Hi, great forum, I am hoping to find someone with some experience in this regard. I will be pulling a load up to 14,000 lbs on a tri axle trailer with electric over hydralic disc brakes on all wheels. My tow vehicle is a 2002 GMC 2500HD crew 4x4, 6.0 gas with 4.10 gears. (Has worked fine for the smaller boats over the years!) I think I will replace the factory hitch with a stronger one, and possibly add air bags. I realize the truck is a little weak for the job, but it needs to work for at least next summer. We could rent a slip if this is not going to work. Most trips to the ramp will be 45 miles each way. Will not take delivery until May, so trying to figure this out in advance. Can anyone share their experiences who have similar set up? Thanks!

I think I speak for most on this, once you ve had a diesel pickup, you will never own another gasoline burning pickup again!

I have a 3/4 burb with the 6.0 and 3.73 gears. Towed my 382 for 2 months before the 30-35 mile trip was just too much for my health.....I'd arrive at the ramp a sweaty mess from that tow. Bought a F350 dually with the 6.0 diesel......WOW what a difference. Just so you know, you've got your work cut out for you in that truck.

There is no possible configuration for a tag-along hitch on a 2500 GMC to be legal to tow that load.

I have quite a bit of towing experience and it would be a very good move to find a dock instead of towing it with a 6.0. Just my two cents

14k with a 3/4 isnt a good idea....id look at a slip.

I agree. That is a lot of weight for that truck and hauling it that far of a drive each way. If it was 5 miles....that's a different story. Do yourself a favor if you really want to tow....get a decent used diesel dually. You won't regret it and their are quite a few for sale. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I am looking at slips, have some great options. We will indead be looking to pull this boat some significant distances when we get the right tow vehicle. For example, 390 miles each way to Door County - one of our favorite areas. I saw somebody said a duallie, but I hope we don't really need to go that far. Will need to see if the dealers will let me test drive their trucks pulling the boat!

The Problem w/ a Even a single rear wheel Diesel is going to be swaying. The 3/4 ton single rear wheel will tow it just fine for short distances w/ the extra two wheels is going to be much more stable.Fact Take it for what its worth I own a 2500hd 6.0, 14000# is a Load! Imho

Mike

I towed a 35 Fountain twin step on an aluminum Myco with my 2001 2500HD 6.0 4.10:1 extended cab 4X4 for a short distance (7 miles from storage to the ramp) on a flat road for only a short period of time ... I would not ever let my family ride with me in the truck. I didn't want to risk killing my whole family in one mishap, whether I caused it, or some other driver did something that I had to react to, but would not be able to (ie, someone cuts in front of you and hits their brakes, etc). That combo weighed in at 11,800 lb full of fuel and gear. It was night and day difference pulling that weight behind my friends F350 4 door dually diesel. It strained my truck both getting it moving, and the fear of not stopping in a controlled straight line if I really needed to. You didn't even notice the boat behind you in his truck. Since I didn't have weight distributing bars installed, legally, I was outside GM's rating for my truck, too. Never again!