Increasing tow capacity 2020 Silverado 3.0 diesel

DanSch502 · April 23, 2020

Good morning everyone,

I’ve been here a while now and usually find answers to my questions searching past posts, but not today. Despite the pandemic I just purchased my first brand new truck, a 2020 silverado 1500 with the 3.0 inline 6 diesel.
Days later I see online that this diesel engine makes the tow capacity reduce more than 3k pounds based off the charts from GM. But the chart doesn’t list my truck specs so how would I know its tow rating?
Attached is the GM tow chart and my window sticker to show the specifics, notice the 3.73 gear ratio, diesel off-road package and how the max trailer package isn’t listed (manager at dealer told me it does have the max trailering package).
So if someone can please help me figure out the tow capacity i would sure appreciate it. If it is only 9300 pounds I need to find out how to increase it. I know this was a big mistake on my part not checking first, but I never expected the capacity to drop just by going with the Diesel engine.

Thanks for the help!

Edited April 23, 2020 by DanSch502
Photo

BurnsMax · April 23, 2020

Open the drivers door and and look at the bottom right corner. There will be a stick that lists the specs for towing, payload, etc.

ullose272 · April 23, 2020

You may have advanced trailering, but im pretty sure you cant get max trailering with the duramax. I believe i read there are some heat issues gm is working out before they release max trailering for the duramax.

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DanSch502 · April 23, 2020

29 minutes ago, ullose272 said:

You may have advanced trailering, but im pretty sure you cant get max trailering with the duramax. I believe i read there are some heat issues gm is working out before they release max trailering for the duramax.

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I would really like to know where you found this info about the heat issues, I noticed the higher than normal heat just yesterday driving home

ullose272 · April 23, 2020

I would really like to know where you found this info about the heat issues, I noticed the higher than normal heat just yesterday driving home

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2019/11/03/chevy-silverado-duramax-gmc-sierra-tow-rating-increase/&ved=2ahUKEwjy8o7cy_7oAhXDo54KHUXsCZoQxbwDMBF6BAgMEAM&usg=AOvVaw14vyao3Eec0Imo6hU6nmSS&ampcf=1

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newdude · April 23, 2020

1 hour ago, DanSch502 said:

Good morning everyone,

I’ve been here a while now and usually find answers to my questions searching past posts, but not today. Despite the pandemic I just purchased my first brand new truck, a 2020 silverado 1500 with the 3.0 inline 6 diesel.
Days later I see online that this diesel engine makes the tow capacity reduce more than 3k pounds based off the charts from GM. But the chart doesn’t list my truck specs so how would I know its tow rating?
Attached is the GM tow chart and my window sticker to show the specifics, notice the 3.73 gear ratio, diesel off-road package and how the max trailer package isn’t listed (manager at dealer told me it does have the max trailering package).
So if someone can please help me figure out the tow capacity i would sure appreciate it. If it is only 9300 pounds I need to find out how to increase it. I know this was a big mistake on my part not checking first, but I never expected the capacity to drop just by going with the Diesel engine.

Thanks for the help!

The capacity didn't "drop" by going to the diesel. The maximum advertised tow rating never applies to all configurations of trucks, no matter the brand. The diesel was and is capped at 9300lbs. The highest ratings are with NHT and either the 5.3 or 6.2. Its that clear on the chart.

The diesel offroad package I don't think changes it either, but the towing label in your driver door jamb will have the exact ratings for your truck.

GM has mentioned that they are working to increase the tow rating by improving engine bay cooling: https://www.autoblog.com/2019/11/03/chevy-silverado-duramax-gmc-sierra-tow-rating-increase/

Quote

Engine bay materials are at issue due to thermal complexities underhood. John Barta, GM's assistant chief engineer of diesel engine controls, said the Duramax's inline-six configuration allowed engineers to get emissions hardware like the combined selective catalytic reduction, diesel oxidation catalysts, and diesel particulate filter unit closer to the engine, where it heats up quicker, getting emissions down quicker. But that filter puts another heat source in those confines, enforcing a cap on the tow rating to keep the engine and other systems from overheating.

"If you look under the hood," he said, "you’ll see a significant amount of silver ‘moon tape’ around to make sure things aren’t getting overheated… if we were to go up in higher towing, which we can, we start impacting the possibility of deteriorating some of the components.” There isn't much space for more grille, so swapping for a better grade of "moon tape" or a different kind of material could reduce engine bay heat, extracting a higher tow rating in the process.

It's important to note a point Barta's been making for months about the Duramax figures, though. "Even though it’s nice to brag about big numbers, in reality, light duty customers are not towing that large with their trucks," and, "We do know that (95 percent) of our light duty customers don’t tow over 9,000 pounds."

The DPF is located in the engine bay and those produce a LOT of heat when in regen. There seems, based on how its set up now, enough cooling to handle 9300lbs, but not beyond that. If GM put the DPF under the truck like the HDs, they might not be in this situation.

If you need more towing capacity, you need an NHT 5.3 or 6.2, or a 2500hd diesel.

Edited April 23, 2020 by newdude

steve841 · April 23, 2020

How much weight are you towing?

If you are looking for >10,000lbs, you got the wrong truck.

