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Old 09-27-2009, 02:16 PM   #1
1ViciousGSX
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Chevy 6.0L 2500 ext-cab SB 4X4 towing

I currently have a 2005 Montana 3380RL with washer/dryer combo. 13,480 GVRW. Bought the trailer from a gentleman who towed it with a Chevy 3500 Duramax dually. He said he thought the 3500 dually was overkill for the trailer, probably just his opinion though. He said I should not have a problem towing this with a 3/4 tom truck.

So my question is,... I have an opportunity to pick up a very clean 2000 Chevy 2500 4x4 ext-cab 6.0L V8 short bed at a good price. This is the new style truck for that year model as it was just after the cross over. See pic. According to the owners manual the truck can take a 2500lb 5th-wheel pin weight/load and 10,500lb towing capacity. The transmission is equipped with the "Tow/Haul" feature also. I don't have a problem adding airbags to the rear axle if needed to keep it level.

I should also add that the trailer will be parked more than pulled. I'm using it for my job which could put me in one place for 3-6 months at a time. So having a 1-ton dually to deal with the rest of the time will be a hassle and that's why I'm leaning towards a 3/4-ton.

Is this ok to use or am I going to kill this truck?

Any opinions are gladly welcome.

Thanks, Mike


 
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Old 09-27-2009, 02:37 PM   #2
exav8tr
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Mike, Welcome to "The Best Darned Forum on the WWW!" I think you answered your own question by listing your trailer weight and the towing capacity of your truck. You might want to do some checking as most times the towing capacity means a conventional trailer and a 5th wheel is usually higher. You may have trouble with the GVWR or GAWR of the truck once you put a 5th wheel trailer in the bed. I have no data on a 2000 truck but Chevy might. Remember to ask about towing a 5th wheel trailer...... Hope this helps. Someone else may be along that has that year truck and can shed some light.
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Old 09-27-2009, 03:56 PM   #3
jjackflash
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Also,you might check on the match up between the truck and trailer. Will you be able to hook up level or will you have to do some suspension modification.
Just something to think about.
Jack
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Old 09-27-2009, 05:36 PM   #4
1ViciousGSX
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I don't have a problem with adding airbags if I need to.
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Old 09-27-2009, 06:24 PM   #5
Mudchief
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I pull with a 2500 and it does just fine for me. I don't know anything about the 2000 year model but if the 6.0L is gas you will have problems in the mountains.
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Old 09-28-2009, 02:24 AM   #6
SlickWillie
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I think you'll be very disappointed in the truck. I had an 03 2500HD with the 6.0L with 4.10 gears. At the time we had a 29' TT. It would pull it, but any sort of hill would make it struggle. I took it to Colorado pulling a 16' cargo trailer, and I didn't think it was gonna make it. I bought the diesel when I got home.
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Old 09-28-2009, 07:11 AM   #7
1ViciousGSX
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A little more info. The truck has a 8600lb GVWR and GAWR RR of 6000lb. The trailer empty weight is 10,950 and I'll say there is worst case 500lb of stuff in it, so I'll round up to 11,500 trailer weight.

The owners manual says max trailer weight of 10,000lb, but I'm assuming that's with the truck at 8600lb GVWR. So am I correct in thinking that the total rig (truck and camper) can go as high as 18,600lb?

If so, I don't think I will have a problem with the truck as I'll never have it fully loaded to max GVWR anyway.

Thoughts?
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Old 09-28-2009, 07:19 AM   #8
Tom S.
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The 6.0 gas engine will pull the trailer, but not well. If you poll long time users, they will overwhelmingly tell you to go diesel. As for the difference between 2500 and 3500, there are a few things, all with the rear end. The 3500 Single Rear Wheel (SRW) has higher rated steel wheels and tires (from the factory), as well as an additional spring. The 3500 Dually has all that plus the additional wheels/tires. Axles, brakes, frames and drive trains are all the same.

When considering using a 3/4 ton vs a 1 ton, you need to look at the pin weight of the trailer loaded to determine if the truck will handle it and the GVW of the trailer. Also, just because a truck CAN pull a trailer. doesn't mean it's legal or safe to do so.
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Old 09-28-2009, 07:25 AM   #9
1ViciousGSX
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Trailer pin weight is 1840lb dry, truck can handle 2500lb 5th-wheel pin weight.
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Old 09-28-2009, 08:33 AM   #10
kdeiss
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[quote]Originally posted by SlickWillie

I think you'll be very disappointed in the truck. I had an 03 2500HD with the 6.0L with 4.10 gears. At the time we had a 29' TT. It would pull it, but any sort of hill would make it struggle. I took it to Colorado pulling a 16' cargo trailer, and I didn't think it was gonna make it. I bought the diesel when I got home.

