[Phil P]

Hi

We are talking about limitations not the actual weights. It is agreed that the operating weight would have to be determined on a scale.

Page 3-3 of the Duramax manual states the max trailer weight is 16,300 lbs. that is a rating stated by the manufacturer of the truck. For the short truck it is 16,500 lbs.

The 7,800 lb dry shipping weight for the crew cab with long bed was obtained from GM. Shippers that ship vehicles over seas use this weight because they are not allowed to ship with fuel in them.

Now I agree they don’t make sense. Why would the manufacture state a max weight for the trailer when the operator could not pull the trailer with the truck without exceeding the GCW?

I agree that the crew cab long bed 2009 Duramax will not pull our Montana at the trailer weight rating of 15,905 lbs with out exceeding the GCW and the front axel rating.

We have not ever operated at the GCW but we have been within 500 lbs of it and we were very close to the front axel weight limit. I don’t think we could have loaded an additional 500 lbs in the basement with out exceeding the front axel limit. The rear axel had more than 500 lbs capacity remaining when we were at 23,000 lbs.

So the statement by GM not to exceed the GCW or the truck axel ratings would work. If you loaded a trailer so that 15% of the weight was on the truck then you would reach your GCW before loading the truck to its max capacity and before you would reach the published max trailer weight.

At 25% you would reach the front axel limit before reaching the GCW.

The conclusion is. When using a fifth wheel hitch as long as you don’t exceed the GCW and any axel ratings you will not be over any stated limits.

Phil P