Did GM ever publish a GCWR list?

[Nick_R_23]

Just like the title says - did GM ever publish a list of GCWR’s for Squarebody trucks? GVWR is easy to find, but not GCWR.

Planning a cross country move within the next couple of years and looking to stay DOT legal.

Truck was originally a 1978 Chevy K20, 6800# GVW, 350-4, SM465, 3.73 gears, vacuum brakes.

[Keith Seymore]

They are called the trailering guide.

Some appear in the brochures and some in the generic info packets, but not with any regularity.

Next time I come across one I'll post it up.

K

[Steeveedee]

Here ya go. It's for '74 but shouldn't be that different.

[Keith Seymore]

Well done, Steeveedee.

I see my work here is finished.

K

[Nick_R_23]

Thank you guys! Keith, I recall you mentioning before that you evaluated some of these ratings by “launchability”. Was there much design behind that aside from larger engines and deeper gears?

Quite a bit of this truck has been changed since new. It now has Camper Special springs and full floating rear axle, a 5.3L, and hydroboost brakes. It appears from the factory that it was designed as a 9500 GCW, but I’m curious of your opinion on what you think this truck would class in the same test today with these modifications?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Nick_R_23

Thank you guys! Keith, I recall you mentioning before that you evaluated some of these ratings by “launchability”. Was there much design behind that aside from larger engines and deeper gears?

I didn't really get to affect the design. I took what was already locked in (in terms of powertrain content, based on other variables like unladed driveabilty, or fuel economy targets) and did a go/no go evaluation for the launch up the 16% grade, based on the existing rating.

Really the only knob I was allowed to touch would be to recommend dialing up or dialing down the trailer rating, if needed.

Originally Posted by Nick_R_23

Quite a bit of this truck has been changed since new. It now has Camper Special springs and full floating rear axle, a 5.3L, and hydroboost brakes. It appears from the factory that it was designed as a 9500 GCW, but I’m curious of your opinion on what you think this truck would class in the same test today with these modifications?

Probably better, due to increased horsepower and better springs. I don't think brakes were part of the equation since it was assumed/required that the trailer itself would have appropriate braking.

In any case, if you are trying to stay "DOT legal" you better stick to the published number.

K

[Nick_R_23]

It’s definitely better, was just more curious of a guess of what it may have achieved in the same test today.