What factors Determine Tow Rating

[Tim H]

I would expect a number of factors do. Such as but not limited to vehicle weight, engine power and torque, brake system (rotor/ drum size), suspension components etc, transmission torque capacities, gear ratios etc ...

[Lew Silverman]

Tow vehicle weight and axle ratio are two big factors, Dan. What you're looking for is Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) which is the actual maximum weight on each axle and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) with is the total weight of both truck (with fuel AND cargo) and the fully loaded trailer. There are any number of variables the factory uses, but every truck has a recommended GCWR that must be taken into consideration. Are you going to be using a 5th-wheel or tag trailer? Different hook-ups will also effect the weight you can carry. You may also notice that the vehicles with higher tow ratings are equipped with steeper axle-ratio's, which will effect your fuel mileage. Take your trailer to a public scale and get a fully loaded weight as well as a tongue (or 5th-wheel) weight. Then compare those figures with the tow ratings for the Silverado. As long as you don't exceed those numbers you'll be fine!


http://webcontent.goodsam.com/traile...wGuide2018.pdf

[Greg West]

You might want to check out Trailer Boat magazine. They road test trucks at their maximum loads and compare trucks with different engine combinations. I have a friend that tows a 24' enclosed trailer. He had a 5.3 powered truck previously and upgraded to a 6.2 truck. He said there is no comparison, the 6.2L is a much better tow vehicle.

[Chris1529]

Let me save you a lot of time and energy. Get a Ram with a Cummins and you won't have to worry about what you are pulling or ever will pull.

[ss3011]

On GM Silverado 1/2 ton pickups you can get two different tow packages with a 5.3 L and with their max tow package you step up to a 6.2 L . Two nice options to get is a higher capacity cooling package and an integrated brake controller .

[Dan Fahey]

So far not planning on towing more than 6000#.
Trailer and car are at 5800#
Pulling with Caprice wagon with a 350LT1.

Can make the tougher sustained mountains holding 70mph.
Engine temperature on hot days is about 230 F.
Been replacing transmissions about every year and half.
The new PerformaBuilt is doing better.

Dodge RT Durango has 8 speed.
GM uses 8 and 10 speeds.

Preferences to use the 6.2 over 5.3 are consistent.
Just more torque and power.

Was looking at the GMCanyon Diesel.
Has tow rating 7600#

Dodge RT at 7400# but has more torque and power.

GM Tahoe and Pick ups are at 8400#

[6130]

Originally Posted by Dan Fahey

So far not planning on towing more than 6000#.
Trailer and car are at 5800#

Dodge RT Durango has 8 speed.
GM uses 8 and 10 speeds.

Was looking at the GMCanyon Diesel.
Has tow rating 7600#

Dodge RT at 7400# but has more torque and power.

GM Tahoe and Pick ups are at 8400#

Operating well within the rated towing capacity of a vehicle (like for example towing a 6,000-pound trailer behind a one-ton dually that has a 13,800-pound rated towing capacity) would be much safer than towing something that is at or near the maximum rated towing capacity of a vehicle (like for example towing a 6,000-pound trailer behind a vehicle with a 7,400-pound rated towing capacity).


It's not like you're 100% safe towing 7,399 pounds and the truck spontaneously blows up at 7,401 pounds- the laws of statistical probability are at work here. If you're maxxed out on your towing capacity, then it stands to reason that you would be expected to be the first one to have problems. Heck, I've seen plenty of tire, brake, wheel bearing, and rear drive axle failures in half-ton trucks that have never carried or towed a load.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Lew Silverman

Tow vehicle weight and axle ratio are two big factors, Dan. What you're looking for is Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) which is the actual maximum weight on each axle and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) with is the total weight of both truck (with fuel AND cargo) and the fully loaded trailer. There are any number of variables the factory uses, but every truck has a recommended GCWR that must be taken into consideration. Are you going to be using a 5th-wheel or tag trailer? Different hook-ups will also effect the weight you can carry. You may also notice that the vehicles with higher tow ratings are equipped with steeper axle-ratio's, which will effect your fuel mileage. Take your trailer to a public scale and get a fully loaded weight as well as a tongue (or 5th-wheel) weight. Then compare those figures with the tow ratings for the Silverado. As long as you don't exceed those numbers you'll be fine!


http://webcontent.goodsam.com/traile...wGuide2018.pdf

Axle ratio turns out to be the biggest variable I have found.

I have a 2wd crew cab dually with 4.10 rear gears.
It has a max tow rating of 10,500 lbs.
Had someone just checked the 4.30 rear gear option when the truck was ordered the tow rating would have jumped to 13,500 lbs.

All other things are the same.
Same engine, trans, suspension springs and brakes.
Just a gear change can make that much difference as to what you can legally pull