Need help on tow vehicle

[goinggold]

So the deal for the 2007 Chevy classic 3500 with the 6.0 feel through. So now I am have an opportunity to get a 2009 GMC 2500HD with a 6.0. Trailer is Outback 298re (36 fee total) loaded will be about 8400lbs with a tongue weight of about 1100lbs. It appears the payload can handle it fine and the GCWR is fine. What do you think will it work?

[IBcarguy]

The 6.0 should pull your TT just fine. It would do better with the 4.10 gear ratio. If you don't know what it is, look at the sticker in the glove box. GT4 is 3.73 and GT5 is 4.10.
This motor's power curve is at higher rpms, so let it buzz up there when it needs to, you won't hurt it.
I just got a late model Duramax and love it but I found a screaming deal on it or I would have bought the 6.0 gas.

[B-n-B]

Sounds like you have the makings of a good combo that will work well. Nothing is perfect and there is always compromise. Hitch it, git it and enjoy!

[goinggold]

I replaced the factory hitch with a heavy duty class 5 from curt. 2400lb tongue weight and 18000 or weight limit. Over kill but safer. The Propride is set at 1400lb tongue weight rating.

[Need-A-Vacation]

As long as the 2500HD is mechanically sound, you should be good to go.

As for the ProPride, just make sure your tw isn't exceeding the wdh tw rating.

Does the '09 still have the 2" receiver, or a 2.5"? Regardless, watch the factory receiver hitch. It is a round tube design is I remember correctly (went to the square tube in '11), and it is possible for the hitch to "wind up" (twist) when used with a wdh on a trailer with a higher tw.

Good luck!

[goinggold]

I have a Propride hitch that I have used before and love very much. it does a great job of removing all sway and makes the trailer and truck feel as one. So it sounds with that hitch and the 2500HD I should be ok then. It seems to be under all the limits, axel, payload, towing capacity and GCWR. Assuming a full load in truck and trailer, unless I am missing something.

[Aqua-Andy]

The 09' will be fine. Yes it will work to pull the trailer but that is what it was designed to do. All these people bragging about how there diesels tow sounds great until the thing needs to be repaired. You will never make up the savings in fuel economy over the initial cost of the diesel upgrade. If you need the power of a diesel then you need a diesel but if not go with gas. When diesels break they cost a lot of money to fix, here are a few pics of a job I did on a friends truck.

[APT]

6.0L 6-spd is far better than the older trucks/4-spd. If you can find a 2011+, the 6.5' bed HD trucks get larger fuel tank which makes 8-10mpg tolerable for range.

[IdaD]

I'd take the '09 with the six speed over the '07 with the four speed and not look back. A six speed is a really big upgrade over a 4 speed, regardless of the rear end ratio. The '09 is just as much truck as a 3500, it just has a little lighter rear springpack, but that's the only difference. If sag is an issue you fan fix it with airbags or Timbrens and you've created a SRW 3500 in all but name only. I doubt sag would be an issue as long as you use a WDH, though.

If you can swing it a diesel will definitely tow a lot better, but I think a 6.0/6 spd would work well for that trailer.

[azdryheat]

How much more would a diesel be? I'd never go back to gas for towing. Plus you can add an additional diesel fuel tank in the bed and more than double your driving range.

[azdryheat]

How much more would a diesel be? I'd never go back to gas for towing.

[DutchmenSport]

Hi goinggold!

I have a 2013 298RE Outback and absolutely love it. We've made several trips to Florida and back again now, and travel as far as money will allow. Granted I am towing with a 3500 diesel duly (Chevy), but with my set-up, it tows like it's not even there. The only time I notice the trailer is behind is when making a turn.

I have no clue how a gas engine truck would tow this trailer, nor a single rear wheel either. I do know, my duly is so stable it's very easy to forget 35 and 1/2 feet of trailer is dragging behind.

My truck also has the integrated brake controller and works so smooth with the truck, the two brake as one unit, even on sudden stops. No jerking, yanking, or anything.

I use an Equal-i-zer 4-point Weight Distribution hitch system which does level the truck out. Even that 3500 duly will squat about 2 inches without the WD bars. With the bars, it's hardly noticeable.

There is a 2 mile-per-gallon difference between towing and not towing this trailer.

I would think a 2500-HD GMC would tow this trailer OK.

See my "profile" on the left.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Welcome!!!

The '09 has the 6spd trans, correct? If so, even if it has the 3.73 gearing it should do ok. Even better with the 4.10's. The 6spd/3.73 is a better combo than the 4spd/4.10 combo. The extra gearing keeps the motor in the power band better.

Fuel economy may not be great with the 6.0, but it is a very reliable motor that just keeps chugging along, getting the job done.....

While we have only towed here in Mi with our '13, we are about 9200lbs loaded, and she does just fine.

Good luck!!!

[goinggold]

As it is the same engine as the 2007 3500 I assume the fuel economy and slow climb hills would be the same issue with both correct? The 2007 3500 has a 4 speed but 4.10 rear gears. The 2009 2500HD has 6 speeds but not sure of the gears. I think it may be 3.73. Which is better or are they about the same trucks?

Thanks for your help and insight.

[donn0128]

Probably tow OK. Only down sides I see would be horrible fuel economy, and slow climbing.