Towing with Chevy 2500hd
 

I recently purchased a 2009 353 formula just wondering what the thoughts are towing with a 2005 Chevy 2500hd cc/sb diesel 4wd or bigger truck needed
Boat is on a manning tri-axle steel trailer

thoughts suggestions
Thanks

What is the total weight of your setup including boat, fuel, water, trailer, tools, spare parts, anchors, stereo (amps and speakers are heavy) and accessories (lines, fenders, jackets)?

Boat weight according to mfg is 9000lbs,fuel say 1/2 tank 500lbs, water 0, trailer is 2800lbs everything else say 1000lbs approx. say max is 13500lbs that's on the high side

My 2004.5 Chevy 2500 HD CC/SB LLY Dmax pulled a 32 Sunsation Dominator on a triple axle Manning like it wasn't even there. I would think you would be fine with a 353 but as Brian asks above, you really need to know your loaded weight of both the truck and the boat/trailer. .

You should be fine with the 2500HD. Get good brakes on the trailer- Surge Brakes are stupid on that much weight.

Wannabe

No one always tows with a empty tank or half bag of gas. Almost everyone fills up on the street and takes the boat to the water.

I'd say you would be fine, but come time to replace the truck, there is nothing better than towing with a DRW when it comes to light trucks. (much debate about DRW vs. SRW on this site)
Even going to a long bed will give you more stability.

If it were me, I would do a couple things.
1) Add airbags to the rear of the truck.
2) Keep the factory wheel/tire combo for winter, and upgrade to a wider wheel/tire combo for summer/towing. The factory pizza cutter 6.5" rims and tires SUCK for towing. You will see a drastic increase in towing stability and handling by going to an 8" or 9" wide wheel and corresponding tire.
3) If you do not have Electric over Hydraulic Brakes on the trailer, spend the coin and upgrade. NO ONE has ever regretted this, and it's worth every last red cent. I've lost both truck brakes and trailer brakes at times when towing, and you need to be able to recover with either problem.

Also remember, you factory towing capacity is with an EMPTY truck. Just the driver and a full tank of gas. Remember we load the truck down with 250-2500 lbs. of passengers, luggage, coolers, gear, etc. etc. when heading to the water. You need to make sure you are under your GCWR as well.

I, and others like offshoreexcursion have posted a LOT about this topic in the past. Do a search.

I tow 8550 lbs with my '08 Duramax 2500 CC. The weight is a non factor

Thanks for replys

I do have air lift bags on it already

I thought about the tire wheel combo for stability. The big thing i don't get is this trailer is a 2012 and has surge brakes on it. They will be changed to eoh

I wish Chevy made a cc/sb drw

Thanks again

I have a 01 353 fastech. I pull it with an 08 GMC d-max Z71 cc with air bags, and a Manning tripple axel trailer with electric brakes. I have pulled the boat from LOTO to Chicago, and found the truck handles the load with ease. I also have the brake controller under the dash, that allows me to adjust the amount of braking power on my trailer. All that being said, use caution. You will be maxing out the load acording to the mfgr's specs.

The 2500HD is fine for towing a 353. I tow my 32 AT with my 2007 Classic 2500HD CC 8.1/allison and it is plenty of truck. Your 353 maybe weighs a 1000lbs more.

Find a wrecked dually and swap the parts over. Doable.
http://www.ecoastauto.com/

wouldnt you really need to start with a 3500hd srw to do it right? they make those cc/sb srw

I towed a 38 fountain fever with a 02 chevy 2500hd crew cab shortbox, 8.1/allison. Trailer had EOH brakes, Towed without issues, even my wife towed the boat a couple times on long trips. As much as I disliked the truck, everytime I towed the boat with it I loved it. I wished mine would have had airbags, but mainly because I had overloaded it with others loads too many times any the rear springs seemed soft. Having air bags and a d-max you'll be fine. I replaced my chev with a ext cab shortbed f250 with a 7.3 diesel, and I miss my 8.1 with the additional wheel base when it comes to towing the boat.

will tow fine, just make sure to keep load range E tires and proper inflation...I have a 08 and love it...

I use my 08 2500 HD Duramax strictly for towing. Towed my 36' Sunsation 600 miles home with no ill effects. I do need to add air bags. Any reccomenddations on on the bags? Manufacturer, etc??

Should be fine from a chassis, engine, trans standpoint. Some of the earlier dmax had cooling issues so you might keep an eye on things in the heat.

Stock hitch is not rated for that tow, needs to be replaced with a heavier duty model as well as proper ball mount and ball.
Some examples from Curt - exta HD would be my choice. I prefer 2" because of the greater variety of ball mount options and interchangeability if needed.
http://www.curtmfg.com/HitchLookup/f...class5xtraduty

In all reality a srw 3500 is a 2500 with stronger rear springs. Frame, brakes, torsion bars, and most other components are the same.

I have a 2004 GMC 2500HD, lifter on 35s, and it tows great. I am pulling a loaded up Baja 342 Boss (genny, vacuflush, ac).... pulls great around town and on the highway. made it from Austin TX back and 2 trips to Florida no problems.

I got on a Cat scale with the boat empty with gear (the day i bough it) and NO gass. 9680 was truck, and 10,680 for boat and trailer. 19,360 rolling..

http://hsvracing.com/phpBB2/files/img_2014_115.jpg
http://hornbucklemarine.net/felix/au...8Medium%29.JPG

I towed a 37 Outerlimits from Lake Cumberland to Dana Point CA. with my 2002 2500HD Duramax. Left Cumberland Wednesday morning and delivered in Dana Point Friday afternoon.

