Advice on model selection for towing

Sqrls · October 24, 2020

Payload on my 2020 3.0 Duramax RST CC STD Bed is 1808lbs and 920 max tongue weight. GM did say they were increasing towing capacity (maybe payload as well) for the 3.0 for 2021 so they may have some with even better numbers.

If you are looking for more stability and control in your truck for towing, go for a 2500 to get a noticeable difference. With a 1500, it will just have more power than your current 1500. I would avoid the 8 speed as many have had problems with them and the 10 speed has only had great reviews. Going with a 6.2 or 3.0 you will definitely notice more power for towing and hills will be a lot easier than your current setup.

jnissen · October 24, 2020

Personally the 3.0 with 10 speed is a nice combo. I pull a heavily loaded dual axle trailer several times a year hundreds of miles at a time. My trans temps even in 100+ have been under 200 typically. Where the 3.0 shines is mileage. If I’m following trucks I’ve gotten 20+ with the trailer. Out on the open road it gets around 12-13 with the trailer and I don’t baby it.

Unloaded I’ve easily hit 30+ on the highway and in town high 20s. It’s the best truck I’ve ever owned by far. That all being said the 6.2 wouldn’t be a bad choice if you want to avoid diesel. Just need deep pockets to keep it full of fuel!

OnTheReel · October 24, 2020

3 hours ago, newdude said:

I would say see what max trailer trucks are payloading at. Perhaps someone that owns one can post their trailer sticker from the door jamb so you have an actual payload # of one.

My LTZ 6.2 NHT CCSB. A lighter equipped truck might be at 2k, or more.

AlaskaErik · October 24, 2020

5 hours ago, newdude said:

Your payload

Even a max trailer 5.3 or 6.2, if you figure 10% tongue from the trailer (800lbs) , you are left with 1000lbs +/- 100-200lbs of remaining payload before you even sit in the driver's seat. So just using 1000lbs remaining and some ballpark #s, 200lbs driver, 130lbs passenger, two 100lbs kids and the 75lb dog, that's 605lbs leaving you a balance of 395lbs for coolers, wood, kayaks. That 395lbs will be gone FAST. You can easily hit the payload limit of the truck, and just as easily exceed it.

I would say see what max trailer trucks are payloading at. Perhaps someone that owns one can post their trailer sticker from the door jamb so you have an actual payload # of one. 3.0 Duramax would be out of the question as most of the ones we've sold at work have a payload of 1500-1700lbs. I'm not saying that a max trailer 5.3 or 6.2 can't tow your trailer, I'm just saying that the truck runs the risk of being overloaded really fast and that a 2500hd would be the safer choice.

As others have mentioned, while the OP may feel comfortable, it's highly likely he's over his payload capacity with everything he's hauling. My 6.2L Max Trailering equipped truck has a payload capacity of 1910 lbs.

Edited October 24, 2020 by AlaskaErik

newdude · October 24, 2020

1 hour ago, AlaskaErik said:

As others have mentioned, while the OP may feel comfortable, it's highly likely he's over his payload capacity with everything he's hauling. My 6.2L Max Trailering equipped truck has a payload capacity of 1910 lbs.

OP has a 2013 crew short box 1500. Those had lower payloads than the new trucks.

Take your sticker for example. Pull the 1200lbs tongue from the payload of 1910lbs so 710lbs of remaining payload. Then take away him, the significant other, two other humans and the dog (the 605lbs I had used).

That leaves you 105lbs of remaining payload for clothing, gear, coolers, kayaks, etc. I would almost guarantee that in full camping gear, trailer attached, he is overweight on the truck itself. He might not be over GCWR, but probably close to that limit as well.

Edited October 24, 2020 by newdude

jjackkrash · October 25, 2020

double post

Edited October 25, 2020 by jjackkrash

jjackkrash · October 25, 2020

Just now, jjackkrash said:

Test drive one of the new 2500s before you write off its ride quality. The new 2500s (and SRW 3500s) have fantastic ride quality. Its way more truck than a 1/2 ton; the footprint isn't that much bigger; and the turning radius is only marginally longer. Ultimately its up too you, but I suspect you will really dig driving the 3/4 tons even unloaded once you get used to it.

And for grins, test drive a 3/4 ton with a Duramax. They are just a treat to drive, loaded or unloaded.

