2003 Gmc 2500hd Enough Truck

[scottsumrall]

Ok, Looking At A Late Model 42 Fountain With Twins, I Have A 2500hd With 6.0 And 410 Gears, Do I Have Enough Truck To Pull This Boat. Thanks In Advance.

[Dave1972]

The GVWR is 9,200 pounds with a maximum trailer weight of around 10,000 pounds depending on crew cab/ext. cab/4WD. Not sure how much a 42 Fountain weighs but I'm guessing you'll be struggling at best. I've got the 6.0L in a 2002 but with 3.73 gears...pulling my 25 Eliminator it barely knows it's back there. I've got a custom ECM program, high flow intake kit (UPD), and a Gibson cat-back exhaust...synthetic everything fluids/oils/lubes. Love the truck...the 6.0L cold-engine knock is annoying but haven't had a single problem with the truck since I've owned it! I'm guessing that the HD will pull it, but braking/legal issues might be pushing the limits. With that size of boat you will want the biggest tow vehicle you can afford...obviously the duramax/allison combo would be better than the gasser. Currently a standard hitch allows 12,000 towing even with the diesel...5th wheel/gooseneck goes up to a max of 15,900 pounds. Let us know what you decide.

[scottsumrall]

Originally Posted by Dave1972

The GVWR is 9,200 pounds with a maximum trailer weight of 12,000 pounds. Not sure how much a 42 Fountain weighs but I'm guessing you'll be struggling at best. I've got the 6.0L in a 2002 but with 3.73 gears...pulling my 25 Eliminator it barely knows it's back there. I've got a custom ECM program, high flow intake kit (UPD), and a Gibson cat-back exhaust...synthetic everything fluids/oils/lubes. Love the truck...the 6.0L cold-engine knock is annoying but haven't had a single problem with the truck since I've owned it! I'm guessing that the HD will pull it, but braking/legal issues might be pushing the limits. With that size of boat you will want the biggest tow vehicle you can afford...obviously the duramax/allison combo would be better than the gasser. Let us know what you decide.

DAVE, I ALSO HAVE THE ECM PROGRAMMER ,HIGH FLOW K&N INTAKE AND EXHAUST. I HAVE OWNED AND PULLED A 38TOPGUN AND IT PULLED FINE, JUST DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE 42. THANKS

[Dave1972]

Just looked at Fountain's website...the 42 Lightning weighs 10,300 dry and holds a capacity of 249 gallons of fuel. Sooo....at 6.25pounds per gallon that's an additional 1,556.25 pounds or a total weight of 11,856.25 pounds...if you have less than 143.75 pounds of boating "stuff" you put in your boat (including the head/fresh water), you will be fine towing it with the 2500HD(if it's gooseneck/5th wheel)!!!!!!!!!! Don't expect miracles when you try to tow something that heavy...it will do it, but just like anything...treat it right and it will treat you right (usually...except the boat itself).

[Sydwayz]

I think you will be fine for local tows, however, you are going to wish you had the Duramax or at least the 8.1L V8 for anything over 30 minutes/30 miles.

Do you have the longbed/crewcab? The more wheelbase the better. That 42 is going to have quite the long towed load. You are going to feel sway. I would invest in rear airbags for the truck regardless, and electric over hydraulic brakes would be a nice add on for the trailer.

I pull 12K lbs (loaded 37AT) with an 8.1L/4 spd Auto in my 2500 Avalanche (same as 2500 Suburban). I would not want to pull with anything less than said setup.

I am willing to bet boat, trailer, fuel, gear, etc, you are going to be WAY over you legal GVWR and trailer towing limit. You may think this is not a big deal, but after an accident, your insurance company will write you off before you can say "I'm in good hands" when they find out you did not have a proper/rated/legal setup. Also, don't forget the CLASS-III hitch factory on your truck is only rated for pulling 7500 lbs Weight Carrying. You need a full Weight Distributing setup (as I have) to pull the 12K lbs for the WD rating. I would also upgrade to a Putnam XDR Class-V hitch.

Check out this thread; both pages:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ig+heavy+hitch

[Sydwayz]

Originally Posted by Dave1972

Just looked at Fountain's website...the 42 Lightning weighs 10,300 dry and holds a capacity of 249 gallons of fuel. Sooo....at 6.25pounds per gallon that's an additional 1,556.25 pounds or a total weight of 11,856.25 pounds...if you have less than 143.75 pounds of boating "stuff" you put in your boat (including the head/fresh water), you will be fine towing it with the 2500HD(if it's gooseneck/5th wheel)!!!!!!!!!! Don't expect miracles when you try to tow something that heavy...it will do it, but just like anything...treat it right and it will treat you right (usually...except the boat itself).

Forgot the trailer at 1500-2000 lbs. alone.

[scottsumrall]

Originally Posted by Sydwayz

I think you will be fine for local tows, however, your are going to wish you had the Duramax or at least the 8.1L V8 for anything over 30 minutes/30 miles.

Do you have the longbed/crewcab? The more wheelbase the better. That 42 is going to have quite the long towed load. You are going to feel sway. I would invest in rear airbags for the truck regardless, and electric over hydraulic brakes would be a nice add on for the trailer.

I pull 12K lbs (loaded 37AT) with an 8.1L/4 spd Auto in my 2500 Avalanche (same as 2500 Suburban). I would not want to pull with anything less than said setup.

SYDWAYZ, YES THIS A CREWCAB AND I WILL INSTALL AIRBAGS.THANKS SCOTT

[Dave1972]

Thanks Sydwayz,

The extra 143# can be used for an ultra lightweight aluminum trailer

[Sydwayz]

Originally Posted by Dave1972

Thanks Sydwayz,

The extra 143# can be used for an ultra lightweight aluminum trailer

May could get away with a few sheets of plywood and rope instead of a trailer for 143 lbs.

Sorry Scott, gotta keep the atmosphere light. Good luck.


I edited my above post with more info.

[BLee]

One of my buddies used to pull his 2000 Fountain 42 with this exact truck. He had no problems and pulled back and forth from Florida to Oklahoma. He eventually got the Duramax which is night and day. His name is "Michael Ward" on the board if you wish to contact him.