? about my tow vehicle

[TexasA&M]

Braking power won't be an issue since this is the same truck that has a much higher tow rating when optioned differently (with a diesel). Brakes are the same on this vehicle and will be up to the task. The trailer brakes should be responsible for stopping the trailer anyway, so as long as they are working like they should, that won't be a problem.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by TexasA&M

snip...... The trailer brakes should be responsible for stopping the trailer anyway, so as long as they are working like they should, that won't be a problem.

X2

The braking system on any given TV is designed to handle the braking requirements up to it's specified GVWR......, this where the folks that camp using truck campers have to be very careful on their gross weights.

Bob

[eric2500hd]

The truck will not have trouble stopping. As A&M and Eagle stated the trailer will brake itself. The 6 speed also down shifts like the Alison when it is in tow haul mode and really helps pull the reigns. The brakes are also very stout on the truck.

Mikefos- I am pretty sure the tow rating is 9400 with the 3.73's. Everything I have found says 9400. If I had the 4.10's that would jump all the way to 13,000 which make more sense.

[clutch]

Correct statement that the trailer will brake it self if the controller is properly adjusted.

When we bought our first travel trailer we were using a 1965 Ford F100 for a puller. It had the mighty 300 six and rather small drum brakes all around. I am positive that the truck with the trailer could stop faster than the truck alone.

[Seann45]

Since no one has touched on this so far......

IF you get into an accident and your insurance company finds out you exceeded the factory limit of the tow vehicle they can refuse to cover you...

No matter what improvements you make to the vehicle you cannot exceed the manufactures posted limits... ask me I found out this the hard way...

dont forget to include the weight of all passengers and luggage in the tow vehicle...

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Since no one has touched on this so far......

IF you get into an accident and your insurance company finds out you exceeded the factory limit of the tow vehicle they can refuse to cover you...

No matter what improvements you make to the vehicle you cannot exceed the manufactures posted limits... ask me I found out this the hard way...

dont forget to include the weight of all passengers and luggage in the tow vehicle...

You personally had insurance deny coverage for an accident because exceeded the manufacturers weight rating?

Please share the details. I've heard legend, but never heard from anyone that it happened to. I thought it was a folk tale.

[Dadof4Girls]

eric2500hd - I just got the same truck as you to tow my 2011 32BHDS. I towed it last year with my 01 Yukon XL 8.1 and 4.10. I decided to get the new pickup, and had a great deal on a 3.73. I had also weighed my trailer with some of the camping stuff, and it was around 9200 pounds.

I had towed my previous trailer (Dutchman 31BHDS) with a 2500HD and it towed it as good as my Yukon XL.

Therefore, I think you will be good to go. I only tow about 5% of the time, so I did not feel the need for 4.10.

[eric2500hd]

Thanks Dadof4girls.

I also bought the 3.73's because I wouldn't be towing as much as highway driving. I also didn't plan on getting a camper as large as the 32bhds. It was hard not to get the 32bhds after seeing the floor plan and features of it. Let me know how it tows if you hook up the camper anytime soon. Thanks for your input.

[jwstewar]

Originally Posted by eric2500hd

Thanks Dadof4girls.

I also bought the 3.73's because I wouldn't be towing as much as highway driving. I also didn't plan on getting a camper as large as the 32bhds. It was hard not to get the 32bhds after seeing the floor plan and features of it. Let me know how it tows if you hook up the camper anytime soon. Thanks for your input.

Maybe I shouldn't tell you that I tow a 2009 32BHDS with a '99 Silverado 1500

[eric2500hd]

Originally Posted by jwstewar

Maybe I shouldn't tell you that I tow a 2009 32BHDS with a '99 Silverado 1500

Well.....how does it do?

[Dadof4Girls]

Originally Posted by jwstewar

Maybe I shouldn't tell you that I tow a 2009 32BHDS with a '99 Silverado 1500

Maybe you should know that my 2001 Yukon XL with a 8.1 and 4.10 tows a 32BHDS great, and is looking for a new camping family to adopt.

[jwstewar]

Originally Posted by Dadof4Girls

Maybe you should know that my 2001 Yukon XL with a 8.1 and 4.10 tows a 32BHDS great, and is looking for a new camping family to adopt.

:hihi: As soon as our current Suburban is paid for, I'm going to look at getting a new 3500 D/A. If things would have worked out like we planned, the new truck would have happened in early 2010 - only towing the camper a few times in '09, but alas, the best laid plans.

[jwstewar]

Originally Posted by eric2500hd

Well.....how does it do?

To be honest with you, it doesn't do that bad. It isn't great by any stretch, but it does the job. I mean, it did a much better job towing our old 28' camper that didn't have any slides.

I've had a couple of situations where I've "run out of power." Gotta remember this is only a 5.3 w/ 3.73 gears and only the 4 speed transmission. One of those was this past fall. We were loaded especially heavy. Fresh water tank was full, black tank about 1/2 full, and grey tank probably 1/3 full. The time before when we were out there was a line at the dumpstation and I didn't feel like waiting know we were going out again a week later. I also had a water tank in the bed of the truck w/ 35 gallons in it and it was fall, so it was going to be cold. I had lots of firewood in the bed of the truck. Only took 3 bikes though instead of the normal 5. Had a fair amount of food & drinks in it as well because we had just been out and were stocked well because we were "group" camping then and didn't know what we would need. Also lots of heavier coats & blankets because of the cold weather. 5 of us in the cab of the truck. I was headed to Hocking Hills in SE Ohio. There was one hill that had a sharp turn at the bottom, I couldn't get over 20 MPH going up the hill and that was with the pedal to the floor. We were probably loaded heavier for that trip than we ever have.

