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RoadEyePie · 09-25-2018, 10:06 AM

Often when I think I'm sure about something, I find out I was wrong. So I want to run this by the forum, because I don't won't to find out I'm wrong about this.

I'm looking at buying a GMC 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab Long Bed 4wd DRW diesel Duramax, standard suspension and tires. My research from literature specs says this vehicle has the following: GCWR - 31,300; GVWR - 13,025; CURB WT - 8,070; and RGAWR - 9,375

I'm contemplating the purchase of a Vanleigh Beacon which has these specs:
GVWR - 18,000; Dry Wt. - 14,600, Cargo Carrying Capacity - 3,400, and average Hitch Wt. - 3,100 (which is 21.23% of Dry Wt. so I'm estimating Max Hitch Wt 21.23% of 18,000 = 3,822lbs).

So do I have enough truck?

Airmech · 09-25-2018, 01:06 PM

That math works if your going to be taking shorter trips, but if full timing in it, use 23% hitch weight just to be sure. Your going to be carrying the whole house with you and you don't want to guess on the light side. What's the payload on that truck? Were you able to get it off the door sticker?

RoadEyePie · 09-25-2018, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmech

That math works if your going to be taking shorter trips, but if full timing in it, use 23% hitch weight just to be sure. Your going to be carrying the whole house with you and you don't want to guess on the light side. What's the payload on that truck? Were you able to get it off the door sticker?

Isn't the gross payload on the truck GVWR - Curb Wt. 13,025 - 8,070 = 4,955?

Also I'm basing the hitch weight off of the GVWR of the RV, max 18,000. I'm not planning on going over that ever....full time, part time or no time. This RV has a CCC of 3,400 lbs, I think that's enough.

tuffr2 · 09-25-2018, 03:57 PM

A few things:

I had a 2012 Ford dually with a GVWR of 13,300. I find it difficult to believe that a new 2019 GMC dually is less.

Have you looked at a Ram 3500 dually Limited or Ford F-350 Platuim? Those two trucks are very nice and probably have 1,500lbs more carrying capacity.

One other general comment. I would think any modern dually would be able to tow and carry the pin weight of a 18,000lb 5th wheel.

What does the yellow occupant / cargo capacity sticker read? On my 2012 Ford dually it was 4,450lbs.

Airmech · 09-25-2018, 04:29 PM

If I read the op correctly, you said the literature said the curb weight. Don't use that as gospel. I promise you that truck will be heavier. Especially if any accessories or options are added. I understand you not using all the ccc in the camper, I haven't even come close to mine. That's why I can use a 3500 srw to tow my 39' 15.5k gvwr 5ver. I never take anything or go anywhere. Never get close to 15.5k.
But back to the main topic, if you can find a truck like the one you want, look at the yellow sticker in the driver's door and you can see what a loaded out truck like that really has for payload then go from there.
I was shocked to see my srw has almost 4k for payload, because my truck is only an LT with minimal options.

Wood Chip · 09-25-2018, 06:23 PM

I think the yellow sticker on the loaded GMC will be 4500 lbs. That pin weight will not give you much room for the other basics

Airmech · 09-25-2018, 06:32 PM

I was looking up that truck and it's specs, and I understand some things now. The 8070 is a base curb weight. So the Duramax and Allison will add 500 lbs min. If you want the 5th wheel prep that adds more weight. Heavy duty alt adds more. And it goes on. That 4930 lbs payload will be down to 4300 before you know it. Never go by the base curb weight unless you don't plan on getting any options at all. Unfortunately in the HD, that includes the diesel.
PS: The 8070 base curb weight is for the base work truck. So your Denali diesel will be much heavier than what's listed. Please find one on a dealer lot and look in the driver door to verify the payload. That's a lot of money to find out you can't tow your trailer.

dskyward · 09-25-2018, 06:48 PM

That is a darn good truck you have spec’d out. The Fast Lane Truck on YT has a video featuring that truck (a Chevy) in the IKE Gauntlet (toughest towing test) against Ford and Ram HD duallies with 2017 models in the test, towing a 22,800 lb properly loaded gooseneck tandem dually trailer with 19% tongue wt (4332 lbs) down, and then up that stretch of highway, with two heavy corn fed men riding in the cab. The Chevy won the contest by a 3.5 pt margin. I’d say that truck is totally qualified for your 18k 5er, no questions!

