towing with 2500

[mholm]

i have a 2001 2500 4x4 with the 6 sp. and shortbox. im looking to get a alfa toyhouse with a dry weight of 12,500 and fully loaded it weighs 18,000. do you think that the 2500 will pull it or is a 3500 needed?

 

[SOOT]

3500 is needed.



I usually figure if the trailer wieghs more than about 12,000 lbs then for stability reasons a 3500 is needed. I have pulled the same trailer with the same tractor on it with my truck and with my Mom's truck (see sig) and power wise either is fine, but for stability mine is a LOT better and SAFER.

 

[TowPro]

Even the 3500 ain't rated to tow 18,000. It probably will tow it, but hit somebody and there lawyer will take you to the cleaners for driving a rig over weight!

Originally posted by mholm

i have a 2001 2500 4x4 with the 6 sp. and shortbox. im looking to get a alfa toyhouse with a dry weight of 12,500 and fully loaded it weighs 18,000. do you think that the 2500 will pull it or is a 3500 needed?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Towing that much, at or over the weight rating is just a disaster waiting to happen - you'll get away with it for a WHILE, but sooner than you want, it WILL come up and smack you in the face - just as it did my Ford lovin' bud with HIS Power Stroke - $3200 for a new transmission up along the Oregon coast with 60,000 miles on the truck while towing his overloaded 33 ft Alpenlite sure got HIS attention!



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[RustyJC]

We tow a 13,500 lb 36' 5ver and are running 21,180 lbs GCW against 21,500 lbs GCWR - the most you can get on a Dodge, and that requires the ETH/DEE with 4. 10's in a 3500.



If you're going to be towing 18,000 lbs, I'd be looking at MDT's like the Freightliner FL70, Peterbilt 330, etc.



Rusty

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Mholm... ... ... . First. Welcome to the TDR. Second. Dont let an RV salesman tell you what you can pull. You did the right thing asking your questions here. Your 2500 will "pull" what a 3500 will. Same rear end ,same engine. But it wont stop it (safely). Will it handle a blowout on those overloaded rear tires? Probably not. Good luck with whatever rig you choose and again,Welcome to the TDR.

 

[Bug Out]

dry weight of 12,500

With a dry weight of 12,500, even loaded with factory options, you'd need to fill ALL you water and grey/black tanks to max at 18,000.



I'm towing a 37 foot Alpenlite 36 Stonecreek RL, triple slide and both truck and trailer gross at approx 22,500. Thats with a 100 gals of fuel etc.



I have plenty of power and stopping ability, but would prefer to be legal.



the new Dodge 03 3500 has a CGVW of 23,000 which is nice.

Also bear in mind, Alpha may be giving the GVW of toys inside also, with water etc etc. Ask more questions .



If you plan on packing it with 3000# of toys, well look at bigger trucks.



PS: If you go to medium duty size trucks, check the semi paper magazines( at truck stops for free) out for some great deals. Saw several rigs for less then 20,000$ which would be ideal for a medium hauler.

 

[Okie-Go]

I have an 01 with the HO and 6spd with the ez edge and 275's and a South bend clutch. I could pull it yes. Stopping it is the problem. If I had a trailer that heavy I would consider a bigger truck. My 2cents worth.