Edited April 23, 2020 by steve841

BurnsMax · April 23, 2020

27 minutes ago, DanSch502 said:

I would really like to know where you found this info about the heat issues, I noticed the higher than normal heat just yesterday driving home

You were more than likely in a DPF regen. My temperatures go up 20-30 degrees when it does a regen

amxguy1970 · April 23, 2020

You can't "increase" the towing capacity. You can make it tow better but you are capped at what ever the rating is legally (I think others said 9300). If you want to tow more you need a different truck and chalk it up to your own mistake for not doing your homework, especially in regards to buying for towing. If this was a once or twice a year say you wanted to tow a 12k boat a few miles from storage or something that would be fine, but if you are talking about towing regularly, especially around the country over the limit that is a big no no. You get stopped or get in an accident you will be in trouble and on the hook for some money...

Tyler

topgear1224 · April 23, 2020

All 3.0 4x4 are limited to a gcwr of 15000.

The reason why is the same reason that the 2.7 is rated for less Towing than the 4.3, thermal management. GM engineers have stated that if their customers want higher tow ratings that they're going to have to take a look at better heat-reflecting material under the hood near the DPF/SCR.

car dealers don't know anything at all, to them a tow package is a hitch. Just be happy you didn't buy a Ford. Ford offers a $95 standalone hitch option and a lot of dealer spec that to keep the cost down. but Ford explicitly states and their Towing guide that a vehicle without a trailer tow package is limited to 5000 pounds.

this means that $65,000 Lariat 5.0 3.73 instead of having an 11,000 pound tow rating because the dealer decide to save $800 can only tow 5k. [emoji1787] it'll definitely pull more than that, but when you blow something up the computer logs the estimated combined vehicle weight and they'll just deny your warranty coverage for the incident.

I had to explain to them why a 2019 fully loaded LTZ did not have adaptive cruise control and how the button on the steering wheel is just a following alert ...,.

On half tons GCWR matters way more then the listed tow number.

I'll give you an example my 3.0 GMC elevation has a 9000 pound Towing rating, HOWEVER if I load 580 lb into my truck, plus the 900lb tongue weight. I'll be over my GCWR by 1,200lbs. (Assuming I don't take either truck axle above 3800 lb)

This means if I want to tow the maximum weight, (9,000), I can only hold 380lbs (assuming my listed curb weight is correct) that 380 lb also has to cover a full tank of fuel, most likely a full tank of DEF, and me.

I will say congratulations on the diesel off-road package you have the ONLY configuration form GM allows the 3.0 to be paired to anything other than a 3.23.

now that my trucks broken in and I romped on her a little bit it's clear that I am not putting down the 480lb-ft torque in first gear that the vehicle is rated for. it definitely is in second gear but not first. the 3.73 should help with that experience off road.

did you get to drive a different 3.0 if so what was the difference with the 373s? I know my truck won't go into 10th until 70 miles an hour.

If my dealer would have had the diesel off road package I would have definitely bought it in a heartbeat. I know it comes with the trail boss tires, does it include the trail boss lift?

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ullose272 · April 23, 2020

All 3.0 4x4 are limited to a gcwr of 15000.

The reason why is the same reason that the 2.7 is rated for less Towing than the 4.3, thermal management. GM engineers have stated that if their customers want higher tow ratings that they're going to have to take a look at better heat-reflecting material under the hood near the DPF/SCR.

car dealers don't know anything at all, to them a tow package is a hitch. Just be happy you didn't buy a Ford. Ford offers a $95 standalone hitch option and a lot of dealer spec that to keep the cost down. but Ford explicitly states and their Towing guide that a vehicle without a trailer tow package is limited to 5000 pounds.

this means that $65,000 Lariat 5.0 3.73 instead of having an 11,000 pound tow rating because the dealer decide to save $800 can only tow 5k. [emoji1787] it'll definitely pull more than that, but when you blow something up the computer logs the estimated combined vehicle weight and they'll just deny your warranty coverage for the incident.

I had to explain to them why a 2019 fully loaded LTZ did not have adaptive cruise control and how the button on the steering wheel is just a following alert ...,.

On half tons GCWR matters way more then the listed tow number.

I'll give you an example my 3.0 GMC elevation has a 9000 pound Towing rating, HOWEVER if I load 580 lb into my truck, plus the 900lb tongue weight. I'll be over my GCWR by 1,200lbs. (Assuming I don't take either truck axle above 3800 lb)

This means if I want to tow the maximum weight, (9,000), I can only hold 380lbs (assuming my listed curb weight is correct) that 380 lb also has to cover a full tank of fuel, most likely a full tank of DEF, and me.

I will say congratulations on the diesel off-road package you have the ONLY configuration form GM allows the 3.0 to be paired to anything other than a 3.23.

now that my trucks broken in and I romped on her a little bit it's clear that I am not putting down the 480lb-ft torque in first gear that the vehicle is rated for. it definitely is in second gear but not first. the 3.73 should help with that experience off road.

did you get to drive a different 3.0 if so what was the difference with the 373s? I know my truck won't go into 10th until 70 miles an hour.

If my dealer would have had the diesel off road package I would have definitely bought it in a heartbeat. I know it comes with the trail boss tires, does it include the trail boss lift?

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It does not come with the lift

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topgear1224 · April 23, 2020

It does not come with the lift

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I know one of the duramax's configs comes with the composite leaf spring if he doesn't have it,he can add the kit and actually be better than even an AT4. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

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redwngr · April 23, 2020

4 hours ago, topgear1224 said:

If my dealer would have had the diesel off road package I would have definitely bought it in a heartbeat. I know it comes with the trail boss tires, does it include the trail boss lift?

B4U Diesel Off-Road Package, includes (GT4) 3.73 axle ratio, (R3O) LT275/65R18C MT Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac blackwall tires and (VOZ) Tri-fold hard tonneau cover, LPO