Just completed first tow....good and bad!,
As a newby, We just finished our first tow with a 2011 GMC hd 2500 6.0 gas from st louis, mo. to harrington beach campground north of Milwaukee, Ws. Trailer is about 8000 pounds. Trip was about 860 mi...
Forum Discussion
Thanks to everyone for all of the replies....lots of really good feedback.
Let me clarify some issues.....
I do have load range E 10 ply rated Cooper AT3 tkres that are brand new, and aired them to 75 pounds before we left home....
I am a newby with a travel trailer but I did pull a 5th wheel for a couple of years....had a dodge diesel and hated every minute of it. They are just not for me and I know that a lot of guys love them....
We went to Wisconsin this year, may go to arizona next year, but we only tow about 3 times a year, about two hours each way....we keep the trailer parked in a county camp ground most of the time.
Hence, the cost of a diesel would not be worth it to me....I am retired and only drive about 12,000 miles a year, and often a diesel would not get to operating temperature on a 3 miles trip.
I know imy small block will struggle up hill in arizona, but the plan it to drive there, spend two months and drive home....
I was excited to see that my truck is going as expected with the weight of the trailer. The truck is a daily driver and a diesle would be oberkill, I think. If we ever start towing a lot each summer, I would certainly entertain the idea of a diesel, and maybe a dually. But, my GMC doesma-ok for me for now. Next towing time I will cut the soeed down to 55-60 mph and see how that all works out.
Thanks again for all the input....releives a lot of anxieties and answers a lot of questions.....
Let me clarify some issues.....
I do have load range E 10 ply rated Cooper AT3 tkres that are brand new, and aired them to 75 pounds before we left home....
I am a newby with a travel trailer but I did pull a 5th wheel for a couple of years....had a dodge diesel and hated every minute of it. They are just not for me and I know that a lot of guys love them....
We went to Wisconsin this year, may go to arizona next year, but we only tow about 3 times a year, about two hours each way....we keep the trailer parked in a county camp ground most of the time.
Hence, the cost of a diesel would not be worth it to me....I am retired and only drive about 12,000 miles a year, and often a diesel would not get to operating temperature on a 3 miles trip.
I know imy small block will struggle up hill in arizona, but the plan it to drive there, spend two months and drive home....
I was excited to see that my truck is going as expected with the weight of the trailer. The truck is a daily driver and a diesle would be oberkill, I think. If we ever start towing a lot each summer, I would certainly entertain the idea of a diesel, and maybe a dually. But, my GMC doesma-ok for me for now. Next towing time I will cut the soeed down to 55-60 mph and see how that all works out.
Thanks again for all the input....releives a lot of anxieties and answers a lot of questions.....
