs. Tounge weight is 1,060 but weight transferred to the truck with the WD hitch set up is ~775 lbs. Weight on the trailer axles ~7,200.Truck weight while hooked up is 8,650 lbs.I know it isn't a correct comparison, but the total combined weight is 15,850. According to the brochure I looked through, the GCVWR for the 1500 with the max tow (5.3L 3.73 rear) is 7,600 KG or 16,720 lbs. I am below that now with the diesel so I can't see how I would be over the weight with the gas truck etc. So, best I can tell is I would be under the tow rating (~11,000), under the combined (16,720) and the only question is would I be under the payload (~2,200).The other option would be stepping up to another diesel and I just don't see that happening. I like my truck but don't pull enough to really need it and more often than not am driving 5 minutes to work.Hope this makes some sense.Who is towing with the Max Trailering package and what are you towing?

You are going from an approx 9,200 lb GVWR down to a 7,xxx lb GVWR truckFrom a rear GAWR of approx 7,000 lb GAWR down to something in the 4,xxx lb GAWRI've found that Ford does not make/offer a true fake half ton anymore. It usedto be a 8,xxx GVWR truck and is now a 7,xxx GVWR truck. Rear GAWR used tobe close to 6,xxx RGAWR and now 4,xxx RGAWR...so making the assumption thatGM likewise no longer offers that fake half ton...Use those numbers for you researchGVWR 7,xxx lbsRGAWR 4,xxx lbsCargo/payload will be GVWR minus curb

Yes, I have a 2011 with the NHT package. It is a 6.2L with 3.73 gears and the integrated trailer brake. It comes with larger axles and brakes. The payload is just shy of 2K and I routinely tow 8K to 10K in the mountains of the west. I have 4 ¾t and 1t PSD trucks available on the ranch to use for towing and much prefer the Silverado NHT package over any of the PSDs. It will more than do the job you want.

I don't think you would want the 5.3... even the new 5.3 with the max trailering package with that heavy of a trailer. I would go with the 6.2l and max trailering. That's a heavy trailer.I think you will be borderline on payload and maybe rear axle ratio on any 1/2 ton. The new GM and Ford 1/2 tons can get near the 2000lb payload range with their corresponding max towing packages but as BenK said you still have a lower rear axle ratio that is limited by the 1/2 ton platform.

First, I think I might have confused GVWR and CGVWR. I think it's 7,600 lbs GVWR and not 7,600 KG combined. Problem working with US and Canadian brochures, I get confused.The 6.2 Max Tow has a lower payload rating than the 5.3 Max tow. 2,270 vs 2,110 for double cab 4x4.Rear axle payload rating is 4,300 lb. Rear axle weight on my current setup is ~4,700 lbs. Current truck has a canopy and boat rack. I'd move to a tonneau and us a trailer for my boat so wouldn't bother with the boat rack.I think I need to weigh my truck empty to see what I am using for payload now. My guess is I will be close.

Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

Anyone have a GM 1500 with Max Trailering? | Good Sam Community

Hunterred
Explorer
Aug 05, 2015
I have a 2015 SLE 1500 w/ max tow 5.3 6.5 box crew. Yellow sticker payload is 1985, my trailer is almost 1000 lbs more than yours and I have no problems towing our trailer. I paid 37400 in rosetown sk. You may be looking for power if you drive fast and find yourself trying to pass people, other than that you'll be good. I can post my scale weights if you really want.
IndyCamp
Explorer
Aug 05, 2015
gmckenzie wrote:
campigloo wrote:
Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

$10K - $15K more money.

I know Canada is weird, with your accents, low crime rates, and overall friendliness, but I would not expect there to be a $10K-$15K difference between a max 1500 and a 2500.

We paid $37K for our Ram 2500 6.4L HEMI with the SLT trim package. MSRP was $43K. A comparable trim in a 1500 doesn't go for much less. Maybe $5K, if that, and probably less with a max package.

If you have good credit, you should be able to finance through your bank for less than 4.99%, regardless of the truck. We financed our current truck through USAA at 2.1% for 48 months.
APT
Explorer
Aug 05, 2015
I think that's a good match. The 2015 5.3L has nearly identical power to the 6.0L in the HD, in a lot lighter truck. Performance should not be a problem, excepting that it will rev and downshift on hills compared to your diesel.
mooky_stinks
Explorer
Aug 05, 2015
gmckenzie wrote:
mooky stinks wrote:
I just weighed my 2015 6.2 LTZ 4x4 Max Tow w/ Outback 277RL on the way to the CG packed for 4 days with DW and dog and a full tank of fuel. In other words the absolute heaviest that MY rig will ever be. Numbers are:
Steer axle 3460 FAWR 3995
Drive axle 3920 RAWR 4300
Total TVW 7380 GVWR 7600
Trailer axles 7400

As you can see, I was under every rating but close to my GVWR. (220 lbs.)

I tow approx. 1000 miles/year so a 3/4ton truck just doesn't make sense for me. I know because I did it for 2 years. The 6.2 MAY require better fuel when actually towing (which I use) but it runs fine on mid-grade the other 14000 miles/year that I drive. It also tows nicely on the NYS Thru-way at 65mph at 1700 rpm's.

Do you know what your toungue weight is?

1100 lbs

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