The NEW 2020 GMC 2500/3500HD

[mazboy]

Just saw the 5th wheel carrying capacity of the new GMCs.



The 2020 2500HD has the capacity of 18500 pounds for towing a 5th wheel.

https://www.gmc.com/gmc-life/trucks/...rra-heavy-duty


I guess this will end the discussion on 3/4 vs 1-ton in the future years to come as we buy newer 2020+ trucks. Of course you will have to come up with $75-80K to buy one.

[PNW Fireguy]

It was my understanding that the payload capacity was the limiting factor not the towing capacity.

[BiggarView]

Still limited by the 3615 lbs of payload capacity. 18500 lbs trailer rating is under ideal conditions and 99% of RV fivers are not definition "ideal" towing conditions which is more like 15% of trailer weight on the pin to attain that tow rating. Most RV 5ers are loaded down on the pin (20-25% common) and when you add in passengers and gear in/on the truck plus a hitch and fuel.... your 3615 lbs of payload when towing a RV fiver gets reduced very quickly for what is left for the trailer pin weight.

[Last2Die]

Yeah buy a kenworth or a peterbuilt... im sure that will do it

[jeffba]

3,615 max payload on a 3/4 CC diesel that would be impressive if that is what ends up on the yellow door sticker

4,433 for a 1T SRW CC diesel would mean less of a need for a dually, again if that makes it to the yellow door sticker.

[BiggarView]

jeffba, true enough. I'm going off the linked info. How GM can make such a remarkable leap in tow capability is interesting. False sense of security for the 2500 owners that choose to tow way above their truck's rated ability. Just hope I'm not nearby when the inevitable fail happens.

[CarWin]

I will get the new body design Denali in about 2 years, AFTER they get all the bugs worked out of it. I almost waited until August of this year to get it, but already pulled the trigger on our 2019 last fall.

[Theunz]

“When the inevitable fail happen”

Come on! Has anyone had a frame, axle, or suspension failure while towing a 5th wheel with a 3/4 ton, or even know anyone who has? I follow several RV sites, and although the weight police are always clamoring about the doom and gloom of towing with a 3/4 ton, no one has actually ever referenced the aforementioned failure. Sure, I’ll be first to admit that a one ton or a one ton dually is better for towing a modern Montana, but thousands are towing with 3/4 tons without issue. I pulled with a dually for 10 years and can attest to their short comings. Most of that towing was with a 30 foot Jayco Designer and pulling a bass boat behind it. When I switched to the 3/4 ton I noticed little, if any difference. Sometimes I think the weight police just sqwak because “misery loves company”

[mlh]

Thanks for the information, great new pickup. Did you notice the new transmission. It’s the new 10 speed that GM and Ford co devloped. It’s the same transmission that’s in the 755 horse Camero and Ford’s F150. The F150 version is a little smaller. I have it in my new F150. It’s a very nice transmission. If you are buying a new truck you should by all means try this new GM out.
They all just getting better!
Oh bad news you may not get buy for 75 or 80 for a top of the line ride. A new F150 Limited stickers for 70 plus. It comes standard with 450 horse power and 510 TK.
Lynwood

[Creeker]

Originally Posted by Theunz

“When the inevitable fail happen”

Come on! Has anyone had a frame, axle, or suspension failure while towing a 5th wheel with a 3/4 ton, or even know anyone who has? I follow several RV sites, and although the weight police are always clamoring about the doom and gloom of towing with a 3/4 ton, no one has actually ever referenced the aforementioned failure. Sure, I’ll be first to admit that a one ton or a one ton dually is better for towing a modern Montana, but thousands are towing with 3/4 tons without issue. I pulled with a dually for 10 years and can attest to their short comings. Most of that towing was with a 30 foot Jayco Designer and pulling a bass boat behind it. When I switched to the 3/4 ton I noticed little, if any difference. Sometimes I think the weight police just sqwak because “misery loves company”

I think your on to something here.

I drove one as daily driver for less than a month. What a total PITA that thing was in town, drive thru's and trying to park virtually everywhere.

I may feel different if I were retired and only drove it when and where I wanted... But I doubt it.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Yeah buy a kenworth or a peterbuilt... im sure that will do it

You know I see this kind of flippant response on here quite often. It really surprises me that people that are so ready to live on the edge (and maybe well over it) are so arrogant when responding to those of us who want to be a little cautious when it matters. I used to be one of those on the edge kind of KIDS when I was a lot younger. I learned thru experience, some of it hard earned, that when your towing something as heavy and large as some of these 5th wheels are, having more truck than you actually need is really good idea!

