Towing capacity and improvements to suspension

[lazyrado]

If someone hits me over their payload capacity I am going to sue them and buy a new truck!

 

Hehe, I will work for mine, but you can dream

[Bob Perry]

Does anybody have a 1500 gmc Serbia with the max trailering package and P275/55x20 tires

[redwngr]

They are the supplied size if NHT is ordered with 20's.

[Bassboats]

Towing capacity and load capacity can't be changed once the vehicle leaves the factory. Tow ratings and load ratings are like the VIN for that vehicle. You can add aftermarket springs, airbags and hitches. But none change the stated limits set by the manufacturer. Those ratings are based on the vehicle's brakes, transmission, drivetrain, and other components that, as a whole, meet the manufacturers handling and vehicle control safety requirements. Overloading the vehicle -- and/or -- not having it "properly equipped" per the vehicle manufacturer's towing requirements, puts the driver in a very precarious liability situation. Not preaching here. Just stating facts. My suggestion: towing a big boat requires the use of a weight-dristributing hitch designed for surge-type brakes. Reese and Equal-I-zer are the only two I know of designed for surge brake trailers. Here's a good article about towing liability: http://bit.ly/1KEBvyO

[ember1205]

I'll add to bassboats' post...

 

Tongue weight is not purely about what the hitch will hold, either. Downward pressure at the hitch itself does need to be carried, but it also must not impact the weight being carried on the front axle. Weight distributing hitches actually cause a portion of the tongue weight to be carried by the front axle and NOT the rear axle. This not only keeps the weight being carried by the rear axle to an appropriate level, but it also keeps additional [necessary] weight on the front axle to ensure that the front end doesn't end up "light". When you overload the rear of the tow vehicle, you ALSO lighten the front end and reduce steering input and braking (remember that more of your braking comes from the front axle than the rear).

 

Replacing a factory hitch with one that touts being able to carry more tongue weight does absolutely nothing to the rating supplied for the tow vehicle. And, if you're in an accident, any lawyer worth their fee is going to go after you for being improperly loaded.