Towing
 

I have a 2003 Chevy 1500 HD Crew cab 4x4 with 6.0 V-8, auto. Do you guys think that it would pull a Scarab 38 KV on an aluminum tri axle. I would really hate to get another truck.

we sometimes tow our 37 profile with the same truck.if the bgoat is balanced on the trailer and the trailer brakes work properly it should be no problem

I would not want to do that.

Towing
 

The 1500 hd with auto transmission and 6.0 should give you a tow rating of 8800lbs with the 3.73 ratio and 10,300 with the 4.10 axle ratio.

Check you vehicle for specifics on axle ratio and towing capacity.

Gross load on the Scarab will somewhat depend on the year. Guess would be you are around 13,000 lbs gross load with the trailer.

Use caution due to liability reason if anything. An accident causing the opposing side to have a savy attorney could cause you at fault even if the accent was caused by the opposing side. Insurance may leave you hanging with the tab.

My $.02 worth

It will work, but it won't work well. 1500 trucks lack suspension, brakes, and powertrain. 2500 and 3500 trucks are so much better at everything.

Boy it's a bit much... I would make sure the trailer brakes are in working order and make sure to balance the boat.


Make sure to use tie downs. All sides of the boat.



How far are you trailering ? Short runs would be alright but I would'nt do a distance haul.

I lost the trailer breaks on mine and it taxed the truck big time to stop... I am only pulling a 29'.

My .02 worth.

the 1500hd has the same braking as the 00 and older lite 3/4ton. semi float axles , i pull a 92 35 fountain with a 6liter 99 2500( not hd ) it takes a little but once it get going it runs down the hiway fine, brakes great. im looking in to the 1500hd crew cab now myself or a gmc 2500hd, i just dont like the grille in the chevy hd. ive got 3.73 gears the next one will have 4.10s

GMC
 

Johnny, The GMC 2500HD has a 12,000lb capacity on the hitch with the 3.73 and 8.1L / Allison Combo. reported at 19mpg. It is capable of 14,100 on 5th wheel. The 4.10 ratio is also rated for 12,000lbs on the hitch although the 5th wheel rating goes up to 16,100.
A 4.10 on a tag-along trailer would really provide you only increased gas consumption. Brakes are designed to handle 16K lb load. - comforting

You are correct about the 1500hd ...it is reported to be the base 2500 by GM truck centers.

Miamivice -

I have the '00 GMC 2500 like johnnyboatman has, but with the 4.10 rear. JBM is correct. The 1500HD is the same as the '99-'00 2500. I tow a 7500# 271 Fastech. For short trips, it is fine. Braking is more than adequate (assuming good trailer brakes, of course) but my trips from Phoenix to Lake Powell (280 mi. with lots of uphill grades) are somewhat of a struggle for the 6.0. The tranny and engine temperatures in June stay cool but a few of the grades slow me down to 45 mph.:o

I think though for a 38' Scarab, I would start shopping for something with a diesel or an 8.1 liter gas engine unless all of your towing is on the flats. In any case...good luck!!

Re: GMC
 

Keep in mind that the hitch is only rated at 12k lbs WD. That means that you will need a weight distribution set up to achieve that capacity. Weight carrying capacity without that distribution set up will be MUCH less than 12k lbs.

Buck

hitch
 

True buck. Even the 3500HD in 8.1 and diesel are across the board 12,000lbs on the hitch. the big difference is in 5th wheel capacity only.

Back to the original post. A 1500 HD with a 6 L is pushing it in power to pull.

Hi-Tech Marine, email me @

[email protected]

I have a question for ya.

Buck

On the hitch step up and get a class 5 titan setup. That way the ones from the factory are weak if you load them up. They will require a weight distribute like buck said to et the max out of them. Also check the ball max weight and what the drop is weighted for as well. The ball will be stamped on the top under the size and the drop hitch will be stamped on the face as well.

