[Phil P]

Hi

Here is something that I am sure will create an uproar.

I called GM about our 2009 3500 Duramax DW 4 door long bed before I purchased.

What GM told me and then sent it in E-Mail is this.

The GVWR has nothing to do with the GCVWR.

The GM 3500 has 2 GCVWR’s one for the trailer hitch at the very rear of the truck and one for the fifth wheel hitch and they are different.

The E-Mail from GM reads:

When using a fifth wheel type hitch the GVWR no longer applies the GCVWR and axel ratings are not to be exceeded.

END of E-Mail

The reason for this is load distribution. The fifth wheel places the load in the optimum location, loading the bed of the truck doesn’t.

I have weighed our unit at 23,000 lbs this is with in 400 lbs of the GCVWR. I find that at 23,400 lbs the front axel would be at its limit and the rear axel would not be at its limit.

This has always been the case when using a heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks.

Remember one thing (1500 to 3500 or 150 to 350) are light-duty trucks. The medium-duty trucks start at 4500 or 450 Ford, GM and Dodge don’t make heavy-duty (18 wheel type) trucks.

Phil P