GM's Max Trailering Package

[rmnpcolorado]

So I had a bead on a beautiful '17 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L V6 and the max tow package, but that truck has since been sold before we are ready to buy (need to sell our Avalanche first). I keep looking at GMC Sierras/Chevy Silverados but would prefer one that has the Max Trailering Package, and unlike Ford, those seem to be hard to find.

But if I'm understanding the GM trucks, without the max trailering package they're rated to tow in the underwhelming 9,000# range? And with the MTP we're talking upper 10s/11s depending on the engine choice. Which, with our rig and potential upgrade down the road, I would like the additional capacity (payload of 1,800#+).

It seems to me that GM's max trailering package is more substantial than Ford's, and from a power standpoint doesn't have to have twin turbos to provide the oomph. Problem is they're not nearly as prevalent as Fords.

What's my question? Not sure, but am hoping someone can chime in on GM's max trailering package. I'm looking primarily at '17s/'18s, but maybe somebody could shed more light on the '19s/'20s as well?

[Grit_dog]

When looking at GM half tons, the NHT gets a 9-3/4" ring gear axle. Standard trucks are still 8.6" I beleive. However, there are plenty of them with 9.76s that aren't labeled NHT/Max Tow. IE, like Fords, you CAN get the heavier axle without the special package. Rest of the truck is the same.

[kellem]

As others have said, get a 2500/250 and eliminate the guess work....much more truck for not much more money.

I daily drive a F250 without complaint.

[jthrv]

Spend some time with Ford's website build and price. For the truck I want, regular cab, V8, 4x4, XLT, manual seats, trailering, there is Not a significant difference in MSRP between 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. There is a big difference in the trucks curb weight, so MPG will be very different.

[rmnpcolorado]

Sjm9911 wrote:
I would look to see what you want to tow first. Then match a truck to it. As was stated, if towing heavy, you want a bigger truck. If 9000 lbs is underwelming to you , any half ton truck will be also.

Our current trailer clocks in at 5,500lbs gross. Our Avalanche has a 7,900lb rating. In Wisconsin it’s fine. In Colorado it’s a different story. The trailer we have our eye on is 28’, 7,600lbs GVWR. Hence the reason I call 9,000# underwhelming as that’s not enough cushion for me to feel comfortable. Give me the capability of 10,800 towing 7,600 and I’m doing better. Jump to the 6.2L and we’re talking 11,800# I believe.

Having said that, I’m not in the “jump to a 3/4 ton truck” group for a few reasons:
1) Cost. I didn’t win the lottery. I don’t need Denali, but even the SLEs are expensive and out of our price range.
2) We’re weekend/vacation campers, not retired full-timers. We put ~10k miles on our truck annually, with about 40-45% of that towing.
3) I firmly believe if they put the max trailering/tow package on a 150/1500 and give it a 10k+ lb tow rating, it should be able to tow that. Not that I want to tow that much or even close, but I’d like to have some cushion. A standard 1500 does not provide me that.

[JIMNLIN]

What's my question? Not sure, but am hoping someone can chime in on GM's max trailering package. I'm looking primarily at '17s/'18s, but maybe somebody could shed more light on the '19s/'20s as well?

The NHT option is the big tow package on the 1500 truck. It comes with a higher rated 4300 rawr which is good for around 1900 lb in the bed payload. For a 9k trailer you will want the 6.2 engine with 420 hp and 460 torque 3.73 gear with the 6 speed tranny. Newer models come with the 10 speed tranny.

Later model '14 and newer 1500 truck with the 5.3 are rated at 355 hp and 383 torque. Hands down more towing performance the the older 5.3 engines with the 4 speed autos.

I use the wifes '16 1500 chevy 4wd 5.3 with 3.42 gears 6 speed tranny pulling a 10k trailer with a blue tractor with 8640 up to 9460 lbs on the trailers axles depending on which implements I have on the tractor. Its mostly flat with a few hills. The 5.3 does a much better job than the old 5.3 but for a rv trailer this size going across country the 6.2 engine/10 speed tranny/NHT option is the way to go.

The 5.3 and 6.2 haven't changed any in the last 5-6 years. In those years GM has used the 6/8/10 speed tranny depending on year models.

[Grit_dog]

JCK wrote:
Had a 2015 Max tow GMC 1500 If memory serves me wright it had 4300 lb. rear axle and around 1800 payload . I think the standard rear axle is 3850 lbs. I had a 28 foot Keystone bullet that was right around 6500 lbs. Truck handled it fine but you could never drive with one hand . Trailer didn’t sway but truck was constantly moving around probably because it had 20 inch P rated tires . I don’t get it you buy max tow / max payload and they give you P rated tires shame on GM . Kept it two years and got a 2017 GMC 2500 HD problem solved

That’s a nice excuse to convince the wifey you need a Duramax Denali, but you and I both know that the tire store coulda fixed that problem for less than $1000. Or you could just air them XLs up to 50+ psi in the rear and solved most of your “issue” for free!

[Sjm9911]

JCK wrote:
Had a 2015 Max tow GMC 1500 If memory serves me wright it had 4300 lb. rear axle and around 1800 payload . I think the standard rear axle is 3850 lbs. I had a 28 foot Keystone bullet that was right around 6500 lbs. Truck handled it fine but you could never drive with one hand . Trailer didn’t sway but truck was constantly moving around probably because it had 20 inch P rated tires . I don’t get it you buy max tow / max payload and they give you P rated tires shame on GM . Kept it two years and got a 2017 GMC 2500 HD problem solved

I had the same problem with my 2012 sierra, max tow package, even got the lt tires and upgraded the shocks , etc. Then bought a 2500. The difference was night and day. And the TT wasn't heavy. Could it tow, yes, was it a fun experience no.

[JCK]

Had a 2015 Max tow GMC 1500 If memory serves me wright it had 4300 lb. rear axle and around 1800 payload . I think the standard rear axle is 3850 lbs. I had a 28 foot Keystone bullet that was right around 6500 lbs. Truck handled it fine but you could never drive with one hand . Trailer didn’t sway but truck was constantly moving around probably because it had 20 inch P rated tires . I don’t get it you buy max tow / max payload and they give you P rated tires shame on GM . Kept it two years and got a 2017 GMC 2500 HD problem solved

[Sjm9911]

I would look to see what you want to tow first. Then match a truck to it. As was stated, if towing heavy, you want a bigger truck. If 9000 lbs is underwelming to you , any half ton truck will be also.

[Lwiddis]

Makes good advertising, camp!

[camp-n-family]

If you’re looking at towing anywhere near 9k or more you should be looking at 3/4 ton trucks minimum. You’ll far exceed payload, axle, tire, hitch receiver ratings etc well before reaching any tow rating above 9k with a half ton truck. Those 9k+ ratings are not realistic in real world towing.

[Lwiddis]

Good used ‘17, ‘18, ‘19 and ‘20 GM trucks with max tow are hard to find and expensive.