Anyone have a GM 1500 with Max Trailering?

[gmckenzie]

I'm trying to figure out if I can go from a 2001 GMC 2500HD that is starting to look old to a 1500 with the Max Trailering package.

I have a Cougar 30RKS. I have a Equal-i-zer 4 point hitch. I have weighed my trailer and truck. The only thing I haven't done is weigh the truck empty to see what my actual current payload is.

I'd like to move away from a diesel as I have a very short commute and end up parking it for 6 months over the winter and drive a beater. I am thinking of a gas truck.

Trailer weighs ~8,000 fully loaded as per my last run over a scale. Assume max load of 8,200 lbs. Tounge weight is 1,060 but weight transferred to the truck with the WD hitch set up is ~775 lbs. Weight on the trailer axles ~7,200.

Truck weight while hooked up is 8,650 lbs.

I know it isn't a correct comparison, but the total combined weight is 15,850. According to the brochure I looked through, the GCVWR for the 1500 with the max tow (5.3L 3.73 rear) is 7,600 KG or 16,720 lbs. I am below that now with the diesel so I can't see how I would be over the weight with the gas truck etc.

So, best I can tell is I would be under the tow rating (~11,000), under the combined (16,720) and the only question is would I be under the payload (~2,200).

The other option would be stepping up to another diesel and I just don't see that happening. I like my truck but don't pull enough to really need it and more often than not am driving 5 minutes to work.

Hope this makes some sense.

Who is towing with the Max Trailering package and what are you towing?

[mooky_stinks]

gmckenzie wrote:

mooky stinks wrote:
I just weighed my 2015 6.2 LTZ 4x4 Max Tow w/ Outback 277RL on the way to the CG packed for 4 days with DW and dog and a full tank of fuel. In other words the absolute heaviest that MY rig will ever be. Numbers are:
Steer axle 3460 FAWR 3995
Drive axle 3920 RAWR 4300
Total TVW 7380 GVWR 7600
Trailer axles 7400

As you can see, I was under every rating but close to my GVWR. (220 lbs.)

I tow approx. 1000 miles/year so a 3/4ton truck just doesn't make sense for me. I know because I did it for 2 years. The 6.2 MAY require better fuel when actually towing (which I use) but it runs fine on mid-grade the other 14000 miles/year that I drive. It also tows nicely on the NYS Thru-way at 65mph at 1700 rpm's.

Do you know what your toungue weight is?

1100 lbs

[APT]

I think that's a good match. The 2015 5.3L has nearly identical power to the 6.0L in the HD, in a lot lighter truck. Performance should not be a problem, excepting that it will rev and downshift on hills compared to your diesel.

[IndyCamp]

gmckenzie wrote:

campigloo wrote:
Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

$10K - $15K more money.

I know Canada is weird, with your accents, low crime rates, and overall friendliness, but I would not expect there to be a $10K-$15K difference between a max 1500 and a 2500.

We paid $37K for our Ram 2500 6.4L HEMI with the SLT trim package. MSRP was $43K. A comparable trim in a 1500 doesn't go for much less. Maybe $5K, if that, and probably less with a max package.

If you have good credit, you should be able to finance through your bank for less than 4.99%, regardless of the truck. We financed our current truck through USAA at 2.1% for 48 months.

[Hunterred]

I have a 2015 SLE 1500 w/ max tow 5.3 6.5 box crew. Yellow sticker payload is 1985, my trailer is almost 1000 lbs more than yours and I have no problems towing our trailer. I paid 37400 in rosetown sk. You may be looking for power if you drive fast and find yourself trying to pass people, other than that you'll be good. I can post my scale weights if you really want.

[gmckenzie]

mooky stinks wrote:
I just weighed my 2015 6.2 LTZ 4x4 Max Tow w/ Outback 277RL on the way to the CG packed for 4 days with DW and dog and a full tank of fuel. In other words the absolute heaviest that MY rig will ever be. Numbers are:
Steer axle 3460 FAWR 3995
Drive axle 3920 RAWR 4300
Total TVW 7380 GVWR 7600
Trailer axles 7400

As you can see, I was under every rating but close to my GVWR. (220 lbs.)

I tow approx. 1000 miles/year so a 3/4ton truck just doesn't make sense for me. I know because I did it for 2 years. The 6.2 MAY require better fuel when actually towing (which I use) but it runs fine on mid-grade the other 14000 miles/year that I drive. It also tows nicely on the NYS Thru-way at 65mph at 1700 rpm's.

Do you know what your toungue weight is?

[gmckenzie]

IdaD wrote:

gmckenzie wrote:

campigloo wrote:
Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

$10K - $15K more money.

Try harder. A HD truck doesn't cost much more. I paid $39k for the truck in my sig, and could do a bit better right now. A 6.4 would've run in the $33k range with the same options and configuration.

