3585SA pulling with 2002 2500HD?

[campbud]

Ok Looking at the new 3585SA ...my tv is a 2002 2500HD 4x4 8.1 allison, 4:10...I am pulling a 2955RL now. Just wondering if this will do for awhile or if I should consider upgrading on the truck.
My pin weight now is 1980, dry wt 9380 and my truck pulls this nice.
On the 3585SA pin weight is 1825 and the dry wt is 11,025. Dealer says my truck will do just fine...what do you all think?

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Put it this way, I fully intend to pull my 3485SA with my 2500HD which I currently use to pull a 2955RL. Granted it is an 05 D/A but I also believe your 02 will also handle the 3585

[campbud]

Glenn if we purchase this we would probably take one yearly trip...from IL to MO this Spring for the rally and then it will be all nearby campgrounds. We are fortunate to live within 35 miles of 2 state parks, 1 county park and numerous private campgrounds. For now we are just weekenders but wannabe fultimers someday soon!
Just dont want to upgrade the tv right now but dont want to purchase something we cant pull nicely.

[sreigle]

Campbud, looking at the 2007 specs and looking only at dry weight, the 3585SA weighs more than the 2955RL, 2980RL, 3000RK, and 3075RL. It weighs less than the 3295RK, 3400RL, 3475RL, 3485SA (hmmm, why is that?), 3500RL, 3600RE, and 3650RK.

The heaviest, per the dry weight specs, is the 3500RL followed by the 3400RL. Those are only 890 and 775 pounds heavier than the 3585SA.

Maybe checking this info against member signatures might give you a feel for what is towing what. That won't necessarily make you comfortable but it might give you some clues.

Good luck in your decision.

[Montana Sky]

I have a friend that has a 2002 Silverado with the 8.1L V8 and he tows a 3295RK. He claims the truck has no problems with towing his coach. I know my truck has no issues towing my 3400RL.

[indy roadrunner]

Campbud, I am in the same situation. I weekend and vacation while I earn money to pay for this silly habit of camping.

[Mudchief]

Campbud, I know someone that has a truck just like yours and they pull a 3400RL with no problems.

[Bill Hill]

Check your towing capacity against the specs for the 3485SA, it's the only way to know for sure. But remember that the published towing capability is a maximum, the closer you get to it, the less "performance" you have. I don't mean just acceleration or speed, but the overall handling of the combination. Without being able to check the exact towing specs of your truck, you're probably within the limits. If most of your driving is relatively short distances, a lack of optimum performance probably isn't a big deal. Live with it until you decide to go full or long-time and then plan accordingly. Lots of Luck!

[Cat320]

First suggestion, do not listen to any dealer...RV or truck. Most know a lot less than we do, and give terrible advice. They are in the selling business, period.

As usual with this question, we are getting the "pulls fine" answers. Of course it pulls fine...any big block or diesel will 'pull' any Montana fine. Pulling is not an issue. The issue is the ability of the 3/4 to handle the pin weight. Your empty pw is 1825, a realistic pw is 2300/2400. That weight will be close to the GVWR of the majority of 3/4 ton trucks...and that's before you add passengers, cargo, the weight of the hitch, tools, the extra fuel tank people like to add, etc. So campbud, it will pull fine, but as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story is that you will probably be over weight...your truck/your money/you'll be in it/you decide.

To answer your question..."will it do for a while," sure, guys been towing for years with similar trucks.