I have a 2006 2500hd A/D. Here's my question: the front GAWR is 4800; the rear is 6084, so the axles will support 10884. Why is the GVWR only 9200? I'm thinking of buying the smallest Alpha or Montana. A full tank of gas and one passenger puts me almost at the limit of 9200. The shipping weight on my truck is 6750. the hitch weight of the smallest Montana is 1880.

In my opinion it's a C.Y.A. factor for GM, these trucks are capable of hauling loads much bigger than they're given credit for. Whether it's "safe" or not is a different story.

I think you will be fine. I don't know what you drive but my truck is 7200 with the hitch, wife, one child, myself and 13 gallons of fuel. I have a pin weight of 1500 on a fiver wet weighing 10700#. Because you load some in front of the axle and some weight behind, the added weight of your stuff doesn't seem to have a big effect on the pin weight.

I have a 2006 2500hd A/D. Here's my question: the front GAWR is 4800; the rear is 6084, so the axles will support 10884. Why is the GVWR only 9200? I'm thinking of buying the smallest Alpha or Montana. A full tank of gas and one passenger puts me almost at the limit of 9200. The shipping weight on my truck is 6750. the hitch weight of the smallest Montana is 1880.

As an automotive engineer, I think I can shed some light. Vehicles and especially trucks are designed to operate in a variety of loading conditions.

Front and rear GAWR add up to more than GVWR because you can load the vehicle in a lot of ways. For instance, if you put a snowplow on the front, The front axle is getting a lot of weight, so you need a high front GAWR but not necessarily GVWR. If you just put stuff in the cargo bed, you will reach GVWR or rear GAWR, but not be close to front GAWR. So having front and rear GAWR add up to more than GVWR allows you to put payload where you want it. If they were equal to GVWR, you would have to put passengers and cargo in exactly the right spot each time.

Technically speaking, you should not exceed EITHER GAWR or GVWR. The manufacturer has validated that the vehicle performance, handling, cooling, durability are acceptable within those limits. If you exceed those limits, you are taking on some risk. You can run beyond those limits, but it may affect safety, durability, etc. It is fairly common for diesel owners to overload their vehicles and most of the time you can get away with it.

I hope this helps. I love talking trucks (and cars)....

Thanks for the help. I already have air bags on the truck. I know they don't increase the GVWR but I hope they'll help with the handling and take some weight off the shocks and springs.

As an automotive engineer, I think I can shed some light.


Where the hell have you been??? j/k :welcome:

I have no idea about gvrw. but it sounds like you should be ok. I know kennedy has pulled some heavy stuff with his truck, still waitin' for him to chime in on this.

Carnut: So YOU are one of the guys who design engine bays with little or no space to work in..... my scraped arms and hands thank you. :chevy: