Truck curb weights and various rating capacities?

[kburati]

I did a ton of research on this over a year ago in order to decide whether or not to get a 2500HD or a 3500. Most of my research was on the 2500HD and max capacities of axle/tire/rims... I finally decided to go with the 3500 and love the truck, coming up on 1 year anniversary and am getting ready for my next purchase, the truck camper.

Now I'm starting to realize that even the 3500 may be under-rated for the campers I'm looking at so I want to know how much I can modify to improve safety and what the weakest link is.

Anyone know the rear axle rating for the 3500? Is it 8800 or 9000? How about the front? Stock tire ratings?

For safety sake I'd even consider the 19.5" Rickson wheel/tire upgrade but don't want to waste my time if that is not the limiting factor.

Thought I was all set when I chose the 3500 but some of these campers are really heavy. I know mfg. GVWR is conservative and I'll probably end up over 11400 but I'm OK with that within reason as long as I'm within the ratings of all respective areas.

Also anyone know the curb weights, front and rear, of your 3500? Mine's a Chevy CC 4x4 DMAX/Allison.

[DetroitBob]

kburati. The sales booklet for a GMC list your 3500 CC as having a 9000# rear axle capacity (pg48).
Hope this helps.

BoB

[Big O]

kburati--No need to be concerned about 11,700#'s. I have towed well over 21,000# with NO problem whatsoever. Total weight was nearly 29,000#.

[kburati]

I'm not concerned with the 22000 or GCWR, I know the engine/trans/differential/frame can handle that. I'm concerned about the GVWR or the actual weight sitting on the axle/tires/rims/springs since this is the limiting factor with slide in truck campers.

It's definitely safer to go over GCWR with weight in tow by 6000 lbs. than it is to go over GVWR by 3000 lbs.

[moisheh]

2001 Crew Cab Duallie Duramax/ Allison weighs 7200 lbs empty. We haul an 11.5 ft. camper with a slide out ,fully loaded ,no problem. Pls. remember that no matter what you do to the truck the LEGAL carrying capacity does not change. I doubt there is a camper made that your truck will not caryy safely. As for the capacity of the poorly made truck box: IT SUCKS. My camper has bent the front of the box upper rail. This rail is not attached to the side of the box because of the plastic outer fender/quarter panels. I will be reinfocing this area with aluminum checker plate.

[mark45678]

a friend of mine has a set of firestone airbags to help out with the load rateing on the rear springs. Its not that he is over weight its more for a stable "safe" ride. theres not a lot of extra load compasity on the stock springs.... big sway bars front and rear would be nice too...

[kburati]

I just went over my owners manual and looked at the camper sticker in the glove box, it shows 3342lbs. for a max camper weight! Can that be right? The manual states that this number doesn't even take into account passengers so I need to deduct 150 for each passenger on top of that low number?

My truck's a 3500 CC 4x4 which has a rating of 5005 capacity which goes down a few hundred lbs. considering I have the DMAX/Allison but there's still a huge margin between 4700 lbs. and 3300 lbs. I read a while back that some complained to GM and got new stickers issued, should I be concerned about that, is it a legal issue having a incorrect sticker on the truck?

I've got to believe my truck with a 9000 lb. rear axle rating, an 11400 GCWR and a curb weight about 7k has got to be able to handle safely a camper over 3342 lbs.

[jphauler]

My 2500 hd cc/4wd glovebox tag reads 1802# max camper wt.With 2 adults onboard this would bring my trucks gvw to 9200# (or more).My camper scales at 2230# loaded and wet, I have wieght checked this rig many times and neither axle is over its gross weight.I do have air lift air bags for ride stabbility.