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Old 02-20-2022, 07:12 PM   #1
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3.0 Silverado Question for Towing and Payload

Hi Everyone, I have some truck related question(s).
To start with, I have a 2019 2509s Camper. 5400 dry weight and 1,560 payload. Im currently towing with 2011 1500 Extended cab Silverado short bed Z71. 1580 payload sticker. 7,000 GVWR and 3.42 ratio rear end. my calculation for payload, and figuring high-end payload including tongue, and everything else there I figured to be 1540, being conservatively high with my estimates. I do tend to pack light. the bed has a tool box, a bin with pallet wood, two zero gravity chairs. my girlfriend and I, about 360 total with us and with my fat ass.

I looked at a 2020 Silverado RST 1500 crew with the 6.6 ft bed. 3.0 Duramax diesel. 7200 GVWR and a 1680 payload Sticker. Upon reading more from the build print out, this has the 3.23 ratio rear axle. And the Z60 suspension. )I had to look that up.)

From what i can read about, Z60 package includes 20 inch tires, and sits around an inch lower in the front, and two inches lower in the back than standard Silverados, because of the sport suspension. This model is designed to improve cornering and holding capabilities on the road.
IS anyone towing with this similar set up?
why would I and why would i not want this?
or do i bite the bullet and go with 2022's?

I do see online for the new build website there is an option Diesel Off-Road Package that includes:
3.73 rear axle ratio
18" LT275/65R18C MT Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac blackwall tires
Hard-folding tonneau cover
Crew Cab models also include 6" Chrome assist steps.

Would this set-up with 3.73 rear axle and Tires be more beneficial for towing my camper? this option is basically appearing to be more in line to the Z71. I don't go 4 wheeling but do go off road here and there and some campgrounds are iffy. Also, the skid plates seem nice to have also. but i know that add weight thus reducing payload.

would like to see what you have for this set with payload stickers. i may be right on the edge for payload.

thanks
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Old 02-20-2022, 08:03 PM   #2
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I would not want to be towing that much trailer with a 3.23 axle. The 2022 can now be ordered with the max trailering package, which is something to consider. Silverados also can be had with a 3.42 axle, although I haven't confirmed if this also applies to the 2022 3.0. But I would not want to tow an almost 7000 lb GVWR trailer with the 3.23 axle.
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Old 02-20-2022, 08:10 PM   #3
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I have a 2021 GMC Sierra 3.0 x31 elevation package towing a FR 2021 25LELR and truck is rated 9500 pounds towing and I’m probably with my 2022 RZR Pro around 7800 pounds trailer weight. I can tow just fine and I’m getting around 13.5 to 14.5 mpg. At 68 mph. I don’t feel the rear axle ratio is so critical with the 10 speed transmission. I think you would be very happy with the 3.0 and when not towing at 68 mph I’m averaging 29.2 mpg. Hope this helps. Good luck.
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Old 02-21-2022, 07:38 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Neilsb1 View Post
I have a 2021 GMC Sierra 3.0 x31 elevation package towing a FR 2021 25LELR and truck is rated 9500 pounds towing and I’m probably with my 2022 RZR Pro around 7800 pounds trailer weight. I can tow just fine and I’m getting around 13.5 to 14.5 mpg. At 68 mph. I don’t feel the rear axle ratio is so critical with the 10 speed transmission. I think you would be very happy with the 3.0 and when not towing at 68 mph I’m averaging 29.2 mpg. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Do you have the build sheet? which Transmission axle ratio?
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Old 02-21-2022, 07:40 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by AlaskaErik View Post
I would not want to be towing that much trailer with a 3.23 axle. The 2022 can now be ordered with the max trailering package, which is something to consider. Silverados also can be had with a 3.42 axle, although I haven't confirmed if this also applies to the 2022 3.0. But I would not want to tow an almost 7000 lb GVWR trailer with the 3.23 axle.
For 22s, its either a 3.23 or the 3.73 but with that it adds :

18" LT275/65R18C MT Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac blackwall tires
Hard-folding tonneau cover
Crew Cab models also include 6" Chrome assist steps.

I do not see that i can order 3.0 witht he NHT. each time i click on that package it prompts to pick 5.3L or 6.2L

How do you like your 6.2?
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Old 02-21-2022, 12:00 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by whj1961 View Post
For 22s, its either a 3.23 or the 3.73 but with that it adds :

18" LT275/65R18C MT Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac blackwall tires
Hard-folding tonneau cover
Crew Cab models also include 6" Chrome assist steps.

I do not see that i can order 3.0 witht he NHT. each time i click on that package it prompts to pick 5.3L or 6.2L

How do you like your 6.2?
I love the 6.2L, especially after my experience with the anemic 5.3L in my other truck.

As for 2022 3.0 available with max trailering package, I got that from GM Authority.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/09...wing-capacity/
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Old 02-21-2022, 12:15 PM   #7
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Any conversation about rear axle ratio without factoring transmission for final drive is sort of only looking at half the equation.

Having a 10 speed trans vs 6 or 8 changes things up quite a bit.
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Old 02-21-2022, 11:05 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by carguy4471 View Post
Any conversation about rear axle ratio without factoring transmission for final drive is sort of only looking at half the equation.

