i have a 06 lly cc 4x4 short bed. i read the book and it is saying it only tows 12k. or gcwr of 22k wtf. is everyone i see over the limit? or am i reading something wrong.

You are correct. The 2500 has a GCVWR of 22K. Those that are over have decided the liability in the event of an accident is acceptable. I'm positive the truck can tow several thousand pounds more but I'd be more concerned about stopping that weight.

I have a Travel trailer that weighs about 7K and pulled it with my 5.3L (?), 1/2 ton Suburban. It towed the weight fine but it was over the axle limits and GCVWR. I wasn't comfortable towing this weight across the country with my family in the vehicle so I bought a 3/4 ton.

I've got an XLS spreadsheet to calculate towing weights, GCVW, etc. if you are interested.

i have a 06 lly cc 4x4 short bed. i read the book and it is saying it only tows 12k. or gcwr of 22k wtf. is everyone i see over the limit? or am i reading something wrong.

I've got an XLS spreadsheet to calculate towing weights, GCVW, etc. if you are interested.

I would be interested in taking a look at your spreadsheet if you wouldn't mind, I can pm you my email.

Wish I could say this was mine but I got it off an RV site a few years ago. I don't remember the name of the author either but he did a good job.

There are notes at the bottom of the spreadsheet that tell you how to fill in the numbers.

Very cool. Thanks for posting that up.

thanks guys, thats me going out and getting a 2500 without really doing some research first lol oh well. guess that will limit on the size of my next trailer.. thanks again

evoorng, see your other thread.
Pulling any distance, I have pulled both and would sure recommend a fifth wheel.
When shopping ask the RV dealer to let you use your truck to pull that new trailer over a scale so you can crunch the numbers before you buy it. The sales brochures usually only give the engineer's weight with no options on the trailer.
Weigh you truck empty with hitch in it also.

I was reading on a few websites that says we can tow up to a 16,000# trailer if it is a 5th wheel or a gooseneck? the 12,000 rating is actually for the bumper factory hitch. I also just went on gms website to verify this information and they 2010 2500 hd is also 12,000 on the bumper hitch but is actually states 17,800 with a 5th wheel, i cant imagine our "classic" body styles are 5800 pounds less capable???. I am working with a 18' gooseneck with a cage for hauling scrap tires and it has to pass DOT inspection so we will find out for sure. i wish they would clairify this in the book so i know for sure, but they dont come factory with the ball in the bed so they cant for liability reasons. if im wrong please let me know ASAP roofprossteve@yahoo.com thanks

Just remember that theorietically you can tow whatever you want so long as your truck (and beyond a certain weight, YOU) are licenced accordingly.

GCWR is not legally enforceable. RGVW and GAWR's are legally enforceable, so as long as you are within your licensed weights, your class of licence is adequate for your GVW, and you are not overloading any axles according to their placarded limits, you are good.

That's not to say you should go hookup to something that is so heavy you can't possibly control it properly, but you also shouldn't sweat a few K over so long as you have all your other ducks in a row. And I agree with everyone else, if you're going to get a heavy trailer, make it a fiver - no question.

I agree with llydmax, I think that is for bumper pull, you should be able to pull a lot more. I routinely pulled a 17K GN around the country, probably logged about 80,000 miles with it. Never had a problem, never felt under powered, and never felt underbraked. Well, except the time my bed mat flopped in the wind and unplugged my trailer brakes as I was going down a mountain grade into Chatanooga. :eek:

i have weighed my truck in with just over 32,000# pulled it no problem, but if I would have got pulled over by the dot and they pulled the scales out there is no way I would have been legal. the trailer is rated for 14 tons so that is not a problem, another thing is no matter what your trailer weighs the truck can never weigh more than 10,000# so if your tongue weight exceeds the weight limit of the truck total your considered overloaded even if the trailer can take more weight. the dot has limits on what the weight of the truck and how much the truck can pull, the license (cdl) will allow you to pull up to the amount of weight your vehicle is rated for.

I guess it all depends on the jurisdiction you are in when the DOT checks, IF they check.
I've never had a RV, bumper or 5th wheel pull, called in by the DOT in any province or state, and I've been in more than a few.
Now, if it looks and acts like a commercial operation, then the rules are different. The weight placards on the vehicles, and the licenced/registered weight if shown, for both truck and trailer(s) are a good starting point. Over a little bit doesn't work if the DOT gets ugly. Make it legal before you move is a phrase they like.

Interesting sign on the Trans-Canada highway entering B.C. westbound: "No three unit combinations UNDER 11,000 kgs (22,046 lbs) allowed". The picture shows a typical truck-5th wheel-boat trailer setup. I didn't stop to ask what the deal would be for over that weight.

I am in the same situation, will be looking for a toy hauler in a year or two and I love my 06, I was thinking about adding 19.5 rickson wheels, increasing the spring packs or air bags and upgrading the brakes to help with the heavier combination. The rear axle is the same one used on 3500 duallys with an 11500 GAWR. I think the frame is sufficient to add another 1000 lb of pin over my current set up.