Have also pulled a 1994 Top Gun and my own 36 Outlaw which I have weighed at approx. 13,000 on the trailer.'

I do not think you will have any problems!

Mark

Firestone makes a great set up.

Thanks! I'll get my parts guy right on it!

Anyone running air bags with a 6" lift kit? If so, what brand?

Thanks,

youll be fine depending on how far you plan to pull it and if your going up and down steep hills.. i mean, either way itll get the job done... id do fat tires, trac bars as well help with swaying... get an EFI live tune on it, straight pipe and intake, itll help ALOT.

I have an 2008 Chevrolet 2500HD Duramax with the Allison. Motor bone stock. Upgraded to 285/75/17 Pro Comp Wheels and BFG All Terrains for a wider stance. 2" leveling kit on the front. I pull my 35' Cig from Stl. to LOTO throught the hills with no problems. Boat weighs around 10k#. Squats the truck a little. Firestone airbags would be nice. I had a 2004 Ford F-550 w/ the 6.0 and the Duramax out pulls throught the hills by far. I had a set of Timbren helpers on my old chevy but really made it ride rough empty.

Mine is lifted with no bags.

I pulled a Baja 38 Special 700 miles through the mountains with mine on a tri axle Myco no issues. I added the firestone airbag kit rode like a dream. Would suggest EOH brakes with this kind of weight.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...kingitup-1.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...34544824_n.jpg

Like Sydwayz said, check the GCWR. The fact that it pulls fine doesn't make it legal. You could be very close to the max tow capacity. Every 2500 duramax is not created equal. Gear ratios, suspension packages, etc can all effect tow rating. For example, when a truck is listed at towing a max of 16500, that is usually for 5th wheel set up. Conventional trailering could drop to as low as 13500 or so. Could become a big problem if insurance company finds "negligence" as cause of an accident.

hell the toyotas can pull the space shuttle, then a 14000lb boat wont even dog the engine down:bsflag::bsflag:
I pull a 98 42 fountain on a alum myco 3 axle trailer, with a 06 3500hd diesel,4x4,crewcab, lifted, 410gears, 34nittos,and whoever clames they can hook this up to there truck and say you cant even tell its back there is full of ****.ive had several guyspulling there boats claiming that, even a 24ft boat starts working the truck.

Lots of good info on this thread.

I feel your truck is capable of safetly towing the boat IF....

EOH trailer brakes are amazing (sydwayz taught me this and I listened!)
Air bags which u have
Nitro duragrappler or simalair tires with a HIGHER load carrying capacity does wonders. E load range tires come in different weight carrying capacities....buy the highest you can find in your size!
Condition of your truck plays a huge role. Any worn out suspension and steering parts will be felt while towing. And a 2005 truck is worn out.....
Tire pressure pumped up to max cold pressure (while cold) on trailer and truck
Correct hitch height
Upgraded factory hitch GM trucks stock hitches are weak
Correct trailer tongue weight
Smart driver behind the wheel

Good luck and enjoy your new boat! Post some pics for us.

I pull my 36 Outlaw with a 2003 Dodge 3500 with 5.9 Cummins. You know the boat is back there. Alot of good information on this thread. As already stated, make sure you have good tires, brakes and parts are not worn out. I can definately use a freshened up suspension as my truck has 111k miles on it. Would love to add airbags to assist and EOH brakes on the trailer. Currenty running Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires on my truck and I love them. Ran BFG AT and Nitto Terragrapplers and these have the best ride and are holding up the best. Remember, when it comes to safely towing, you can never overdo it with the equipment.

Towing the boat wont be a problem. Just be ready to tow your buddies that bought F-250's

Anyone do a srw to drw swap on 2005 chevy 2500hd. I was just wondering which way to do it with the spacers in the rear or actually getting a used axle for the truck

I would think changing trucks would be easier/smarter than modifying.

What has been your experience that you are looking dually?

Hook it and pull it! You won't have any issue as far as power. I run KMC 20's with Nitto Trail Grapplers, 4000 lb per tire rating and they rock. Would recommend them

I am looking for more stability than anything don't want a long bed cause where I live is very tight getting it I. The driveway to store the truck right now barely makes the turn.

What truck are u running those on and what size tire? I thought about that but I used a dually last Tuesday to move the boat and it was great towing no sway and was stable on highway speeds. The Chevy I got now has 35k on it. I will not be changing trucks just have to make this truck work for it
Thanks

Was the dually you used to move the boat longer than your truck? If so, the added wheelbase is what added a lot of that stability.






Ford made short bed DRW trucks for many years. Your simplest fix would be to sell your truck and buy one of the Fords.
If you do the conversion to your truck, you are going to be married to it for life.

http://www.duallyfendersfiberglasstruck.com/

Scroll 3/4 of the way down on that page, and you will see a short bed GM converted to DRW.
Quick pic link:
http://www.duallyfendersfiberglasstr...%208to10_2.gif

I used a reg cab drw to move it. I am thinking about the arrowcraft spacers for the rear axle and factory adapters for the from anyone see an issue with this. Also when the time comes to sell if it's an issue I will remove the conversion and then sell. I already tried a set of larger wheels 20 in and did not see or notice much improvement

Buying a differnt truck now is not an option as I am in the process if building a new house
Let me know what you think

The SRW will pull the 353 fine. Get GOOD tires like Michelins LTX though.

Wannabe

It pulls no problem
Sway is the issue i am trying to stop