2023 GMC Denali 1500 loaded to MAXIMUM Hitch weight!

[@dmanmb]

3 things I would have liked to see: 1 - how it sets with weight distribution (which you spoke about), 2 - how much travel was left before hitting bump stops (and how much weight it takes to hit them), and measure the front to see how much it raised up with the tongue weight on the hitch

[@panchovia]

I had a 2023 Silverado 3.0 ltz. I have a 23 zr2 now.

[@alexmills1329]

That is on the bump stops at that point or the bump stops aren’t set up right to actually do their job.

[@michaelsomales2264]

@@panchovia so what are you saying?

[@waynevaughan5263]

Looking forward to the tow video. See if you can get a manufacturer to loan you a 25' and 30' travel trailer to get some results. Thanks for your videos JD.

[@matthewanderson9912]

The new GM trucks, HDs included set almost level empty. I’ve had two different HDs and both had about 3/8-1/2” rake and one 1500 and it had about 5/8-3/4” rake. So even “squatting” 2” or so it makes the trucks look more squatted than they actually are. If you would measure the actual rake you would see this. Instead of having 2” or 2.5” like they use to have they are pretty level now with under 1” typically of rake.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Airbags are a great option for leveling the load, but they can sometimes give you the false security that you're actually increasing the truck's payload capacity, which you are not. That puts other components at risk of failing if you overload your truck.

[@hummyhero1484]

Curious to see what you think about how it pulls a trailer. 👍😎

[@micahpotts6417]

Great video! Can’t wait to see how it tows it. Would love to see some tests with that white f150 as it compare to modern trucks.

[@jeepguylv80]

it's easy to level er out with a rear load. all i do is strap a couple nice sized bucks to hood and there ya go.

[@jasonguillory3374]

That’s why half tons or smooth riding. Another fact is they are short so the tilt will be more drastic. Everyday smooth ride and occasional hauling that how it’s done

[@JetTech1966]

Honestly I think the end game is you are overloading your 1500. Anytime, regardless of what kind of truck you have, 1500,2500,3500, etc etc. You should stay within the 70 to 75% of all limits for safety.

[@mpd42781]

Being a Denali, I would have expected it to have the magnito ride suspension like my 2017 Yukon-XL does. Maybe that would have helped level the truck a little more with the trailer (and human weight)?

[@biglug9364]

It would be interesting to see how much it may have raised the front end

[@slocavky]

That's one reason I am considering getting air bags for my Silverado 1500 Duramax. I think the squat is pretty bad on them for the paylaod they have. My truck can do 900 tongue.

[@edwardpate6128]

Note that there are air shocks that fit these trucks, Both Delco and Gabriel Skyjackers. A lot easier than air bags to install. That is the route I am going with my 2022 GMC Sierra SLT 4/4 with the 3.0. Same cargo and tongue capacity as this truck by the bay.

[@ibrahimaldossri2646]

Hi…… I like the trailer battery connection I wish they can do it in the trucks and cars. Thanks 🙏 keep it up 👍

[@evernhamanderson]

Seems to me that this squat test should be performed with the truck running and in tow mode. Most of these trucks have an adaptive suspension that minimizes squat. If the truck isn't running, it is impossible for the system to adjust. Or maybe that is only on the max tow package? Not sure how this truck is equipped, but all my GMC's get ordered with max tow and they seem to handle squat issues quite well.

[@drylandman]

Surprised you didn't talk about airbags. Seems to be about the first thing anybody puts on any light or heavy duty pickup around here. Then you can get a half ton ride and level it to your hearts content.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Airbags only level the truck, but do not improve or increase payload capacity rated by the manufacturer. Adding airbags would certainly have leveled the ride, but it would have been deceptive since it wouldnt have solved payload capacity limitations

[@drylandman]

Completely agree! Allows you to run at max payload without the squat issue though. It is addressing a different problem than capacity alright.

[@ejmtnt]

What your opinion on an air lift bag system for this vehicle?

[@floridafamily3796]

Can you load a piece of equipment on the trailer either the mini or the tractor using the scale and see how a load on the trailer dictates tongue weight.

[@85Handle85]

Looking at the video closely, it looks like the front went up when you lowered the trailer onto the truck. So the visual effect made the truck look at a bigger angle as if the back was lower than it actually did.

[@davidalmy5661]

My 2015 Silverado 1500 says wt distribution bars are needed for any trailers over 5000lbs. Any thing like that for the 2023?

