Being that the GCW on the 4500/5500 is 26k. My 05 5500 4x4 tares at 10250+175lbs for me... which means 15,500 or so "by the book". Do you think that I could tow 24k safely? I have been towing for a while, have a Class A CDL (no trailer trucks), air, hazmat, tanker endorsements so as long as I stay under axle weights (7k front 13.k rear, 12k each axle on the trailer)

GVW is on the VIN tag, GCW is nowhere to be found except in some sales literature, not even in the owners manual

Howard

The GVCW is marked on the door pillar.. :(. I am trying to figure out how to get rid of it, because restricting such a solid truck to 15,000 is somewhat annoying.

If it were a commercially registered and licensed truck the axle weights should apply, but if not, I think the door pillar would apply.

This always brings out the nay sayers, but lets stir the pot again.

For DOT purposes, the legal GCVW is the sum of all your axles AND what you are registered at. (they want your tax money) You may have to jump through a hoop or two to get the registered GCVW raised above manufacturer's sticker. Each axle must be below its rating and power unit and trailer below their respective GVWR. When you get into the high loadings, the Bridge formula comes into effect. That is a whole 'nother topic. One other limit that you run into with bigger rigs is the GCVW rating of the drive axle(s). So far, this is just what is legal.

IMO, you can safely pull ANY load as long as you don't overload your axles. You may not have the power to pull it, but you will be able to stop it. The skill needed to haul safely, however, is another issue.

OK, let's hear the nay sayers.

I take that back... it is on the door sticker.... but that sticker would come off pretty easy

I asked when I registered my truck to go higher... they said nope comes up in the computer as 19.5GVW

I am figuring on truck weight of 11k. Total loaded trailer/load at 24k max. 20% weight on the hitch puts the truck at about 16k (under GVW) trailer axles would obviously be under 24k with the truck taking the pin weight.

Howard

Is your max GVWR on the door jam or is the GCWR? I have never seen a GCVW on a door sticker.

Both are on an easily removed one, I will take some pics today

Howard

This truck is the first one I have ever seen the GCVW on the door pillar. It seems real annoying to have it there, because that is right inline with your eye, standing by the truck..

My truck is rated at 17.5, with the same axles.. go figure. it weighs just 250 pounds less than your 4x4 too..

Here are the two labels on my door. I believe I can take the GM one off now that the upfitter put theirs on...

http://chtucker.home.bresnan.net/DSCN0890.JPG
http://chtucker.home.bresnan.net/DSCN0891.JPG

I take that back... it is on the door sticker.... but that sticker would come off pretty easy

I asked when I registered my truck to go higher... they said nope comes up in the computer as 19.5GVW

I am figuring on truck weight of 11k. Total loaded trailer/load at 24k max. 20% weight on the hitch puts the truck at about 16k (under GVW) trailer axles would obviously be under 24k with the truck taking the pin weight.

Howard To change the GVW would require an axle change. You should be able to get registered at most any GCVW. The GCVW on the sticker is needed/used to keep you below the comercial ratings. I registered mine at 26,000 GCVW to stay away from the fuel taxes and such, but could have gone to 32,000 without any problems.

The GVW is fine, I am happy with 19.5. There is no GCW on my registration. The only place that is that GM sticker which I am thinking about removing. I will hopefully never exceed my axle weights with a goosneck 25k trailer.

The only number I want to increase is the GCW.

Howard

I take that back... it is on the door sticker.... but that sticker would come off pretty easy

I asked when I registered my truck to go higher... they said nope comes up in the computer as 19.5GVW

I am figuring on truck weight of 11k. Total loaded trailer/load at 24k max. 20% weight on the hitch puts the truck at about 16k (under GVW) trailer axles would obviously be under 24k with the truck taking the pin weight.

Howard
It sounds to me like your state's computer doesn't allow for a combined weight on this particular model. I'd pursue that further with a more knowledgable person like a commercial vehicle officer. I agree with Finger's first explination so this confuses me.

Where are you from????

Colorado.

I'll look it up and see what I can find.

Well it is not actually up to the state! They can register your truck up to 80,000 lbs GCW, if you are willing to pay the fees. IFTA is only if you are using it commercial, outside of the 100 Mile radius of your "base plated" vehicle's home terminal. ICC requirements must be observed though (commercial or not), such as lighting, bumber heigths, overall height (max 13'6"), overall width (max 102" without safety devices such as mirrors and lights), etc. etc.

The 26K is from the 49CFR. States can increase minimum requirements, decrease maximum requirements, or adopt other forms of licensing (such as non-cdl or Class A non commercial etc.), which can equal or increase/decrease the min/max requirements provided in the regulations, but not go below/above federal min/max, or they risk loosing Federal Highway funds.

The GVWR on the sticker is from GM. According to Dovell & Williams (the commercial GMC truck dealer in Glen Burnie MD that I use), this is a restriction on the transmissions (either the Allison 1000 or 2000 series automatics, or ZF manual) that are installed on the class 2 through 5 trucks (may also iInclude Class 6's with Lo-Pros with the 1000 and 2000 Allisons). These trannies are not rated for higher GCWRs.

Though it is true that you can probably safely haul up to 33,000 lbs (the same 80K lbs frames, axles, and brake components are used in class 4 through 7 trucks), the warranty may be voided if you are towed in with a burned up tranny or clutch and a 24K lbs trailer. Increasing HP and Torque will only increases the stress on the trannies (the weakest link in these drivetrains) and speed up the deterioration process.

I just want to caution you (what you ought to consider) based on the inquiries I have made. I've towed between 13K and 16K for over 130K miles with mine, without a problem (or any add on power), and have been satisfied with the performance (but again, I don't enter into any races with it either). Advice is given freely. However, if you are interested, spend a dime and call someone that spec's these trucks day in and day out. Here is my commercial dealer's phone number, E-Mail and S-Mail addresses. Anyone there will be glad to clarify this for you, and you can base your decision on expert advice:
Phone: (410) 766-8132
E-Mail: trucksis@hotmail.com
Dovell & Williams Truck Center
1120 Crain Highway, N.W.
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
GMC - ISUZU - WHITE

Thank you for that very detailed explanation - Knowing this makes decisions about modifications easier..

Mylash

To dovetail that explanation, I have short hauled up to 18K with my 6.5 & am confident I am as safe as I can be. I have upgraded everything I can short of changing axles & springs & engine internals (trans-engine-brakes-wheels), which I would do if I did this kind of pull often and distance greater than the 200 miles I pull that heavy, actually probably be in a bigger truck for more stopping weight in event of loss of trailer brakes.

I bought one of the best GN trailers I could find locally (New) so I did not have any questions of prior abuse & overloading, when your are depending on the trailer to carry the load once it gets moving, is "used but good enough" something that gives you a warm fuzzy.

I also when moving that load (my back-hoe) run with an escort, and my "look out for other driver awareness mode" is ratcheted up to max attention span. I'm more concerned with the other guy and road conditions than I am with capability of my truck/trailer combination, so yes a small truck can do the job if you are smart about it and upgrade if need be to support what you trucks use will be. I keep documentation/reciepts of my mods with me so if I'm ever stopped I might be able to sway an officer into understanding I'm not some just hook er up and go hazzard.

Knock on wood I've yet to be stopped, around here general assumption is when they hear clack clack of a Diesel it's probably capable of doing the work. Going out of my area though I'd be very nervous about getting a citation.

Don't worry normally I'm way under this weight about 5K or less, I only make this big a tow if I have to move my equipment off the river during hurricane/flood season.