Max trailering package and payload

[bronco351]

Trying to decide if the max trailering package is worth the money.

 

Included in the NHT package is "Heavier Duty Rear Springs". Under specs I see that the NHT package has 1866lbs max payload, where as the regular suspension has a payload of 1974.

This doesn't make sense to me. What is the point of heavier duty suspension if it doesn't increase payload?

 

The package also increases the RGAWR, but i cant find any information about how much of an increase.

 

3.73 gears would be nice, but an aftermarket gear swap would cost about the same as the NHT package. I ordered 3.55 gearing on my current truck as the max i would tow at the time was about 2000lbs. It was a mistake as it struggles with 33" tires, and I'm now towing loads of 3000-7000lbs. Thinking that if I get something well beyond my needs I wont have regrets.

 

What I'm wondering does the extra 2000lbs in towing come at an expense of less weight in the bed? Or does the increased RGAWR change this some how?

 

[music]

Make sure you're comparing the same cabs (e.g., crew vs crew). The max values don't mean much, unless you're buying the specific configuration that's being quoted.

[bronco351]

Ran some numbers:

 

Double cab:

2wd: 86lbs more payload with max tow

4wd: 108lbs less payload with max tow

 

crewcab short bed:

2wd 72lbs more payload with max tow

4wd 127lbs less payload with max tow

 

crewcab standard bed:

2wd 72lbs more payload with max tow

4wd 132lbs less payload with max tow

 

So max trailering gives you more payload on 2wd models, but less on 4wd.

 

all data was retrieved from gm canada website:

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/vehicles/chevrolet/silverado/compare-options-and-specifications#ui-accordion-header

[Jon A]

In the real world, the heavier springs of the max tow will make the truck handle heavy payloads better (especially if you aren't planning any mods such as airbags). The "ratings" they give them have very little to do with reality.

[seamonster]

I had the same questions when I ordered mine. I decided to get the max trailering package.

The max trailer has heavier springs, i found somewhere it increases the the rear rating by 150 lbs.

I think the reason it show less capacity than a truck without it is because the truck itself has limitations.

The extra weight of the heavier axle and springs etc cuts into those limitations.

Bottom line is the truck with the max package will tow and haul heavy loads better.

I think it is worth the extra cost but that is just my opinion.

[2017HD]

The tow ratings are all based on the total payload rating + trailer wt. The fine print around these ratings also say that you should not exceed the GAWR for the rear axle, and the total payload. As for having a larger rear axle wt rating that is a good thing if you plan on using all of your towing capacity of 11k as you should have between 1100 and 1300 lbs of tongue wt which is a majority of the payload capacity - normally if you loaded the bed with the full payload it would transfer the wt between the front and rear axles - however when you put the equal of the payload on the bumper the rear axle gets the majority of the load - the beefier the rear end the better off you will be.

[redwngr]

Ran some numbers:

 

Double cab:

2wd: 86lbs more payload with max tow

4wd: 108lbs less payload with max tow

 

crewcab short bed:

2wd 72lbs more payload with max tow

4wd 127lbs less payload with max tow

 

crewcab standard bed:

2wd 72lbs more payload with max tow

4wd 132lbs less payload with max tow

 

So max trailering gives you more payload on 2wd models, but less on 4wd.

 

all data was retrieved from gm canada website:

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/vehicles/chevrolet/silverado/compare-options-and-specifications#ui-accordion-header

It also adds about 1600lb to the tow rating, going from 3.42 to 3.73 with a 5.3 litre. More if from the 3.08's.

 

The difference 3.42 to 3.73 with a 6.0 litre is more than that.

[bronco351]

Well I finally got to test drive a new silverado. It had the 3.42 gears. I was not too impressed with it. It didn't feel that much different from my current truck, despite having 63 more hp, and 63 ft/lbs of torque. I've decided on the max towing, just so that i can get the 3.73s. Would have like to drive one, but the sales woman told me the same as the other dealers I've been to: very difficult to find, special order if you are picky about options and/or colours. 8-10weeks to order in. I'd be fine with that because it would give me time to sell my current truck. She was able to locate a truck that is almost identical to what I want in the next province over. Only difference is that it has the convenience package. I don't want to spend $2k on a bunch of options I don't need. 10 way adjustable seat? I don't have all day to set the seat to the correct position. Its bad enough when I get my truck back from a mechanic and they moved the seat all the way back.