Normally though it does fine. Loaded light I can run 65 - 70 with it w/ any issue, normally I run between 55 & 60 - that is where everything feels really comfortable. Running between 55 & 60, I get about 9.8 MPGs, if I try to run it closer to 65-70, it drops to 9.

I run Reese 1200 LB WD system and no sway control. Using a Prodigy for a brake controller. When I put new tires on (now to be replaced again) I went with LT load range D tires - long before we had this camper. I also found a set of rear springs from a 2006 2500HD that I installed. That helped with the side to side movement I was feeling with the truck more than it did with the actual "squat" of the truck because the WD bars already took care of that.

[eric2500hd]

Originally Posted by jwstewar

To be honest with you, it doesn't do that bad. It isn't great by any stretch, but it does the job. I mean, it did a much better job towing our old 28' camper that didn't have any slides.

I've had a couple of situations where I've "run out of power." Gotta remember this is only a 5.3 w/ 3.73 gears and only the 4 speed transmission. One of those was this past fall. We were loaded especially heavy. Fresh water tank was full, black tank about 1/2 full, and grey tank probably 1/3 full. The time before when we were out there was a line at the dumpstation and I didn't feel like waiting know we were going out again a week later. I also had a water tank in the bed of the truck w/ 35 gallons in it and it was fall, so it was going to be cold. I had lots of firewood in the bed of the truck. Only took 3 bikes though instead of the normal 5. Had a fair amount of food & drinks in it as well because we had just been out and were stocked well because we were "group" camping then and didn't know what we would need. Also lots of heavier coats & blankets because of the cold weather. 5 of us in the cab of the truck. I was headed to Hocking Hills in SE Ohio. There was one hill that had a sharp turn at the bottom, I couldn't get over 20 MPH going up the hill and that was with the pedal to the floor. We were probably loaded heavier for that trip than we ever have.

Normally though it does fine. Loaded light I can run 65 - 70 with it w/ any issue, normally I run between 55 & 60 - that is where everything feels really comfortable. Running between 55 & 60, I get about 9.8 MPGs, if I try to run it closer to 65-70, it drops to 9.

I run Reese 1200 LB WD system and no sway control. Using a Prodigy for a brake controller. When I put new tires on (now to be replaced again) I went with LT load range D tires - long before we had this camper. I also found a set of rear springs from a 2006 2500HD that I installed. That helped with the side to side movement I was feeling with the truck more than it did with the actual "squat" of the truck because the WD bars already took care of that.

Thanks for the write up. That gives me some good info on how my truck should perform.

[matt1946]

I tow a 2012 30.5 RLS with a 2008 silverado 2500 HD with 3.73 gears 6 speed tranny & get 10.6 MPG. also have plenty of power in hilly areas.

[robo59097]

Wasn't the 8.1L only available in the 2500 Yukon XL?

Originally Posted by Dadof4Girls

Maybe you should know that my 2001 Yukon XL with a 8.1 and 4.10 tows a 32BHDS great, and is looking for a new camping family to adopt.

[drfife]

Originally Posted by robo59097

Wasn't the 8.1L only available in the 2500 Yukon XL?

You could get an 8.1 ltr engine (RPO code L18) in GM 2500 and 3500 trucks from 2001-2007 and 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL's from 2001-2006.

[rescuebub]

I towed ours up the PA turnpike and down the Blue Ridge Parkway with no problems with power, or braking. It'll run some pretty good rpm's if your really calling on it, but I've never had a problem with it not being able to maintain a good speed going up hill. The blue ridge parkway had some pretty steep areas, but the speed limit was only 35, so that wasn't a problem. I used the trans as a brake and never had to work the brakes too hard either. I'm surprised that the rating of your tv is that low, but if it's like my truck, you'll be fine. Just a note.. I only get about 8 mpg, which equates to a little over 200 mile fuel range, which is my only complaint. I wish I had a larger fuel tank. Overall, I think you'll be happy, just dial in your WDH and enjoy!

[JAMMFAM]

Eric2500HD, don't overlook Husley Centerline WDH. Not as expensive as Reece or Hensley but definatley a very good WDH with active anti-sway double cam system. I picked up mine for around $750.

[eric2500hd]

Originally Posted by rescuebub

I towed ours up the PA turnpike and down the Blue Ridge Parkway with no problems with power, or braking. It'll run some pretty good rpm's if your really calling on it, but I've never had a problem with it not being able to maintain a good speed going up hill. The blue ridge parkway had some pretty steep areas, but the speed limit was only 35, so that wasn't a problem. I used the trans as a brake and never had to work the brakes too hard either. I'm surprised that the rating of your tv is that low, but if it's like my truck, you'll be fine. Just a note.. I only get about 8 mpg, which equates to a little over 200 mile fuel range, which is my only complaint. I wish I had a larger fuel tank. Overall, I think you'll be happy, just dial in your WDH and enjoy!

Thanks for the review. If your truck has the 3.73 gear like mine then I was happy to hear you pulled in PA fine and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I know the BRP is very hilly and lots of turns. I know my fuel mileage will stink but that isn't why a bought a 2500hd for. How big is your fuel tank. Mine is 36 gallons so if I get 8 mpg I will be able to get 250 miles or so. I am suprised my tow rating is at 9400 too but that is what I seem to find. If I had the 4.10 gear it would jump to 13,000.