
As for max tow ratings, Ram remains in the thick of things with its 31,210-pound capacity - a close second to the Ford Super Duty. Selecting the off-road option means the truck of your choice will come equipped with a limited slip rear differential, hill-descent control, Bilstein shocks, tow hooks and the same heavy-duty skid plates used on the Power Wagon.īeyond that, properly spec’d 3500 dual rear wheel Rams still lay claim to a best-in-class payload rating of 6,720 pounds. While 2017 marks more of the same for the Ram HD truck camp, a new off-road package is available for all Crew Cab and Mega Cab configuration 4x4 2500 models (diesel or gas). HARD FACTS ENGINEĦ.6L L5P Duramax, direct-injection, turbocharged, 32-valve V8ĭenso high-pressure common-rail with HP4 pump and solenoid-style injectors

Conventional towing capacity (20,000 pounds) and gooseneck towing capacity (23,200 pounds) remain unchanged, but with a more potent Duramax power plant under the hood, GM is a chassis beef-up away from upping the ante in this area. To cope with the added torque dished out by the new engine, the Allison 1000 was treated to an upgraded torque converter. With ample power on tap, a variable geometry turbocharger and six gear options, the Duramax/Allison combo is as polished as it’s ever been. Higher-flowing aluminum cylinder heads and a Denso-sourced high-pressure common-rail fuel system play a key role in the L5P Duramax mill’s 48 hp bump and 145 lb-ft increase over ’16 model year trucks.
2017 gm towing guide code#
Along with a best-in-class horsepower rating of 445 hp, the new Duramax (engine code L5P) produces 910 lb-ft of grunt at a low 1,600 rpm.Ī stronger cast-iron block and crankshaft, connecting rods with larger rod bearings, and redesigned (more robust) cast-aluminum pistons prepare the short block for the added cylinder pressure (i.e. Specifically, the sixth generation 6.6L Duramax V8 has been revealed, and it packs a potent punch. HARD FACTS ENGINEĦ.7L Power Stroke, direct-injection, turbocharged, 32-valve V8īosch high-pressure common-rail with CP4.2 pump and piezoelectric injectorsĮxhaust gas recirculation (EGR), diesel particulate filter (DPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR)Īside from the cosmetically new, yet fully functional cowl hood, it’s all about the powertrain on the ’17 Chevy and GMC HD trucks.
2017 gm towing guide driver#
This system automatically shifts viewing perspective (via the navigation screen) depending on which way the trailer is being turned, and a color-coded birds’-eye diagram of the truck helps warn the driver of jackknife conditions. And to complement the added towing capability, the ’17 Super Duty features Ford’s Trailer Reverse Guidance. Coupling some suspension tweaks in with the aforementioned powertrain and frame improvements, and Ford now lays claim to the highest gooseneck towing capacity in the industry: 32,800 pounds (GCWR checks in at 41,800 pounds when properly spec’d).Ĭonventional towing beats out Ram and GM as well at 21,000 pounds. Its horsepower rating of 440 stays the same. The 6.7L Power Stroke V8 sees a 65 lb-ft jump in torque output, upping the ante to a class-leading 925 lb-ft of twist. BEST-IN-CLASS TOWING/TORQUEīut Ford didn’t stop there. Getting away from sheetmetal shaved roughly 350 pounds off of the truck’s curb weight, which Ford promptly reinvested in the form of beefing up the frame (95 percent of it is fully boxed now). In fact, the Super Duty line now shares the same, high-strength aluminum cab as the F-150 (although the Super Duty version is considerably longer), complete with the 170-degree swing-out rear doors and virtually identical interiors. Perhaps the biggest news is that Ford trucks will now make use of an aluminum body. With a new body, new technology and cosmetic changes throughout, Ford’s Super Duty represents the biggest makeover in the heavy-duty segment for 2017. Whether you’re in need of 30-mpg, 3 tons’ worth of hauling ability or 30,000-pound towing capability, there’s something for everyone. While diesel options are still limited in the North American market, any growth is welcomed and with one look at the latest offerings, it’s blatantly apparent that diesel is diversifying the pickup truck field.įor a closer look at the current crop of diesel-powered trucks gracing dealer lots, look no further than our comprehensive 2017 model year review. Without a doubt, the diesel truck scene is the liveliest we’ve seen it in decades. The Chevrolet Colorado occupies the compact segment, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel lays claim to the half-ton category, the Nissan Titan XD essentially created its own class of truck, and the usual suspects (Ford, GM and Ram) continue to battle it out in the ¾-ton and larger department. For the first time in 30 years, at least one compression ignition engine option exists in each pickup truck category.

Year in Preview: 2017 Diesel Truck Buyer’s Guide
