All,
I actually work at a GM dealership and no one i work with can seem to answer this question. Why is the Denali Duramax rated to tow less than all the other trim levels. I know the the obvious answer is that it weighs more but that should only account for a small bit of it. The numbers are the same on a ball hitch but when you go to the gooseneck/ fifth wheel the numbers change. It drops fifth wheel by 200lbs (no big deal) but gooseneck it drops over 1100 pounds. What's going on??

I think that was an early figure before they changed the ratings. If you remember the first press releases the figures on the 11's were lower on HP/Torque anbd trailer ratings. Then they raised up it later. We were looking at a 3500 Denalli at the AQHA and it was rated in it's book the same as the Chevy's. I can't believe it wieghs any more than a loaded LTZ of same model. last month's write up in Diesel Power Magizine about all three brands and there shoot out with them had the spec's and ratings and the Denalli was rated higher for trailers and all than Ford, But who know's. I'll have to go back and see what the goose/fifthwheel limit was.

I did a little more research today and found that the denali is the only one that comes standard with 18" rims and the option of 20" rims like the rest of the lines. When they test these trucks they use the standard equipment not the optional rim sizes. The engineer and common sense in me says that an 18inch rim should tow less than a 17inch rim and even less than a 20inch rim. Does that make sense or i am over thinking it....

The GMC SLT and Chevy LTZ come standard w/ 18 inch wheels.

This has been talked about several times. The chassis is identical to a base truck. It is most likely due to the higher option content of the denali (more weight).

This has been talked about several times. The chassis is identical to a base truck. It is most likely due to the higher option content of the denali (more weight).

If 2 fans for cooled seats, chrome on the grill, better carpet and leather, and wood trim instead of stainless, adds enough to drop the gooseneck trailering 1100 pounds i don't want it....

Moved to Towing.

If 2 fans for cooled seats, chrome on the grill, better carpet and leather, and wood trim instead of stainless, adds enough to drop the gooseneck trailering 1100 pounds i don't want it....

If you have to sweat the 1100 pounds, you'll need a bigger truck. :rolleyes:

If 2 fans for cooled seats, chrome on the grill, better carpet and leather, and wood trim instead of stainless, adds enough to drop the gooseneck trailering 1100 pounds i don't want it....

Agreed. Hard to believe those things can drop the rating that much.

I did a little more research today and found that the denali is the only one that comes standard with 18" rims and the option of 20" rims like the rest of the lines. When they test these trucks they use the standard equipment not the optional rim sizes. The engineer and common sense in me says that an 18inch rim should tow less than a 17inch rim and even less than a 20inch rim. Does that make sense or i am over thinking it....

No, doesn't make sense.

To the OP, the Denali has the same ratings per this link: http://www.gmc.com/2011sierra/index.jsp

Maybe there 2 or 300 pounds difference but it won't be 1,100. As someone else said, you likely cross referenced specs before and after GM upped the ratings to stay ahead of the F350.

FWIW, I like the SLE 3500s the best anyway, though this is clearly subjective.

I researched this to no end; got all kinds of bogus answers from GM support and also had the local dealer looking for answers after I made them aware of the GM published info showing GVWR and fifth wheel towing ratings less than Sierra or Silverado. Dealer was stumped an unaware until I asked that the ratings were so much less; finally said that the Denali's engine's were Cal. emissions rated so less HP and Torque then said the the Suspension was lighter because of Denali customer expectations of plusher ride and backed that statement up with the fact the Denali part number for rear leaf springs were different and of lesser capacity.
Customer support still says they will answer with correct info after comsulting with techs from a higher level but I doubt it as I have bumped several times and have not gotten any response other than the normal GM SOP bullsh*t. I have since ordered an LML Silverado, don't want to chance the lower rating's of the Denali and think the dealer is pretty bogus anyway or would have gotten real answers to make the sale. Meanwhile I think I'll kep harrasing customer support just because they pi#s me off because they don't really know jack and think they are so intune because they have all those pat answers available on their computer. Screw you DA GM customer support!

