Best Diesel to tow 12,000-13,000 lbs?
Newbie here, so be easy on me eh? My wife & I are just beginning to consider what (used) diesel trucks to consider buying - to pull up to a 13K lb 5'er (not yet purchased). Looking at it another way...
Forum Discussion
A 34 foot Big Horn may be too much weight (pin weight) for a 2500HD - even an "older" 3500 HD
The Duramax/Allison have the ratings to pull the trailer - it is the truck design that is the limiting factor (frame, brakes, suspension, tires).
2006 - 2007 LBZ Duramax (Revised piston design lowered compression ratio to 16.8:1 from 17.5:1, a stronger block debuted, and a 32-bit ECU was introduced).
Horsepower: 360 hp @ 3,200 RPM
Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
The 2006 model - GVWR's. Someone may have the weight of the truck. Then you can figure out how much payload it will have.
3500HD SRW - GVWR of 9900 lbs
2500HD - GVWR of 9200 lbs.
3500HD dually - GVWR of 11,400 lbs.
If the truck had a good maintenance record there should not be any major component failures.
If you know a diesel mechanic - have the mechanic check it out.
If you purchase the truck - change all fluids and external filters and start a clean maintenance schedule.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76-gm-trucks/64-maintenance-fluids/33348-duramax-maintenance-schedule.html
If it has 16" 245 tires - change them to 16" 265's. Gain about 400 lb capacity per tire. Add air bags and bilstein shocks (http://www.kennedydiesel.com/) (That is what I did to a 2004 D/A 2500HD I owned that was used to pull a 32' Everest fifth wheel).
The Duramax/Allison have the ratings to pull the trailer - it is the truck design that is the limiting factor (frame, brakes, suspension, tires).
2006 - 2007 LBZ Duramax (Revised piston design lowered compression ratio to 16.8:1 from 17.5:1, a stronger block debuted, and a 32-bit ECU was introduced).
Horsepower: 360 hp @ 3,200 RPM
Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
The 2006 model - GVWR's. Someone may have the weight of the truck. Then you can figure out how much payload it will have.
3500HD SRW - GVWR of 9900 lbs
2500HD - GVWR of 9200 lbs.
3500HD dually - GVWR of 11,400 lbs.
If the truck had a good maintenance record there should not be any major component failures.
If you know a diesel mechanic - have the mechanic check it out.
If you purchase the truck - change all fluids and external filters and start a clean maintenance schedule.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76-gm-trucks/64-maintenance-fluids/33348-duramax-maintenance-schedule.html
If it has 16" 245 tires - change them to 16" 265's. Gain about 400 lb capacity per tire. Add air bags and bilstein shocks (http://www.kennedydiesel.com/) (That is what I did to a 2004 D/A 2500HD I owned that was used to pull a 32' Everest fifth wheel).