Wood Chip · 09-25-2018, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dskyward

That is a darn good truck you have spec’d out. The Fast Lane Truck on YT has a video featuring that truck (a Chevy) in the IKE Gauntlet (toughest towing test) against Ford and Ram HD duallies with 2017 models in the test, towing a 22,800 lb properly loaded gooseneck tandem dually trailer with 19% tongue wt (4332 lbs) down, and then up that stretch of highway, with two heavy corn fed men riding in the cab. The Chevy won the contest by a 3.5 pt margin. I’d say that truck is totally qualified for your 18k 5er, no questions!

It was pretty awesome to see the Chevy out perform the heavy hitters but I guess its all about the yellow sticker official numbers.

RoadEyePie · 09-25-2018, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmech

I was looking up that truck and it's specs, and I understand some things now. The 8070 is a base curb weight. So the Duramax and Allison will add 500 lbs min. If you want the 5th wheel prep that adds more weight. Heavy duty alt adds more. And it goes on. That 4930 lbs payload will be down to 4300 before you know it. Never go by the base curb weight unless you don't plan on getting any options at all. Unfortunately in the HD, that includes the diesel.
PS: The 8070 base curb weight is for the base work truck. So your Denali diesel will be much heavier than what's listed. Please find one on a dealer lot and look in the driver door to verify the payload. That's a lot of money to find out you can't tow your trailer.

According to the GMC specification book that I got from the dealer, the 8,070 curb wt is for that specific truck with the Duramax and Allison transmission. But yes I will check the sticker on that exact model.

onechaddude · 09-25-2018, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

According to the GMC specification book that I got from the dealer, the 8,070 curb wt is for that specific truck with the Duramax and Allison transmission. But yes I will check the sticker on that exact model.

I have a 2018 Chevy D/A 4x4 2500 crew cab short bed High Country. My GVWR is 10,000 lb and my yellow sticker shows I have 1930 lb of cargo capacity. Yes a 3/4 ton truck is that low. That means my truck weighs 10,000-1930= 8070 lbs. I haven't weighed it but I'm sure it's not lighter than GM says it is. If my 2500 weighs that much I feel sure a 3500 Denali DRW 4X4 will be significantly heavier. I would guess at least 5 or 600 lbs heavier. Hope this helps you in your decision.

Chad

Airmech · 09-25-2018, 08:53 PM

Never accept the word of the dealer either. They tried to tell my dad the 08 1500 had tow ratings of a 11 1500. It wasn't till after 30 mins of fighting with the dealer AND my dad that everyone finally agreed that the truck they were trying to sell him had 7800lbs tow ratings and not 8700lbs. They kept looking at their chart for new trucks. The 08s didn't have that rating. But they new better. Only cared about the sale. I was looking out for his safety.

tuffr2 · 09-25-2018, 09:42 PM

Agree, a dually truck will weigh approx. 8,500 - 8,700 lbs. with full fuel and one driver.

dskyward · 09-25-2018, 10:03 PM

They’ve certainly gotten heavier over the years. In Jan 2016, as an 9 yr old 10500 GVWR, my 2007.5 Dodge Ram MC 6.7 4x2 dually without 5er hitch was weighed at a landscape place when I just got it. It was 8000 lbs even with me and 1/3 tank fuel. It had a 123 lb B&W turnover ball system, the big black ranch hand type bumpers front n back, Firestone air helper springs w/compressor, bed liner. Curb or Base Weight guide for it was listed at 7429. It gained a bunch of weight. From the chart I read, base weight did not include a 150 lb driver. It made no mention of a full fuel tank. I’m 235. So with me makes 7664, plus all the added stuff I mentioned above. If you add up front and rear axle rating, it is 4750+9350=14,100. I still LOVE this truck!