i am likely trading in my 10 ecsb 4x4 5.3 w/ 3.08s for a new 6.2 4x4 ecsb or ccsb my question is. is it worth it to get the max trailering package with the 3.73's or just get one with the 3.42s? the main reason for the upgrade is bc i upgraded to a 24' enclosed for my racecar (~7100lbs loaded), and it works my 5.3 pretty hard. my other questions are, that i really want to get one with 20s (thats what my current truck has) but i dont believe the max trailering package has that option, and nobody at the dealership can answer if the truck with the 3.42s and 20" wheels has the 14bolt 9.5" rear. i know the truck with 17s and 3.73s have them just not sure on the other they located.

would i notice much difference in the gearing of the two trucks? would you think these trucks would do the job im looking to do or would it leave more to be desired? i want it to be a fun truck to drive spirted as well. how would one of these perform in relation to my 09 tbss? also i cant bring myself to buy a gas 2500 and the duramax is out of my price range.

thanks

 

Id opt for the 3.73s, itll be much easier getting that weight moving, plus it should help to keep the trans from hunting for gears.

Why dont you just tell the salesman to swap your 20" rims/tires onto the new truck, or else you wont buy?

 

i tried that at the gmc dealer ( dealing with 2 chevy and gmc) and they said that they could recalibrate the new truck from 17s to 20s but they would not be able to calibrate my truck from 20s to 17s so they cant do it. dont make much since to me i would think it could be calibrated either way to any tire size entered

 

I would get the 3.73, you won't regret it. Also I do believe you are correct and that the max trailer package only comes with 17's, I have not seen different and that's what my truck came with.

As far as switching over your 20's in place of the 17's they should have no problem doing that, I have had dealerships do it for me in the past when trading in trucks.

 

Max Trailer Package only comes with 17" wheels. Can't get anything else. All 6.2s include the 9.5" axle, even though they don't make it sound that way on the sticker.

IMO, the 3.73 gears are the way to go, but the 3.42 truck will still pull the trailer much, much better than your 5.3L, and even the TBSS. I just made the move from a TBSS to one, and am happy. Truck isn't quite as fast, but its still pretty dang respectable.

 

I have test driven both the 373's and the 342's ..imho there really wasn't that much difference in accleration to be noticed, however I am sure if you started modding it and what not the 373's would shine a little more. That being said, I bought one with 342's with the 20's and more options. I am perfectly happy. Either one you won't go wrong.

 

Tell him to go soak his head, or find a smarter salesman lol. The 265/70R17 and 275/55R20 have a diameter that is nearly for all intents and purposes identical. Gm does not recalibrate from rim size to rim size as they all have virtually all the same overall diameter of tire. Just take the new truck home and swap the rims and tires yourself if they won't before giving them the existing truck. I don't understand why GM persists with just the fugly 17's on the max trailer package trucks. It's not a load rating thing, we have had 20+ inch rim diameters for years along with tires that are good enough for a 1 ton......

Go 3.73 and never look back. The more gear the better.

 

I wrestled with all that last spring and am really glad I picked the Max Trailering with the 3.73 gears. IMHO, if you go for 3.73s you won't ever wish you had less pulling power or less spirited acceleration. If you go for the 3.42s you'll always wonder.

 

^this x2

 

for sure x3