Weights and capacities - Sierra 2500HD D/A

[Second_Chance]

I have another thread going over on the 5th wheel forum as my wife and I contemplate retirement (2nd time around) and we consider going full-time (or most-time) in a fifth wheel. ken56 has a good thread going on this forum started earlier today about weights and capacities on his '14 Silverado 1500. I also pulled my truck across the scales yesterday on the way home. Here's the combination of the results and the specs from the manuals and stickers:

2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab SLT, Duramax/Allison
Rating Spec Scales* Reserve Capacity
GCWR 24,500 7,520 16,980
GVWR 10,000 7,520 2,480
GAWR FRT 5,200 4,440 760
GAWR RR 6,200 3,080 3,120
Tires 6,390 3,080 3,310

Max 5th wheel 17,400
Max pin 3,000

* Includes:
Fuel 255
Driver 208
Undercover tonneau 90

I estimate that removing the tonneau and installing a slider hitch would net another 160 lbs. and I'd need to figure in my wife and miscellaneous stuff that would get thrown in the truck, as well.

The question is this: how close to the remaining 16,980 GCWR and 2,480 on the GVWR (although there are 3,120 lbs. remaining for the rear axle) would you go? I grew up in an earlier day and time with a father and grandfather that would advocate not pushing the limits on equipment. I also used to fly a lot (in the '70s before there were computers and apps to do things for you) and with that mode of transportation, if you didn't calculate your weights and density altitude numbers, it could cost you your life - not just break something on the truck or void the warranty. How about you? Would you stay a certain percent under the calculations or would you consider fivers that would take you right up to the numbers? Am I looking at the right numbers or would you see it a different way? I value your input.

Rob

[jaycocamprs]

Second Chance wrote:

The pin weight of our Mountaineer and the hitch would do in that Cargo Capacity, before DW, the dog, and I got in the truck

[brulaz]

Second Chance wrote:
OK - now I'm more confused than I was before. The payload number on this sticker doesn't jive with the math using the GVWR...



Rob

Makes sense to me.
2705-210(you)-90(tonneau) = 2405#

And you measured 2480# diff from GVWR on the scales.

Close enough for me anyway ...
🙂

[rhagfo]

Second Chance wrote:
OK - now I'm more confused than I was before. The payload number on this sticker doesn't jive with the math using the GVWR...



Rob

This is what BenK is getting at, the payload sticker is misleading. It usually states at least 400# more than what is real.
This makes even doing the correct order of buy the trailer first then get a TV that can carry it.

Second Chance forget the 80% that D/A will not have issues towing at 100% of capacity.

[Second_Chance]

And here's a little spreadsheet I've been using as we window shop:



Rob

[Second_Chance]

OK - now I'm more confused than I was before. The payload number on this sticker doesn't jive with the math using the GVWR...



Rob

[rhagfo]

BenK wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
snip....

Curb weight is a useless figure in the towing world. Almost as useless as the yellow payload sticker, although the yellow payload sticker does give you an idea of what you can carry. You can't do any real figuring from it. The best weight is the scaled weight of the TV ready to go this is what you have to work with the difference between GVWR and Scaled weight is your payload remaining for tongue or pin weight!!

That is like using DRY weight and DRY pin to figure if the trailer is too big. The ONLY time you can use DRY weights, is if you know very closely what the stuff you load the trailer with weighs, then the pin is still an estimation.

Agree, but 'MOST' advisers here use that as their basis

Why am trying to figure out if I'm wrong using or recommending the
actual weights and not using those labels...as they use the 'curb' as
their basis for the ratings. Really understand, as that is the only
way the OEMs can...as they would have to either actually weigh them
or add up the options for 'that' vehicle.

That then says their label DB now has to have some intelligence to
EACH label vs VIN

I think I see where you are going with this. You are looking to see if the published towing guides are even close to the real world.
In that respect the "Curb Weight" should be a calculation of the GVWR minus the payload listed on the yellow sticker.

While far from the weight police, there are many that want to tow as much as possible without going over any specs. When TV manufactures post optimistic payload and towing capacities. Then RV manufactures post lighter DRY weights than real world, and those looking use those numbers they can easy end up over one or more specs.

[BenK]

removed

[BenK]

RV.net's servers are acting up...again...must be backing up or some such

[BenK]

removed

[BenK]

rhagfo wrote:
snip....

Curb weight is a useless figure in the towing world. Almost as useless as the yellow payload sticker, although the yellow payload sticker does give you an idea of what you can carry. You can't do any real figuring from it. The best weight is the scaled weight of the TV ready to go this is what you have to work with the difference between GVWR and Scaled weight is your payload remaining for tongue or pin weight!!

That is like using DRY weight and DRY pin to figure if the trailer is too big. The ONLY time you can use DRY weights, is if you know very closely what the stuff you load the trailer with weighs, then the pin is still an estimation.

Agree, but 'MOST' advisers here use that as their basis

Why am trying to figure out if I'm wrong using or recommending the
actual weights and not using those labels...as they use the 'curb' as
their basis for the ratings. Really understand, as that is the only
way the OEMs can...as they would have to either actually weigh them
or add up the options for 'that' vehicle.

That then says their label DB now has to have some intelligence to
EACH label vs VIN

[BenK]

Hey Ron,

Many thanks and am asking for another image...the tire & cargo/payload label

Am trying to learn and confirm any changes in how the OEMs are labeling. Plus
learn if I'm now wrong on the metrics so that I can provide correct advice here

The 'curb' for your truck is listed on the GM site here:
2013 GMC SIERRA 2500HD SPECIFICATIONS
This is a Denali, so 'should' weigh more than a regular Sierra SLT via the higher
end options
This is the upper page where the above link comes from:
http://media.gmc.com/media/us/en/gmc/vehicles/sierra_hd/2013.html

A crew with the 6.6L Duramax has a listed curb of: 6.6L: 6963 and your actual
weight posted is: 7,520

With the tire cargo/payload label, that will tell me how the OEMs now label
their vehicles

500 isn't much on a 10K GVWR, but on the half ton's significant to what they
can do

Apologize for this oblique thought and hope you can provide that door label

Thanks !

[rhagfo]

Second Chance wrote:
BenK,

I haven't seen a "curb weight" listed for the truck except perhaps in the sales literature. I don't have an image hosting site to enable posting to this forum, but all the weights in the first column of my original post are straight off the door sticker. At this point, my plan is to stay 13K or under with 2,400 or less pin weight. Looking at the smaller NuWa HitchHikers (probably used), this is doable.

Rob

Curb weight is a useless figure in the towing world. Almost as useless as the yellow payload sticker, although the yellow payload sticker does give you an idea of what you can carry. You can't do any real figuring from it. The best weight is the scaled weight of the TV ready to go this is what you have to work with the difference between GVWR and Scaled weight is your payload remaining for tongue or pin weight!!

That is like using DRY weight and DRY pin to figure if the trailer is too big. The ONLY time you can use DRY weights, is if you know very closely what the stuff you load the trailer with weighs, then the pin is still an estimation.

[Second_Chance]

camperpaul wrote:

Second Chance wrote:
I don't have an image hosting site to enable posting to this forum ...
Rob

You can use the new RV.NET Photo Uploader.

Click For Full-Size Photo.

[camperpaul]

Second Chance wrote:
I don't have an image hosting site to enable posting to this forum ...
Rob

You can use the new RV.NET Photo Uploader.