Please educate yourself!

[Diamondpilot]

As I read the info provided and staying with the 5.3L there is approx a 3,000# increase in towing capacity with the 3:42 gear compared to the 3:08. The overdrive aspect of the 6 spd just makes the situation even worse wrt towing capability.

Obviously the info is available and published by GM.

If the owner of the new truck wanted a vehicle capable of towing is it reasonable to expect he would have actually done some research, read some data, asked some questions?

No let's blame GM - they sold him a truck designed for max gas mileage - when they knew or should have known he wanted a tow vehicle.

When is it necessary for a buyer have to take some responsibility for his own decisions?

I agree fully. He could have just asked me to go look at it and I would have gladly. I live less than 5 miles from the dealer. He could have even brought it by my house while on a test drive.

Yes, I would have tried to steer him away from GM trucks because I do not care for them but that would not have changed his mind. His father worked and retired from GM so he supports them which he should. I realize this but I would have surely suggested he ordered a truck to meet his needs, not be in a hurry and buy what they had on the lot.

Chris

 

[timswi]

It does have the tow package. He also has the built in brake controller. I can not believe a dealer would even order one set up like that.

Chris

Yeah, that should not have a towing package. I really think this has to do with CAFE standards. The OEM's have to get their fleet averages up thanks to the gubment. 2mpg on a half million trucks does help the math. Used to be 3:73's were all over the lots...Not no more.

 

[timswi]

Sorry for the rant, just struck one of my pet peeves.

Brian

Brian, that was a little harsh on those of us who have half ton trucks. You wouldn't believe what I do to my GMC 1500 4x4. It tows and hauls anything I can throw at it. 5.3 with 3:73's and I get 17mpg on average at 80mph on the interstate..Not bad in my opinion. If I behaved myself I could easily get 20 out of it.

I don't have a 3/4 ton because I have to park in city garages from time to time for work and height is an issue here.

I know the point that you were trying to make though.

 

[hawkeye08]

With the 4L80E auto trans,
1st Gear Ratio .... 2.48
2nd Gear Ratio .... 1.48
3rd Gear Ratio .... 1.00
4th Gear Ratio .... .75

With the 6L80E,
Gear ratios:
First: ...... 4.02
Second: ... 2.36
Third: ... ... 1.53
Fourth: ... 1.15
Fifth: ... 0.85
Sixth: ... 0.67

I like my 6speed auto. thanks.

 

[CrashandBurn]

Good thread.......I've seen the ads in the last couple of years about the 1/2 tons that could tow 10,000 lb's and wondered what solo mileage one would have to live with.
I now have a 11 year old diesel that gets 20 to 21 solo, and 12.5 towing a 10'000 lb fifth wheel.
I will need to replace it one of these days

 

[Ryan03]

Make sure you know what you are buying and confirm the gear ration and tow ratings before singing on the dotted line!

Here are the specs from GMC.
GMC | GMC Sierra: Trucks: 1500, 1500HD, 2500HD, 3500, Denali Pickups: Sierra Specifications

Chris

Reminds me of a fellow who was referred to me around a year and a half ago from a close friend. This guy had bought a new at the time 2008 GMC 2500 HD CCSB 2WD, DMax, Allison, LT package, loaded. This truck had almost every option, except for a locking rear diffrential. Once we got our first dusting of snow, he could not get up his driveway which he said was a hill to the street. He was furiouse when he found out his new loaded truck with 1k mi. had an 3.73 open diffrential. Seems he just assumed that because it was a HD diesel it would have a locker in it as well. I sourced a rear axle with a 3.73 locking diff from a salvage 08 HD in nearby Michigan. I charged $300.00 labor plus shop supplies and gear oil to swap the rear axle, the salvage axle set him back $1200 including freight. His hope was to try and Ebay the Open diff axle to try and recoup half of his cost. Moral to the story, READ THE WINDOW STICKER !!!!! It could save you lots of coin down the road.

 

[schmism]

That's when I discovered his new truck had 3.08 gears. It has a max tow rating of 6,700# Pretty pathetic for a 1/2 ton V8 4x4 truck. The max trailer tow rating range with that gear ratio is from a low of 5,900# to a high of 7,400# with the 5.3L engine depending on cab, bed, and 4x4 or not.

This is why i mentioned a few threads ago about how i felt that if you were seriously towing over 6K lbs you really needed to step up to a 3/4 ton.

Its always been my experience that 1/2 trucks seemed to really only be usefull in the gap left between ~4000lbs and 6000lbs towing. (less than 4K towed with a smaller "compact truck" over 6K towed with a 3/4 ton)

I know more recent "half tons" come with "huge" tow ratings but if you ask me they just seem to keep makeing the "half tons" larger while increaseing the tow rateings at the same time. So really what you have as 3/4 ton rebadged as a 1/2 ton.

Shure you can find specific examples of trucks that may not fit into the above statement well, but from my experience there are far more that fit the above than dont.

 

[FlaDon]

All the makers are doing it to get the CAFE numbers up. Large V-8s with 4.10s are becoming dinosaurs. Goes out and pats his 8.1. Needs a new set of sparkplugs at 101K miles though.

 

[puckgrinder85]

There is a lot more ratios than just the final drive ratio's..

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is why i mentioned a few threads ago about how i felt that if you were seriously towing over 6K lbs you really needed to step up to a 3/4 ton.

Its always been my experience that 1/2 trucks seemed to really only be usefull in the gap left between ~4000lbs and 6000lbs towing. (less than 4K towed with a smaller "compact truck" over 6K towed with a 3/4 ton)

I know more recent "half tons" come with "huge" tow ratings but if you ask me they just seem to keep makeing the "half tons" larger while increaseing the tow rateings at the same time. So really what you have as 3/4 ton rebadged as a 1/2 ton.

Shure you can find specific examples of trucks that may not fit into the above statement well, but from my experience there are far more that fit the above than dont.

My experience has been just the opposite. But then again I always ordered the 7 1/2 tons I have owned with what I wanted. I have never had less than 3.73 gears and 2 with 4.10 gears. I also make sure I have 4 wheel drive and either a limited slip rear end or a diff locker.

Chris