What would have to be done? 1/2 ton towing question.

[shady]

The few I found were super duty, but gas. A 7.3 would be awesome though lol. Probably loud as sh1t to drive though

 

[CyberSniper]

I'm wondering what it is exactly that makes a half ton tow less than a 1 ton... Here's all I can think of,

1. Brakes
2. Power?
3. Beef (axle, tranny, drive shaft, springs)

Only other real difference I can think of is the frame is lighter. But I figured that's for actual load IN the truck, not so much for towing.

If I took a 1 ton drive train and put it in a 1/2 ton. Plus a brake upgrade. Would I be able to pull a trailer weighing roughly 8k?

Am I close?

I pulled a lot more weight than 8k on my 84K10. It wasn't a lot of fun, but it was safe. I had converted it to 4 wheel disk though.

I'd say tires, brakes, and suspension. My 8L90e 6.2L 1500 GMTK2EG with bags and a rear sway bar is way more enjoyable to tow with than any GMT800 gasser. I don't even use the weight distributing hitch anymore. I like it more than a GMT900 also, but the difference isn't as much. Way stiffer frame than the olden days, larger brakes, and a way stiffer suspension caused by the bags and rear sway bar. The extra 100ftlbs of torque from idle to 6500rpm doesn't hurt either. Is it ideal to tow with every day? Nope, but it is way more enjoyable to drive without a trailer. Pulling my lead parachute (bumper pull north of 8k travel trailer with bias tires) it gets 12.5-13.5mpg at 70mph. Most unloaded GMK2xx 2500HDs struggle to get that unloaded. However, the GMK2xx 2500HD has way nicer brakes...

With no air in the bags and the rear sway bar unhooked I do like driving the 2500HD better when towing. The rest of the time, I'd rather have my truck. So what I'm getting at is that if you are properly equipped you will be happy. I have had at least one of every platform GM truck and I can say that tires, airbags, and brakes resolves most of the casual towing issues seen with light duty gassers.