Trailer towing advice needed

[Blackhammer]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Diamondpilot]

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