If you have to sweat the 1100 pounds, you'll need a bigger truck. :rolleyes:

Not true mr smartass.

Moss...i hear your frustration, fwiw I actually prefer the "regular" rigs...I assume you ordered a 1 ton correct? 11.5k GVWR for the srw and 13k for the dually means their aint a lot you can't safely tow, GM did a great job with the MY11s

btw, the "Cal emissions" line is class stealership BS if ever I've heard it...all LML are 50 state legal, in fact all diesels (Cummins, PSDs and Dmx) have been since MY05....all tuned the same no matter what state

This is just a shot in the dark but when I see Denali anything..Yukon, Suburban,etc. I think of bling bling and a vehicle that will never be called upon to do anything requiring effort on the part of that vehicle. Maybe GM in all their infinite wisdom figured they could put a bitchin' vehicle capable of putting out a lot of work, add a Denali emblem on it and they could jack up the price but the dentist or podiatrist who has no clue what he's doing with such a vehicle might get in over his head..thus..a lower tow rating.
"It appears my hypocrisy knows no bounds.." -Doc Holiday in Tombstone..

Note, the ratings are different only for the higher production volume, lighter 2500.
Generalizing, these owners want the Duramax power but dont want ride to suffer and will probably not push the limits of the vehicle.
18" Aluminum wheel is Denali std vs 17" or 18" steel on std trucks.

If you compare the 3500, numbers are identical for SA and actually HIGHER for DA as they show a 4:10 rear avail on duals. (I bet this is an example of where the website does not 100% reflect available options for standard GMC)
These Denali would be lower volume thus no payoff for R&D Denali custom springs and more likely to be "worked" closer to their limits (horses, boats, etc). Comfort features are important but a more truck feel would be accepted/expected.
17" steel is standard on DA, 18" AL on SA.

http://www.gmc.com/2011sierra/3500DenaliHD/specsCapabilities.jsp?Trim=3500DenaliHD

For the 2500, viable reasons have been covered in different posts. While I have no direct knowledge:

1 - Softer springs - smoother ride comes at a cost

2 - 18" aluminum wheels - reduced payload for lighter, bling bling rims vs steel or chunky AL.

3 - (least likely) revised GM stats as the model year shakes out.

I really doubt most Denali owners would push the outter limits of the vehicle. Overload it on a rare occasion? yes, just like most regular trucks.

After all this looking, why do I really care? I have an awsome beast now and all of the fancy gadgets on a Denali will either be obsolite or cost an A$$ load to repair.

If someone has the money for expensive toys that usually go along with the Denali image, they dont mess around with this passenger duty stuff.
They have a Medium duty custom rig (often paited to match). Been to any horse or power boat events lately :eek:

Ah god post Charge it, if it only refers to the 3/4 ton I do NOT see what the fuss is about...as I indicated above the 3500SRW is the clear better choice now it can finally be had in both bed lengths...I'm really wondering why there's so many (1/2 ton, 3/4 and 1 ton srw's) variations with the same physical footprint running around when a pickup is made for work...yeah a dually isn't for everyone but I also don't understand pickup trucks with 1,200 lbs payload, or certainly not ones with less legal payload than otherwise practically identical rigs (3/4 vs 1)...

As to chargeit (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/member.php?u=91554) reply about aluminum wheels being why they tow less is wrong. Have you ever noticed all the newer Dump trucks and tractors all have aluminum wheels. They are lighter and stronger and can haul more load which gives the owner more income. I know of a fleet of 20 trucks, at a rock quarry, that traded in 2 year old trucks and bought 20 new ones with all quad axles having aluminum wheels.

Not true mr smartass.



Of course it is. The previous gen Dmax have been towing, in commercial applications, as much or more than the 11's are rated for. That mysterious 1100lbs is moot. If the OP is that worried about the numbers, and will be that close, he needs a bigger truck.

But good luck with the quest.

