Trip report - includes Rv towing info on the Duramax

[Windrider]

I just put 1,400 towing miles on my little mule and it did quite well. Trailer weight = 7,000 lbs. Cruise set to 72, EGTs on avg 700 post turbo. (It's amazing how much outside temperatures can affect this. )



Now to the good stuff:

Talked to a fella with a Duramax.

He used to tow with a Dodge Auto w/ a 3. 55 rear.

He has a 15,000lbs trailer with the 3. 73, Allison transmission, and an exhuast brake.



He didn't gush much, but he did mention that he can tow in overdrive all day long, including the previous day. Did I mention he had a 20-30 mph headwind the previous day. :--)



I also saw the most overloaded rig of my life this trip. A 27ish foot Mallard trailer that was loaded so heavily both axles were bent so that the tires sat at about a 75 to 80 degree angle. Towed by a GMC minivan!

 

[10-G]

Windrider



The mallard and mini van are mine. Just fyi but the mini van is a conversion with a bombed cummins running about 290 horse (never dynoed). As for the bent axles on my mallard,I had them custom fabricated to splay the wheels out like that for side to side stability while towing in high winds. This rig has been from South Texas to Fairbanks Alaska 4 times and averaged 24 miles to the gallon. The only drawback to my setup is the numerous replacement of trailer tires.



Just goes to show you cant judge a book by its cover

 

[kiwi bird]

10-G, you shoe horned a CTD in to a Astro van?!?!!!? Got pictures?

 

[pathaymond]

Hey 10 G we have to see this set up wow sounds awesome and very creative You must be a thinker good for you

 

[WCrovo]

Whatever

Very creative.

 

[RedRamer]

Hey Windrider

That trailer sure had a nice transmission... . what'd the truck have?





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Couldn't resist... Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Windrider]

You know, those Alpenlite's are pretty nice.



Maybe that was his secret! The trailer was pushing and he was just steering from the truck.



Must have been a bad case of motorhome envy.



I guess he just wanted one of those rear engine jobs! Oo.

 

[tgrfan2]

Duramax

The tale by the DMax owner had to have been on April 1. I have a friend on his second 2500 and neither one will pull a moderate hill with 4k behind it without dropping into 4th gear. You can't use the cruise at all without it constantly downshifting. I have to admit it is pretty strong in 4th though.