Towing Capacity

[Smltown96]

I have a 2016 Denali HD (2500 series) crew cab and 4x4 with the 6.6 Durimax Diesel and the Allison Transmission. Can someone tell me what my max 5th wheel trailer weight I am safe to tow? It looks like per the GMC charts it is 14,000 but their charts for the 2015 says 17,100. I am so confused. I thought when I got the 3/4 ton I could tow more than 14,000....

[MtnTrek]

Hi,
Go to this site and poke around. There's a lot of good info. not a lot of hype. That might help you sort out some confusion. There is a weights calculator, and a link you can use look up your VIN to help with some general "published" capacities for your model. Published trailer weights can be misleading also.
At some point you'll want to actually weigh your equipment (CAT scale) to be sure of your setup and for your own peace of mind. In the end it's mostly about safety as you've already stated.
The Basics | What do I need to tow it?


Happy motoring.

[Zac808]

Originally Posted by Smltown96

I have a 2016 Denali HD (2500 series) crew cab and 4x4 with the 6.6 Durimax Diesel and the Allison Transmission. Can someone tell me what my max 5th wheel trailer weight I am safe to tow? It looks like per the GMC charts it is 14,000 but their charts for the 2015 says 17,100. I am so confused. I thought when I got the 3/4 ton I could tow more than 14,000....

Don't forget to factor in carrying capacity which is the weight in the bed. 3/4 "can" tow more than 14,000 but it comes down to stopping and evasive maneuvers in case of an emergency. How much does you 5ver weigh?

[gtsum2]

Payload will be the big issue. I'm guessing your payload sticker on the door jam shows around 2600 or so? Most 3/4 tons run out of payload far quicker than the max tow rating is reached. You need to find your truck gvwr and load the family in the truck and hit a cat scale. That will show you the available payload left over (rear axle and truck gvwr) and then you can determine what camper to tow (I would take 22% of the camper gvwr as an estimate of pin weight)

[Zac808]

Originally Posted by gtsum2

Payload will be the big issue. I'm guessing your payload sticker on the door jam shows around 2600 or so? Most 3/4 tons run out of payload far quicker than the max tow rating is reached. You need to find your truck gvwr and load the family in the truck and hit a cat scale. That will show you the available payload left over (rear axle and truck gvwr) and then you can determine what camper to tow (I would take 22% of the camper gvwr as an estimate of pin weight)

Agree.

[Stano1]

I just posted exact same question! I can't figure out what changed between 2015 and 2016

[fvstringpicker]

In the towing forum the respondents often recommend going to a 1 ton when towing anything but the smallest 5th wheel. Some recommend a dually. No doubt a dually would add stability via the extra wheels, I don't know at what point someone needs to trade a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton single rear wheels for a dually.
Some respondents say the only difference between a 3/4 and a 1 ton are the rear springs and to put air bags on the 3/4 to get to an equivalent payload capacity. I asked the question of clarification, "what are the real mechanical difference between a 3/4 and a 1 ton, beyond the rear springs, that causes the 1 ton to have a higher payload?" So far no one has answered.
Personally I think a number of things would be a lot "unsafer" (texting for example).

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Stano1

I just posted exact same question! I can't figure out what changed between 2015 and 2016

2015 MAX TOW based on magical mfg. marketing numbers'
2016 MAX TOW based on SAE J2807 Standards

2015.....LaLa Land
2016...actual towing results. BUT still a numbers game

SAE J2807 Tow Tests - The Standard