First Mountain Towing with 6.0 gas GMC
As I have posted in other Forum Topics here at RV.Net, I purchased a new 2013 GMC 6.0 (gas) 3500 SRW 8' box, Crew Cab 4.10 late last year. This was after owning a 6.0 Ford Diesel for 9 long, expensive years. My plan was to use the new truck to haul the toy hauler for the next year and then downgrade (upgrade?) to a truck camper after the kids leave for college.
After school let out this year, I took the family on a two week trip up to the Lake Tahoe area from the Bay Area, towing the 9500lb (loaded) toy hauler on the truck's first long trip.
From the Bay Area to the Sierra foothills was an absolute joy. With the truck in "Tow" mode and the transmission selector in "manual" mode I was easily able to maintain speed, pass vehicles and was quite happy with the overall performance.
Then came the steep grades with slow Semi's. On the uphill sections, if I was able to keep momentum, I could get up most hills with ease. If I got stuck behind any slower moving traffic and had to let up, I was forced to downshift and try to get back up to speed. This was difficult. Once the speed was down, it was not coming back until the roadway leveled out.
Overall, the truck was quite comfortable, the interior noise was low and the engine was quiet (except for the steep grades).
If I was to need a tow vehicle where 10K-plus weights were towed in mountainous areas, I would pass on this set up. If it were mostly flat land towing or small hills, I would say to go for it.
I can live with my decision until I get a TC. I know that she is no diesel, but I know that I am not going to get stuck replacing injectors and turbos again!
Best regards
Bill
After school let out this year, I took the family on a two week trip up to the Lake Tahoe area from the Bay Area, towing the 9500lb (loaded) toy hauler on the truck's first long trip.
From the Bay Area to the Sierra foothills was an absolute joy. With the truck in "Tow" mode and the transmission selector in "manual" mode I was easily able to maintain speed, pass vehicles and was quite happy with the overall performance.
Then came the steep grades with slow Semi's. On the uphill sections, if I was able to keep momentum, I could get up most hills with ease. If I got stuck behind any slower moving traffic and had to let up, I was forced to downshift and try to get back up to speed. This was difficult. Once the speed was down, it was not coming back until the roadway leveled out.
Overall, the truck was quite comfortable, the interior noise was low and the engine was quiet (except for the steep grades).
If I was to need a tow vehicle where 10K-plus weights were towed in mountainous areas, I would pass on this set up. If it were mostly flat land towing or small hills, I would say to go for it.
I can live with my decision until I get a TC. I know that she is no diesel, but I know that I am not going to get stuck replacing injectors and turbos again!
Best regards
Bill
