Anybody looked into towing weights on these trucks? Dealers don't have much in the way of info yet. Looked at a 4500HD CC 4X4 today-- very nice truck. We are thinking of trading our Pete 337 and the 2019 3500HD in on one if we can figure out which model will haul a 23K GVWR GN horse trailer safely. Anybody have any thoughts or opinions on this?
Come on Hook-em, help a fellow Texan out-- I know you probably know this stuff
Did the first oil change @ 1750 miles. The engine is a L5D and uses a PF-26 filter. Same quantity oil, but because of the access to the engine due to the tilt hood, it is WAY easier to pour in without oiling the valve cover. Absolutely the easiest oil change I've done in years-- truck sits high enough with nothing hanging down except transfer case so its a breeze to crawl under AND turn over to reach anything.
Did a little research on the axles made by Spicer, and discovered that the model # in this truck has a GAWR of 14K but GM shows it at 11K. Front has a rating of 9K but GM shows 7500. Must be some trickery by GM to allow usage of same components but rate them different for different models of the medium dutys.
Very happy with the truck-- it does everything we need and gets a lot of attention wherever we go-- not many CC 4X4 4500HD's out there yet I guess. I know we have the only one in our neck of the woods.
Hi everyone! I just joined the forum today. I just bought the 4500HD crew cab 4x4 as well. The "medium duty" expert at the dealership sold me on the 4500HD. I was considering buying another 3500HD but with 4.10 gears this time. I have a 2018 3500HD crew cab 4x4 Duramax with 3.73 gears and plan on keeping this truck as a backup. The dealer had a 4500HD there as well and told me that the transmission comes with a 5 year unlimited mile warranty. I thought to myself this is too good to be true. And I was right. The day I went to do the deal I told the expert that I couldn't find any verification online on this warranty and he still can't find it written anywhere but he ensures me that it does certainly come with the 5 year unlimited mile transmission warranty.
I think I'm screwed though. At least from what I can decipher from what I've read so far. From the build sheet and the RPO codes my truck and I assume other 4500's haul less weight than the 3500's even with 3.73 gears. The build sheet say that my GCWR is 26,000 pounds. I knew these new medium duty trucks had less power and torque,but how could they also be allowed to haul less weight than the 3500? Just one look at the 4500 next to the 3500 and who could argue that the big truck can't haul as much as the smaller truck?
I haul a 48 foot enclosed goose-neck trailer 9,000 to 10,000 miles per month. And the trailer with the cargo ranges from 8,500 pounds empty to roughly 18,000 pounds full. On average it's 15,000 pounds.
According to the Chassis Cab brochure my GCWR is only 26,000 pounds because I also have the 1700RDS transmission and the 11,000 pound rear axle.
Sorry to keep rambling on. I learned this at my old job...if I sit down and write down my thoughts and feeling without sending them (to my old boss) it ]'s like venting.
I would just like to know if I get pulled over I'm not going to get fined.
Maybe Chevy is in cahoots with the DOT and FMCSA!
BTW I do have a class A for this setup.
Hi everyone! I just joined the forum today. I just bought the 4500HD crew cab 4x4 as well. The "medium duty" expert at the dealership sold me on the 4500HD. I was considering buying another 3500HD but with 4.10 gears this time. I have a 2018 3500HD crew cab 4x4 Duramax with 3.73 gears and plan on keeping this truck as a backup. The dealer had a 4500HD there as well and told me that the transmission comes with a 5 year unlimited mile warranty. I thought to myself this is too good to be true. And I was right. The day I went to do the deal I told the expert that I couldn't find any verification online on this warranty and he still can't find it written anywhere but he ensures me that it does certainly come with the 5 year unlimited mile transmission warranty.
