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Duramax towing capacities

BigArt

BigArt

In for the long haul
Messages
204
Reaction score
0
Location
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Hi all. We still haven't upgraded to a Duramax yet, but I am starting to get serious. Looks like we will need it by next summer. I did some research about towing capacities and this is what I found;
Following from http://www.campinglife.com/tow-ratings-database/ FYI.

I really think I want to go with a Silverado/Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Long Box DRW. I notice that the 2WD seem to have a higher towing capacity than 4WD. Is that true? And why? The 5th wheel/toy hauler we are looking to get has a GVWR of about 17000 lbs and we want to be able to load up a Harley as well. It looks like 2011 or newer may have to be the ticket...

Also how many necessary upgrades/mods would be required?

Any thoughts?


Art
[TABLE="class: MsoNormalTable, width: 80%"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Year
[/TD]
[TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #006633"]Make
[/TD]
[TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006633"]Model
[/TD]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Engine
[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #006633"]Tow Limit
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75"]2008
[/TD]
[TD]Chevrolet/GMC
[/TD]
[TD]Silverado/Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 4WD
[/TD]
[TD]6.6L V8 TD
[/TD]
[TD]14600
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 5"]Requires 3.73 axle ratio
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


[TABLE="class: MsoNormalTable, width: 80%"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]
Year​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #006633"]
Make​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006633"]
Model​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]
Engine​
[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #006633"]
Tow Limit​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75"]
2007​
[/TD]
[TD]
Chevrolet/GMC​
[/TD]
[TD]
Classic Silverado/Sierra 3500 HD Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed DRW​
[/TD]
[TD]
6.6L V8 TD​
[/TD]
[TD]
12000​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 5"]
3.73 axle ratio
[TABLE="class: MsoNormalTable, width: 80%"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Year
[/TD]
[TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #006633"]Make
[/TD]
[TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006633"]Model
[/TD]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Engine
[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #006633"]
Tow Limit​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75"]2006
[/TD]
[TD]Chevrolet/GMC
[/TD]
[TD]Silverado/Sierra 3500 HD Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed
[/TD]
[TD]6.6L V8 Turbodiesel
[/TD]
[TD]
12000​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 5"]Automatic or Manual transmission
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 5"]3.73 axle ratio


[TABLE="width: 80%, align: center"]
[TR="bgcolor: #006633"]
[TD="class: tow, width: 75"]Year
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, width: 100"]Make
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, width: 200"]Model
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, width: 75"]Engine
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, align: right"]Tow Limit
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: tow, width: 75"]2010
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow"]CHEVROLET/GMC
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow"]Silverado/Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 2WD DRW
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow"]6.6L V8 TD
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, align: right"]16200
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: tow, colspan: 5"]3.73 axle ratio
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: MsoNormalTable, width: 80%"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Year
[/TD]
[TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #006633"]Make
[/TD]
[TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006633"]Model
[/TD]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Engine
[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #006633"]
Tow Limit​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75"]2010
[/TD]
[TD]CHEVROLET/GMC
[/TD]
[TD]Silverado/Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 4WD DRW
[/TD]
[TD]6.6L V8 TD
[/TD]
[TD]
15900​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 5"]
3.73 axle ratio

[TABLE="class: MsoNormalTable, width: 80%"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]
Year​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 103, bgcolor: #006633, colspan: 2"]
Make​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 345, bgcolor: #006633, colspan: 3"]
Model​
[/TD]
[TD="width: 84, bgcolor: #006633"]
Engine​
[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #006633"]
Tow Limit​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75"]
2011​
[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 2"]
CHEVY / GMC​
[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 3"]
Silverado/Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Long Box DRW 2WD​
[/TD]
[TD]
6.6L V-8 TD​
[/TD]
[TD]
21500​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 8"]
3.73 axle ratio
[TABLE="align: center"]
[TR="bgcolor: #006633"]
[TD="class: tow"]Year
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, width: 100"]Make
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, width: 200"]Model
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, width: 75"]Engine
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, align: right"]Tow Limit
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: tow, width: 75"]2011
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow"]CHEVY / GMC
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow"]Silverado/Sierra 3500 Crew Cab Long Box SRW 4WD
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow"]6.6L V-8 TD
[/TD]
[TD="class: tow, align: right"]16800
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: tow, colspan: 5"]3.73 axle ratio
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


