Report on Chevy/GMC 1500 with 6.2 engine and Max tow pack

[Ruscal]

Yes, the back up camera screen is so well illuminated that I go night blind when looking over to the mirrors. It would be better if the screen could be shuttered easily. Very bright back up lights could also help when using the mirrors.
Russ
'17 1500 Silverado Max trlr.

[Pat Cassity]

Hans, per the GMC Trailering Guide, the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with Max Tow, 6.2 Engine and 8 speed Transmission and standard Box, the Payload is 1980lbs. However, the SLT package will probably add another 150 to 200 lbs to the total weight. Thus reducing the Payload to accordingly. In fact, I may be cancelling my order as a result. I currently have the 2015 1500 with crew cab, short Box and 5.3 Engine. My payload on this vehicle is 1950 lbs. I ordered the Dark Slate Metallic.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Pat Cassity

Hans, per the GMC Trailering Guide, the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with Max Tow, 6.2 Engine and 8 speed Transmission and standard Box, the Payload is 1980lbs. However, the SLT package will probably add another 150 to 200 lbs to the total weight. Thus reducing the Payload to accordingly. In fact, I may be cancelling my order as a result. I currently have the 2015 1500 with crew cab, short Box and 5.3 Engine. My payload on this vehicle is 1950 lbs. I ordered the Dark Slate Metallic.

That seems more like Denali numbers. My Chevy LTZ (pretty loaded) DOUBLE CAB regular bed is at 2034#s. You don't say, but is that a crew cab number? If so, I believe you would come in at about 1850 for a crew SLT and about 1650-1700ish for a Denali crew.

[Pat Cassity]

Yep. Crew Cab. I got the numbers from the 2017 GMC Sierra Trailering guide.

[DC Bruce]

OP Here. The payload on my truck, per door sticker, is 1940 lbs. That's a crew with the short box. Denali is going to be about 400 lbs. less because you can't get the max trailer tow package on that trim. Same for "High Country" on the Chevy line. Not sure if you can get the big engine and the max trailer tow package together in a double cab. In the GMC line the SLT trim is the only one that allows you to get the big engine and max trailer tow package together. Lower trims can't get the engine; higher can't get the max trailer tow package. I don't have a sunroof, which would probably knock 40 or so pounds off the rated cargo capacity.

[Ruscal]

For reference. Our '17 1500 crew 6.2 8sp LTZ 4X4, Max trlr no sun roof stickers 1932 Lbs. A little less than extended cab.
Russ

[Pat Cassity]

Ruscal, short bed of standard?

[Ruscal]

Originally Posted by Pat Cassity

Ruscal, short bed of standard?

It's a crew with short box.
Russ

[Ruscal]

We just returned from a week long 1100 mile trip. The truck performed flawlessly, easily towing the 19' trailer. The 6.2 has a lot of beans. It could easily accelerate from our 62 MPH cruise, to pass quickly while pulling a grade. The truck is very quiet, and the audio system has good sound. AC system will freeze you out with outside temps at 100F. Very comfortable ride using Blue ox hitch. No sway, but we had light winds. Trucks passing would move us a bit, but no wag. Nav system was a bit hard to operate without reading the manual. It would navigate properly, but the screen was cluttered with too many windows open which blocked the map. We never did figure out how to minimize the windows! Our fuel consumption was 14.4 MPG average for the trip. All California, Nevada, and Utah desert, no high mountains.
We were happy campers, and pleased with the new truck.
Russ

[Steve Bryant]

Ruscal,
Thanks for the update on your truck and for the picture!

[Steve Bryant]

Originally Posted by Ruscal

Yes, the back up camera screen is so well illuminated that I go night blind when looking over to the mirrors. It would be better if the screen could be shuttered easily. Very bright back up lights could also help when using the mirrors.
Russ
'17 1500 Silverado Max trlr.

There's a Technical Service Bulletin that fixes the brightness on the backup display at night issue (17-NA-269). I had it implemented on my truck today and it completely fixed this problem! Get it done on your truck and you'll be a happier camper!

[Ruscal]

Thanks Steve,
I'll check into the TSB.
Russ

[Steve Bryant]

We're on our first trip towing the trailer and all is going well! The truck does a great job towing the 34 footer. Hills are no problem. I do wish that the fuel tank was a bit larger.

Here's the best value I've ever gotten in a campsite. It's at Council Grove Lake - Caning Creek Campground. This is a Army Corps of Engineers Campground and accepts the federal Senior Pass. So with the pass, the daily fee is $11.00 for water, electricity and it was a level concrete pad with a covered picnic table and grill.

