Forum Discussion

EXSlider400's avatar
EXSlider400
Explorer
Oct 02, 2014

GM overstates 2014 tow ratings by almost 25%

Before I start, I have owned several Sierras and never an issue. Current truck has no real issues....except.....

GM overstated tow ratings by almost 25% on 2014 1500 NBS half ton Sierra Silverado with 3.08 gears.

GMC is wanting to royally screw me. They sent me a recall for owners manual that lowered my tow rating on 3.08 geared truck by 2,000 pounds (from 8,600 to 6,600). Now my camper is overweight at 7,600, even though when I bought the truck I was 1000 pounds under the trucks limit. My Insurance and Allied have both sent me a letter saying they are not liable for any damages/injuries because my camper is over weight, and GM's solution is to have me trade in my truck for one with lower gears....AND WANTS ME TO PAY THE EXTRA COST!!!! I turned down that ridiculous slap in the face so waiting for what their final offer will be today but pretty sure it will also be insulting. They act like this is my fault and they are helping me out by allowing me to trade in my truck and ultimately pay more money!!

This includes starting over on my payments and everything. This will cost me around 17,000 (low trade in price, higher monthly note on brand new truck over another 6 years)which I don't have the funds for. I even offed a deal so my payments would be an additional $50 per month and I would still start over on my 6 years of payments (currently 9 months in). So we have been camping in the back yard as pulling is it not worth the liability.

So I am talking to Attorney but without saying what he wants to do (probably take his route anyway), I was looking at trading my 2004 Jayco Eagle for a 2011 Forest River Surveyor Sport 293 and force GM to pay the difference.

Are these any good?

100 Replies

  • My research?
    The GM Users Manual and GM specs stated it would tow it.....and still does because they haven't updated their info yet........

    http://www.gmc.com/content/dam/GMC/global/master/nscwebsite/en/home/Owners/Manuals/01_Images/2014-GMC-Sierra-1500-Owner-Manual.pdf








    and updated info now:::::
    https://assets.gm.com/manuals/gmc/2014_gmc_sierra_owners.pdf
  • EXSlider400 wrote:
    Yes, the manual was misprinted/stated. So when I researched it, it said any gearing would tow my camper so I wasn't too worried about which ones it came with.


    I still maintain that the door sticker is what counts, and not the manual. So does the door sticker have the correct numbers?
  • Better research on your part would have indicated that a 308 ratio is inadequate for towing a trailer of the size you have.
  • Yes, the manual was misprinted/stated. So when I researched it, it said any gearing would tow my camper so I wasn't too worried about which ones it came with.
  • I really want them to just change gears, but they said no. I told them just to switch rear end and transfer case and reprogram computer in a day or so but they still said they can not.
  • Is it possible to have GM change the 3.08 to 3.42 gears and update your new door sticker? That would seem cheaper than losing $17,000.

    My guess is the low 3.08 gears are causing issues with possible premature drivetrain damage. The suspension should be the same regardless of gears. If the 3.42's give the proper tow rating then switch gears. Insurance shouldn't be an issue. You have the same capability suspension, brake wise as the 3.42 geared truck.

    GM should pick up the cost to change gears if they're fair about the whole thing.
  • Did they change the rating OR did they correct a mistake in print?

    If they changed the rating, you are out of luck.

    If they made a mistake in print, and now are correcting it, they should have an error and omissions insurance policy to cover items like this
  • Pretty easy for the dealer to change the gears. 3.08's seem a bit high to begin with.
  • Why would the insurance send you a letter. Were talking tow rating which is performance oriented. Now if they lowered the GVWR then i could see them having an issue. Why not talk to GM and ask them to install the gears that are required.

    BTW, this should probably be posted in the Tow Vehicles section.
  • I could be wrong (and often times am), but I thought the limits on a truck were based on the metal door plate and not what is written in a manual. What say??