[TABLE="class: MsoNormalTable, width: 80%"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Year
[/TD]
[TD="width: 100, bgcolor: #006633"]Make
[/TD]
[TD="width: 200, bgcolor: #006633"]Model
[/TD]
[TD="width: 75, bgcolor: #006633"]Engine
[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #006633"]
Tow Limit​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 75"]2012
[/TD]
[TD]Chevrolet/GMC
[/TD]
[TD]Silverado/Sierra 3500 CC LB DRW 2WD
[/TD]
[TD]6.6L V-8 TD
[/TD]
[TD]
22800​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 5"]3.73 axle ratio
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
​
 
The newer 2012/2013 trucks are monsters! The 2wd trucks have a little less gross weight so they can "tow" a little more I guess. These Duramax's are very stout.
 
You should look at a older Kodiak or maybe a small Freightliner. They are fairly cheap used. Try and stay away from the DPF stuff if you can.

Do you really need to drag that heavy of a trailer around? Tires and fuel... Just saying.
 
All of them pretty much have the same GCVWR, so the 4X4 stuff takes away from the amount of gross weight you can haul. It's roughly a 200-300 pound towing difference as that is what the 4X4 stuff weighs extra over a 2X4.
 
I gross over 30k in my 2500hd dmax and it is definitely not designed for it, I would not recommend hauling that load long distances with any less than a 3500 dually w/ 4.10s

Sent from: Source Unknown
 
tanman_2006 said:
I gross over 30k in my 2500hd dmax and it is definitely not designed for it, I would not recommend hauling that load long distances with any less than a 3500 dually w/ 4.10s

Sent from: Source Unknown
Click to expand...

That rules out the DURAMAX then as ALL DURAMAX equipped trucks in the 2500/3500 platforms have 3.73 gears.
 
I thought the classic 3500's had them? If not then I would still make sure its a dually and just keep stockish tire size and be sure not to run in 6th gear if LBZ or newer (mine gets hot fast in 6th).

I tow in 4th at 2200-2400 rpm/60-65mph range with loads over 30K. Thats with trailer brakes that work good on a tripple axle trailer and white knuckles. Big tires are killing me I think. I can take off on an incline but it takes alot of chuggin and tuggin while watching temps climb.

EDIT: I just went a reread the OP and saw the gear ratios at the bottom. I was on my phone and the pic showed up kinda scrambled. :mad2:
 
WarWagon said:
Do you really need to drag that heavy of a trailer around? Tires and fuel... Just saying.
Click to expand...