Even comparing a WT 2500HD to a SLE 1500, price is still $2,500 higher, rebates are $2,500 less and finance rate goes from 0% to 4.99%.

Also, I'm in Canada so there is no new truck for $39K here.

[mooky_stinks]

I just weighed my 2015 6.2 LTZ 4x4 Max Tow w/ Outback 277RL on the way to the CG packed for 4 days with DW and dog and a full tank of fuel. In other words the absolute heaviest that MY rig will ever be. Numbers are:
Steer axle 3460 FAWR 3995
Drive axle 3920 RAWR 4300
Total TVW 7380 GVWR 7600
Trailer axles 7400

As you can see, I was under every rating but close to my GVWR. (220 lbs.)

I tow approx. 1000 miles/year so a 3/4ton truck just doesn't make sense for me. I know because I did it for 2 years. The 6.2 MAY require better fuel when actually towing (which I use) but it runs fine on mid-grade the other 14000 miles/year that I drive. It also tows nicely on the NYS Thru-way at 65mph at 1700 rpm's.

[IdaD]

gmckenzie wrote:

campigloo wrote:
Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

$10K - $15K more money.

Try harder. A HD truck doesn't cost much more. I paid $39k for the truck in my sig, and could do a bit better right now. A 6.4 would've run in the $33k range with the same options and configuration.

[TomG2]

campigloo wrote:
Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

Ditto.

I did have to drop a trim level to get the price close, but it was well worth it.

[gmckenzie]

Of course my other option is to put $5K into my current truck. But I've done the injectors once and if they go again (and they will) ****ed if I'm going to do it a second time.

Truck has ~155,000 kms. Less than 100,000 miles. It just doesn't get worked often enough. I do work it when pulling the trailer as we seem to have these little hills in BC, but I don't do it enough.

[gmckenzie]

Deep Trax wrote:

gmckenzie wrote:

campigloo wrote:
Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

$10K - $15K more money.

When you compare the MSRP on the window stickers and factor in the 2 option differences, the price difference between the 2 trucks was well under $3,000.

You pay about $500 more for the GMC name over the Chevrolet name. With that in mind, the real price difference between the 2 trucks was less than $2,500.

My price comparison was between loaded out SLT / LTZ 4WD Crew Cabs. It is possible the price differences could be larger on lower trim levels and/or cab configurations.

I tried to locate Chevy or GMC 1500 with Max Tow Pkg, but they were nearly impossible to find.

Have Firefox open on one screen with the 2500 HD SLE trim and Explorer open on the second screen with the 1500 Max Tow SLE. Can't seem to make it work with the same browser open twice.

2500 HD nets (assuming $12K trade in) $52,153 vs $41,188 for the 1500. Credits are different and the 1500 has 0% finance (not really) while the 2500 has 4.99% (not really). Payment difference is ~$300/mnth over 5 years.

Local dealer has half a dozen GMC's with Max Trailer. Local Chevy dealer seems to have none (at least from their web site).

[gmckenzie]

I'm thinking of the mid level (SLE) and I'd have to move up to the SLT for the 6.2l so it's $5k more.

I don't fuss over oil change costs now and anything gas would be cheaper.

[Deep_Trax]

gmckenzie wrote:

campigloo wrote:
Why not just get a 3/4 ton with a gas engine? Problem solved.

$10K - $15K more money.

In Mar of 2015, I purchased a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT. Soon after, we purchased a larger TT and needed more truck.

In Jun of 2015, I purchased a 2015 Silverado 2500 HD LTZ 6.0 Gas. Options between the 2 trucks are identical with exception the Silverado does not have the $995 sunroof and the Sierra 1500 did not have $420 snow plow prep package.

When you compare the MSRP on the window stickers and factor in the 2 option differences, the price difference between the 2 trucks was well under $3,000.

You pay about $500 more for the GMC name over the Chevrolet name. With that in mind, the real price difference between the 2 trucks was less than $2,500.

My price comparison was between loaded out SLT / LTZ 4WD Crew Cabs. It is possible the price differences could be larger on lower trim levels and/or cab configurations.

I tried to locate Chevy or GMC 1500 with Max Tow Pkg, but they were nearly impossible to find.

[The_Texan]

jwc99 wrote:
If you go with the 6.2 I think they recommend premium fuel. I have read where some are running mid grade. I didn't want the extra fuel cost of premium since the truck is a daily driver. Another note on my 5.3, it now takes 8.5 quarts of oil for a change. I have heard several people complain about the cost of changing the oil in a diesel, well it looks like I'll be getting close to their cost with synthetic oil. But if I can't afford the cost of an oil change I probably don't need to go camping anyway.

Not any more. They did for the first couple model years, but have since dropped the recommendation for premium fuel.