How much is to heavy?

[Riverrat]

I weighed my rig today. I have it loaded for a week end trip to Eastern KY. I just about fell over when I looked at the scale & it said 21,720#. I have a 04 2500 4X4 auto. pulling a 30' Toy Hauler RV. Does any one have any experiance pulling this much load over a long period. What will it do after several thousand miles of this kind of abuse? I bought this truck used with 30,XXX mi about 6 mo. ago I know have 50,XXX on it & almost all of this is pulling the RV.

 

[NVR FNSH]

I tow about the same weight with my '00 2500 4wd 6spd - no ill effects to date. My trailer is a 36ft 5th wheel Patio Hauler. My only concern would be the auto trans.



Brian

 

[Cattletrkr]

Your engine and transmission will be fine. I don't know what to say about your suspension though. I gross around 40K quite often with my 3500 DRW, but I've got a lot more springs than you do... 2 extra leafs, 4 overloads, airbags.



I'm guessing you burn thru a set of tires pretty quickly?

 

[MMeier]

Heck, that's not much weight! My truck and EMPTY trailer come in at just about 19k. Add a broken down boom truck and oops!! 35k, Container usually comes in between 8200 and 11,000, plus the fact that a big square box is not really all that aerodynamic, there's a lot for the lil' Cummins to drag up the hills.

 

[JDHenning]

Load the wagon don't worry about the mule

Thats not really abuse. Just use your head. Make sure the tires aren't in bad shape or under inflated. Check all the fluids etc. Basically do a good pre trip and take your time. I used to gross about 22,500 or so with my 01 QC 4x4 auto 3. 55 rears. The cross winds may be the only stability issue. Once even pulled my 40' G/N float with 16,500# of red iron to Parachute, CO, thats the other side of the mountain :--) The main thing I watched was the transmission temp. Happy trails!

 

[Andersonville]

Take it easy. Just because the speed limit is 70 doesn't mean you have to do 70. I dont tow above 65 and mostly around 60mph. Better fuel mileage plus more reaction time. Good luck. Another tip. Keep your tank full and fill up when it gets to 1/4 tank. Fuel returned to the tank from the fuel system is hot. Hot fuel will cause the ECM to detune the engine and reduce power. I use Howes in mine. Flying J has the best fuel and easier to get in and out.

 

[GWBourne]

get online and get a Loves fuel card, and a flying j fuel card. will save you a few cents per gallon.

Grant

 

[LesStallings]

Pay attention to the recommendation on tire pressure. Your owner's manual should have an insert saying something about tire pressure at sustained highway speeds. Some miss that little tidbit of information.



Basically, inflate your truck and trailer tires to the max recommended tire pressure and be sure to visually check them at each fillup. I use an IR thermometer from Radio Shack to check tread temperatures and trailer axle bearing temperatures.



If you find a tire running hotter than the others, then suspect a low inflation or punture. Also, trailer tire running temperatures will tell you if your trailer is loaded evenly.



If you pull up to a truck stop and have to wait, jump out and shoot the tire/bearing temperature. If you can fill up immediately, I start the pump and then walk around checking the temps.



Last year I did 20K miles pulling our tripple axle, 20K pound trailer. I discovered two punctures before they went flat. They were not visually low on tire pressure, but the thermometer does not lie.



Be safe. Have a great trip!