2500HD Towing Capacity
 

I am really struggling to find any info online with this one. I am looking at getting a truck to pull a fifth wheel. The guy selling is selling the combo so it has towed together before.

The truck is .....

2003 2500HD, 6.0 Gas, 4WD, 4.10 axle, short bed, ext cab, max towing package

The fifth wheel is 9600lbs dry and 12000lbs loaded.

When I search around I find the fifth wheel capacity of this truck is 10,600lbs.

The guy swears up and down though that because of the 4.10 and max towing package his truck is rated at 12,000lbs.

I talked to my local Chevy service department and they couldn't confirm or deny these claims, so the question is.

Is that truck rated that high?
What is the max towing package?
Does anyone have any of the old Chevy documentation about this because they only go back to 2005 on their web site?
Is this trailer to much for this truck?

Thanks in advance for any help.

i found a little pdf thing online saying the 03 was rated at 10,300 for an ext, 4x4 short bed with 4.10 gears. 15,700 for a diesel, fifth wheel trailering, but it doesnt have a "max trailering package" since its a 2500hd, that was a pacakage on 06+ half tons. that package consisted of 4.10 gears, HO 6.0, 4l70 transmission, and a 14bolt rear end.

But that 6.0 is going to hate 12k pounds. even if the truck was capable i wouldnt do it, diesel is the only way to go if you are thinking of that much weight.

My 04 owners manual states max towing of 10,100 for a 6.0 4x4 extended cab, with 4.10 rear end and 12,000 max for a 8.1 or a duramax. :)

What about a 2500 8.1 2 wheel drive anybody know? I been struggling to figure it out myself all the labels are confusing to me...