2500 vs 3500 - towing

[Cowboy_120]

As many of you may have seen on the 6600 board, I am going through some interesting times with my truck. My question here today is: can a 2500HD tow as much as a 3500? My trailer will be about 12,000lbs loaded. I realize that6 stability wise, there is a difference, but in shear weight, can a 2500HD do the same as a 3500?
Thanks

[Maverick]

Both trucks can tow the same. The 2500HD just has a lighter pin weight allowance whether it be a gooseneck or a bumper pull.

[DmaxCC6spd]

The 2500HD is actually rated to "pull" more than a 3500 of the same cab and bed. The 3500 is more suited to high bed or high pin loads in gooseneck and fifth wheel applications. If memory serves, there is as much as 1200 lbs difference in towing capacity between a 2500HD reg cab 2X4 and a 2500HD Crew cab long bed 4X4. According to GM both trucks have a GCWR of 22,000 lbs so the maximum trailer weight that can be towed will be by the lightest truck.(22,000lbs minus weight of truck = maximun trailer weight) The added weight of the extra wheels and tires and springs subtracts from the 3500 maximum towing rating, again according to official GM literature.

[Cowboy_120]

thanks for the replies, i was considering telling the dealer to put together a truck for me to haul with as a replacement until mine is done. I new they didnt have a 3500 on the lot, so he was going to try to back out, but now that i know both can do the same job, there will be no excuses.

thanks again

[c5dura]

I know that GM rates the lighter trucks as being able to pull more since it allows for more of the 22,000 GCWR to be allocated to the trailer.

But, it seems to me that the heavier the pulling vehicle compared to the trailer, the safer things would be. I guess the issue is that the drivetrain isn't rated for more than 22,000 GCWR?

If you add Juice and do the Alli upgrades, I would feel safer pulling a 18,000# trailer with a 8000# truck than a 6500# truck even though there would be an additional 1500# worth of strain on the drivetrain with the heavier truck.

[billnourse]

Cowboy,

I tow a 32ft. Holiday Rambler that goes about 12,000 with my 2500HD. My total scale weight is 19,400 (+or-) and I have had no problems.

I am about 700 lbs over GVW for the pickup at 9900, but under front and rear axle and tire limits, and well under total gross carry limits of 22,000.

I do most of my towing in the mountains of Northern NM and Southern Colo. and have no problems.

Hope this helps.


Regards,

Bill

[Cowboy_120]

Thanks for all the help. It turns out that I was able to find parts for my truck much faster than the dealership could, go figure. They should have the truck done by tomorrow.

Thanks for all the replies, its some good information to know anyway.

Robin

[sonofagun]

Bill,

What is the kingpin weight on you trailer?


Thanks,
Bob

[billnourse]

Bob,

don't have the exact pin weight, but the following is a breakdown of weights:

Pickup full fuel no passangers 7,200
Rear wheels no load 3,200
Pickup loaded with passangers:
Front wheels 4,240
Rear Wheels 5,640
Trailer axles 9,560
Total gross with pass, and trailer 19,440

Total weight of pickup loaded is 9,880
I don't have the weight of just the pickup with passangers so I can't deduct that from weight from weight with trailer and get exact pin weight but it's about 2,000 I would guess.

Regards,

Bill