Funny you said that. I am looking for a Class 5 replacement now for my 04 3500 GMC. GM is telling me I am good to 15,400 with that set up.

Hi-Tech Marine: I am running the class 5 titan set up. They do make a sleeve so that you dant have to run the 2.5 receiver sized tubes so if oyu have the 2.0 inchers you dant have to change it all over and keep the curent set up. Jusr some friendly fyi. GM said that with the class 5 15,400!!!! Man if so that makes me feel really good about towing my boat then.

CL5
 

WOW !!!! thats an AWESOME TRUCK !!!
<Grin>
I got the post while looking for the Titan web site. Like the sleeve idea.

Yes, GM is conservative with there ratings it seems.... I pulled a 38 Top Gun through Knoxville to Ashville NC and truck impressed me with power and braking. The Allison Tranny has me spoiled. I40 has up to 6% grades through this section. By the way ....The Kodiak vented disk brakes on the trailer never overheted. they are a marine version of the GM truck brakes and I am glad we chose to use them as standard equipment. The performce was spectacular.

the GMC dealer was awesome as well (Studebaker in Richmond IN) with service that reminded me of Nordstroms. Scott Studebaker (also a go-fast boater) delivered the truck to me a 11:30PM when passing through Richmond on way back from Chicago. Had to be in Orange Beach following morning by 11:30 for APBA World. He made it happen!

Re: Towing
 

No

Check This Bad Boy out......

Cat Diesel, 6 speed automatic tranny, twin 80 gallon tanks ....

Bad part, Cost = $80k+

Team42, now that's a boat towin' truck:D

MiamiVice, It depends on what you are going to do from a towing standpoint. Short or long trips. You know a lot of people talk about how this truck is based on that truck etc. etc. they are still classifying the truck as a 1500 and they do not take those ratings lightly.

If you are going on short trips to the ramp, less than 30 miles, it will probably work fine if you are careful. For longer trips there is no replacement for mass and horsepower. Both are required for a good, safe tow vehicle. The boat you are talking about is too much for the truck you describe for long trips. Regardless of all the chest thumping about how the truck is based on the 2500 and has the same "automatic butt wipe option" as the bigger trucks, it is not the same truck.

The safest truck to tow that boat would be a 3500 dually (SRW will work) with the diesel. Use the Titan with the larger draw bar. The thing to remember about hitches is they are not designed around acceleration loads but around deceleration or braking loads. That is when your hitches strength becomes the most important.

The titan 5 is the way to go, here is my rig, titan 5 hitch with 3 ft. stinger pulling 32 ft. baja

Diesel / Gas
 

New can of worms here <laughing> but we are having fun.... and yes ... learned about the TItan through this post... so thank you guys!

Yes a diesel is great .... and work great although ...Not a requirement for the most power.

I am running the VORTEC 8.1L gas and have a higher tow rating than the diesel.... 8.1L 15,400 Diesel 15,200.
Pulled directly from the GMC 2004 trailering guide.
Getting 14 MPG verses the diesel 16 mpg. although diesel is up to 14 cents higher a gallon in many states.
I like the 8.1L gas and glad Detroit gives us a choice.

Again,,, I guess this is personal preference.... 200lbs is really little difference.

Get this...... the 2500HD equipped with the 8.1L Vortec & Allison Tranny .... 16,100 !!!!! Impressive... naturally due to the lower vehicle weight. I Still side on a dually for increased tire surface area on wet or snow roads.

SALT WATER IN MI???

With the heavier boats I prefer the duallys over a single. but for say 10k I would tow with a single wheelset up and do a swayaway bar with the 1k drawbars.

Hi-Tech Marine that photo is sick to see:eek: :D

1
 

<laughing> 3 days later was in sunny FL with 71 deg.

That was a brutal trip...... 3240 miles total

For the love of boats !!!!!

Thank GOD for shrink wrap
Hats off to the guys at Sunsation for all the help

By the way,,, the Kodiak brakes with the model 20 coupler were impressive in the snow.... no lock up