I was looking through the great owners manual for my truck. The maximum trailer weight says 10,200lbs to 12,700lbs with the maximum GCWR of 18,500lbs.

I was ready to accept that until I looked the 3500 weights. The best one with dual rear wheels that I see is 9700lbs to 11,700lbs. With the maximum of 18,500 GCWR.

Now this is gas or deisel engines. I know a 3500 can tow quite a bit more than a 2500 so what is the actual limits for these trucks? I know I have towed more than 12,700lbs. and no problems,just a little sag in the rear,but hopefully that can be fixed somehow.

I dont want the front tires off the ground, that would be a little dangerous. Whats the maximum you fellas have towed? Horror stories? 3500 owners are welcome to chime in, along with everyone else.

I just want to know what these trucks can actually do safely, it has to be more than the book says. I think there limited more by laws than anything.

 

I think they're limited by the transmission more than anything else.

 

Suspension and brakes are gonna be the "Limit"
Ive towed 16k with my 00 1500 2wd.. but it wasnt but 50 miles or so and i made dang sure i had plenty of room to stop..
On a long tow i wouldnt push it past 7-8k, but on a diesel 3500 the sky is pretty much the limit haha ok im just kidding on that last part.

 

That would be the physical limit. I meant I think the factory's limits are according to the tran's ability to reach the end of the warranty period.

 

AH!! i see what your saying.. i kinda understand that.. but as many stock transmissions that go out in less than 30k miles is ridicules and they never towed anything.
Wonder what kinda test they did to determine the numbers?

 

I think temperature would tell them all they need to know.

 

Like nonnieselman said, brakes are going to be the key factor here, you might be able to tow a house with a duramax, but can you stop it if the small car in front of you decides to stop short?

 

I see what your saying. I was putting warranty and part failure aside and assuming hitch pull. Can a 2500 tow 25K lbs? I think a 3500 wouldnt have much of a problem with the duramax and maybe a gooseneck

What would be the best way to upgrade the suspension to handle that kinda weight? Air bags? larger leafs?

 

Here is my rig. The trailer was completely empty that day and we tipped the scale at a little over 14,700lbs GCVW. With quads, grub, beer, water and gear we're well over 16,000lbs truck and trailer.

Its a 6.0L/4L80 with a 134K miles on the clock. The trans has never missed a beat. The motor does fine in the flats. holding 60mph is a walk in the park, but the slightest grade and Im in 2nd gear 4000 rpms getting 1 or 2 mpg at that point and lucky if I hold 40 mph.

Just a comparison.....

 

Fill, Thanx for the pic. Thats about how mine looks somtimes but i have never weighed it. Those 25-30% grades kill the mileage. When I can get a little cash to burn, I plan on getting some kinda small supercharger to help it a little bit. Do you have a weight distributing hitch or weight carrying? From what I can see it might be a weight distributing, is it undersized?