Trailer towing advice needed

loggskidder2 · Dec 27, 2008

Hi, just joined the forum, after searching countless threads with no luck.
Need some help on towing a trailer. I justed purchased an 08 Chevy 2500HD duramax extended cab short box 2wd. I am going to use the truck for our business. Me and a partner own a used motorcycle dealership and use a 40' rolls right flatbed trailer to transport motorcycles and atv's from auctions we attend. Usually trips range from 200-300 miles one way and we attend them just once a month. Trailer is never used any other time. My partner currently pulls the trailer with an 08 Dodge 3500 2wd dually. Was just wandering if it is going to be safe to pull the trailer with the Chevy. I have had second thoughts that I should have purchased a dually also. The trailer weighs around 7000# empty and we have loaded it with about 7000# of a load totaling 14000#. Any advice would help, thanks for any reply's

schlen · Dec 28, 2008

I've pulled that much with my 1995 2500 dodge many times, but only when it was all I had. now I use a 3500. I think the truck will handle it fine--it probably has the same tranny as the dually but the rear end will be rated less. do you know how much weight is on the ball when its loaded? if the rear doesn't squat exorbinately, I would keep the trailer brakes in good shape and pull it, as long as it was only occasional.

wwalkersd · Dec 28, 2008

My horse trailer (4-horse gooseneck with big tack/dressing room) is about 13K fully loaded, and I pull it with an F250 Super Duty crew cab short box 2WD single rear wheel truck. I've pulled it thousands of miles and it does fine, although, knock on wood, I've never had a blowout on a rear tire. Obviously not the same truck as yours, but still 3/4 ton rated, 2WD, diesel, short box, SRW. Is your trailer a gooseneck? At 40', I'd sure hope so!

Diamondpilot · Dec 28, 2008

It will do it fine with that rig but would a 3500 be better suited, yes. I would say use the Dodge unless you have no other option. I have a 2004 F-250 and a 2006 F-350 and even though they both have the same Power Stroke and tranny there is night and day difference when pulling over 12,000#'s.

Chris

loggskidder2 · Dec 28, 2008

Thanks for all the insight. It is a Gooseneck, heavy built trailer with 3 axles.
Not sure what the pin weight is. The heaviest load we have ever had on it weighed just shy of 26000#. Truck, Trailer and Load. Probably will never be loaded this heavy again. Will try it this month and see how it pulls, I just hope it can handle it.

Diamondpilot · Dec 28, 2008

I can tell you 26,000# will be too much for any 2500. You are looking at truck weighing about 6,500# so that will put you at 19,500# on the trailer and would be about 3,500# on the pin if the trailer is loaded properly, too much for any 3/4 ton truck. I know you said you are not planning on hauling that much and not that many miles but this is definitely 3500 work.

Chris

George2615 · Dec 29, 2008

The GM website lists your maximum trailer weight at 16,500 lb. (trailer including load). This is for either a 2500HD or 3500HD. Anything more would not be advisable. You need a Kodiak 4500 or larger for heavier loads.

wushaw · Dec 30, 2008

The GM2500 and 3500 have the same powertrain and rearend, the only difference is the amt. of tires and springs.

The pin weight is your killer on the 2500 since it is less two tires and the extra springs.

Go get your truck weighed (Cat scale) in the configuration you will be pulling the trailer in and then hook up to the trailer (empty) and go weigh again and you can find out just how much pin weight you can have before overloading tires.

GM says the 2500 and 3500 can pull the same weight trailer but they fail to mention that when you get to these weights you will be overloading the 2500 well before you get to that 16,500 mark.
Example= Truck weighs 6500 ready to go (good luck on that weight). Trailer weighs 16,500. Trucks GVWR 9200. Trailer pin weight @ 20% 3300. truck+trailer pin= 9800...that's 600lbs over GVWR.

So "IF" your truck weighs 6500lbs then your pin weight can only be 2700lbs max and this is why the dually (one reason) is better for pulling.

Builder · Dec 30, 2008

You have the same drivetrain as a 3500 SRW or DRW. Same DMAX engine, allison trans and 11.5" rear end. What you don't have is the same spring package. Therefore where your truck will suffer is in PIN weight.

If your trailer weighs 14K and it's a 5th wheel, you should be fine as long as you don't load the front of the trailer so heavy that you exceed your max allowable PIN weight by too much. A 14K total trailer weight should typically result in a 1,400-2,100lb PIN weight (10-15%).

I see no reason why any 3/4 ton truck should have much difficulty handling that PIN weight. I would think you could go as high as 16,000 lbs if you learn to load it properly. As a note of caution, you don't want to rear-load the trailer too much or you could suffer a loss of handling.

