What Upgrades needed for a 3/4 ton pickup

[rarin_2go]

I want to thank everyone who responded to my other post "will a 3/4 do". It was very informative. I am making a new post because I thought I could get more answers than just asking on my other post. On to my question - I have a chance to get a chevy 2500 (used, late model, low miles) but it is not set up to tow a heavy 5th wheel with a towing package. What would I have to do to upgrade it to be able to safely tow my 14000 trailer? On the other hand I also have a chance to get an older GMC 2500 that already is beefed up with a trailer pkg and a snow plow setup but has higher miles already with a 5th wheel hitch. Both of these are extended cab and gassers. I quickly found a new truck is really beyond my price range.
To answer a statement make in my other post. My small number of posts on the forum is the result of illness in the family. We had what we thought was everything to go full time after retirement but it wasn't to be.

Thank you for helping me regear and go camping.

[Grit_dog]

rarin'2go wrote:
I want to thank everyone who responded to my other post "will a 3/4 do". It was very informative. I am making a new post because I thought I could get more answers than just asking on my other post. On to my question - I have a chance to get a chevy 2500 (used, late model, low miles) but it is not set up to tow a heavy 5th wheel with a towing package. What would I have to do to upgrade it to be able to safely tow my 14000 trailer? On the other hand I also have a chance to get an older GMC 2500 that already is beefed up with a trailer pkg and a snow plow setup but has higher miles already with a 5th wheel hitch.

Couple comments, you've already heard plenty about how "well" the drivetrain will lug a trailer that size.
To your statement above, I'm not aware of any downgrading in cooling or drivetrain parts that would show 1 3/4 ton truck not having a towing package, vs another. Yes maybe auxiliary in bed trailer plug or 5th wheel prep package or similar. But there is no distinction on tow ratings based on a tow package I'm aware of.
Gearing though is a real thing, as mentioned already also.

If you meant one has a 5ver hitch already and the other doesn't, well, just consider that part of the cost/benefit calc for each truck.

[Me_Again]

I would not tow a 14K 5th wheel in Western States without a diesel that has an exhaust brake. Or in the Eastern part of the country that has some steep down hills.

[ford_truck_guy]

spoon059 wrote:

Michelle.S wrote:
Maybe it's just me, but not sure I would be trying to pull a 14K Fifth wheel with a gasser unless it was all down hill.

This being RV.net in the tow vehicles section, I've got to disagree with you! 😉

If all my towing was downhill, I'd rather have the diesel with integrated exhaust brake!

That is actually a valid argument spoon ! ! !:B

[Michelle_S]

Then you would have a Diesel and not a Gasser, the down hill part was tongue and cheek.

[spoon059]

Michelle.S wrote:
Maybe it's just me, but not sure I would be trying to pull a 14K Fifth wheel with a gasser unless it was all down hill.

This being RV.net in the tow vehicles section, I've got to disagree with you! 😉

If all my towing was downhill, I'd rather have the diesel with integrated exhaust brake!

[wowens79]

I've got a Chevy with the 6.0 and 3.73, and tow an 8000lb TT. That is all I'd want to tow with it. Newer ones have a little more HP, and 2 more gears, but it's gonna struggle with 14k.

If looking at 2020 or newer, look at Fords 7.3 gasser. It way out performs the Chevy 6.6 gas.

[blt2ski]

Grit,
The 2014+ is that generally speaking, a lot of the gas motors did get significant HP/torque/mpg gains. More so in the under 8400 gvwr relm than 25/35 series. Hence recommendation. If as you point out, the last improvement was 2010 for the 6L gas, Go back that far. At that point in time, finding a rig in decent shape is a crapshoot at best
Even the 3.73 to 4.10 std option is not a big deal. The 6sp/3.73 is better than a 4Lxx with a 4.88 ratio from a get up and go stand point!
Marty

[Grit_dog]

mkirsch wrote:

rarin'2go wrote:
What would I have to do to upgrade it to be able to safely tow my 14000 trailer?

Short answer, NOTHING.

You could tow thousands upon thousands of miles with the truck stock, frame pushed down on the axle. As long as everything is mechanically in good shape and working, you'll perfectly safe.

You won't be comfortable, though.

The inability of this forum to differentiate between safety and comfort is unfathomable.

Unsafe is running on bald tires, brakes worn paper thin, wheel bearings growling...

Well said.

[MFL]

Also, the 6.0/4.10 combo of that time was rated to tow a FW around 15K. Not saying it would be a comfortable tow, but if OP is towing mostly flat midwest roads, it may be acceptable.

Jerry

[MFL]

Grit dog wrote:

blt2ski wrote:
Now that I've reread intial better....
If the gas rigs are pre 2014, assuming a 6.0 gas, I would not buy that rig, 2500, 3500 SW or dw! A 6.6 gas is a way better option power wise. If at elevations below 6-7k' best. It will go to the 10-12k feet elevation in Rockies, but your down 30% of HP at those levels. If a single life time trip, go fo for it, if ALL the time over next 3+ years, get one of the diesels from last 10-15 yrs.
An ext cab may be ok payload wise, depending upon options 6.5 bed is 200 LS less than an 8' bed. The longer bed and wheelbase may be better than the loss of payload.

Marty

What’s the aversion to pre-2014? Same power and 6 speed back to at least 2010 as I recall.
I know the body/chassis updated in 2015 if that’s what you meant. But I’m not aware of any major chassis capability changes.
Regardless, OP shouldn’t even consider unless 4.10 gears.

IIRC, 2014 was the year GM 2500 6.0 went to 4.10 gearing as standard, since earlier standard was 3.73.

Jerry

[mkirsch]

rarin'2go wrote:
What would I have to do to upgrade it to be able to safely tow my 14000 trailer?

Short answer, NOTHING.

You could tow thousands upon thousands of miles with the truck stock, frame pushed down on the axle. As long as everything is mechanically in good shape and working, you'll perfectly safe.

You won't be comfortable, though.

The inability of this forum to differentiate between safety and comfort is unfathomable.

Unsafe is running on bald tires, brakes worn paper thin, wheel bearings growling...

[Grit_dog]

blt2ski wrote:
Now that I've reread intial better....
If the gas rigs are pre 2014, assuming a 6.0 gas, I would not buy that rig, 2500, 3500 SW or dw! A 6.6 gas is a way better option power wise. If at elevations below 6-7k' best. It will go to the 10-12k feet elevation in Rockies, but your down 30% of HP at those levels. If a single life time trip, go fo for it, if ALL the time over next 3+ years, get one of the diesels from last 10-15 yrs.
An ext cab may be ok payload wise, depending upon options 6.5 bed is 200 LS less than an 8' bed. The longer bed and wheelbase may be better than the loss of payload.

Marty

What’s the aversion to pre-2014? Same power and 6 speed back to at least 2010 as I recall.
I know the body/chassis updated in 2015 if that’s what you meant. But I’m not aware of any major chassis capability changes.
Regardless, OP shouldn’t even consider unless 4.10 gears.

[Lwiddis]

Wizard, didn’t think at all about the radiator and cooling. (Even though I’m very kool). Good response.

[theoldwizard1]

Lwiddis wrote:
Remembering you can't change the manufacturer's payload limit or maximum rear axle limit, you could add airbags to level the tow vehicle and you could insure that the tires and wheels are rated for the weight anticipated.

Wheel and tire rating are more important than the manufacturer payload rating. Knowing EXACTLY which rear axle and ratio you have installed is also very important.

You will likely have to upgrade the radiator, transmission cooler and probably the rear axle ratio.

Remember, older vehicles will likely need tires, brake, shocks and probably front end parts !