[nvestysly]

I continue to live vicariously through owners of the 6.2L, max trailering trucks so keep posting your exploits please.

Chevrolet and GMC Black Friday sales were really tempting me.

[twbucksr]

Shout out to DC Bruce for starting this thread. I read all 15 pages a couple of times as I was researching a TV to pull our 2018 FC 27FB.

I have friends who tow their 5th wheels and their Airstreams with 3/4 ton diesels try to convince me that is the truck we needed to buy but since we will drive it considerably more without the trailer attached, I couldn’t justify the extra cost.

Then the end of the year deals came out and those deals had me looking at 3/4 diesels again. We were fortunate to test drive a 3/4 ton diesel and a 1/2 ton 6.2 with a max tow package back to back on the exact same route and the ride difference had me back looking for the 1/2 ton SLT 6.2 with the Max Tow Package.

I found the GMC website very useful. I started my vehicle search using the view inventory function and inputting various zip codes. This turned out to be very time consuming. I tried the chat feature next and that worked better but my recommendation is to call their toll free number. They were very helpful and able to find 4 different 2018 trucks at 4 different dealerships that met my exact configuration criteria (except for color) within 500 miles of my location. I called each dealer directly. I purchased my truck yesterday. For those who may be looking for one of these VERY RARE truck configurations, tell them you live in Southeast Texas. I know of 3 still out there.

[subfan1]

Yes I too found this thread helpful. Last week we sold our 08 Chevy Tahoe and we are waiting for our 18 GMC Sierra Denali to be delivered. I know there are some threads about covers for the bed, ours is a short box. I don't want a solid cover as I think I might use the bed to haul bulky stuff on occasion. Anyone here recommend anything?
Are all of you using premium fuel in your 6.2l engines?

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by subfan1

I know there are some threads about covers for the bed, ours is a short box. I don't want a solid cover as I think I might use the bed to haul bulky stuff on occasion. Anyone here recommend anything?

This is what I put on my F350 and I've been quite happy with it. It's easy to deal with, doesn't flop while driving, offers some security and can be completely removed pretty easily.

Truxedo

[DC Bruce]

OP here. Answer to first question: I run midgrade 89 octane when just driving around with a bed full of air with no apparent ill effects. Still use premium for towing. At 64,000 miles, truck has been stone reliable. Still on original brake pads; OEM tires finally need replacing. Second question: I bought an inexpensive American Tonneau folding cover for the bed. Cheap, light and has proved absolutely water tight. Sure, you can cut through it with a pocket knife, but it keeps whatever’s inside outta sight. And, one person can easily remove the whole thing in a minute or two, if you need to carry big stuff like furniture. The “rubber” is a little discolored, but you can buy two of these for the price of a Fort Knox style locking cover. Oh, and my best 400 mike fuel economy? 24.8 mpg and that’s running mostly on 89 octane.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by subfan1

Yes I too found this thread helpful. Last week we sold our 08 Chevy Tahoe and we are waiting for our 18 GMC Sierra Denali to be delivered. I know there are some threads about covers for the bed, ours is a short box. I don't want a solid cover as I think I might use the bed to haul bulky stuff on occasion. Anyone here recommend anything?
Are all of you using premium fuel in your 6.2l engines?

I got an Access soft, inside the rail tonneau. There are trade-offs with each style. I needed to be able to have it open for bulky items while travelling, and closed after the scooter comes out. I also needed access to the stake pockets for a canoe rack.
I have a Scangauge II and have watched the knock retard reading while towing and solo. Definitely run premium while towing. When solo, regular does produce some retard commands, but no audible knocking. I run mid-grade when solo with very few retard commands.

[gypsydad]

Don't have a GM, but I have used Xtang Tri-fold covers on my F150 and on my new F250. Very easy to install, flexible in providing quick access without taking off. Other units friends have either require rolling up or lifting the entire solid cover to get access...you still can not get to the back of the bed without a hassle. The tri-folds just fold up allowing access all the way to the back of the cab.

I can simply fold it back and leave installed when using my Thule racks on the side of my truck bed for my kayaks. When closed t is water tight in carwashes/rain storms. The locking levers secure the top when tail gate is locked. When I leave the locking levers un-locked, I can easily access the rear section to load/unload over the side of the truck without getting inside. It is very strong even though it only weighs 60lb. I can take it off or install by myself. It can support several hundred pounds weight on top also, which is handy if you need to stand or load stuff on top.
https://www.extang.com/p-36824-solid-fold-2-0.html