You can get by with one of the new 1/2 tons, but you will be near maxed out on payload and axle rating, and that's no fun, IMO.

BossTaco2020 · October 26, 2020

On 10/24/2020 at 3:18 PM, newdude said:

Pull the 1200lbs tongue from the payload of 1910lbs so 710lbs of remaining payload

Why would you do that? That would imply a trailer of 12,000 pounds which is way more than he said he was towing. He said 8000lbs so 10% on the tongue is 800lbs, leaving 1110 lbs of payload.

Rozz522 · October 26, 2020

On ‎10‎/‎24‎/‎2020 at 5:39 AM, UGADawgs said:

It is interesting that the OP feels that the current setup has been working fine, yet everyone online says more truck is needed.

Wife and I are debating a 5500 vs 6500lb TT (both are 27') to take out about 4-8x a year with our 5.3/8sp. Based on reports from quite a few owners, it should be fine. Yet others say they would want more truck. Really don't want to have to buy another truck, use 93oct or diesel. But if this leak keeps coming back or the truck can't handle the towing, we'd be looking at a change. Or sell it all and just go back to tent camping with the Subaru, lol.

My advice to you would be to go with the lighter of the two. Since you have a newer truck already, the $2-3K premium of a lighter camper would be beneficial. My buddy has an RST with the same drivetrain as your truck and tows a 5200LB Passport TT with no problems.

On ‎10‎/‎24‎/‎2020 at 5:39 AM, UGADawgs said:

DemonWorks · October 26, 2020

Once you get your payload and needs figured out, if the duramax fits in the limits I highly recommend it.

Mine squats pretty good with a bed full of stuff (wheels/tires) jack and other miscelaneous stuff.... I need a weight distribution hitch.

Here's video 1 of me towing with the 3.0 Duramax - video 2 coming soon

Edited October 26, 2020 by Carbon

AlaskaErik · October 26, 2020

1 hour ago, BossTaco2020 said:

Why would you do that? That would imply a trailer of 12,000 pounds which is way more than he said he was towing. He said 8000lbs so 10% on the tongue is 800lbs, leaving 1110 lbs of payload.

I guarantee you that an 8000 lb trailer is going to have a tongue weight of way more than 800 lbs. I've had 700 lbs of tongue weight on a trailer weighing less than 5000 lbs. An 8000 lb trailer can easily have a tongue weight of over 1000 lbs.

Rozz522 · October 26, 2020

Thank you all for the replies. It certainly gives me a lot to consider, but in the end, as many of your have pointed out, no matter the set up I am likely going to be borderline at best on payload with a half ton. To be clear, my initial impression was that I would need to step up to a 3/4 ton, but given the new engine/transmission offerings, and higher towing ratings, I was hopeful that a half ton would suffice. I was having trouble justifying the 3/4 ton for those 10-12 trips a year or 20-40 hours of drive time, but I guess that's the price of admission.

A few clarifications, my current truck's payload is 1712lbs and the combined weight for my family including dog and car seats is roughly 550lbs. My TT specs show a dry weight of 6265lbs and a dry hitch weight of 717lbs, or roughly 11.5%. When I apply that to an 8000lb total weight, that's 916lbs on the tongue and that leaves me with 246lbs for all other cargo. While I could certainly move some more of the cargo to the TT and add say a cargo rack on the rear bumper, there are some items that I can't put on the camper (canoe/kayaks, etc) and my kids are only 5 and 8 so I can expect our margin to continue to shrink over the next few years.

Thanks again for the insight, it looks like I'll be moving my inquiries to the HD forum.

newdude · October 26, 2020

2 hours ago, BossTaco2020 said:

Why would you do that? That would imply a trailer of 12,000 pounds which is way more than he said he was towing. He said 8000lbs so 10% on the tongue is 800lbs, leaving 1110 lbs of payload.

I was using AlaskaErik's truck as an example truck, not using OP's trailer weight but the max trailer weight of that truck. So even with an NHT, OP's 8000lbs trailer, and assuming 800lbs on the tongue and 605 for 4 people and a dog, that leaves 505lbs for gear, which again, adds up fast. And in all honesty, do you think the average truck buyer weighs their tongue weight? Or scales all the gear and crap they load up? Hell, weight themselves before they get in? If they did, GM would sell a lot more 3/4 ton trucks.