[@vtecaccord96]

Man this is the exact truck that I want but enjoy going to road course events and tow my chevy SS. The car comes in around 4k and then uhaul Autotransport trailer is 2200 so I am right around 6200 give or take but that doesn't include all the stuff I bring (extra tires, tools, fuel, etc.) I feel like I may need to bump up to an HD truck but I only track maybe once or twice a year. I used my 05 Silverado 5.3 for some long tows and he made but most recently I drove a friend's 2015 denali 3500 with 6k of trailer and car and fully loaded bed with us in it and it was a beautiful tow experience. So torn right now.😂😂 Love the content though man!

[@octavianparvu8304]

It did exactly what was supposed to do.. dropped about 1.5-2 inches.... that's why the trucks have a bit of a rake between the front and the back..... Doesn't matter witch brand of trucks you are a supporter of.....1/2 tones will do the same without any aftermarket upgrades... 1/2 tons this days should be considered as full sized SUV with "hosable"(sry if that's not a actual word) trunks.

[@wagil90]

I wonder if the ma tow package would have made much of a difference?

[@jofus3604]

Curious as to why u did not measure the lift on the front of the truck, very important when towing? Comparing the ride of this truck to that of ur F450 is apples to oranges.

[@chrism8013]

WDH & air bags would help immensely with that squat.

[@tytomlinson7831]

Yes sir. When we used to have a travel trailer I always used an equalizer hitch on my half ton. Probably a little less weigh than your trailer there

[@rapaent]

Awesome Video!! Does this Denali have the towing package? If not, is it even available? Thanks again. 👍

[@Steve-kx6hd]

This is why I bought a truck with the max trailering package

[@TurdyMcTurdface]

I like that tongue weight jack

[@wipeout8654]

Can you show how the built-in trailering app on the Denali works?

[@granthaney2570]

yes lifting the front too

[@gijoecam]

That 880lbs of tongue weight is going to transfer about 200-300 additional pounds of weight off the front axle onto the rear. I'd bet money that at 880lbs of tongue weight, plus the weight it transfers of the front axle, you've maxed out the rear axle weight rating. You need to see the axle weights to tell the whole story. Tongue weight alone doesn't tell the whole story. An inch and three quarters of squat isn't anything major. Squat is perfectly normal and to be expected when you add weight to it. Level makes no significant difference.

[@nismomike3182]

Most people don't realize they have a max hitch weight 10% of max tow. Add in a weight distribution hitch (100 lb est) and you really can't haul heavier than 75%.

[@SurelyYewJest]

How flat is your land right there? It might be camera lens distortion a bit but the ground appears to slope down slightly toward the front of the truck. This would accentuate the squat if that's what's happening.

[@dynac8012]

The reason it looks like it's squatting so much is because the front is lifting with the load. You should measure before and after on the front wheel well. This is a crucial measurement for setting up any WD hitch, btw.

[@cpfpv6410]

You should do this test with the F450 at or near its max tongue weight so we can compare the difference in amount of squat. I I were a betting man, I think you'll have half as much squat with the heavier payload rating when its maxed out.

[@ryantanaka1433]

You'll have more squat mainly due to the bigger trucks have more rake, made for more weight.

[@foreverfixin]

I have a 2019 Dodge 1500 5.7 Hemi wheel drive four-door Max Tow I put 750 pounds worth of cow food in the back of my truck at £750 and it only dropped 3 in which was about level

[@newtonbrook]

How about a extra spring in the rear. I am thinking of doing that with my Denali . What do you think?

[@Martin_from_SC]

Mall crawler luxury truck.. what do you expect?

[@masonkaye5]

I feel like these half tons have those stickers about how much weight they can tow, and tongue weight because they want to cover themselves if something happens. I have a 2021 f150 that has 1700lbs of payload and the sticker says 500 lbs of tongue weight or 1320 with wdh. I have no problems putting 1500lbs of tongue weight on the truck becuase the stock suspension handles it just fine.

[@TravisCram-zl6ur]

I know with my 15 Suburban with the max trailering package it is 1000lbs only with a weight distribution hitch otherwise it is 800lbs. The only place I found it saying anything about it was in the owners manual. The placard in the door is nice but if you don't read the manual you wont know all the facts.

[@newenglandrvadventures]

Not all 1/2 tons are the same haha, ford is the only one offering a HDPP. However they are hard to find as not many dealers order them. LT tires, they sit about 1 1/2 higher, bigger leaf springs, heavier front springs, thicker frame, etc. They usually end up having higher payload than 3/4 ton diesels by 4-700lbs.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

The heavy duty payload package F-150 is no longer offered in a crew cab configuration.

[@rooftop7089]

@@BigTruckBigRV are you sure? You can still build them online that way. There is a crew cab 23 hdpp on the lot at my local dealer.

