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Old 01-10-2011, 03:22 AM   #1
akf15e
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New GMC 3500 dually and a question

Well I knew I would eventually go for an upgraded truck, just thought it would be a bit farther down the road. My 2500HD has done a great job towing my 3400 the past 2 seasons, but as we added more stuff, I got a bit weary of counting pounds to stay anywhere close to GVWR. I really hate to part with it, as it has been an awesome truck for the past 8 years. But the new 2011 Sierra 3500HD DRW and its engine performance and towing capacity are too good to pass up, especially given the deal I am getting.

I pick it up this week and had a question about my old hitch (Reese 16K). Do most of you have the truck dealer switch out your 5er hitch, do you take it to an RV dealer, or do you do it yourself? I thought I read that the 2011 has predrilled holes to fit most of the hitch types/brands. Does anyone know for sure?

Thanks for the help!
 
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Old 01-10-2011, 03:49 AM   #2
TAKPAK
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We have the Reese 16K hitch. I bought it from a friend who wasn't using it any more. It is installed on our 2008 GMC 3500. I had the Montana dealer install it. It was a simple install. He DID tell me that it was a good thing it was a GMC (or Chevy or Ford) as the Dodge's had a different setup on the frame, and was much more difficult. He had it installed in about an hour. I don't know about the new 2011's, although I know the dealers are now installing hitches as well. But, for what it's worth, our 2008 was simple.
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Old 01-10-2011, 04:02 AM   #3
CamillaMichael
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Cannot provide any input on the hitch, but congratulations on your new truck! How about some pics?
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Old 01-10-2011, 04:26 AM   #4
klash
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Congratulations on your new Max, you will love it as a tow machine.
We got a 2011 GMC 3500HD crew cab, short box, single rear wheel back in August of 2010.
We are towing a 2007 Montana 2955RL, and right now we are down in Yuma, AZ.
We have about 4,500 miles on our unit, and we love it more and more every day.
A lot of nay sayers are whining about all the pollution control stuff and the fact that the
new duramax engines have to use Diesel Exhaust Fluid. As a point of interest we made
1,350 miles from home to Yuma, and in that distance we used about 1 gallon (Canadian)
of the DEF (diesel exhaust fluid). I found the DEF here in Yuma at an O'Reilly's Auto
supply and it sells for $4.95 per US gallon.
About the hitch installation. I went to a Truck Accessory shop, and had a new Canadian built hitch called the Hi-Jacker, made right in Victoria, BC where we live. The Truck Assessory
shop called the manufacturer, and they said yes, they had the new frame brackets for the 2011 GMC and Chevy trucks. When they got the brackets they wouldn't fit, as they interferred with the snubber brackets. I think our truck was the first 2011 GM product in Victoria, and the engineer even went to the Truck shop and checked out the situation. He took the brackets back and had them modified and repainted. All new stock will be manufacturered to suit.
As you will find out the frames on the new trucks are solid square section. In behind the frames there are small access holes. The techs inserted the bolts in from the back using
a fish wire, then secured the hitch support brackets from the outside. I cannot remember if the new brackets had to have a piece cut off off one or both ends.
As a point of interest the new frames give one of the best rides I have ever experienced in a GM product, and we have owned a 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 Duramax and now the 2011.
You will really appreciate the new turbo exhaust brake when coming down steep mountains. On the way down here we have to go over Grants Pass in Oregon, and then
the Siskiyous in northern California. On a down grade of 7%, and 10 miles long, I put the cruise control on, tow haul mode on, exhaust brake on, set the cruise for 50 mph and
never used the brakes ONCE. Our friends were behind us in their 2004 duramax and he
couldn't figure out why we didn't use our brakes. Our Monty dresses out at 12,000 lbs,
although the way the wife is shopping lately, we may be a pound or two above that now.
Happy towing with your new rig.
Lastly, here are some performance numbers for our rig, and of course all in the Canadian
gallon which is slightly larger. At home, empty and with truck brand new and on a run of 300 miles we got 23.8 mpg. Coming down towing the Monty in the mountains we got
12 mpg, after we hit Sacramento where it was relatively flat, and no winds we actually got
15.0, and if we had some winds 13 and 14 mpg.
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Old 01-10-2011, 04:50 AM   #5
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Butch,
Congratulations on your new ride. We love our dually.
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Old 01-10-2011, 04:53 AM   #6
Trailer Trash 2
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I took mine to Camping world and mine was reinstalled by them I did have to purchase different frame brackets from a ford to a dodge, I'm glad I had them do the job it must have been a job. the company that did the rhino liner had to remove it for the spray in he told me it was a bear putting it back in.
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Old 01-10-2011, 05:49 AM   #7
akf15e
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Thanks for the inputs so far.

