GAWR DENALI

...midwest...esp since the 3500 is only a hundred bucks more than 2500...addl leaf spring in rear...thatz it...plus i have been told that the 3500 at the dealer is classed as a commercial vehicle and not subject to factory advertising fee so the bottom line might be lower...i WILL figure this out...

Bo, If you want to follow ratings, you should be looking at a 3500 srw as a minimum.

The wt of the diesel, plus the added wt of the Denali package, will take away payload, that a 2500 does not have to spare.

The Duramax will pull it no problem, but you will be over GVWR, and could go over RAWR with what you described.

You could just ignore all ratings (some do), and add airbags, higher rated tires, and just buy the 2500.

A 3500 would be my advice for you.

Jerry

Agree with the others...the only true way to know is to actually weigh it
axle by axle

Then do the simple math using the specifications for your TV.

Here is how the whole ratings system looks like in graphical form


Quote below from this thread: towing/payload, pg3 of 4

BenK wrote:
Nothing can be done with a wife other than trading her in on a better model... :B

You two need to decide who is going to be happiest with the other NOT happy...

Here is how the ratings system looks like in graphical form to help
you understand enough to do the simple math using the OEM's data

On that data...best to have actual weights and if no actuals, then
use their heaviest possible (GVWR's)

Dry and curb are useless numbers in the real world. They are the stripper
models for marketing 'max tow', etc

Here is the diagram from this thread: Maximum payload calculation

BenK wrote:
From another thread, but applies and may help this OP understand how the ratings system works

BenK wrote:

BRCajun wrote:
snip....

With all of you veterans & experienced 5'ers out there, I am hoping to get some honest, quality feedback as to which truck will give me and my family the best performance (tow capability {up hill and down hill}, mpg, braking, suspension, durability, ride (comfort/noise), longevity and anything else.

Thank you!

This is where the OP must be learning that his question is very, very subjective

Sprinkled with 'some' techie stuff, but clouded by opinion (that subjectivity
again)

These comments 'are honest, quality feedback' on the 'best performance'
THOSE individuals believe in

My advice to the OP:

• Read up yourself and learn
• Read lots of the past posts from the advisors to see how their opinions/values/etc match yours...or NOT
• Or learn the hard way that most learn from...AKA 'Hard knock school'...which is expensive

Bottom line is to do your own research. DO NOT use marketing, but
put together real specifications...knowing that there is fine print
that modifies all automotive specifications

As you have found...some recommend a 10K GVWR...others say a 8.6K GVWR
will just be fine, etc, etc. I do NOT like to use marketing badging
as it has no definitive reference. A 10K GVWR is a 10K GVWR...a
1 ton dually varies in GVWR from OEM to OEM...form model to model

To some the axle shaft dia is important...others not and just the
GAWR from the TV OEM is what matters...others want to know the
OEM's GAWR supplying the TV OEM...

Learn how the ratings system works. Then decide if you believe in the
ratings systems or not.

If not, then do whatever

If yes, then learn how they work

This is how that ratings system looks like in graphical form:

howmuchcanitow howmuchshoulditow

wheelndeal wrote:
Hi, i am new to the truck world. We really want to go camping but want to make sure we get the right truck.
I am looking at buying a 2014 sierra 1500 double cab 5.3 L with 3.42 gear ratio.
I want too buy a camper that weighs 6630 lbs dry weight and 7458 lbs loaded with water, gear, food, etc... I think the hitch weight is 845 lbs

passenger weight is 680 lbs

I also want a quad and they vary from 700 lbs to 800 lbs

Is this truck going to work for me or do I need a smaller camper(I did consider a toy hauler but my wife hates them so that's out of the question)
I should also mention that I need the ramps for the quad and generator that i havent calculated the weight for.

Sorry if i am not clear or seem to be a little everywhere. I am new to this and I am out of my depth here.

Thx for anyones input

TYpical SW rigs have in the 2200-2600 lbs EMPTY on the RA. You will have about 300-500 lbs available on the FA. The RA plus FA max loads will be around 15% MORE than the manufacture GVWR. Do not ask why, been debated sooooooo many times on here.

From a LEGAL stand point, you will most always get the max axel load, RVnet wt police will give you the gvwr to work with. If you have a paid for ton license, that is what an LEO/CVEO will give you if pulled over.

Reality is, a SW GM truck will have in the 3-4000 lbs range to work with for passengers, hitch wt etc. Majority will be on the RA.

These numbers are from my experience with GM's going back to my first NEW one in 81. RA empty numbers vary little between cab models, FA wts DO vary a bunch in the empty FA numbers. Example, my 2000 reg cab has all of 2900 on the fa, my 96 diesel CC model had 2400, both in the 2200-2300 lbs range on the rear.

Marty

.....i am a newbie at this and dealer sales people r almost useless...i currently tow a 4000 pound tt with my tundra and am pretty much maxed with all the toys we carry. ...gonna buy a fifth wheel and need to find out what i can SAFELY handle with the 2015 gmc denali duramax...never thought it would be so difficult...maybe i should take eveyones word that this tv can handle a 36 foot fiver loaded at 12500 with a hitch wt of under 2200....two adults on board....500 pounds of stuff in bed...60 gal water...36 gal fuel...thx...
S

No,no,no!
Doing what your asking only tells you how much that ONE COMPONENT is capable of. Loading does not load just one component, it loads the entire package. Just because a manufacturer installs one component capable of 6200 pounds does not guarantee that the rest of the components are capable of safely supporting the load evenly.

...to be clear...if i take the denali to a scale and weigh the back of the truck with the rear wheels only on the scale..i can determine the load the rear axle can carry? ...for example...the rear axle is rated at 6200#....with a full load of fuel on board say the scale reads 3000....i figure that leaves me 3200 for the bed payload (stuff)...fifth wheel hitch and trailer hitch weight...correct? ?

As a starting point for you, I just had my 3500 dually weighed at a CAT Scale the other day - your's will be less. 3900# is how much the back end weighs, 4900# for the front of the truck. I have a 21,000# 5th wheel hitch and a 91 gallon fuel tank/toolbox combo in the bed. I had full fuel in the main tank and 10 gallons in the in-bed tank.

Cost me $12.50 for two trips to the scales, one with and one without my trailer.

boingram wrote:
Looking at 2015 denalis...the rear GAWR is 6200#. How do I determine what the NETis after weight of truck and cargo. ..guess what I need to know is how much truck weight ls rear axle carrying.

Tryingoto determine how much fiver hitch weight I can carry...thx ...no

Based on the little info you have provided I am guessing your looking at a 2500HD! Based on 6200 RAWR you can assume between 3500 and 4000 pounds of rear axle weight as it sits at the dealership. Of course this is a lot of assumptions and not worth a hoot since your looking at the rating of one single component, not the entire package!

Need more info about the truck to answer. Gas, deisel,2wd,4wd etc. Guess would be 27-3300 on the rear empty.

Mark