Chevy 1500 with Max Tow Package
 

Has anyone tried the Chevy or GMC with the Max Tow package, they are rated higher then the gas 2500HD? They have a bigger axle, bigger brakes and the 6.2 at 415hp, 425ft/lbs of torque. I tow infrequently and usually short distances, I'm looking to tow about 9,000lbs gross. I drive a ton for business and this would be my travel vehicle as well. I currently have over 300k on my tweaked Suburban and I'm looking to move up to a bigger boat after I pay for my daughters wedding. I've looked at diesel and it doesn't pay for me, if I need more power I can add a supercharger to the 6.2 that will give me 565hp, and I'm sure once I get into the ECM I will be making a lot more than stock anyway. I appreciate any feedback on personal experiences on the Max Tow.

I'm have your same thought process! I have a 2013 w/ 6.2 max tow of course as that's the only way to get the 6.2. I just picked up the CTS-V 1.9 TVS for it and plan on swapping everything maybe over the winter.. That swap has never been done before and all accessories change and I plan to run the ZL1 upgraded lid with bigger heat exchanger. Setup should net me some really good gains. Word of advice either look into PCMFORLESS for tunning and use HPtuners or Black Bear Performance and he uses EFI live. Both are great tuners. I also tow infrequently as well and my total weight package is about 8500lbs with trailer. And tows perfect. That 6.2 in stock form rolls pretty good! Traction control off and stabilitrack off. Mash the pedal and spins 1st,2nd and part of 3rd. That new 6-speed auto is not joke. I also get average of about 17/18 mpg around town. And I only did the spin test once because well I just had to know what it could do.

The max tow is good for 11,700lbs on the 1500. They do NOT have bigger axles than the 2500, they have a 3.73 ratio. The 2500 has a 4.10 anbd will tow more. But for infrequent towing get the 6.2. It is a HOT ROD. Power with the 6 spd transmission is NOT the issue at all. That engine has over 350 ft lb of torque from 2500 rpm up. And it peaks at 450ft lbs.

Wannabe

I should have stated it has a bigger axle then the regular 1500. It's not the same style as the HD's though.
I have HP Tuner already, that's what I've been using on my Suburban. The difference feels more like a nitrous shot over stock. Of course the long tune headers didn't hurt either.

I had a 2011 crew cab with Max package
I had a black bear do a tune to the truck it was great after they removed all the torque management from the program truck was really snappy and quick felt great & I did not feel the desire to go adding a supercharger
I tow 8000 pounds / my boat here in there
it was great for daily driving vehicle that could still tow well

Now I have a Denali 2500 6.0 little harsh ride in comparison,
but I like both trucks...I would add a supercharger in a heartbeat before going to a diesel

Diesel have good pro's and cons. But I just couldn't swallow that monthly bill but still wanted a new truck before the new body style hit. I'm very happy with my final decision overall. Great around town more room incase family gets bigger. And wanted a truck. Still only has 7k miles for a 13' so modding isn't being rushed. And I'm saving for a stroker kit for my big block.... Boat needs some love. The truck is not my daily as I have a work provided f-250 also with the gas 6.2... Which is also very powerful. So I'm not biased. Biggest boat I'll ever own or tow would be a 32'. I can't afford anything bigger.. I'm glad people have had good experiences with this truck! Think I've posted this before on here but what the hell!


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Have a boat with a BBC, a Chevy truck, and a Cobra mustang....when did the confusion come in to play??

:lolhit:

Nice looking truck

Haha thanks! I can't be a true gear head and be biased. Love to build a 68 charger for the Mrs. Cobra is 1of 316 made with it's package. And that's (3) Chevy trucks! Haha (2) 86 short beds and the new one.

I had a Yukon Denali with the 6.2 and 6 speed. The trans did not like heavy loads. If you weren't manually controlling the shifting on hills the trans would overheat.

LARGER REAR AXLES
The rear axle size has been increased to handle the increased torque. The 6.2L V8 engine, features a 9.5-inch ring gear in the rear axle, and the V6 models feature an 8.6-inch ring gear. A 9.76-inch ring gear in the rear axle is included with the optional Max Trailering Package, available to order fall 2013.

