What is the weak link for Chevy max tow ratings?

Viperpoker wrote:

Ram added an Aisin transmission to make their numbers go up. The engine also has increased from 800 to 930 ft lbs of torque.

Ram has had the Aisin and the 385hp/865lb-ft Cummins in 2013 until 2016 when they increased it to 900lb-ft. From 2013 to 2015 it was the same frame, trans, and engines yet miraculously it was able to tow over 30k all of the sudden in 2015 when they went J2807 compliant even though nothing changed on the truck from 2014-2015.

Huntindog wrote:
2011, I know that year well. I have one of the first dually cc DAs made. The j standard was just coming out. GM and Ford both said they would release their numbers GM did They were posted on this forum for a short time Ford backed out stating that they would wait for a major redesign
GM numbers actually increased a little for some variations of the HDs and none decreased. GMs 1/2 tons took a major hit
When GM realized that Ford was now ahead in the advertised (fake) numbers,they retracted their numbers.
This may have a lot to do with not wanting to play the numbers game anymore.

Right. My point was that this is a standard benchmark that all three are using now. All else being equal, the Chevy is down from only having a 3:73 gear. I think everyone agrees that a lower gear can tow more, and for some reason Chevy does not match the gear ratio of Ford and Ram.

ShinerBock wrote:

Viperpoker wrote:

Right, here is GM’s actual press release, in their words. It seems like they are claiming first place in a pissing contest.

Silverado HD Bests the Competition with 21,700 Pound Towing and 6,635 Pound Payload Ratings
2010-05-18
DETROIT – Through ongoing development and testing, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD capability ratings have been increased to 21,700 pounds of towing, and 6,635 pounds of payload. Based on these ratings, the Silverado HD will offer heavy-duty truck buyers the most power and most capability available in the segment.

True, they are claiming to be better than the competition with the new numbers from their new more powerful engine like most manufacturers(regardless of what they make) boasts when they make something that has been improved. The difference between that and the Ram & Ford pissing match is that they kept increasing their number without changing a thing to their trucks for the sole purpose to claim they are "best in class".

Ram added an Aisin transmission to make their numbers go up. The engine also has increased from 800 to 930 ft lbs of torque.

ShinerBock wrote:

Viperpoker wrote:


Chevy, at least for the 1500, had lower numbers when they adopted the standard....

I thought we were talking about HD trucks? Besides(and I know I am going to get flamed for this) but I never considered the GM 4.3L or 5.3L towing engines.

The point was that they had to lower their ratings when the new standard came out, so it must not have been an easier standard.

I was just wondering why they were so low comparatively, just on the max tow. They are not that low anywhere else. No 4:10 gears explains some. Wasn’t interested in a bunch of guys saying, oh they will tow it just fine, they have the ability but don’t want to brag about it. That is sort of a stupid statement, or would come from someone who works for GM. Chevy used to brag when they were on top of the heap. I’m sure they would love to again. Some decision has been made at some level not to upgrade these trucks, not to put in a 4:10 gear, whatever, but not to go after the high end of the one ton towing market.

Viperpoker wrote:

Right, here is GM’s actual press release, in their words. It seems like they are claiming first place in a pissing contest.

Silverado HD Bests the Competition with 21,700 Pound Towing and 6,635 Pound Payload Ratings
2010-05-18
DETROIT – Through ongoing development and testing, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD capability ratings have been increased to 21,700 pounds of towing, and 6,635 pounds of payload. Based on these ratings, the Silverado HD will offer heavy-duty truck buyers the most power and most capability available in the segment.

True, they are claiming to be better than the competition with the new numbers from their new more powerful engine like most manufacturers(regardless of what they make) boasts when they make something that has been improved. The difference between that and the Ram & Ford pissing match is that they kept increasing their number without changing a thing to their trucks for the sole purpose to claim they are "best in class".

Viperpoker wrote:


Chevy, at least for the 1500, had lower numbers when they adopted the standard....

I thought we were talking about HD trucks? Besides(and I know I am going to get flamed for this), I never considered the GM 4.3L or 5.3L towing engines.

ShinerBock wrote:

Viperpoker wrote:


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.

The part that you are saying is GM's announcement is actually Autoblog's words. GM's announcement is at the bottom of that article (LINK) and was for a redesigned 2011 year model with the new 397hp/765lb-ft Duramax versus the 365hp/660lb-ft Duramax in the 2010. Manufactures usually increase ratings with redesigns especially when it comes with a more powerful engine.

Right, here is GM’s actual press release, in their words. It seems like they are claiming first place in a pissing contest.

Silverado HD Bests the Competition with 21,700 Pound Towing and 6,635 Pound Payload Ratings
2010-05-18
DETROIT – Through ongoing development and testing, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD capability ratings have been increased to 21,700 pounds of towing, and 6,635 pounds of payload. Based on these ratings, the Silverado HD will offer heavy-duty truck buyers the most power and most capability available in the segment.

Viperpoker wrote:


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.

The part that you are saying is GM's announcement is actually Autoblog's words. GM's announcement is at the bottom of that article (LINK) and was for a redesigned 2011 year model with the new 397hp/765lb-ft Duramax versus the 365hp/660lb-ft Duramax in the 2010. Manufactures usually increase ratings with redesigns especially when it comes with a more powerful engine.