If it's a 3 axle, you should be able to balance the load nicely since you're loading several smaller objects instead of one big one.

IMO, you're fine. Best way to find out is hook up and give it a try.

loggskidder2 · Dec 30, 2008

Thanks for all the advice. Just got my b&w turnover gooseneck hitch installed over the weekend and am waiting on my brake box to arrive before I can get the trailer hooked up. Hopefully when it arrives I can get the trailer hooked up and pull it some without a load. Also going to weigh it. Will keep you posted.

Blackhammer · Jan 3, 2009

what everyone has said is correct and good advise. Truck ratings are very important however driver ability and proper driving technique is just as important. Drive slower than the rest at first to get used to towing the trailer with a new truck. After a while you will know the limitations of the truck and trailer. Good luck with your new truck it will pull the 14,000 fine just drive safe and give plenty of room for emergency situations.

loggskidder2 · Jan 4, 2009

Thanks for all the advice. The trailer is a pretty big trailer, going to try and post a pic of it. I have pulled the trailer with the dodge so I am familiar with pulling it, but just have to see how the new truck reacts to it. Supposed to get my brake box Monday. Also does anyone have some thoughts on towing mirrors. The truck came with regular mirrors. Are the add on towing mirror any good.

Diamondpilot · Jan 4, 2009

The add on ones are not bad but I was not happy with a set I bought and clamped on to the factory mirrors. They shook pretty bad when I passed or got passed by a semi. If I were you I would just get the factory ones from the dealer. I am really surprised a 2008 2500HD did not come with the big tow mirrors? That makes me really wonder if you have the other items needed like a bigger tranny cooler, ect that usually comes with a truck equipped with a tow package???

Chris

Builder · Jan 4, 2009

I tend to agree. Usually any of the big 3 come with trailer tow mirrors when equipped with a trailer tow package.

Almost all trucks, even those without a TT package, come with a basic hitch.

Diamondpilot · Jan 5, 2009

I thought about this today at work and you have me wondering if your truck is equipped to handle this trailer? Just because its a 3/4 ton and has a Diesel does not necessarily mean it has the other items need that are included in the tow package like the mirrors, tranny cooler, power steering cooler, hitch wiring, ect????

I am really wondering if you got enough truck or the right truck for the job?

Chris

Builder · Jan 5, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
I thought about this today at work and you have me wondering if your truck is equipped to handle this trailer? Just because its a 3/4 ton and has a Diesel does not necessarily mean it has the other items need that are included in the tow package like the mirrors, tranny cooler, power steering cooler, hitch wiring, ect????

I am really wondering if you got enough truck or the right truck for the job?

Chris

I'm new to GM so I don't know everything about them, but I don't believe the Ally gets any other treatment for trailer towing. I think it comes right out of the box ready for max towing. By the looks of the cost of my Z82 HD trailering package ($230), all it provides is a trailer hitch & wiring. I don't think $230 would cover the cost of auxillary coolers or mirrors.

The TT mirrors are just a straight line option for $238.
"Power/heated extendable camper mirrors with turn signals and lower convex glass............ $238"
is what my widow sticker says.

My guess is for a gas truck, it might include an extra cooler. I noticed that the gas truck trailering package is more costly.

Diamondpilot · Jan 5, 2009

You could be very right. I know on some trucks they simply put a larger cooler on the tranny in place of the smaller standard one. The mirrors are a no brainier for me. Just go to the dealer and order the tow mirror and put them on. You will spend nearly as much as Builder quoted and never be as happy with aftermarket ones. Plus they make it look like a heavy duty truck!

Chris

loggskidder2 · Jan 5, 2009

I bought the truck up north, It has some neat features like, heated washer fluid. It came with the trailer towing package. The 2 1/2 in reciever hitch, dumb on GM part because you cant use a standard hitch without a sleeve, that I had to purchase. It has the trailer wiring 8 pin connector and It is pre-wired for the brake box and the tranny does have an external cooler from the factory. Here is a pic of the truck

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/loggskidder/?action=view&current=gmtruckpic.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/loggskidder/gmtruckpic.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>.

loggskidder2 · Jan 5, 2009

Sorry guys. Note sure if that worked. Here is the link.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc122/loggskidder/gmtruckpic.jpg

Diamondpilot · Jan 5, 2009

I like the 2.5" receiver, can handle up to 15K with the 2.5 draw bar and appropriate ball. You are limited usually to 12k with the 2" bar and sleeve. My Ford came with the sleeve and the long pin you need to use it. I am wondering if they tried to pull one over on you and not give them to you. Still funny it came with all the goodies except the tow mirrors.

I really like the color of that truck but GM needs to get bigger tire and wheel combo's to fill those big square wheel wells.

By the way its a 7 pin connector but we understood what you were saying.

Chris