Tow Vehichle Concerns

Lyncro wrote:
Thinking about trading my KZ Spree for a Grand Design 303RLS 33' 5er. My TV is a 2013 2500 HD Silverado 6.0 with the 310 axle ratio. The RV dealer assures me the TV will have no trouble towing but my owners manual says I need the 410 axle. Any insight would be appreciated.

Don't believe the salesman!! You need the 4.10 axle to pull that weight but you also need to check on available payload to carry the rather high pin weight.
IMHO you are asking too much of that truck.

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

shadoow wrote:
when the dealer/salesman tells you your truck can tow that trailer he/she is probably right.

Really? You don't think because they want to sell you something they will tell you anything?

yea, really. Oftentimes the ability of a truck to pull a trailer is not an issue so when the sales person tells someone their truck can tow a particular trailer, they may very well be right. To me towing a trailer and pulling a trailer mean the same thing. If by 'towing' you include the ability of the truck to carry the pin weight, then that's different. Maybe just a matter of semantics. Anyhoo, as far as the sales person goes, i agree they'll tell you anything (and that's not limited to truck/trailer towing). Knowing yourself what can and cannot work for your truck/trailer gets you past that 'discussion'.

shadoow wrote:
when the dealer/salesman tells you your truck can tow that trailer he/she is probably right.

Really? You don't think because they want to sell you something they will tell you anything?

Get the towing specs for your truck, dont believe the salesman, he probably has no knowledge of what you need like most sales people. Avoid personal opinions and get the facts if you really want to know.

Jim&OB, it seems that 13 GM with 6.0, 3.73, and 6-speed, is quite under rated, for whatever reason?

My 13 250 4x4, with 6.2, 3.73, is rated 12,300. It is hard to believe that the 4.10 in the GM would make 4,000#s difference, compared to their 3.73.

To me, it would just be towing one gear lower with the 3.73. How ever, I have never driven a GM 6.0.

JMO, Jerry

GM specs shows the 3.73 gears is rated from 9300 up to 10200 lbs.

If that is the case......the Grand Design is too much trailer.

A trip across the scales will confirm.

Think the OP is aware his truck is not up to it......
"my owners manual says I need the 410 axle"

The '13 2500 GM with the 6.0 comes with 3.73 or a 4.10 gears.

GM specs shows the 3.73 gears is rated from 9300 up to 10200 lbs.

GM specs shows the 4.10 gears is rated from 13800 up to 14700 lbs. All above depending on cab selections.

The Trailer mfg says the 303 RLS has a 11995 GVWR and a 2800 CCC. No doubt the truck can pull it but IMO you won't like the low performance in the hills or high wind areas.

Pretty sure you have 3:73 rear diff. gearing
You should have 13,000# tow rating

That 5vr has a GVWR of 12K

So go weigh your truck 'camp ready' (you, all passengers, fuel, stuff in cab, stuff in bed /hitch---200#/)

Subtract your trucks camp ready weight from the trucks GVWR... available payload

Got enough payload to handle 2400# of 5vr pin weight (room on Rear axle, rear tires)??

Are you sure you have a 3.10 diff? In 2014, the 2500HD with 6.0L was only available with a 4.10 or optional 3.73. For 2015, it's 4.10 only. I'd be really surprised if in 2013 they offered a 3.10 ratio. That's really tall gearing for an HD truck.

I would not take the sales persons word. You are right to be asking, and check on weight carrying #s as mentioned. What is the FW GVWR #?

Are you sure your truck has a 310 axle ratio?

Jerry