CamillaMichael - I should take delivery this weekend - if I ever figure out how to post pics here, I will!

klash - great info! Thanks! I am impressed by that mileage. I am not that jazzed about the DEF, but in the big scheme of things, I guess it is not too much money to add into things.

Jim - you are partly to blame - after seeing your "Beast" I knew I would have to have one some day!

Don - thanks - I am going to get the Line X put in first, then get the hitch done. But that is good info too.
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Old 01-10-2011, 05:54 AM   #8
kdeiss
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The GMC Dealer removed my 16K and I had a local RV shop install you will need new install kit Bolts nuts etc
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Old 01-10-2011, 05:55 AM   #9
Art-n-Marge
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If you are getting a new truck with higher weight numbers, wouldn't it be best to upgrade the hitch to the new capacity so you don't risk drilling another set of holes later for a bigger hitch when needed? Having a more capable hitch certainly won't hurt towing your current Monty.

I was just wondering if this would be an option to consider. It just seems to me that buying a brand new truck that gains so much but then using a lesser rated hitch matched for the prior truck makes sense. It's certainly cheaper, but after what you just paid for the truck, maybe a better hitch is in the works too. You'd have to be willing to use the savings on the deal for the truck to pay for it, but it's something to consider for the long term.

I'm not telling you to do this, nor thinking any less of anything because of it, but I was just wondering.
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Old 01-10-2011, 06:41 AM   #10
akf15e
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Art - good thoughts. The thought of a new hitch crossed my mind too, but then I wasn't sure what I'd gain (unless I went big $$ for some of the high end ones). My rig usually sits at about 13,500 as we use it. Even if I added a bunch of stuff, I can't see getting anywhere near 16K pounds. I'll be honest - I don't know much about hitches and always just considered a basic 16K to be adequate. I'm all ears for any inputs! Thanks!
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Old 01-10-2011, 09:09 AM   #11
Jay Bird
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Congratulations on your new truck. Enjoy and safe travels.
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Old 01-10-2011, 09:44 AM   #12
thor
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i purchased the 2011 3500drw ltz with the navi system. love the the truck.worked for gm for over 30 years and have been driving diesels since 79 with the gas converted diesels gm put in cars.my previous truck was a 2003 2500 silverado. it had a reese hitch.when i bought the new truck , i had the bed sprayed and installed the same hitch.the only difference is i had to use different mounting brackets from the hitch to the frame.any good installer should have the brackets.the height from the old truck to the new truck is the same for my 2003 to 2011 .the trailer was level on the 2003 and is level on the 2011.never changed anything other then the mounting brackets.
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Old 01-10-2011, 11:09 AM   #13
akf15e
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Thor - awesome - that is what I was hoping. Since my rig sits level on my current 2003, I guess I'll expect the same on my 2011, given your experience.
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Old 01-12-2011, 10:15 AM   #14
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i am still looking forward to hauling with mine as i was unable to go south this winter.but looking forward to spring to get it out and go camping.best of luck and happy trails
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Old 01-12-2011, 12:06 PM   #15
mhs4771
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I removed my hitch from the old truck (left the frame brakets) and had a local RV Service Center re-install the hitch in the new truck. I ordered the custom frame brackets from Reese, cost more than the universal brackets, but seems to make a much more secure mounting for the rails. I also agree, bed height is the same, but the side rails are about 1 1/2 inch higher reducing side rail to Monty clearance a little, but still have a good 6 inches. You'll love the exhaust brake, really cuts down on the use of the truck and trailer brakes. Congrats and good luck
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