ShinerBock wrote:
ScottG wrote:
Both Ford and Ram went through major redesigns of their frames to achieve the 30K towing number. I suspect GM would need to do the same thing and they have said that they don't feel the market is worth it because it only accounts for 3% of HD trucks sold.
I believe both Ram and Ford had their new frames for at least a year or two before they started this pissing match and coincidentally it started after they both adopted the lower standards of the J2807. GM also upgraded their frame with their new trucks, but chose not to get into the best in class war.
Here is an announcement from GM in 2011. It looks like they used to be on top of the pissing match.
General Motors has just announced the hauling capacities for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickups. The new trucks can now pull up to 21,700 pounds in fifth-wheel configuration and lug around 6,635 pounds worth of payload, thereby making them the new best-in class champions. The traditional tow rating sits at 17,000 pounds. What did GM change to give the trucks their new credentials? The company says that it extensively tested the trucks' systems, including the engine, transmission and brakes at the new gross combined vehicle weight and found that the thing could handle the abuse.
Both the Silverado HD and the Sierra HD now come with tougher bed rails, though. GM specified a new high-strength steel that can take more of a beating compared to last year's pieces. The new tow ratings best the next closest competitor, the 2011 Ford F-350, by 1,000 pounds on the conventional towing front and a more modest 100 pounds under fifth-wheel conditions.
