I recently purchased a 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD to pull a 5th wheel trailer because I have a friend that has an almost identical truck (2020 GMC Denali 2500HD) & he also pulls a 5th wheel trailer. We decoded our VIN numbers and our trucks are absolutely identical in every way. However per the chart below, my Chevy truck's Max Payload, Gooseneck TWR, & Max Tongue Weight don't make sense as compared to my friend's GMC truck. How can these be so different?

Vehicle & Trailer Must Not Exceed Any of These Values:
Chevy GMC
GVWR 10,000 11,350 lbs
GCWR 26,000 27,500 lbs
RGAWR 6,390 6,600 lbs
Curb Weight 8,275 8,198 lbs
Max Payload 1,725 3,152 lbs
SAE J2807 Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) For Vehicle Configuration:
Chevy GMC
Conventional TWR 17,870 18,500 lbs
Max Tongue Weight 1,787 1,850 lbs
Gooseneck TWR 11,530 18,500 lbs
Max Tongue Weight 1,695 2,775 lbs

 

has to be something different. even a change in rim size will change the towing numbers. i've seen from 20 to 17 is 1000lbs off max trailer weight.

 

Both vehicles have 20" tires. I've checked multiple VIN decoders and one of the VIN decoders shows that my Chevy truck has class H (9,001-10,000lb) GVW/Brake System whereas the GMC truck shows having class 3 (10,001-14,000lbs) GVW/Brake System, but other than this, there is nothing else different between the two trucks. I asked the dealership I bought the truck from about upgrading my Chevy to class 3 brakes and the dealer still maintains there is no difference between the two trucks.

Someone else also told me that it's the way that the dealership orders the vehicles, stating that if they want to stay under DOT regulations, but that there is no difference between the two trucks.

In utilizing the Chevy Forum VIN decoder & GMC VIN decoder, it shows that both trucks have max trailering capacity of 18,500lbs and actually shows that my Chevy brake rotor diameter & thickness are a bit larger than the GMC's brake rotor diameter & thickness, so I'm really frustrated with this.

Is there a way to contact Chevy direct (ie; not thru the dealership) to get this resolved?

 

Did you ever get it figured out because I have the same question.

 

Unfortunately I never did not get any help from the dealer that I bought the truck from in Nebraska, but I did verify that that dealer in Nebraska orders every single 3/4 ton 2500HD diesel that they order with the same specs to stay under the 10,001lb threshold because they think that it keeps whoever buys the vehicle clear of any DOT requirements. However what they are totally misinformed on, is that DOT requirements only apply to vehicles utilized for commercial purposes, not vehicles used for personal use. So they're really not helping their customers that want to pull a camper at all, the only customer's they are helping are the ones that want to utilize the truck for commercial purposes and not have to deal with DOT regulations when you get over 10,000lbs.

I still feel that there is no difference between the two trucks abilities and it truly is just how the dealer places the order and the specs that get put on the truck after the truck is built are based on how the dealer placed the order. Regardless, I now have 5,000 miles on my truck and when I take it in for its 7,500 mile oil change in a month or so, I'm going to sit down with my local Chevy dealership in Colorado that I have a 25 year history of having service work performed at on multiple Chevy vehicles & hopefully they may be able to help me get an official clarification from Chevy on this.

 

once you get those answers please let me know. I am running into the same issues on my 2021 Silverado 2500. If I plug the numbers into a 5th wheel capacity calculator then it comes out with a bigger number. It says my pin weight capacity is 2400 vs 1700 on the tag.

 

I'm having the same issue with my 2018 2500HD, diesel engine. My payload tag says 1923lbs which is less then what I had on my 2014 Silverado 1500. I did all the calculation and I can not get close the number GM has stuck on my truck for the payload. From what was given to me as information they say you take your GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and deduct the weight of your truck and you should get your payload. My GVWR is 9900 and my truck weight is 7600lbs which equals 2300lbs. But again, this way of calculating the payload doesn't make any sense to me since from my understanding the payload capacity of a truck is the capacity of your truck suspension to take a certain weight. Therefore taking the weight of the whole truck doesn't make sense as this includes the weight of the four tires and both axles which are below the suspension.

Also, I've reached out to GM Canada to ask them to provide me my towing specs using my VIN# and they came back with a payload of 2513lbs and towing 13500lbs for fifth wheel. What gets me upset is that my truck came with the gooseneck/fifth wheel prep and the max trailering package but with that type of payload capacity it's almost useless.

 

I agree man. I am like I can tow a 5th wheel with this 3/4 ton. I have to stick with a big pull behind. Let me know how it goes and what they say. Even with a big pull behind you have to watch the tongue weight.

 

I have the same specs in my 2021. I plan on buying a 5th wheel down the line with these specs their are 1/2 ton trucks with almost the same 5th wheel specs. As far as I can tell it’s a derating the truck can handle it but your are taking a great liability risk since it’s not on paper. Their is nothing that can be done at this point. I’m in Florida and have no idea if it’s. DOT thing.

 

I'm going to jump in here, also. Same issue.
2021 2500HD Crew Diesel 4x4, truck was ordered de-rated to 10,000 GVWR to skate around DOT. Not sure what is different on the truck other than the published numbers?
Tag says I can tow 17850 with a conventional trailer but only 11530 with a fifth wheel? Doesn't make any sense. Why would the fifth wheel rating ever be LOWER than the bumper hitch rating? Tongue weight?
Looking at your numbers above; conventional tongue weight rated at 1787, with 10% on the truck gives you the 17870 towing rating. Fifth wheel tongue rated at 1695, so 10% should be 16950 max, correct? Unless they are requiring 15% tongue weight on a fifth wheel?

I'm so confused....