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05-16-2022, 07:15 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,362
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WD hitch not req'd: GM vs Ford vs RAM
Here's an interesting thing. Looking at the owners manuals for 1/2 ton trucks, Ford and Ram require a weight distribution hitch for trailers over 5000 lbs, but GM requires it only for trailers over 7000 lbs. What makes the GM so great, or is it just that GM doesn't like WD hitches?
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05-16-2022, 07:19 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 2,859
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Is the GM equipped with auto-leveling?
__________________
TandW
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05-16-2022, 07:26 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TandW
Is the GM equipped with auto-leveling?
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It doesn't say. It's just a general statement in the manual.
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05-16-2022, 07:28 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 10,983
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The redesigned GM 1500 series trucks are almost as big as the 2500 series trucks. When GM redesigned the 1500 seties trucks in 2019 they did a good job.
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05-16-2022, 07:34 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuffr2
The redesigned GM 1500 series trucks are almost as big as the 2500 series trucks. When GM redesigned the 1500 seties trucks in 2019 they did a good job.
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That's quite a difference. 40% extra load on the hitch ball. Does the new GM have a higher RAWR? It could also be explained by a lower axle-to-ball distance, or a greater portion of load over the front axle.
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05-16-2022, 07:37 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Full Time, TX Home Base
Posts: 21,724
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Ignore the manufacturers. A 1/2 ton truck with any trailer over 3000# should have a weight distributing hitch. Self-levelers do not shift any load to the front axle. When you hang a trailer tongue on the back of a vehicle, it will unload the truck front axle and lighten the steering. The Weight distributing hitch transfers some load back to the truck front axle which gives you better control.
The self-leveling systems just prop up the rear axle so that the truck is level.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|Full-Time! - 2012 6.7L Ford Crew Cab Dually -2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB - Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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05-16-2022, 07:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 2,859
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You are correct but certainly did not answer my question.
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TandW
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05-16-2022, 08:01 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Thornville, Ohio
Posts: 2,319
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I'm wondering if it's not over promised and under delivery by marking?
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Art & Joyce
Thornville, OH
35' DP Endeavor being pushed by a Kia Soul
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05-16-2022, 08:03 AM
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#9
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RV Mutant #14
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 16,218
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I think post #4 answered the question,
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Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse) RVM14
Lexi - Goldendoodle
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD
It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
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05-16-2022, 08:18 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,362
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GM and Ford have a RAWR of 3800 while the RAM has 4100. Strange why GM and Ford are requiring a max trailer of 5000 lbs while GM's max is 7000 lbs. These are all pretty much the same truck as far as configuration goes, and they all comply with SAE towing standards. Maybe GM is simply interpreting the need for a WD hitch differently than the other two.
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05-16-2022, 09:42 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Posts: 1,421
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Quote:
Originally Posted by move on
Maybe GM is simply interpreting the need for a WD hitch differently than the other two.
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That would be my guess; I don't believe for an instant that the GM 1/2 ton is 40% more capable than a similarly equipped Ford or Ram.
Dave
__________________
2022 Outdoors RV 25RDS, 2003 Dodge 3500 dually, Cummins, 6 spd.
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05-16-2022, 09:51 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2,303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier
That would be my guess; I don't believe for an instant that the GM 1/2 ton is 40% more capable than a similarly equipped Ford or Ram.
Dave
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I would after looking at the frames and suspension on different makes. Some of these 1500 series are toys, only useful for the weekend warrior getting several bags of compost for the garden and such.
__________________
2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD gas 6.0 dually
1994 K1500 Suburban shop mule and plow truck
2006 Lakota 29RKT 5th wheel
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05-16-2022, 10:59 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 10,983
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Not toys but only good for the smaller travel trailers and 21' boats. The 150/1500 series trucks are becoming the luxury vehicle of choice. I test drove a 2022 3.5 Eco-Boost F-150 about a week ago and though it was the most refined vehical I ever drove and thought this truck would be great to drive to the grocery store plus tow a small boat or camper.
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05-16-2022, 11:39 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Posts: 1,421
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kdauto
I would after looking at the frames and suspension on different makes. Some of these 1500 series are toys, only useful for the weekend warrior getting several bags of compost for the garden and such. 
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yep, some or all.....
Dave
__________________
2022 Outdoors RV 25RDS, 2003 Dodge 3500 dually, Cummins, 6 spd.
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