The 18" tires have the highest load rating of any of the GM option's, 17's and 20's are rated at about 300lbs less per tire and the 18's offer the best ride. Check the specs, also look at how many tire brands are available in the 20" size; slim pickens.

Just looked at a 2011 owners manual, diesel suplement, and it also shows the Denali to have 1100 lbs less fifth wheel capacity; strange it also shows the GCWR to be equal to the non-Denali's. Go figure.

All these numbers are so contradicting... its like the engineers just said yep that rating sounds about right.

As to chargeit (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/member.php?u=91554) reply about aluminum wheels being why they tow less is wrong. Have you ever noticed all the newer Dump trucks and tractors all have aluminum wheels. They are lighter and stronger and can haul more load which gives the owner more income. I know of a fleet of 20 trucks, at a rock quarry, that traded in 2 year old trucks and bought 20 new ones with all quad axles having aluminum wheels.

AL has been used for years in Commercial trucks and yes is designed to be up to the task. Strong alloys and most important SOLID wheels. NOT the cut out bling of passenger wheels.

The alloy, production method and design can easily affect the load rating of passenger wheels.

Of course it is. The previous gen Dmax have been towing, in commercial applications, as much or more than the 11's are rated for. That mysterious 1100lbs is moot. If the OP is that worried about the numbers, and will be that close, he needs a bigger truck.


Going to have to disagree. It sounds like the OP wants to stay within the manufacturer's GVWR and GCWR to maintain his warranty, reliability and stay legal. I've always ran my trucks to within a few hundred pounds of their GCWR (scaled) but have never knowingly gone over the ratings on public roads. 1,100lbs is no small amount and if that's the difference between being within spec or over it it makes sense. For a lot a people a dually will not fit on their driveway or what have you, so an 11,500 srw 1 ton is the prefect answer.

All of this said, I'd simply forgo the Denali and order an SLT, best of both worlds if you want leather and max towing.

Going to have to disagree. It sounds like the OP wants to stay within the manufacturer's GVWR and GCWR to maintain his warranty, reliability and stay legal. I've always ran my trucks to within a few hundred pounds of their GCWR (scaled) but have never knowingly gone over the ratings on public roads. 1,100lbs is no small amount and if that's the difference between being within spec or over it it makes sense. For a lot a people a dually will not fit on their driveway or what have you, so an 11,500 srw 1 ton is the prefect answer.

All of this said, I'd simply forgo the Denali and order an SLT, best of both worlds if you want leather and max towing.

1100 lbs is not much weight, about 4% in the total we are talking about.....a moving target easily missed by scale error or bringing just a little extra stuff this trip.

Just trying to give him a little perspective, of course people do crazy $hit all the time. Buddy of mine had a Dmax 'bout like mine, he went to trade up to a 08 Dmax. Found out the tow rating was ~1000 lbs LESS than the trucks we already had, he got pissed off and bought a Ford since it was rated higher. For him it was all about numbers and bragging rights, never mind the fact the 08 Dmax would have pulled better than his 05 no matter the 'rating'.

Not to mention, if you're going strictly by the numbers/owners manual the actual tow rating is the GCWR - GVW. SOOOO unless the Denali itself is actually 1100 lbs heavier than the other models, which I seriously doubt, this whole discussion is a waste of time. Or is there a Denali specific GCWR I've missed?

Actually I just answered my own question. According to the GM Online Order/Reference Guide, the Denali has a GCWR of 29200 vs. the Sierra 27500. So even if the truck was heavier it is more than made up for by the increased GCWR.

Good luck, I have better things to do.

Actually I just answered my own question. According to the GM Online Order/Reference Guide, the Denali has a GCWR of 29200 vs. the Sierra 27500. So even if the truck was heavier it is more than made up for by the increased GCWR.

Good luck, I have better things to do.

More misinformation. Glad you're out of here and off doing better things:rolleyes:

In regards to the claim the Denali is lower, due to the "california truck" with lower horsepower. That would be not true to to all the truck are the same, so the fifth wheel and towing rating is based of the frame strength. Not the horsepower or torque rating