GMC Max Trailering package

[cpttimerstraint]

My local dealer has a 2019 Sierra 4wd cc with the max tow package. I know that the max tow package is hard to come by. Is it worth getting the 3.42 gears? I have a 3,500 lb pop up that I tow over 5k miles per year.

[Bama Rambler]

If all you're ever going to tow is that 3,500 lb PUP then I'd say that it's not. However, if you ever plan on upgrading to something larger (think 30') then it'll definitely be worth it.

[Chief T]

Haggle the best deal you can get and call it a day.

Safe and happy travels.

P.S. Used to live down the hill from you in Camarillo

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by cpttimerstraint

My local dealer has a 2019 Sierra 4wd cc with the max tow package. I know that the max tow package is hard to come by. Is it worth getting the 3.42 gears? I have a 3,500 lb pop up that I tow over 5k miles per year.

I would not buy a truck without the max tow package and the max payload option as well. I screwed that up in 2017 and bought a really seriously screwed up configuration in my Ram Rebel.

Sink your mind into this joke..... 2017 Ram Hemi 5.7L 8-speed with 3.92 gears and the Max Tow 10,160 lb tow rated. Sounds decent right? Here is where the funny part comes in! No max payload package, so you get 1,050 lb payload. Your supposed to have 10% to 15% tongue weight right? And your supposed to get inside and drive the truck.... heck... maybe bring a wife and some kids and dogs. So assuming the 10% min tongue weight at the max rated 10K LB tow rating... your at 1000 lbs. Now you have to toss a brick inside on the gas pedal and run beside the truck steering through the open window! Your legally not allowed to sit inside that build with it's max trailer that is set up at the 10% min tongue weight.

Conversely, my father just ordered and bought a 2019 Ford F-150 3.5L Eco 10-speed with the max tow and max payload packages. He is rated at 12,800 towing and 1,845 payload on his particular build. So at least at the max tow load and minimum tongue weight of 1,300 lbs he would have 550 ish lbs of payload left so that he can actually sit in the truck and drive it! Maybe even bring my mother along with him... and a dog or two.

I screwed that up. I will not do that again.

[AdamKam]

I have a 2015 Silverado 2500HD with tow package, 3:14 rear end. Don't get anything taller. Your MPG will be way down, I presently tow 10,000+.

[tsargent55]

Ran through all the configurations myself on every brand a few months ago on a new (2019) half ton class truck. Bottom line for me was, if I'm paying all that $$ for a new truck, why would I not get whatever gave me the best tow/haul capacities? As noted prior, the max tow package is not readily available. Living in the KC area, local Ford dealer had to get one from about 250 miles away... no cost to me. Given same models I could buy without or with, I saw no actual price increase. Earlier post provided the exact capacities of this 2019 F150. My trailer, fully loaded, might top out at 6,000 lbs with 500 lbs at tongue. Plenty of unused tow/haul should we decide to grow up....

[Cover Dog]

Originally Posted by Larry0071

Conversely, my father just ordered and bought a 2019 Ford F-150 3.5L Eco 10-speed with the max tow and max payload packages. He is rated at 12,800 towing and 1,845 payload on his particular build.

Are you sure he got both Max Tow and Max payload packages. I had a 2013 F150 3.5 Eco-Boost 4x4 Crew Cab Lariat 6.5’ bed w/373 gears, with Max Tow & HD Payload packages my payload was 2,162#.

He has a lot of aluminum in his truck and if he had both packages I would think he would have more payload then I did ?

I was pulling the FR fifth wheel in my signature.

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by Cover Dog

Are you sure he got both Max Tow and HD payload packages. I had a 2013 F150 3.5 Eco-Boost 4x4 Crew Cab Lariat 6.5’ bed w/373 rear end gears, with both packages my payload was 2,162#.

He has a lot of aluminum in his truck and if he had both packages I would think he would have more payload then I did!

I was pulling the fifth wheel in my signature.

Yes, something about the King Ranch, he couldn't get to the highest of the may payload ratings. Every build is a little different based on the optioned weight. We even called in to Ford corporate and spoke to them about it since he wanted to have all of the towing/payload limits maxed out as he was coming (nervously) from a F-350 to a half ton. But in the end he sacrificed a little on the payload side to keep the KR package.