I agree with slickwillie if you what to go gas you need to go the 8.1 with the allison trans or the Ford V10
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Old 09-28-2009, 03:10 PM   #11
1ViciousGSX
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I located a nice 1999 Ford F250 super duty extended cab XLT with the Triton V10 with 119k miles on it. Truck runs and drives great. Any thoughts? Gas mileage issues?
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Old 09-28-2009, 04:03 PM   #12
billhoover
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Re the GM, your trailer's GW is 13,500, the truck you are looking into has a GVWR of 9,200 and a GCWR is 16,000.
Assuming a pin weight of 2,500 plus other things, brings the truck to 9,200 and the trailer down to 11,000, your GCWR is 20,200, or 4,200 over the GCWR.

Bottom line no where near enough truck. The previous owner's dually was the perfect tow vehicle.
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Old 09-29-2009, 02:14 AM   #13
SlickWillie
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The V10 will do a good job. I have friends that are returning from MI tomorrow that tow a HR Presidential with a V10. However, I would agree with Bill, a one ton would be a much better tow vehicle.
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Old 09-29-2009, 02:17 AM   #14
1ViciousGSX
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OK, 1-ton it will be then.

Now, next big question, SRW or DRW? And why. I did locate a single and a dual rear F350 V10 trucks.
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Old 09-29-2009, 02:32 AM   #15
richfaa
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Cargo capacity of the truck must be enough to support the pin weight of the camper. We hade a 05 Ford V-10 and it served us well MOST of the time. It will bog down on very steep grades. If I had the choice of both SWD and dually I would go with the dually.
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Old 09-29-2009, 02:44 AM   #16
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We towed our 3475 Montana with a 2005 GMC 2500HD 4x4 crew cab Duremax and had no problems. I did not have to change the height of the trailer. I did add air bags and compressor, 45 gal tank, and had an edge chip in it. I don't think I would try it with a gas engine, our diesel was great. We still have the truck (loaded) siting here with 25000 miles on it for sale. We have since moved on to a SOB motorhome.
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Old 09-29-2009, 02:47 AM   #17
1ViciousGSX
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by ken

We towed our 3475 Montana with a 2005 GMC 2500HD 4x4 crew cab Duremax and had no problems. I did not have to change the height of the trailer. I did add air bags and compressor, 45 gal tank, and had an edge chip in it. I don't think I would try it with a gas engine, our diesel was great. We still have the truck (loaded) siting here with 25000 miles on it for sale. We have since moved on to a SOB motorhome.
I have about $11,000 to spend, let's talk, LOL .
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Old 09-29-2009, 03:51 AM   #18
nunya
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find a good used diesel pickup. You will be much happier! Fuel mileage will be much better, truck will pull so much better and you will have a feel good feelin!
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Old 09-29-2009, 04:02 AM   #19
1ViciousGSX
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I really would like a diesel, but the cost difference is dramatic for a used one. Example, I can get a 2001 F350 Extended cab dually with the V10 for $10k with 80K miles on it. Same truck with the diesel is $10K with 233K miles on it. I'm looking at both trucks right now online.

Getting a low mileage diesel of same truck is anywhere from $4-6K more.

I am also looking at a 2006 F350 SD 4x4 LB extended cab with the V10 for $10K with 140K miles on it.

I know that bigger is better, but am I a point truck wise where the V10 will do just fine and the diesel is just the premium way to go?

Remember, I'm not going to be a weekend hauler, I live out of this trailer for my job and if that trailer gets moved it will be at the most 4 times a year.
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Old 09-29-2009, 06:43 AM   #20
Tom S.
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In your case, I would highly recommend the diesel. It will far surpass the V10 in fuel economy. Like you said, it will cost more, but it will maintain it's resale (as you have learned). That alone speaks for the desirability of diesel over gas.

As for SRW vs. DRW, you will get lots of debate. I went SRW because it was more than enough capacity for our trailer, easier to maneuver, and costs less for tires (4 as opposed to 6). Besides, who needs training wheels on a truck? (That should get me in a lot of trouble!)
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