I think I'm screwed though. At least from what I can decipher from what I've read so far. From the build sheet and the RPO codes my truck and I assume other 4500's haul less weight than the 3500's even with 3.73 gears. The build sheet say that my GCWR is 26,000 pounds. I knew these new medium duty trucks had less power and torque,but how could they also be allowed to haul less weight than the 3500? Just one look at the 4500 next to the 3500 and who could argue that the big truck can't haul as much as the smaller truck?
I haul a 48 foot enclosed goose-neck trailer 9,000 to 10,000 miles per month. And the trailer with the cargo ranges from 8,500 pounds empty to roughly 18,000 pounds full. On average it's 15,000 pounds.
According to the Chassis Cab brochure my GCWR is only 26,000 pounds because I also have the 1700RDS transmission and the 11,000 pound rear axle.
Sorry to keep rambling on. I learned this at my old job...if I sit down and write down my thoughts and feeling without sending them (to my old boss) it ]'s like venting.
I would just like to know if I get pulled over I'm not going to get fined.
Maybe Chevy is in cahoots with the DOT and FMCSA!
BTW I do have a class A for this setup.
Ford F450 and F350 are like that on paper also. Look at the wheels, tires, axles, and brakes you'll see the 4500 is much beefier all around but built for towing #'s not hauling #'s. Personally for private use, you can load a 4500 much more than a 3500.
There is no law to violate in exceeding the (suggested) gross COMBINED weight ratings.
I regularly exceed the factory 'suggestion' by 10k lbs on the 3500.
A lower combined rating compared to the 3500, is probably because the MD truck weighs considerably more empty than the 3500 did.
Hank
Look in your paperwork that came with the truck-- on page 3 of the Allison warranty info look at the bottom-- 5 years P&L unlimited mileage ( within the 5 years)..I also have a 1700RDS and if you look at the P/N of the rear axle per Spicer it is rated at 14K and my GM paperwork says its rated at 19K. The front is rated by GM at 7500 (all 4X4's) but Spicer says 9K.
My paperwork shows a GVWR for the truck of 16500. Notice I didn't say GCWR. My truck with a 11 ft. CM bed, fuel fuel, tools in both boxes showed 11082 on a cat scale and my hitch weight is 3450. My 8 horse trailer GVWR is 23K.
Truck pulls that like a dream. It has Alcoas on it and they are rated at 5k each, and the tires are rated at 4K each. Gets 9.2-10.5 mpg if you're into that. Don't care how much DEF-- just fill when I get back from 300 mile trips and it never uses more than a couple of quarts.
If you really want to know what truck you have--go to GM Upfitters and download the body manual for 4500. In the first few pages it has a VIN decode chart.. Per that chart, my truck is actually a Class 5 truck and has 19500 brakes on it.
Holler if I can answer anything else. Did you get the LT or WT? I posted some info on the Topkick/Kodiac forum here.
Thank you very much Sambor!!! I missed that Table. I feel relieved now about the transmission warranty. Like your truck Sambor, my trucks' RPO code says I have a Class 5 GVW/brake system too.
I didn't realize that GCWR is a suggested value.'dunno; Like I said just looking at the size of the 4500 I didn't think I'd get harassed, I just wanted some documentation if I ever do get stopped.
I do run commercially and have a DOT number. Back when I started, an Ohio CMV cop told me I needed IFTA because the GVW of the truck is 13,000 pounds and my trailer is 21,000 pounds and those 2 totals is more than 26,001 pounds. I've been over that weight maybe twice and only by a few hundred pounds. It's not that bad. My quarterly fees are usually less than $80.
I'm going to weigh my truck today before I register it with NY. My truck is the 175" WB, crew cab 4x4 with 4.30 gears and an aluminum CM gooseneck body.
Post some pics-- would like to see one with the alum. bed. Mine is the 17WB as well so I assume your bed is about 11 ft. like mine?
I also have a CDL because of the weight I haul, but could "probably" get by without it with this truck instead of the Pete I used to have.
Hope you like the truck-- we really like ours and it pulls the big trailer with no sweat.
