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2016 Sierra towing

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Old 01-13-2018 | 08:41 AM
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Default 2016 Sierra towing

I have a 16 Sierra dbl cab 3.42 4x4 with 5.3.

I'd like to up the towing capability a bit if possible. My trailer loaded is about 9000lbs. With the family and gear in my truck I'm bumping up to or just over the gross combined rating.

The max tow package would have given me another 2k combined rating. So I'm hoping I can upgrade some key components to basically get there. I know technically the rating won't change.

I've added air bags I run a WD hitch I've upgraded my brakes. Besides the stability control (which of course I can't change) all that is left is the gear.

So question is, can regear to 3:73 (same as max trailer package) or even 4:10? I know the computer would have to be flashed if I did it. I'm just trying understand if my housing and carrier will accept these gear ratio's.

Any other suggestions besides get a different truck?
Old 01-13-2018 | 09:16 AM
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You can re-gear to improve the tow rating of the truck. The rating itself is a calculation based on a few things, one of which is the ability to accelerate the load. Suspension and brakes play a big part obviously, but extra wheel torque from lower gearing alone no doubt improves towing capacity.
Old 01-14-2018 | 10:50 AM
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You can regear as there are a myriad of ratios that fot the 9.5" 12 bolt. It has more aftermarket support than the 9.76" like a max trailer has does.
Old 01-14-2018 | 11:07 AM
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I would do these three things at a minimum: 4.10 gears, add a bigger tranny cooler, and switch up to LT tires from the P-Metric. They have a stiffer sidewall to eliminate sway and will handle the extra weight load.
Old 01-14-2018 | 06:03 PM
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Really don't have any handling issues at all. So not worried about tires. Regarding gears, I'm trying to understand if I can go to a 3:73 or 4:10 without changing the housing or carrier. That's my key question.
Old 01-14-2018 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 1994Vmax
You can regear as there are a myriad of ratios that fot the 9.5" 12 bolt. It has more aftermarket support than the 9.76" like a max trailer has does.
Ok thanks
Old 01-28-2018 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by smokeshow
You can re-gear to improve the tow rating of the truck. The rating itself is a calculation based on a few things, one of which is the ability to accelerate the load. Suspension and brakes play a big part obviously, but extra wheel torque from lower gearing alone no doubt improves towing capacity.
You technically can not improve or increase the max tow rating of the truck. That being said gears will definitely help you pull loads close to the limit easier. Every once in a while trailering heavy loads is no problem but if you are doing it all the time or for long distances (freeway) at high speeds I would consider a 2500/3500HD

Originally Posted by Beehauler2224
Really don't have any handling issues at all. So not worried about tires. Regarding gears, I'm trying to understand if I can go to a 3:73 or 4:10 without changing the housing or carrier. That's my key question.
The 9.5" & 9.76" are both made by AAM (American Axle Manufacturing) for GM. AAM has some of the best and most quiet gears out there, but the only choice for AAM is 4.10 but without 35" tires I think will kill your fuel economy. You can get aftermarket gears like Yukon. They are good but no as silent in operation.
Old 01-29-2018 | 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason Zajac
You technically can not improve or increase the max tow rating of the truck. That being said gears will definitely help you pull loads close to the limit easier. Every once in a while trailering heavy loads is no problem but if you are doing it all the time or for long distances (freeway) at high speeds I would consider a 2500/3500HDThe 9.5" & 9.76" are both made by AAM (American Axle Manufacturing) for GM. AAM has some of the best and most quiet gears out there, but the only choice for AAM is 4.10 but without 35" tires I think will kill your fuel economy. You can get aftermarket gears like Yukon. They are good but no as silent in operation.
Jason
3:73 is what I was considering. This is what comes stock when you get the max trailer package. That also includes some suspension upgrades stiffer springs and tow mirrors.
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