Gm 3500 towing

/ Gm 3500 towing #1  

andrehoude123

Silver Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2012
Messages
192
Ok so we got a 2015 3500 to my calculations I can tow my kx080 shovel
The tow rating is 23000 pounds plus 20 % for tong weight that brings me to 27 600 so the shovel ways 18000 pounds so let's say 20000 with an other bucket and a forestry head that give me 7600 pounds for a trailer can I get a trailer heavy duty enough to tow that shovel and still way under 7600 pounds and yes I have a class A and the whole 9 yards:)

Thanks !!
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #2  
A high tensile trailer, yes. A generic black trailer, probably not.
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #3  
Can't have no yellow paint on it either, that will mess up the additional amount you can put on the tongue.
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #4  
I read the max tow rating for a '15 3500 is 23,200 (depending on truck options). I think that includes the calculated tongue weight. If you estimate 20,000 for your kx80 including accessories and figure 20% (4000lb.) transferred to the truck bed payload that puts what's on the trailer at 16,000. The trailer you get must weigh 7200 or less.
That being said, PJ trailers have a 20' 25k trailer that has an empty weight of 5340. 16,000 + 5340 = 21,340 which is under your trucks limit. It all depends on what the trucks GCVWR is. It may be that the maximum trailer with cargo that can be towed is 23,200 which would rule out towing your 20k load because a 3k trailer would not handle that load. I see 3500's hauling 20k goose neck trailers every day and often wonder how they get away with that on older trucks.
PJ Trailers - Classic Flatdeck with Duals (FD)
 
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/ Gm 3500 towing #5  
it is amazing what he new trucks are rated for regarding trailering. I do not think that you should add the tounge weight to your tow rating. If it is rated to tow 23k that is it so if your KX 080 with attachments weighs in at 20k you will need a trailer with a dry weight of 3k
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #6  
You're not using the ratings correctly. Go with the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating or GCVWR. That is the maximum weight of your loaded truck and loaded trailer. The heaviest 2015 rating (diesel) is 30500 pounds. Your max loaded trailer weight is 23,200 pounds. . The only truck that will do that is the base 2WD diesel. A crew cab will only tow 22,800. Any options further reduce that. Even a passenger reduces that number.

You need a bigger truck for 20,000 pounds of shovel plus Trailer.
 
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/ Gm 3500 towing #7  
Transfer of tongue weight is only for trailer capacity.

Doesn't add to your trucks rating.
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #8  
Transfer of tongue weight is only for trailer capacity.

Doesn't add to your trucks rating.

Exactly correct. At the end of the day the GCVWR is the deciding factor.

Chris
 
/ Gm 3500 towing
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I just called MTO and they told me that the GCVW is not that important want you need to make sure is that you do not surpass your axel rating on the vehicle or tire capacity and if you do you could re in force the suspension by adding a leaf spring and getting it certified That's what I was told anyways I see guys towing around that shovel with 2005 duramax s so I'm sure this one can do it legally
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #12  
I just called MTO and they told me that the GCVW is not that important want you need to make sure is that you do not surpass your axel rating on the vehicle or tire capacity and if you do you could re in force the suspension by adding a leaf spring and getting it certified That's what I was told anyways I see guys towing around that shovel with 2005 duramax s so I'm sure this one can do it legally

They are all of different importance, but none are unimportant. You can't exceed the gross on the truck, trailer, combination or axle(s).
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #13  
DOT doesn't care about the GCVWRs as mentioned what matter are the axle ratings, the ratings, and the truck/trailer ratings. GCVWR is a manufacturers number and not one that is used (might be used by a lawyer in case of an accident)
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #14  
DOT doesn't care about the GCVWRs as mentioned what matter are the axle ratings, the ratings, and the truck/trailer ratings. GCVWR is a manufacturers number and not one that is used (might be used by a lawyer in case of an accident)

What are you talking about? Axle and the truck trailer ratings are also manufacturers ratings. The DOT cares about what is stated on the manufacturers rating plate
 
/ Gm 3500 towing
  • Thread Starter
#15  
DOT doesn't care about the GCVWRs as mentioned what matter are the axle ratings, the ratings, and the truck/trailer ratings. GCVWR is a manufacturers number and not one that is used (might be used by a lawyer in case of an accident)



Ya that's what they told me they just told me to make sure not to overload that back axel and you can increase the load by adding leaf springs and better tires
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #16  
fair enough find me a plate on a truck/or trailer that has a GCVWR
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #17  
51uE5dsrJuL._SX450_.jpg

We had several trucks at work that were similar. We also had a Chev C-50 (or something like that ) which was
GAWRF = 8,000
GAWRR = 21,000
GVWR = 25000

It rode like a tank
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #18  
View attachment 389745

We had several trucks at work that were similar. We also had a Chev C-50 (or something like that ) which was
GAWRF = 8,000
GAWRR = 21,000
GVWR = 25000

It rode like a tank

don't doubt it, but nowhere on there does it say GCVWR. i worded my previous replies poorly. another way of trying to say want i want to say is you can be over your GCVWR and still be under your axle ratings, your tire ratings, your truck GVWR and your trailer GVWR. the manufacturers GCVWR is dependent on chassis, 4x4 vs 2x4, motor, gearing and is not published on the plates with those figures you posted.

as for getting trucks/trailer recertified at a higher/lower weight i don't have any experience

however the GCVW may limit you to certain lanes, or over certain bridges
 
/ Gm 3500 towing #20  
yes and GCVW is different than GCVWR. that's all i have been trying to say.

i underlined the wrong letter
 

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