Straight from GM website

The factory shift points in my suburban where awful. I modified all of them and now it tows like a dream and the trans doesn't get over 190 going 80 in the hills of michigan pulling 6000lbs.

Great thread I an in the same position 90% of my towing is within 3 miles including gas station, otherwise the ramp is a mile away, I to think I'm going after a max package truck, cannot justify a gas hogging 3/4 or a diesel,

I just sold my 07 GMC 2500 6.0 2wd that got 10.2 mpg and bought an 08 1500 denali 6.2 that get 15.2mpg the 6.2 is by far the better choice!

I have a 2013 Silverado 6.2 litre 4x4 with the Max tow package and 3.73 gears. I went from a 2005 Duramax to this truck. The towing power is no where even close to the diesel. The truck is fun as a daily driver but the gas mileage is pretty bad. I average 13.5 with mixed highway and city driving. The best I have ever seen on a long highway trip was 16.7mpg. I just towed my 8k boat 250 highway miles and the truck averaged 9.5mpg. The engine has plenty of pulling power but the 1500 chassis is where the truck lacks. It Does not have the ability to pull a trailer with a decent tongue weight and load up the bed without the rear bumper dragging the ground. I could load up my 2500hd and the thing would barely sag. Its a nice truck but it is not a 2500 and not a diesel. Jeff Wurl

I have a 2011 Sierra 1500 with the max tow package, 6.2 with 6 speed and 3.73 rear end with the bigger brakes. I flat out love the truck, my daily drive in 30 miles each way mostly at 60 mph and I average 16.1 mpg. The truck has a ton of power and every now and then I pull a 8,000 lb skid loader. It does it fine, you know it is back there but it starts and stops it fine. I mostly tow a 5,000 lb boat and it does a great job.

As mentioned above the 1500's do sag but the key to this is the getting air bags for them. $300 bucks and you add some air when you tow, levels the truck out and still rides great. Firestone makes an airbag kit that does not even require drilling, bolts on in 30 min and is great.

Now believe me a 2500 duramax is in a different league towing but it also does not ride or drive as well as the 1500. For an all around truck to drive daily and tow occasionally the 1500 max tow is the way to go!

Yep my 03 Silverado SS I sold to by the 2500 hd sagged real bad, hence the upgrade to the 2500, but I only had the 2500 8 months and had enough of the rough ride and **** milage, the 1500 Denali does not sag with my VR1 on the back.

Haha Touché! I did the same except went straight for the 6.2. Same reasons as everybody else. Love the diesel's but not enough demand for what I pull. Great thread!

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It appears the consensus is that the 1500 Max Tow is a great truck if used correctly. As soon as I get my wife to concede to me buying a new truck, I'm ordering a Max Tow. I know once I get it and the warranty is up, It will get a set of long tube headers, high performance brake pads, cold air intake, and a complete re-tune. I like the air bag idea as well, I'm up for any more good ideas as well, keep them coming. To those of you that have them, how is the torque converter engagement? I tried a smaller torque converter on my Suburban and the difference was very significant, especially getting a load moving from a light. the LS motors like to rev and the best thing you can do is let them get to their power band quicker.

I am keeping this one for awhile, its going to get a cold air, long tubes and true duals, and blackbear tune.

Mine will have a awkward setup. CTS-V TVS 1.9 blower swap. Long tubes (ARH) 1 3/4 and bigger injectors and already for e-85. And the true 3" MBRP cat back setup from my old 2012 camaro SS + high flow cats. I'll never get my $ back from the camaro exhaust so I'll make it work with the truck. All this with trans shift upgrade which I'm not 100% sure yet as my research hasn't gone that far yet. I've never like gas mileage as it doesn't like me. I don't plan on towing anything above 32' boat more then 10-20 miles.
That SS silverado I had a 2.3 side mount whipple and full built FLT level 5 trans and 3k stall. It DID NOT like to tow. And reason why I sold it. ( I towed it once maybe twice about 10 miles). I knew a stall isn't good but truck I had before boat.