03 Towing Report

[COBRAJET]

We towed our 37' Montana 5th wheel about 700 miles this weekend with the new 03. It averaged 11. 3 going to San Antonio and 11. 8 coming back. I was running 65-70 the majority of the time with very light winds. The combo grossed 21,460 on the scales. I was very pleased with the way it pulled for a stock truck. It has 3500 miles on it already... . in two weeks... just breaking it in... . CJ

 

[jimnance]

I've seen comparable results. With my combo (about 22,000 GCVW) I've been running between 10. 0 and 10. 3 MPG. I'm sure I'd get over 11 MPG on the fairly flat run, but my run is up and down BIG hills and constant slowing and accelerating around corners of a small state route that winds through the Oregon Coastal Range.



I'm happy with how it pulls over the hills compared to my bombed '99. It's taking the biggest hill about 8 MPH faster than my '03. The '99 did seem to have a little better grunt at low RPM's, but the '03 makes it's power at a little higher RPM.



I am happy. Oo.

 

[jimnance]

Oops! Mis-post. My '03 is taking the biggest hill 8 MPH faster than my '99.

 

[Elk]

We are such wonderful husbands giving our wifes our old trucks. In truth I just could not stand to see the old 97 go down the road with only 82k on the clock. I was wondering what milage did you get with your 99 pulling your toybox?. With my 97 I got between 13 and 14 pulling my 5er 12k toybox.

 

[jimnance]

Wish I could say that. My '99 got about 10. 0 going to the coast. Again, it's a tough pull up and down slowing down for curves, then speeding up again. Not kind to fuel economy.



I'd say they are pretty close to the same mileage when towing. However, unloaded the '03 is getting right at 20 MPG on every tank. Some are 19. 5, 19. 8, 20. 3. The all hover right at 20.



My '03 has 3. 73 rears vs the 4. 10's in my '99 which got about 17. 5 MPG

 

[TBOB]

TOW 5ER

I FINALLY TOWED THE 5ER TODAY. I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE POWER, '99 SLIGHTLY BOMBED DID MUCH BETTER. ALSO I HAVE A CLUTCH CHATTER WHEN STARTING OUT IN FIRST OR REVERSE. AND AFTER CLUTCH IS ENGAGED THERE IS A VIBRATION LIKE THE DRIVE SHAFT U JOINTS Are binding. GCW IS 23K. 373 DIFF 3500. TOOK IT TO THS DEALER, THEY ARE CALLING DC. TBOB

 

[jimnance]

I'm surprised TBOB. My experience is the opposite. And my other truck is also a mildly bombed '99.



My first impression was that my '99 was faster, but when I put it on the hill it was clear the '03 was quicker.



You have a problem with the clutch for sure. Mine is baby butt smooth. Maybe something in the driveline is soaking up some of your horsepower?

 

[TBOB]

TOWING

THE DEALER IS GOING TO PULL THE CLUTCH ON MONDAY. I THINK TBOB

 

[CaptainEric]

How is the height of your '03 trucks? Compared to my '98 2500 2WD, the new 2WD trucks are about 7" taller. Currently I only have about 5" of cleareance on my 5th wheel to the top of the truck bed.

 

[Fireman]

Eric,



I have the 4wd, and it is just as high as my previous truck but when you load the hitch (2000# pin weight) it doesn't level out like the old truck did. It is still high in the rear, putting our trailer out of level. This rear high(truck) and front high trailer causes my tailgate to kiss the front of the trailer when hitching, so the tailgate will have to go when towing.



As far as towing goes, I'm truely delighted with the 6 spd. It really out tows my old auto/3:55 combo and seems to have much more grunt in the 17-1800 rpm range. Economy runs 9-10 mpg towing 20,000# gross @ 70 mph, and there is no flat land in N Alabama and E Tenn.



Fireman