Getting truck to pull toy hauler

randompanda wrote:

I have a 2007 35' wolf pack toy hauler with a GVWR 13387 lbs, hitch weight 2268 lbs. I prefer not to get a diesel if I don't need to. Since I'm getting a used truck I doubt it will have a "towing package" so I'm not sure what I need there.
Thank you for getting back so quickly!!

This is a bumper pull trailer? That's quite a load on the hitch.

A 2000 model Chevy 2500 will not handle this TH. The 2000 model year truck will be a straight 2500 which has a GVWR of 8,600lbs. The 2500HD model did not appear until 2001 and that was a 9,200lbs GVWR truck.

I really wouldn't recommend either truck for this trailer. You really do need to be using a 3500 series. You can find them with gas engines if you're just that opposed to a diesel.

If you're set on the idea of an early 2000's GM truck you should try and find one with 8100 Vortec V8. Fuel economy in the 8.1L will be about 8MPG towing, but it is a toque beast and very reliable. This engine also gets you the Allison 1000 transmission.

The 6.0L engine is durable but will rev like mad and be very under powered for that trailer. Also the 4L80E transmission behind the 6.0L is pretty good, but will be over matched for your trailer. I owned an '04 2500HD with the 6.0L and 4.10 gears for 10 years. Rock solid reliable but man that engine screamed pulling through the hills, and that was only a 7,200lbs travel trailer.

Also, if an early 2000's GM truck is your choice DO NOT RELY ON THE OEM RECEIVER TO PULL THIS TOY HAULER. The design of those original receivers is absolute junk and relied on the bumper brackets for weight carrying and transfer. They are terribly weak and will not support the weight of that beast.

What you need is something like this Curt Class V receiver. It's rated for 2700lbs tongue weight and 18,000lbs trailer weight. The 2500 and 3500 GM trucks will all have the same receiver. On my '04 I only had about 900lbs tongue weight and I could feel the receiver flex and it poorly transferred weight to the front axle with the WD hitch. When I replaced it with Curt MagnumV hitch that all changed.

KJ