Not me so much! But the wife, and I'm aiming on the high (heavy) side. Below are the trailer wieghts of new Hitchhikers for instance. Not that I'm going to buy new, but generally the older you get the heavier you get it seems. As a guideline;
[TABLE="class: specifications, width: 100%"]
[TR="class: specificaitons"]
[TH]Model
[/TH]
[TH]Hitch Wt.
[/TH]
[TH]UVW
[/TH]
[TH]GVWR
[/TH]
[TH]NCC
[/TH]
[TH]GAWR
[/TH]
[TH]Brakes
[/TH]
[TH]Tires
[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications1"]
[TD]300 FK
[/TD]
[TD]2,400
[/TD]
[TD]11,560
[/TD]
[TD]14,600
[/TD]
[TD]3,040
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12" x 2"
[/TD]
[TD]ST235/80R16E
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications2"]
[TD]327 LK
[/TD]
[TD]2,100
[/TD]
[TD]11,540
[/TD]
[TD]14,700
[/TD]
[TD]3,160
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12" x 2"
[/TD]
[TD]ST235/80R16E
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications1"]
[TD]330 FK
[/TD]
[TD]2,420
[/TD]
[TD]12,020
[/TD]
[TD]15,400
[/TD]
[TD]3,380
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12" x 2"
[/TD]
[TD]ST235/80R16E
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications2"]
[TD]339 LK RSB
[/TD]
[TD]2,340
[/TD]
[TD]12,320
[/TD]
[TD]15,360
[/TD]
[TD]3,020
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12" x 2"
[/TD]
[TD]ST235/80R16E
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications1"]
[TD]339 RE RSB
[/TD]
[TD]2,340
[/TD]
[TD]12,260
[/TD]
[TD]15,360
[/TD]
[TD]3,100
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12" x 2"
[/TD]
[TD]ST235/80R16E
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications2"]
[TD]345 RE SB
[/TD]
[TD]2,300
[/TD]
[TD]12,380
[/TD]
[TD]15,500
[/TD]
[TD]3,120
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]LT235/85R16G
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications1"]
[TD]345 SK SB
[/TD]
[TD]2,220
[/TD]
[TD]12,200
[/TD]
[TD]15,500
[/TD]
[TD]3,300
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]LT235/85R16G
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications2"]
[TD]345 SK WTB
[/TD]
[TD]2,300
[/TD]
[TD]12,100
[/TD]
[TD]15,500
[/TD]
[TD]3,400
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]LT235/85R16G
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications1"]
[TD]345 LK SB
[/TD]
[TD]2,360
[/TD]
[TD]12,220
[/TD]
[TD]15,500
[/TD]
[TD]3,280
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]LT235/85R16G
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications2"]
[TD]345 LK WTB
[/TD]
[TD]2,160
[/TD]
[TD]12,300
[/TD]
[TD]15,500
[/TD]
[TD]3,200
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]LT235/85R16G
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications1"]
[TD]348 SB
[/TD]
[TD]2,180
[/TD]
[TD]12,400
[/TD]
[TD]15,600
[/TD]
[TD]3,200
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]LT235/85R16G
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications2"]
[TD]349 RSB
[/TD]
[TD]2,300
[/TD]
[TD]12,640
[/TD]
[TD]16,200
[/TD]
[TD]3,560
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]LT235/85R16G
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications1"]
[TD]355 CK
[/TD]
[TD]2,560
[/TD]
[TD]13,100
[/TD]
[TD]16,400
[/TD]
[TD]3,300
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]215/75R17.5
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: specifications2"]
[TD]363 RSB

[/TD]
[TD]2,700

[/TD]
[TD]13,140



[/TD]
[TD]16,400
[/TD]
[TD]3,260
[/TD]
[TD]7,000
[/TD]
[TD]12 1/4" x 3 3/8"
[/TD]
[TD]215/75R17.5
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
I'd seriously consider an MD truck if you only need it for pulling the trailer around. Stability of a 3500DRW is good up to a point. Picture a serious evasive maneuver at 50+ MPH
 
An old 90's Kodiak with an 8.2l Detroit is real cheap. They aren't power houses but fairly reliable from what I've seen.

An 8.3l cummins would be a good engine swap for one of those.

Sent from: Source Unknown
 
Yes. They are more heavy duty than the 2500HD/3500's. Other than the obvious, they are a 4500/5500 type of truck. They are pretty stout.
 
They are heavy trucks, not sure if I would look for one with one of those hauler beds (just extra weight IMO). I'd look for one with a conversion bed. That one is pretty loaded though. Still has the stout dmax and allison combo but they want alot of cash for most of those rigs.
 
I didn't do a lot of research into the 4500+ trucks. But in the little I did do, they generally don't seem to be much more expensive than the 3500HDs. The example I showed is probably exceptional, and has low mileage (71,000 mi). Would be nice to have just a standard type bed though. Is that what you mean by conversion bed? But you got me thinkin'... Hmmmmmm

Art
 
They don't come with regular beds from factory but there are places that sell regular gm beds that are fitted for a MD chassis. They call them conversion beds.

Sent from: Source Unknown
 
The 4500/5500 trucks use the same basic engines as the 2500/3500 platform(they used an SAE #3 bellhousing bolt pattern and different engine mount locations). The cooling systems were upsized a size or 2 bigger, as well as better air filter setups in stock form for the 04-05. If you buy a mid year 06 on you can have it flashed by ALLISON to a 6 speed. Many of them came with 4.56 and 4.88 gears, but I believe 5.13's and even 5.88's were an option. There was even a few 4X4 ones built out there. For a dedicated hauler they are tough to beat as they come with some BIG brakes and heavy duty suspension.
 
Nephew in Tx has a 2006 5500 LLY with the same bed as the one you posted Art. He pulls a 37' toy hauler rig and went to the MD after trying to run around with a 6.0 Powerstroke 3500 SRW and damn near killing himself.
 
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