If I am advising someone who has never towed before I am going to be real quick to tell them go with the next larger size if your right at the edge just to be safe and run like hell from anyone that tells you to do less because they don't have your best interest at heart.

You can get by with less truck, but bragging about it only makes you look foolish. It's sorta that "here hold my beer" mentality. If you survive your just lucky that's all. And no you don't look cool doing it!

Now before you start calling me old man safety or something understand I have a Can Am X3 sitting in the drive and I'm not the slightest bit hesitant to hammer down in the desert. That machine was built for it and there are places where it is expected. Going down the interstate with a 42' 5th wheel in tow calls for a different mentality. Leave living on the edge where it belongs!!!

[Professor Steve]

Relax gentleman - the new GM 3500 specs outs at 21,500 - that would be the way to go - verrry interesting.....

[airboatart]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

You know I see this kind of flippant response on here quite often. It really surprises me that people that are so ready to live on the edge (and maybe well over it) are so arrogant when responding to those of us who want to be a little cautious when it matters. I used to be one of those on the edge kind of KIDS when I was a lot younger. I learned thru experience, some of it hard earned, that when your towing something as heavy and large as some of these 5th wheels are, having more truck than you actually need is really good idea!

If I am advising someone who has never towed before I am going to be real quick to tell them go with the next larger size if your right at the edge just to be safe and run like hell from anyone that tells you to do less because they don't have your best interest at heart.

You can get by with less truck, but bragging about it only makes you look foolish. It's sorta that "here hold my beer" mentality. If you survive your just lucky that's all. And no you don't look cool doing it!

Now before you start calling me old man safety or something understand I have a Can Am X3 sitting in the drive and I'm not the slightest bit hesitant to hammer down in the desert. That machine was built for it and there are places where it is expected. Going down the interstate with a 42' 5th wheel in tow calls for a different mentality. Leave living on the edge where it belongs!!!

Amen I 2nd what mtlakejim said

[Last2Die]

Lmfao flippant must be the word of the day. No one is bragging or saying it’s the best way to go...so...yeah...

[Jamesb]

Good information on the new Chevrolet’s. But until you drive a one ton dually, the comments will never slow down. Several proud owners on board.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Jamesb

Good information on the new Chevrolet’s. But until you drive a one ton dually, the comments will never slow down. Several proud owners on board.

And until you have owned and towed with both a 3/4 and a one ton your really are not the best judge of the difference either!!

When I made the switch, I was shocked at just how much of a difference the wider stance on the dually made in stability and how much better it handled the load in general.


You will note that I don't mention anything about brands. My comments are strictly related to safety. I'm not PROUD of owning a 1 ton dually. I bought it because it is the RIGHT vehicle for the job! I put up with the wide back end because I bought the truck to do one thing TOW period, exclamation point and end of story.!


If you need a SRW because you can't afford the better option or your too soft to handle the ride of the dually then so be it. That's your business and you won't see me flagging the police down to chase after you about it. BUT when you get on here and recommend something less than or marginal to someone new to towing that is asking for advice then yeah I am going to call you out on it!

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by Theunz

“When the inevitable fail happen”

Come on! Has anyone had a frame, axle, or suspension failure while towing a 5th wheel with a 3/4 ton, or even know anyone who has? ...

Fail includes many documented incidents of the proverbial tail wagging the dog when jack knifes occur because the truck was not up to the job, the driver was overconfident in his equipment or his skill. Getting a truck not up to the load being towed is like surfing a 100 foot wave... sooner or later you get smashed because you bit off more than you can chew. (sorry for the mixed metaphor) It has nothing to do with misery loving company by those of us simply making recommendations based on facts or "towing police". It is common sense. True enough you may never have a truck frame, axle or suspension failure... accidents happen nonetheless because the laws of physic do not change. That is the "fail" I refer to.

[Theunz]

One of the reasons I recommend 5th wheels to friends is because in over 35 years of pulling them, mostly with a 3/4 ton and a boat behind, I have NEVER experienced trailer sway.

[mlh]

This was supposed to be about a great new Chevy truck. Why does it haft to resort to this bull $hit.
Lynwood

[jeffba]

Lynwood, since you are the only guy I know with the 10 speed tranny I have a few questions if you don't mind.

When accelerating does it go through all 10 gears, or does it sometime skip one?

Have you loaded up the truck?

If so, how much of a difference does the the shifting change? If any.

Any issues with it so far? I know you like.

Why do you feel it is better than a 6 speed?