towing 20,000 lbs

[jhnbrll]

Anybody out there tow 20,000 lbs routinely? John

 

[jacqnbill]

Anybody out there tow 20,000 lbs routinely? John

I just completed a 5 month trip across Canada and US, 15,600 miles towing 28,400 gross combined. No problems, I just noticed my differintal cover has the paint scorched which I understand many are seeing this when towing.

Bill

 

[litespeed]

25,530 Gross Combined. Truck has 58,000 miles. All of which are towing except maybe 6,000 accrding to my log. The power finally made itself known after 30,000 miles...



No real problems. Minor stuff only. IE: tailgate strap breaking, parking brake adj. problems, bad lift pumps (routine maint. ), brakes squealing (loose pads), lots of corrosion (Florida) etc... . I stay on top of corrosion problems weekly here. The newer trucks dont have the corrosion problems that I do...



I dont pull it fast (unless I have to). I pull in 5th and just below 65 MPH. But I pull a bunch. We are pulling out tomorrow for a 700 mile journey (and vacation) to TN for thanksgiving. Then to VA, NC and GA before heading back next week... . Easy little haul with some mountain climbing. About 2,200 round trip.



AJ

 

[jelag]

We pull 20K with a 04 3500 with 4:10's and the truck now has 160K miles... its never seen a full tank of fuel empty..... We've upgraded the trailer to hyd disc brakes for those times you really need good brakes (city traffic fools)..... and we always use the PXRB pacbrake 100% of the time... . still has its factory brake pads which were 40% at the last inspection...



We have a check list before each trip... . and follow it... . we've been caught out with a failed lift pump 2 times. . and now have the lift pump in the tank, even though we had a pusher helper pump installed...



We've had 2 tire failures(on the road) that have cost us a service calls as well... .



2 sets of ujoint in the rear drive shaft, 1 set in the front drive shaft and 1 set in the front knuckles... . we decided that we were pounding out the transfer case rear seal and bushing and ujoints and now have shortened the drive line 1" since the truck sits on the helper springs 85% of the time...



1 HD Clutch, ours...



Lube oil and filter ever 7500 miles, air filters and fuel filters ever 30 to 40 K miles. .



Factory tires went 60 K miles, with 2 that were replaced under warranty... . and second set... . Generals I think that went another 60K Toyo's are on it now and are at 50 to 60%... ... .



The truck has a short shift kit in the transmission, extra lights, 120 gal bed tank... . and has averaged close to 11 mpg with this load over the pacific northwest to Edmonton Canada, Salt Lake, Phoenix, San Diego and up and down I-5... .



That about covers it... . it has cost me 15% of service costs of my F550 doing the same job... . I can't wait for the 2007's and 4500 and 5500... .



Jim / Pacific Clutch

 

[jhnbrll]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of getting a 5th 20,000 lb trailer for pulling my equipment around. My only concern is the DMV inspectors braking my stones about being overloaded.

 

[TGibbs]

In CA CHP will only say something if the trailer is overloaded according to the GVW on the trailer. I have never heard of them looking at the truck but then again some CHP out here pull some laws out of their hat. Unreal what they come up with . . . .

 

[BGlidewell]

... and now have shortened the drive line 1" since the truck sits on the helper springs 85% of the time...

Jim / Pacific Clutch

why no air bags?

 

[MMeier]

I pull 18-23k# in a regular basis. (See sig) Buddy of mine just got into pulling ocean containers out of the L. A. area with a D_Lax and a 45' flat deck. Went with him yesterday, and I think I will get into it also, pays so good, almost to hard to resist. Cajon scales showed around 27k# if I added the numbers correctly when we rolled across with 2 empty 20'er's. D-Lax ran good but he does not have gauges yet, been warning him, but... ... and I have not quite figured out what that Allison does exactly at any given time. I'll take my 6 speed any day !! :-laf

 

[jhnbrll]

How do you get away with pulling 20k when the truck is rated for what 12k?

I'm sure here in CT the DMV would have a field day. I would be forced to stay on back roads and at night.

 

[MMeier]

How do you get away with pulling 20k when the truck is rated for what 12k?

.

Axle weights are within spec on the truck, sometimes if all I have are 7k trailers, that bottom one will be over... by a bit!