How much can a 3500 Duramax dually tow?
Ago-to answer: with a Duramax-equipped Silverado 3500HD dual rear-wheel (dually), you can tow up to about 36,000 pounds using a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer, while conventional bumper-pull towing is lower and highly dependent on the truck’s exact configuration and options.
To understand what that means in practice, it helps to know that tow capacity isn’t a single number. It depends on year, drivetrain, axle ratio, GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating), whether the Max Trailering Package is installed, and the type of hitch being used. The following guide breaks down how these factors come together and what you can expect from common configurations.
Overview of towing capacity for the Duramax 3500 dually
On current-generation Silverado 3500HD models powered by the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel, the most capable setup for heavy towing uses a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch and can reach up to the mid-30,000s of pounds. The conventional bumper-pull rating sits lower and varies with options and drivetrain specifics. Always verify the exact figure for your truck from the doorjamb label, the window sticker, or GM’s official specifications for your exact build.
What affects the tow rating
The following factors determine how much you can tow with a Duramax 3500 dually and why two trucks that look similar can have different limits.
- Type of trailer hitch: gooseneck/fifth-wheel versus bumper-pull typically allows higher ratings with the former.
- Max Trailering Package availability: enables enhanced braking, cooling, and electronic controls that boost tow capacity.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the truck: a higher GVWR can raise the practical towing limit when paired with appropriate suspension and brakes.
- Axle ratio and transmission: gearing and torque management affect sustained towing capability and hill/climb performance.
- Tire specifications and payload capacity: tires and the truck’s payload limit limit the total weight that can be safely carried and towed.
- Vehicle configuration: crew cab vs. regular cab, bed length, and single rear-wheel versus dual rear-wheel (the “dually” setup) influence stability and the maximum trailer weight.
In short, your exact tow capacity is a function of how the truck is equipped and what kind of trailer you intend to pull. Always cross-check the official ratings for your specific build.
Typical maximums by configuration
For context, here are the general ranges most drivers encounter in recent years when comparing common configurations. These figures are guidelines and can vary by model year and option group.
- Gooseneck or fifth-wheel towing with a Duramax 6.6L and the Max Trailering Package: up to about 36,000 pounds, depending on year and exact equipment.
- Conventional bumper-pull towing with a Duramax 6.6L: typically lower, commonly described in the low-to-mid 20,000s to around 30,000 pounds depending on gear and GVWR.
- Factors such as cab/bed choice and axle ratio can shift these numbers by several thousand pounds in either direction.
When planning a heavy-haul profile, expect the gooseneck/fifth-wheel setup to offer the broadest practical range, with conventional towing constrained by hitch type and axle configuration.
How to verify the exact rating for your truck
To determine the precise tow rating for your specific Duramax 3500 dually, use these steps. This ensures you’re basing your planning on the truck’s official capability rather than a generic figure.
- Check the door jamb label on the driver's side: it lists the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the maximum towing capacity for that exact build.
- Consult the Monroney (window) sticker or dealer-build sheet for the Max Trailering Package status and any configuration-specific limits.
- Review the owner's manual or Chevrolet’s official site for the model year’s towing charts, which show ratings for gooseneck/fifth-wheel and bumper-pull with your drivetrain and axle ratio.
- Verify axle ratio, GVWR, and payload capacity, since these directly influence usable tow weight alongside your trailer’s weight.
- When in doubt, contact a Chevrolet dealership or GM Customer Care with your VIN to get the exact rated capacities for your truck.
Knowing these details helps prevent overloading, which can affect braking, steering, and overall safety on the road or at the job site.
Safety notes and practical considerations
Even if a truck’s official rating allows a certain trailer weight, practical towing involves more than the sticker. Real-world performance depends on braking efficiency, sway control, proper weight distribution, and trailer maintenance. For long hauls or heavy payloads, add high-capacity brakes, load distribution hitches, and appropriate towing mirrors to ensure stable, safe operation.
Summary
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD with a Duramax diesel, especially in dual-rear-wheel form, can tow very heavy loads, with gooseneck and fifth-wheel configurations offering the highest capacities—up to about 36,000 pounds in current models equipped with the Max Trailering Package. Conventional bumper-pull towing is lower and varies by year, option package, and gear. For accurate figures, always check the truck’s specific GVWR, axle ratio, and Max Trailering Package status, and confirm the rating on the vehicle’s official documentation or with a GM representative. Planning should include trailer weight, cargo distribution, and braking to ensure safe, compliant towing.
What is the 80% towing rule?
Many RVers are strict followers of the 80% or 80/20 rule of towing, and it's a great rule to live by if you want to ensure you don't overload your tow vehicle. The 80% towing rule is less of a “rule” and more of an idea: don't pull a trailer with a GVWR that is more than 80% of your vehicle's maximum towing capacity.
How much weight can you pull with a 3500 dually?
A Ram 3500 can tow up to 37,090 pounds when properly equipped with the max tow package, which includes the High-Output 6.7-liter Cummins® turbo diesel inline-six engine.
What is the holy grail of Duramax?
So far, this line has gone through seven main generations. Among these is the LBZ, which GM offered between 2006 and 2007. Ask around, and many Chevy and GM fans will agree that this is the Holy Grail of all Duramax engines, and rightfully so.
What is the towing capacity of the Duramax 3500 dually?
36,000 pounds
Duramax® 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 Engine:
910 lb-ft of torque. 10-speed automatic transmission. 36,000 pounds of towing capacity.
