Towing with Duramax 2500 - Montana Owners Club

Phil Eyler · 03-27-2009, 08:32 AM

I see that a lot of people tow with a 2500 Duramax Diesel. Well, I just bought a 3400 Montana. My tow vehicle is a 2006 2500 Duramax with an Allison transmission. We are newbies at this. Anybody have any problems towing or stopping wiyh this vehicle? Got any advice? Leaving for South Carolina tomorrow from Indiana. Going through the mountains, a little apprehensive.

Phil & Susan from Indiana

richfaa · 03-27-2009, 08:54 AM

Towing no..stopping probably not..there are however many other weight factors such as pin weight.You will need to do some homework.

HughM · 03-27-2009, 09:13 AM

Phil, You might consider Air Ride bags if you TV starts bouncing when pulling. I'm within limits but I installed the air ride just to control those "porpoise moments" when it would bounce more than once.
It was a great investment.
Make sure you use tow/haul in the mountains expecially going down. It'll save you brakes and nerves.
Hugh

indy roadrunner · 03-27-2009, 11:04 AM

I have not had any problems stopping or control issues. I have made several trips to Floria from Indy through the Mountains in Tenn. Like poster said, use the tow haul mode for controlling your speed downhill. I also have the air bags on the TV - very little sag when I hook up. I normally run 60 - 65 mph and have had to make some quick stops from that speed and between the TV and Trailer Brakes no problems getting it stopped. You will find a lot of people towing the 3400 with a 2500 TV.

Phil Eyler · 03-27-2009, 03:06 PM

Thanks for your input. I'll look into getting air bags after this trip. It's a little late since I'm leaving tomorrow. I really appreciate having a place were I can talk to people who have been there.

Mudchief · 03-27-2009, 03:13 PM

I have pulled over 12K miles with no problem. I have not had any problem stopping and I have had to make some fast ones a few times. It does great in the mountains also.

KathyandDave · 03-27-2009, 03:40 PM

I found that experimenting and getting the trailer brakes right helped a lot. I set them a bit more aggressively now since the Monty tried to push the TV through a surprise red light at the bottom of a hill (although the skid marks in the intersection should have alerted me). Also, the tow/haul will let the speed creep up a bit, so I like to start down a hill a bit slower than my comfortable max, so the tow/haul does its thing at my comfort level.

Clyde n Deb · 03-28-2009, 03:58 AM

Phil, all good advice here. Very important especially if you're new at this is to remember to not drive over your head. Take it easy, get the feel of your rig. Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you. No matter how much or little room you leave, someone will always cut in front of you anyway. Drive so you have control. It's fun and you'll get more comfortable when you get to know your rig.

msieger · 03-28-2009, 04:49 AM

You will not have any problems towing or stopping. You WILLLLLLLll have problems with the pin weight on the stock springs. I managed to bust both springs on the first pull. GM stock springs are noted for being cheap chinese crap. Get the bags installed before you pull many more miles.

Mike

TLightning · 03-28-2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Phil Eyler

I see that a lot of people tow with a 2500 Duramax Diesel. Well, I just bought a 3400 Montana. My tow vehicle is a 2006 2500 Duramax with an Allison transmission. We are newbies at this. Anybody have any problems towing or stopping wiyh this vehicle? Got any advice? Leaving for South Carolina tomorrow from Indiana. Going through the mountains, a little apprehensive.

Phil & Susan from Indiana

You asked the wrong question...you will have no problems "towing" because the engine and drive trains are the same on all GM diesel trucks up to the one ton dually. With a 3400RL, you will exceed the GVWR of your truck and if your RV is new, you will also exceed the GCWR. Check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left rear door post...it will tell you the cargo capacity for that truck. Then do as Richfaa suggests and work the numbers...and decide if you can live with what they tell you.

Glenn and Lorraine · 03-28-2009, 08:53 AM

I am a Fulltimer with over 100,000 miles of towing. I have towed an 04 2955RL and an 07 3485SA with my 2500HD for nearly 6 years. Over mountain passes in the Rockies and the Appalachians. I have had numerous emergency stops and have yet to experience any problems from pulling or stopping.
Yes, I do have the Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags but only to take out the squat and squat you will get even with the 3500s.

akf15e · 03-28-2009, 11:31 AM

Phil, I disagree that you will exceed your GCVWR. I just weighed my 2009 3400 10th anniversary, which has every bell and whistle except generator, and my truck/5er combo was 2,000 lbs under GCVWR. I was also UNDER my GVWR for my 2003 GMC 2500HD D/A (9200 lbs), though only by 60 lbs. That weight included me, Reese 16k hitch, Rhino lining, fold a cover, 6 ton floor jack, 2 zero gravity lounge chairs, 8 x 12 outdoor rug, 2/3 fuel, full fresh water tank, and 5er. So it is possible to be within every limit on your truck and tow this rig.

However, is it likely you will stay under GVWR? No. On current trip, I have wife, DD, dogs, firewood, king pin stablizer and 360 lbs of equipment in the basement, food, clothes, and mostly beer. I weighed every single item that went into my rig and truck. I am (with full fuel), about 550 lbs over truck GVWR, but still well within every other rating (axle, tires, GCVWR). So rather than just accept that you are over or under, I recommend you find a CAT scale and weigh your truck and rig. Then weigh everything you put in it. You'd be surprised how fast it can add up. Then make an informed decision on the weights, how it feels to you (comfort level), experience towing, and last and least,finances (if I had infinite $$ I'd be towing with a Freightliner, but I won't sacrifice safety by not upgrading, if required) Just realize you are at the margins with a 2500 and if you pack the kitchen sink, are probably beyond at least one rating. Take it easy and go slow.

Good luck and I hope you are able to arrive at a decision that makes you comfortable and your towing safe and enjoyable! (And I can e-mail you my CAT weight tickets if you are in doubt of what I claim)

azleflyer · 03-28-2009, 12:36 PM

No problems here. I use the ride-rites also to keep the vehicle level which in turn helps in better steering control. I am within all weight parameters and do not overload the TV or 5er.

jwedell · 03-28-2009, 01:56 PM

Weigh the rear axle with the truck empty. Hook up the 5'er and weigh it again. That's the weak link. I have a 3500RL and was over the carring capacity of the truck (Check the tag on the drivers door, rated for about 2400 lbs. if I remember correctly). That's with ALL cargo and passengers. So for safety's sake I upgraded to a 3500 DRW.

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