He also may weigh more than you since he did add every possible electronic and BLISS doo-dad that Ford could make. He even has butt and back massaging seats! Heated and air conditioned seats. Heated rear seats. Accident avoidance, smart cruise, blind spot crap all over it, B&O 140 speaker 3 million watt stereo system that you can listen to on the moon.... More electronics and computers than a Navy Destroyer. $75,000 of half ton truck. Amazing!

He is a Crew Cab with 6.5' bed as well, and the new/improved step in the gate where the tailgate is flat.... unlike the F-350 had the big hump on the inside wall of the gate to allow for the step and handle.

[Tacky]

You certainly do not need the max tow package for your pop up. If you are really sure that you will not be wanting a larger trailer in the time you own the truck, you could go with almost any 1500 truck. But there will be the temptation to get a bigger trailer. Then you will want the max tow package!

[bill18163]

I have a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 with the max tow package. It has 3.43 gears. Gross combined weight spec is 16800 pounds and I tow a Rockwood 2606WS. I can go up steep hills or mountains and increase my speed if I want to. So if you want that kind of performance you have to pay for it in your gas mileage.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Larry0071

Yes, something about the King Ranch, he couldn't get to the highest of the may payload ratings. Every build is a little different based on the optioned weight. We even called in to Ford corporate and spoke to them about it since he wanted to have all of the towing/payload limits maxed out as he was coming (nervously) from a F-350 to a half ton. But in the end he sacrificed a little on the payload side to keep the KR package.

He also may weigh more than you since he did add every possible electronic and BLISS doo-dad that Ford could make. He even has butt and back massaging seats! Heated and air conditioned seats. Heated rear seats. Accident avoidance, smart cruise, blind spot crap all over it, B&O 140 speaker 3 million watt stereo system that you can listen to on the moon.... More electronics and computers than a Navy Destroyer. $75,000 of half ton truck. Amazing!

He is a Crew Cab with 6.5' bed as well, and the new/improved step in the gate where the tailgate is flat.... unlike the F-350 had the big hump on the inside wall of the gate to allow for the step and handle.

Yep, all that fancy bling takes away payload capacity.
I have a XLT with the Max Tow package but no HDPP. My payload capacity is 1828lbs.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by cpttimerstraint

My local dealer has a 2019 Sierra 4wd cc with the max tow package. I know that the max tow package is hard to come by. Is it worth getting the 3.42 gears? I have a 3,500 lb pop up that I tow over 5k miles per year.

I just went to GMC to look up what the Max Trailering Package included, as the contents vary by brand, platform, and year:

MAX TRAILERING PACKAGE:

• Trailering Package[1]
• Increased towing and GCWR
• Automatic locking rear differential
• Handling/Trailering[2]
• Suspension Package
• Enhanced cooling radiator
• Revised shock tuning
• Heavier duty rear springs and increased RGAWR
• 9.76" rear axle
• 3.42 axle ratio
• Trailer brake controller
• May require additional optional equipment

The footnotes are just obvious "passengers could reduce the amount you can tow" type of notes. I assume that "Trailering Package" is just standard fare of a hitch, 7-pin wiring, and maybe a beefier transmission cooler. I don't know what "Suspension Package" is, but maybe has a rear anti-sway/stabilization bar. Who knows.

That's a lot of value for the MSRP $850. I'd not buy one without all that stuff. The brake controller and better radiator are great benefits that will help any rig towing any amount of weight (particularly up mountain passes). I'm a fan of higher numeric gears and think they're always a good option for a truck that will tow.

If the truck on the lot has this option, all the better. Even if you never tow anything more than a 3,500 lb PUP, this is a great package to have on your truck.

Good luck.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Haggle the best deal you can get and call it a day.

Safe and happy travels.

P.S. Used to live down the hill from you in Camarillo

Hey, Chief:

Point Mugu, or Port Hueneme?

I did Pt Mugu (NMC) from '71-74.

[Chief T]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Hey, Chief:

Point Mugu, or Port Hueneme?

I did Pt Mugu (NMC) from '71-74.

Mugu 06-08. Elgin 77-85.

Cheers,

[CurtPutnam]

I have a basic Work Truck (in sig), payload was 3350 lbs. If you are going to tow in hilly or mountainous country, you are going tp want 4:10 gears - diesel is a different story.

