my GMC 2500 tow vehicle ..

[edstep]

I currently own a 2011 GMC 2500HD, 6.0 gaser with a 3.73 rear

I am looking at a new trailer, the documentation on my truck says I can tow a 9500 lb trailer ( unloaded) the new trailer that I am looking at has an empty weight of 10,856 - 11169. The pin weight for my truck is 2500.
The dealer tells me that my truck would be able to tow as you can tow more weight towing a 5th wheel rather than a regular TT. I have heard this before but I need some further input

[LumpyOatmeal]

Here are my numbers;
2011 GMC 2500HD 6.0 Gas 3.73 gear Extended cab 4x4.

2013 Cougar XLite 5th. Wheel 28SGS.

Cat Scale Loaded for a 12 day trip.

Truck w/5th wheel attached - 9220 lbs
Truck ---------------------- 7400 lbs
Pin ------------------------ 1820 lbs
Trailer gross -------------- 8700 lbs
Truck & Trailer Combined --- 16100 lbs

Tows well (tow/haul mode) mostly 5th gear.

When we were shopping for a rig (already had truck) we were trying to stay under 8000 lbs empty.

Allan

[APT]

Non towing mileage will go down with 4.56 over 3.73. City and towing will be about the same with better acceleration.

I do not think there is value in 3.73->4.10 swap. Not when it costs $100 from the factory. 🙂 It's the same $1500-2500 no matter what gear set one picks. 6th gear is pretty tall, 0.67:1. 6th gear with 4.56 is very close to the prior GM HD 4-spd 4th gear with 4.10. 70mph is about 1900rpm with 3.73. That goes to about 2300rpm with 4.56, certainly not screaming. If you drive a lot at 80mph, then 2650rpm might seem a little high.

[Norskeman]

ib516 wrote:

Norskeman wrote:
2500HD will be overloaded.

My last CAT scale with a trailer factor weight of 10,014 lbs.

Steer Axle - 4900 lbs - rated at 5600 lbs
Drive Axle - 6060 lbs - rated at 7050 lbs
Trailer Axle - 9220 lbs - trailer axles rated at 10,400 lbs
Gross Weight - 20,180 lbs

My truck weight set to tow with me and a tank of fuel is about 8100 lbs.

So with your truck at 10960#, you're ~500# under GVWR of 11,500# ?

The GVWR on our truck is 11,600 lbs. I did not think I would be that close to the GVWR.

My first diesel was a 2004 GMC 2500HD (9200 GVWR)- I traded it for a 2005 3500HD SRW (9900 GVWR). Towed overloaded for years. Once the 2011's came out I made the trade for the higher GVWR.

****

Changing the gears will give more pulling power but impact the mileage.

Better shocks and air bags will help the ride when towing with the 2500HD.

[ksss]

I don't know that I would go as far as 4.56 gears, I don't think you would need to, as even with a 6 speed tranny you will lose some drivability. I do agree that an independent shop can change out the gear ratio for a much better price.

[goducks10]

This would fit the bill.
http://www.openrangerv.com/Unit-Spec-Sheets/Light/LF297RLS.pdf

[APT]

Thought I posted this yesterday but....

$2500 for gears is on the higher end and dealer is right they can only program the trans for factory available gears which are 3.73 and 4.10. You might find an independent trans shop for under $1500 installed both axles. An aftermarket engine tuner can program for any gears for about $500 plus other benefits. Black Bear has a great reputation for GM trucks.

Gas engine 2500 should have closer to 3000 pounds of payload. The diesels about 2400.

[edstep]

Thanks for the input, we will check them out as well

[Goldstalker]

Some lighter models I know of.

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/sunset-trail/reserve/floorplans/item/2014-sf32rl?category_id=106

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/sunset-trail/super-lite/floorplans/item/2014-sf280rl?category_id=103

[kaydeejay]

edstep wrote:
A couple of things, my truck full of gas and passengers, is 7650 I had it weighed. The maximum tongue weight from my docs says it is 2500 lbs

That 2500# pin weight is probably for a 2WD regular cab truck.
Note that is a "Max". Your truck configuration is going to affect the number for your truck. Hint - it's probably not 2500#!
The only way to figure out what pin weight you can carry is to weigh your truck loaded for travel. Subtract that number from your GVWR (9200#) and that is what your pin plus hitch weight should not exceed.
Using your own numbers gives you an available payload of 1550#. You can handle a 7500# fiver with that!
Relying on published maximums is only going to get you into trouble.

[ib516]

Norskeman wrote:
2500HD will be overloaded.

My last CAT scale with a trailer factor weight of 10,014 lbs.

Steer Axle - 4900 lbs - rated at 5600 lbs
Drive Axle - 6060 lbs - rated at 7050 lbs
Trailer Axle - 9220 lbs - trailer axles rated at 10,400 lbs
Gross Weight - 20,180 lbs

My truck weight set to tow with me and a tank of fuel is about 8100 lbs.

So with your truck at 10960#, you're ~500# under GVWR of 11,500# ?

[Norskeman]

2500HD will be overloaded.

My last CAT scale with a trailer factor weight of 10,014 lbs.

Steer Axle - 4900 lbs - rated at 5600 lbs
Drive Axle - 6060 lbs - rated at 7050 lbs
Trailer Axle - 9220 lbs - trailer axles rated at 10,400 lbs
Gross Weight - 20,180 lbs

My truck weight set to tow with me and a tank of fuel is about 8100 lbs.

[edstep]

The 5th wheel we were looking at was a Ceder Creek Silverback the 29IK and or 31RK. The 31RK was a bit much in weight

Thanks

[Goldstalker]

What 5th wheel are you looking at? Maybe we can help you find a lighter version of a similar floor plan...

[fla-gypsy]

No need to erect a tent when you can easily tow a reasonable size TT/FW with your truck. You need to get past what some dealer tells you and crunch the real numbers to determine what you can really tow/carry with the truck. While it may seem daunting to begin with understanding the ratings can be accomplished with some education on what the ratings are for and learning to use them to determine what is possible to pull safely.