will 2500 auto tow 15,000 lb

[Tom C]

I'm going to be pulling my 3500 lb gooseneck loaded with my 4500 lb lancruiser. a friends truck may not be ready to tow his cruiser to the hills. hisa trailer is about 2500 lb tounge tow and his cruiser weighs the same 4500 lbs. I was thinking of towing his trailer behind my goose neck. I have had some mods (see sig). I have not tried this and was wandering if any one else has. I dont' plan on driving 70mph but do have some steep hills to go over. about a 3 hour trip. any comments???

Thanks

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2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, DD1's, EZ, DTT VB & TC, Westech Boost/EGT gage, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.
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1975 Toyota Landcruiser, ARB Air lockers Front & rear, 400 Small Block, quadrajet 4 barrel, SM420 4spd, Stock LC transfer case with 2 or 4 high and 2 or 4 wheel drive Low gears, 15. 5x36" Radial swamper on 12" rims, Custom front & rear bumpers, Roll Cage, RCI racing seats, Warn 8274 8000# winch, 2. 5" spring lift, 2" body lift. Premier on-board power welder, on-board air, 4-wheel power disk breaks, power steering, Lot of fun.

 

[Runaway]

I believe the CGVW for the 2500 equipped with an automatic is 16000 lbs. You've got enough engine to pull it (with your mods), its the stopping that could get you in trouble.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Stopping is not the problem as long as the trailer has it's own brakes. The only problem I would normally comment on is the 3:54 axle but with the mods listed there should be no problem. I know a guy that tows that much weight with Banks power mods and a 3:54 axle and STOCK automatic. I keep waiting for his transmission to break but he's at 130K on the odometer and still going strong.

 

[Ed Sigman]

I have been towing a 14,000 lb. King of the Road 5er for the last 3 years with a stock 2500 auto. I have towed this all across the country without any problems. You will slow down on long grades and in mountain country. But there has been no ill effects to this vehicle. You will be surprised how really strong it is. Fuel economy was in the area of 11 mpg towing and all around was about 18 and that was with a 3. 55 rear end.

I now have a 3500 and towed the same RV stock and there is a substantial difference between the stock 3500 and stock 2500. The 3500 is a 6 speed with the H. O. engine, 4. 10 rear end, and it's really more powerfull and has more torque. However, towing with the stock 3500 produced 9 mpg and 15 mpg overall. With modifications noted in my signature, towing has significantly improved over the same terrain to 12 mpg and 18 mpg overall. Exclusive highway driving is about 21 mpg. There is something to be said for these changes. What ROI, I really do not know.

If you are going to do extensive towing, you may want to evaluate appropriate modifications that make sense. If your towing is occassional, then you probably cannot cost justify the expense. However, if this is just an emotional decision, you are doing this for the power. Either way, I think you are OK and have fun.

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2001. 5 3500, H. O. , 6 speed, 4. 10, ISSPRO Pyro and Boost gauges, K & N air filter, VA, BD exhaust, Bosch 275 injectors, PS boost module and elbow. Tow 14k lb. 5er. Semper Fi.

 

[PRout]

My 2500 weighs in at 17,000 total combined weight when pulling. No probs. Wouldnt want to go much heavier w/o having the dual rears, but at this weight, its fine.

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Y2k, 40k miles, QC, SB, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54, 285/75r16 bfg/at, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in" (runs better), Sunnybrook 28' fiver, 17,100 lbs GCVW. 17. 5-19mpg (unloaded), 12 mpg (loaded). VA, DD1's, PS Boost module, elbow, BD brake...

 

[Runaway]

I believe Tom C was considering towing doubles with his set-up, so braking does become an issue if trailers in question have electric brakes, and not the proper brake controller. If both trailers have surge brakes, then making sure both are braking equally. I think you would be better to find a trailer to rent that could haul both vehicles. If I read your post right, the two trailers in question and both cruisers would weigh 15k lbs. Add the weight of your two vehicle, your grossing close to 22K lbs. Again, you have enough engine and mods to transmission, BUT, you are still over the rated 16k GVWR by 5000 - 6000 lbs. Just MHO and 2 cents worth.

Tow safely

[This message has been edited by Runaway (edited 05-18-2001). ]

 

[Tom C]

Yes, I am thinking of towing doubles. my trailer has brakes on both axles and the other on one. my control supposed to be able to handle 6 brakes. and yes the total combined weight truck and trailers would be 22,000. finding one long trailer might eliminate about 1500 to 2000 lb's. I just don't know of any and my trip is only 3 hours and doubles are legal in arkansas. I just dont want to kill my truck but it sounds by others expierences that it wont.

I do want to be safe and did not want to end up with a scwirly ride being only a 2500. those extra wheels on that back of a 3500 would help stable the ride. any comments on how it would respond to dual trailers?

of course before I hit the open highway I would try it local. #ad


[This message has been edited by Tom C (edited 05-19-2001). ]

 

[KB0OU]

I am towing a Jayco Designer right now to Budda Texas, just wieghed it at the flying J in Joplin, 22,000 lb. Gross Wieght, with pickup. The truck is handling it fine. I do have air bags on the rear suspension, have 30 psi in them.
Keep on Truckin!!!

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96 CC 4X4 2500 SLT AUTO transmission WITH TRANS-GO KIT, PrimeLoc, ISSPRO EGT Boost transmission Temp, GUTTED CAT, 184,000+ Miles still goin' strong, Lots of Ham Radio gear, NO IGNITION NOISE!!! Love my diesel!!! # 8 TST Fuel Plate. 20K 5th Wheel, Goose Ball, Reciever with all size balls, Pintle. We Haul to Please!!!

 

[Bad340fish]

How about a picture?? I bet that would be a h*ll of a good looking and LONG rig. Have fun
Clark

 

[Guest00]

If you find youself upside down in a ditch, you will know you made a big booboo! Untill then keep on truckin



[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 05-22-2001). ]

 

[Tom C]

Well I did not tow doubles. My friend was able to use a '99 B3500 from a used car lot to tow his trailer. I did try a different way to whaul/load a truck on the trailer though (trying to get 2 trucks on a 20' trailer). I must say it did not work. I'll post some Pic's when I get them developed so everyone can see what not to do #ad


[This message has been edited by Tom C (edited 05-29-2001). ]