[@newenglandrvadventures]

@@BigTruckBigRV welp that sucks, that a new thing for 23’? Dealer has a 22 XL on the lot. It’s limited to XLT

[@thebigguy]

How common is it for trucks like this to have auto-adjusting headlights to compensate for this type of squat? Higher trims only?

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Not common on pickups though very common on luxury cars and SUVs.

[@KeystoneTexan]

Toyota and Nissan are the only manufacturers adding it to their trucks

[@thechroniclesofmaintenance4192]

Try again with the scales under all four truck wheels for curiosity sake

[@benradey379]

Do you think bags would be okay for the truck?

[@omardelgado5167]

What's the spring set up? I had a 2022 slt with a monospring. Disappointing in my opinion.

[@DennisHeinle]

I’d love to see a comparison between the Sierra and your wife’s expedition. I believe they have similar payload capacities.

[@Kenopshi-q7c]

I have 2 2021 Ram 1500( 1 leaf, 1 air), a 2022 expedition max, and a 23 1500 Denali 2WD. When I put a 8000lbs trailer at the back, the sierra squat the most. I will say expedition have a much stiffer suspension compared to sierra 1500. Sierra has a much better ride tho, almost the same as the Ram w/ air suspension.

[@omarramos2341]

Is it always going to be 10% regardless if it’s conventional, fifth wheel, and gooseneck towing ? Or is it slightly different for all three ?

[@BigTruckBigRV]

It can be dramatically different for each type of trailer based on axle placement, tanks, propane, batteries as well as where the storage compartments are and how the floorplan is designed. Many time it's even based on how someone configures their Trailer if it's custom.

[@omarramos2341]

@@BigTruckBigRV Okay. So if I’m understanding correctly, depending on the configuration of your trailer, it will affect the percentage of the weight transferred to your vehicle ? Forgive me for asking so many questions, I’m just really curious and want to learn.

[@dmanmb]

@@omarramos2341 different camper floor plans will place different amount of weight on tow vehicle. For a conventional trailer, I aim for 10% to hue weight. For gooseneck and 5th wheel, it’s generally closer to 15-20 %

[@omarramos2341]

@@dmanmb Okay I understand now. Thank you for the information I truly appreciate it.

[@asianfire72]

@@omarramos2341 my TT is about 15% tongue weight without my wdh

[@donaldmachado3303]

No tow package. I have a Denali with the tow package Rear measurement from the bottom of the fender to the ground is 42in. No lift or level kits

[@BigTruckBigRV]

This truck has the tow package. Not the max tow package.

[@daveallen8248]

Owners manual says WD hitch required for trailers over 7000 lbs.

[@slickcasner4205]

To bad the Denali is not set up for much towing. The SLE and SLT can tow a lot more. My 23’ 3.0 SLE 4x4 crew cab and regular bed is 11,700lbs

[@exrench]

Enjoyed this test, doesn’t that Denali have auto levelers built in?

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Nope

[@bobbymartinez9448]

Does payload capacity include a full fuel tank?

[@SampsonAllen]

Are you on the bump stop?

[@edstevens9357]

How much weight came off the front wheels

[@campnut6076]

As far as I am aware, GM is the only manufacturer that puts a tow sticker with max hitch weights in the door jamb. IMHO the SAE J2807 standard they use to come up with these weights is a greatly flawed system. Study what the standard uses for some unknown default weights, i.e. - weights of passengers - and the standard has no validity. Also the RV manufacturers are building their trailers with a much different tongue and goose ball weights than the standard assumes. My 3500 has a max GVWR of 16400 but only a max goose ball weight of 2460. I challenge any one to show me a fifth wheel of 16400 GVWR with a goose ball weight under 2460. The standard assumes a 15% goose ball weight but the RV manufacturers are closer to 23 - 24%.

[@cesare8020]

Is there any plans to put airbags on the 1/2 ton. And see how it performs before and after. Especially when loaded to near max tow capacity.

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Nope. They would skew actually results.

[@rob1484]

I think that it's anything over 60% max tongue weight that you're supposed to use a WD hitch.

[@jacobschmith6819]

I dont understand why gooseneck trailering capacity is lower than convencional

[@jacobschmith6819]

Because your tongue weight is sitten right above your rear axle so that way it doesn't take any weight off of your front axle keeping you more stable

[@Masterchief68]

Does the Denali have the heavy duty tow package??

[@BigTruckBigRV]

It has the tow package but not the max tow option

[@tomrtom]

You can not get the max tow package with the Denali trim.

[@joeobyrne7313]

How is that scale accurate on dirt and not a solid surface?

[@BigTruckBigRV]

I'm not sure if you're joking with me or not.