[KARNUT]

Well I finally got to test drive a new silverado. It had the 3.42 gears. I was not too impressed with it. It didn't feel that much different from my current truck, despite having 63 more hp, and 63 ft/lbs of torque. I've decided on the max towing, just so that i can get the 3.73s. Would have like to drive one, but the sales woman told me the same as the other dealers I've been to: very difficult to find, special order if you are picky about options and/or colours. 8-10weeks to order in. I'd be fine with that because it would give me time to sell my current truck. She was able to locate a truck that is almost identical to what I want in the next province over. Only difference is that it has the convenience package. I don't want to spend $2k on a bunch of options I don't need. 10 way adjustable seat? I don't have all day to set the seat to the correct position. Its bad enough when I get my truck back from a mechanic and they moved the seat all the way back.

You may want to wait and test drive one with 373 before you order. Is your old truck a four or six speed auto? If you have a four speed the truck you test drove should have felt much faster.

[bronco351]

You may want to wait and test drive one with 373 before you order. Is your old truck a four or six speed auto? If you have a four speed the truck you test drove should have felt much faster.

 

I have an f150 with a 4.6L 3v, 6spd auto, 3.55 gears.

 

Starting to wonder if I should keep it.

[seamonster]

Now is always the time to get rid of a ford

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

 

I have an f150 with a 4.6L 3v, 6spd auto, 3.55 gears.

 

Starting to wonder if I should keep it.

Lol... The new 4.3 trucks are more impressive than any 4.6 truck, hell, I'd put it up against a 5.4 truck.

[bronco351]

Lol... The new 4.3 trucks are more impressive than any 4.6 truck, hell, I'd put it up against a 5.4 truck.

 

I really don't see the point of defending a ford engine on a GM forum, so I'm not going to go through the effort of disagreeing. You're entitled to your opinion. My family have had a few ford trucks, and the company i work for runs fords (pretty much a family business), So I've driven a few fords. I've driven trucks with the 3.7l, 4.0L, 4.6 2v, 4.6 3v, 5.4L, 6.2L, eco boost, and the 6.7L diesel. My friend had a Ram hemi, and that seemed alright.

 

I'm not saying the silverado is less powerful than other trucks, I'm just saying that I'm surprised that it didn't seem faster. I think a lot of this has to do with the axle ratio. GM really messed up there. I'm thinking that a max tow package would wake up this truck. I've had my truck for 5 years, and I've never had a problem with it. I just want something fresh, better on gas, and with more power/torque. I would be really upset if I spent all that money and ended up with something not as good as what I have. On paper the silverado is much better than my 5 year old truck. I just don't know what to do here. lol

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

 

I really don't see the point of defending a ford engine on a GM forum, so I'm not going to go through the effort of disagreeing. You're entitled to your opinion. My family have had a few ford trucks, and the company i work for runs fords (pretty much a family business), So I've driven a few fords. I've driven trucks with the 3.7l, 4.0L, 4.6 2v, 4.6 3v, 5.4L, 6.2L, eco boost, and the 6.7L diesel. My friend had a Ram hemi, and that seemed alright.

 

I'm not saying the silverado is less powerful than other trucks, I'm just saying that I'm surprised that it didn't seem faster. I think a lot of this has to do with the axle ratio. GM really messed up there. I'm thinking that a max tow package would wake up this truck. I've had my truck for 5 years, and I've never had a problem with it. I just want something fresh, better on gas, and with more power/torque. I would be really upset if I spent all that money and ended up with something not as good as what I have. On paper the silverado is much better than my 5 year old truck. I just don't know what to do here. lol

 

No.. don't take it personally... this is my opinion as a custom tuner for both Ford and GM. The new 5.0... that's a different story, just never was a fan of th 4.6/5.4 and tune them on a regular basis. I do have to agree with your comment on the axle ratios...

I have owned them all as well, big fan of the 7.3ps, the 351w, 428/429 and now the 5.0.

[KARNUT]

I really don't see the point of defending a ford engine on a GM forum, so I'm not going to go through the effort of disagreeing. You're entitled to your opinion. My family have had a few ford trucks, and the company i work for runs fords (pretty much a family business), So I've driven a few fords. I've driven trucks with the 3.7l, 4.0L, 4.6 2v, 4.6 3v, 5.4L, 6.2L, eco boost, and the 6.7L diesel. My friend had a Ram hemi, and that seemed alright.

 

I'm not saying the silverado is less powerful than other trucks, I'm just saying that I'm surprised that it didn't seem faster. I think a lot of this has to do with the axle ratio. GM really messed up there. I'm thinking that a max tow package would wake up this truck. I've had my truck for 5 years, and I've never had a problem with it. I just want something fresh, better on gas, and with more power/torque. I would be really upset if I spent all that money and ended up with something not as good as what I have. On paper the silverado is much better than my 5 year old truck. I just don't know what to do here. lol

So your saying that your running 355 gear, 33 tires, just under 300HP,and the Chevy felt slow, yea better keep the ford.