[cpttimerstraint]

Thanks for all the responses. I am going to go test drive tonight. It would be great if you could test drive towing. [emoji3].

[KEN9XL]

Originally Posted by cpttimerstraint

Thanks for all the responses. I am going to go test drive tonight. It would be great if you could test drive towing. [emoji3].

Good Luck on your test drive tonight! I know what you mean about test drive towing.

I own a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE. I Did Not get a Max Tow Package. Dealer stated that off road truck options fit towing suspension requirement.

I bought my truck new, from the dealer. Options included trailering package (7 & 4 pin), NOT Max Tow, along with a Z71 Package (off road option with gas shocks), rear axle ratio 3.42, trailer brake controller, plus radiator, transmission, oil cooler and heavy duty battery.

Was my truck a rare breed or can they be found without Max Tow Package?
Did my dealer lie? Guess I'll never know because it is fulfilling my needs.

[Larry0071]

Originally Posted by KEN9XL

Good Luck on your test drive tonight! I know what you mean about test drive towing.



I own a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE. I Did Not get a Max Tow Package. Dealer stated that off road truck options fit towing suspension requirement.



I bought my truck new, from the dealer. Options included trailering package (7 & 4 pin), NOT Max Tow, along with a Z71 Package (off road option with gas shocks), rear axle ratio 3.42, trailer brake controller, plus radiator, transmission, oil cooler and heavy duty battery.



Was my truck a rare breed or can they be found without Max Tow Package?

Did my dealer lie? Guess I'll never know because it is fulfilling my needs.

Well, what is your specific builds payload limit and what is it's specific towing limit? The payload is printed on the yellow sticker right there in the driver's door jam.

[Mad Cow]

Originally Posted by AdamKam

I have a 2015 Silverado 2500HD with tow package, 3:14 rear end. Don't get anything taller. Your MPG will be way down, I presently tow 10,000+.

No you don't. The 2015 2500HD has 4.10 diffs for the gasser. I own one. I have a 2015 Silverado 2500HD 6.0 Z71 with 4.10 ratio. Only in a base fleet truck could one get a different ratio, and that was 3.73. Mine also has snow plow prep package, Tow package including 5th wheel / gooseneck prep and integrated brake controller. Dealer even threw in a Line-X bedliner job to sweeten the deal. Total cost.... $38K.

Even the Dmax version has shorter gears than what you mentioned. The Dmax has 3.73. The ratio you mention is way too tall of gears for an HD pickup.

That being said, I would never buy a 1500 with max anything. Main reason is that I can get substantially more pickup truck for the dollar by getting a 2500 or 3500, of which a average version would put even the most maxed out 1500 to shame in both payload and towing capacity, while at the same time probably a lower price as well.

The new gas motors in the Ford and GM HD pickups will meet and beat any 6.2 Ecotec in the 1500. The base 6.6L gasser engine in the GM HD pickups will make the high price option 6.2L not look all that hot in the 1500 series, and do so while only using regular gas, unlike the 6.2 having a premium gas recommendation. Unlike the all aluminum 6.2, the 6.6 gasser will be a cast iron block working motor and will NOT have that goofy AFM cylinder shutdown nonsense.. 400HP and 450LB torque.

Again, I would be willing to bet that a 6.6L gasser 2500HD with all the working packages will come in at a lower price than the most beefed up 1500 6.2 max tow pickup. It is all about marketing demographics. The OEM can charge more for a 1500 because they know they will get it. The majority of HD truck buyers are commercial users. Can't play those same games with them.

Even in my now "archaic" 2015 2500 6.0, after filing with fuel, putting a few hundred pounds of tools and such in the back, and including a passenger, I still have almost 2400 lb of available payload and 13,000 lb of towing capacity. The new 2020 2500 will beat that with the new 6.6L gasser.

[KEN9XL]

Originally Posted by Larry0071

Well, what is your specific builds payload limit and what is it's specific towing limit? The payload is printed on the yellow sticker right there in the driver's door jam.

Larry,

In reference to dealer, I referred to the off road package being the same as tow package suspension.

I have the GMC specs (build out) that the dealer printed for my VIN.
Thank you, I am aware of yellow door jam sticker.

I was just using a comparison of the Max Tow Package verses independent options or add ons. Price difference????

Ken