[@joeobyrne7313]

@@BigTruckBigRV no. I would guess it’s going to be a little higher weight on a solid surface. Not much but if you’re close it’s better to be safe

[@gijoecam]

Do things weigh more or less based on the surface they're resting on? No. The surface doesn't change the weight being measured.

[@deantait8326]

Front tires are off the ground 😳 Just kidding

[@JohnDewh]

My 2010 F150 lariat 4x4 has had over 2,000 pounds of payload and did not squat that b Bad

[@bobhenson9526]

Dude ; you have to measure at the hitch .

[@cpreit8862]

You can't tow anything with this truck. Better off with a gasser. You'll be able to add a ton more at least to the gvw

[@jamesm568]

Denali's never been famous for towing anyway.

[@hooverelondono9946]

I have pulled 15,000 with ease

[@i70show]

And..... Thats why working Trucks are NOT 1/2 tons........... that's a Christmas Tree getter......

[@nou3796]

when you add a crew cab, 4wd, short bed and max feature package, you take away from the truck capability. there are plenty of trucks that are 1/2 ton and work trucks.

[@deanaltman6841]

Nonsense. Hell, I use my GMC Canyon for a lot of work. Just upgrade the suspension and tires. I carry hay, feed, fencing, all kinds of building materials. I have used it for a work platform with my 6500 watt generator and a air compressor for powering nail guns when I was out nowhere near electrical connection. I built a custom rack and carry my 12.5 ft tandem ocean kayak as well as 12 ft 2x10’s. I can carry a full pallet of wood flooring which is right at 1,000 lbs. I simply inflate the air bags to 40psi and that 1,000 lbs doesn’t even squat the rear end. I use it to pull a variety of trailers. Flat bed with motorcycles, golf carts, steel fence panels. Utility trailer with thousands of lbs of river rock, tree branches, etc. 2 horse trailer. I routinely pull over 5,000 lbs at 70 mph rock solid straight. The air bags keep it perfectly level, stop any porpoising, and stop side to side movement of the rear end. So why don’t I get a bigger truck? Don’t need it. This one does everything I need it to do plus the big benefit of being able to get into small parking areas like the parking garage at the hospital, parking garage when I go downtown, etc. I also only paid $31,000 for the loaded up SLT. Added a leveling kit, air bags, and line-x liner and it was $32,000. There are so many people who think you need a F-350 Super Duty dually to do anything. Ridiculous.

[@shawnhenderson1130]

@@nou3796 funny my 2012 shortbox f150 fx4 ecoboost payload is over 1650lbs and towing with weight distribution hitch is 10k.. seems like more then ample for a work truck. Not everyone wants a wallet emptying diesel

[@I5ZQ8]

Very incorrect comment about 1/2 tons. Unless your hauling heavy equipment a 1/2 ton is best. By your logic a guy with a 12ft single axel with a zero turn and a push mower on it and some trimmers needs an F450 to cut grass.

[@slickcasner4205]

@@shawnhenderson1130 he just has the wrong configuration GMC 1500 diesel. With max tow package. It can pull up to 13,000.

[@bill29456]

Seems like your trailer empty has maxed out your weight. Put your two mowers on or your tractor on the trailer and your over weight for the truck. Guess it makes the truck more of a mall cruiser.

[@whatdoyouthinktodd]

That's why I tell everybody if You buy a half ton truck you basically bought an SUV that looks like a truck and I've been snarled at a bunch I figure a truck starts at 3/4 of a ton. I've been told many times my half ton will pull anything and I answer back with, safely? You're putting your family in that truck with that trailer behind it who's getting out alive?

[@Bcharns]

Just goes to prove half ton loaded crew cabs are not capable of “safely” hauling most trailers without being Maxed out. All your tests are with these types of trucks, how about testing a regular cab 8’ bed work truck? Not everyone is hauling around a large family.

[@YAHUWAHISKING]

Bad idea to cheap out like that

[@BigTruckBigRV]

Hello. Please elaborate

[@YAHUWAHISKING]

@@BigTruckBigRV your youtube is big truck big rv since when is a 1500 a big truck?

[@MrJockoDundee]

@@YAHUWAHISKING Since a "half-ton" capacity exceeds 1,500 lbs and a "mid-size" Canyon capacity exceeds 1,000 lbs? Or are you still driving a 2001 "one-ton" of the same rated capacity rating of today's "half-ton?"

[@roberthenry9319]

This is a horrible video. There is absolutely no insight given on what the dip in the back means for this truck. And @dmanmb is right. Important questions are not addressed. So why was the video done at all? Who cares, really.

[@kubota33]

That truck is only good for picking up styrofoam. With no trailer. Over priced garbage The white f150 beside the trailer would do better :) Interesting video