George2615
Super Member
I had a 2004 Chevy 1T 4x4 dump truck. It had a 6.0 / auto and towing capacity was 16K based on the VIN decode. You could check with your local Chevy truck dealer to have them look it up or try to decode your vin online.
How much can a 1 ton truck tow?
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Diamondpilot
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George2615
Super Member
That was the max trailer tow capacity. I didn't find this out until I had to replace the rear calipers, rotors, and brakes. I got all the parts from RockAuto. They questioned me on the sizes and original part numbers I gave them. Once I got the parts and installed them I decided to check with my local Chevy truck dealer. They printed out the original build sheet for me and tow capacity was stated on the build sheet. It had the HD axles, brakes, springs, engine oil and trans coolers. The original buyer had ordered it built to tow 16K. That paperwork went with the truck but I will look later when I get home to see if I made a copy.
Diamondpilot
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If it was on the build sheet I am betting it was the GVWR, not tow rating. That makes sense with the axles, ext. Never seen a tow rating on a build sheet of any manufacturer.
Your truck was Heavy Duty. Most 1 tons have a GVWR around 12K, yours had 16K it sounds like.
Chris
George2615
Super Member
Chris,
I was off by a few hundred pounds. According to the build sheet I obtained from the dealer the GCWR of this vehicle could have been between 16000-23500 depending on how it was built. This min/max GCWR info is available on many VIN decode sites but a lot of other info is left blank or N/A on the VIN sites I looked at . On the sheet provided to me by a Chevy dealer the GCWR of the truck I had was 23500. The actual curb weight is 8118 deducted from the 23500 = 15382. The build sheet provided to me does list maximum trailer weights for tag style pull trailers (No Gooseneck of course). This 15382 lbs is listed on the dealer sheet as actual max. trailer capacity with WD hitch. Also listed was 14000 max trailer without WD hitch (1382 lb. is not much of a difference) but its on the sheet. Since I don't own the vehicle any longer I can't publish the VIN. I checked many VIN decode sites trying to get info on the truck when I bought it and was not satisfied with what they decoded. The Chevy dealer build sheet decode was much more specific. The dealer had no reason to falsify any info to me as they did not sell it to me or the original buyer. Apparently the original buyer had it built to maximum GCWR available. I'm only going by what was given to me.
Diamondpilot
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No calling you a liar, I'm sure that's what you were told, just have a hard time with the numbers. We have a Gas Ford F 700 and a Gas GM C 60 and they are rated under that. These are much bigger trucks than your 3500.
Chris
George2615
Super Member
You are correct that I'm going by what I was told and what was given to me. I'm not saying its right. In fact, I was kinda disappointed when they told me that's all it could tow. Especially when I see all these guys in my area towing 20K goose neck dual axle dual wheel trailers with 1T pickups. I no longer own the truck so maybe I shouldn't have even posted to start with. I have received several PM's telling me no way. I didn't mean to stir up the pot, ruffle any feathers, or hijack the thread. If anyone wants to PM me with their email I can reply with the VIN decode I was given by the dealer. The truck was originally ordered as a cab and chassis then upgraded from there. Maybe the upfitter place provided the info to the dealer.
JIGBUILDER
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First off the trucks GVWR isn't used in "any legal" sense for how much weight your truck can carry. Carrying loads is a function of the axle/tire load ratings and the RAWR in particular as its gonna' carry just about all the load.
GCWR isn't on any certification tag on any truck so its also not a weight number with any legal status.
A tow rating is another number that has no legal usage as its also not on the truck anywhere.
Now having said that some state may have some type of a registered GVW or a GCW or a gross or ladin or tonnage/etc.
Not all states do.
Mine doesn't. We simply carry weight determined by the trucks axle/tire load ratings which is the only legal issue you will run into. And we may legally tow any weight trailer we choose as long as it doesn't exceed RAWR/tire load ratings.
LD1
Epic Contributor
I too am a little skeptical of the numbers you were given.
Even the 2014 chevys with the 6.0 arent listed to tow that much. But the internet is full of inaccurate information, so what I see may not be accurate.
The site I linked earlier dont even list my dodge's configuration. (3500 DRW Quad LWB with 3.73). Only lists 4.10's.
Dad owns a 2004 Chevy DRW 6.0 and 4.10's. Its got a whopping 9700# tow rating.
For 2014, I didnt see any gas engines capable of towing over 16k. Had to go diesel to get over that mark. I just dont think a truck of 10 years older with gasser is there. Especially bumper pull with a heavy dump body.