If you need any info on those spare "AUX" switches in the panel holler-- I wired my trailer cameras/monitor to the #1 switch with a special plug you can find online.
My bed is the CM AL ER. It's 9'-4" long to the front of the headache rack.
I haven't even hooked it up to my trailer yet. Iv'e been busy playing catch-up with my deliveries sinc my 3500 was down twice in the last 3 weeks. And now I broke a main leaf spring on my trailer. So the trailer is on jack stands in my driveway right now.
I live in Western New York. I bought the truck in Randolph, Ohio. It was the closest dealer that sold the medium duty Silverado's. Plus I kinda hafta drive by there on my way to Cincinnati to pick up and drop off my loads. I go to Cincinnati 5-10 times each month. I just figured when I need service, I'll just swing by.
How is the new truck working out for you?By now you should be proficient at steering battleships after driving the 4500. Hope it is working well for you
John
Here's a little update... It took some time to get my apportioned plates but I've been hauling with the new truck for 2 weeks now. I like the truck and like Sambor said "I get a lot of looks". I was and still am concerned with the lack of power of the 4500 vs. the 3500. I know it's not a race but if I had the same torque and horsepower as the 3500, the hills would be a lot easier.
Maybe I watched that Mel Gibson movie (Conspiracy Theory) too many times. I'm starting to think there is a conspiracy here. The alleged reason for de-tuning the Duramax was federal regulations. I think it was so Allison could offer their 5 year unlimited mile warranty on their transmissions. Don't get me wrong, I've always been a chevy guy and think the Allison transmission is a great transmission but why the need to regulate a 4500 that can only pull a few thousand pounds more than a 3500 and allow a 3500 to have over 400 horsepower and 900 ft-lbs. of torque?
I used to do whatever the posted speed limit was but now with 4:30 gears I've been setting the cruise at 66 mph and the mpg is okay for what this truck is. I've been getting 8.2 to 9.5 mpg depending on loads, terrain, and direction traveled.
One thing that I noticed if the parking break is engaged and you put the truck in gear the truck doesn't move a fraction of an inch. There must be some kind of switch or sensor that doesn't allow the truck to go forward. Even if you step on the gas pedal and rev the engine a little bit but the truck still won't budge.
The Pbrake is a drum type and it will not allow ANY movement in gear. Its the big drum at the diff yoke.
Torque and HP are derated for longevity under commercial operator conditions. I had a 2019 3500HD flatbed and didn't really notice much difference except the 4500 gets things moving alot quicker the the 3500 did-- probably due to trans gearing and the 4:30 gear set.
My mileage got better as it broke in and now averages 9.5-11.5 pulling 17-20K. I usually set my cruise @ 68-70. We don't have any big hills to pull down here but we found the truck will pull just about anything you can hook to it such as a trailer load of cattle @ 35K we had to deliver to buyer.
By now you probably found out that the truck has a governor set to 75MPH-- has to do with the tire speed rating I think.
I get about 12 mpg on mine. Just rolled over to 10K.
Speed wise, the limiting factor is the rearend gears. 4:30 is what mine is and speed limiter is set to that. Tires are another item you need to look at for their speed rating.
If you go to GM Techlink the current issue has a chart explaining the speed ratings for the different gear rations available.
As for any tunes -- engine is basically a L5P. With different ecm programming and a smaller turbo to make boost quicker for more low end torque.
I don't have any problems getting my trailers moving fully loaded. My truck weighs 11082 with full fuel and tools. Yours should be a little bit less if you get the alum. bed and same wheelbase.
Holler if I can help you with anything.
I think the goodyears on my truck show 72 or so on the sidewalls but their website shows that the rating was increased to 80. they are 19.5's as well, wheels are Alcoas and rated for 4500 each.
to change the speed limiting on the truck would require either the dealer reset it or a new programming. Not sure the dealer would do it depending on what gear you have in your truck and you want to exceed that rating.
Which truck did you get? Post a little info on it please.
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