Having a 10 speed trans vs 6 or 8 changes things up quite a bit.
Regardless, I would still rather have a 3.73 rear for towing than anything higher ratio. The 10 speed helps with lower ratio rears in the opposite way it helps with higher ratio rears. More range.
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Old 02-21-2022, 11:16 PM   #9
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Regardless, I would still rather have a 3.73 rear for towing than anything higher ratio. The 10 speed helps with lower ratio rears in the opposite way it helps with higher ratio rears. More range.
Regardless of rear axle gear ratio having a 10 speed transmission gives you lower final drive in low gears and higher final drive in overdrives.

Now factoring a 10 speed with a rear axle geared lower gives you a lower final drive in low gear vs a 10 speed with a rear axle geared higher.

A number of GM vehicles are now only available with 3.23 rear end and 10 speed trans. It’s not a bad setup, but for the full timers or those towing a great deal, other rear axle choices may be beneficial.

It is important to consider final drive ratio these days though. Only thinking of rear axle ratio is not doing the driver/owner any favors. If your sales staff wherever you buy trucks cannot discuss final driver ratios with you, shop elsewhere.
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Old 02-22-2022, 06:27 AM   #10
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If towing heavy, the axle ratio is more important than the final drive ratio. Nobody towing heavy is concerned with overdrive. Most heavy towers lock out the overdrive gears.
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Old 02-22-2022, 06:43 AM   #11
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If towing heavy, the axle ratio is more important than the final drive ratio. Nobody towing heavy is concerned with overdrive. Most heavy towers lock out the overdrive gears.
Final drive ratio is your output in all gears at all speeds. Commonly misunderstood to think final drive is only related to high gears.
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Old 02-22-2022, 07:31 AM   #12
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Ive never had any issue while towing my camper up hill whether on a highway of little back country roads here in CT. I dont floor it out of the gates either. If Im carrying up 1500 lb payload plus my 6400 camper ( thats assuming i have 1,000 lbs of stuff in which I doubt ). I just don't want a new truck to be screaming while I'm going up a hill. And not truly understanding the axle ratios and how they play out with ten speed transmissions these days. I looked at the F150. the standard axle ratio is 3.31 I believe. to me that is not much a difference. But with the diesel and 3.73 it also adds on skid plats etc. I do like the fact it goes back to the 18 inch tires rather than 20.

Maybe I stick to a gas, order with the Max Tow Package and I can then build to almost how I want it to be. Id like to get the 10 speed in the gas, but it also looks as though the 5.3 comes with 8 speed. Does that matter?? Or 6.2. I had always used the high octane gas all camping season in my truck so that to me is not an issue. I do also only work 4 miles and i have a beater car I use to go to work in unless it snows.

Am I over thinking all this? $57,000 is a lot to spend on a new vehicle. I just don't want any issues while I tow for the 6-8 weekends and a one week trip to Maine or PA. As nice as diesel is maybe I pass that.

Im also looking at the crew cab with the std bed for a longer wheel base for hopefully a no tail wag when an 18 wheeler passes me. I have even began looking at 2500s. and dove into F150s with the Heavy Duty payload. the payload on those is a beast, upwards of 2,400 plus depending on options you build. I have seen door stickers on the f150 forum.
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Old 02-22-2022, 08:56 AM   #13
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I don’t but here is my vin: 3GTU9CET5MG438087
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Old 02-22-2022, 09:18 AM   #14
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I don’t but here is my vin: 3GTU9CET5MG438087
If you will use the QUOTE function, we'll know to which post you are responding.
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Old 02-22-2022, 09:25 AM   #15
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I have a 2021 Sierra Elevation with the LM2 (3 liter Duramax) and tow my Mini Lite 2109 with no issues. I am very happy with the setup and especially the 10 speed. The truck is smooth as silk. Not regretting my purchase at all.
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Old 02-22-2022, 09:54 AM   #16
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Thank you

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If you will use the QUOTE function, we'll know to which post you are responding.
New to the system.
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Old 02-23-2022, 09:45 AM   #17
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I might add that I live at 4800 ft elevation, so all of my towing and camping involves climbing and descending mountain passes and the 3.0 handles these situations well. And I really like the "jake brake' built into the 10 speed transmission. And BTW, my next door neighbor has the exact same truck, except his is a Denali where mine is an Elevation trim, and he tows a similar GVW TT, (Starcraft) and he likes his 3.0 as much as I like mine. I plan to have this be the last vehicle I buy.
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Old 02-23-2022, 09:48 AM   #18
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When I trade in the Acadia the next rig is going to be a 3.0 truck. Hear nothing but great things about them, and where I work I hear a lot about them.
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Old 02-23-2022, 10:44 AM   #19
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I might add that I live at 4800 ft elevation, so all of my towing and camping involves climbing and descending mountain passes and the 3.0 handles these situations well. And I really like the "jake brake' built into the 10 speed transmission. And BTW, my next door neighbor has the exact same truck, except his is a Denali where mine is an Elevation trim, and he tows a similar GVW TT, (Starcraft) and he likes his 3.0 as much as I like mine. I plan to have this be the last vehicle I buy.
Thanks. like you that is my plan too or at least keep it for 10-15 years

my camper is dry weight of 5400. plus the stuff in it and payload. i try to travel light and will often go and purge stuff .
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Old 02-28-2022, 09:37 PM   #20
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I don’t but here is my vin: 3GTU9CET5MG438087
another question, what is the payload stick er show you?- Thanks
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