Any issues with 2000 Chevy 5.7L gas engines?

[Sea Six]

:waiting:



:coolest:

[Stangkiller]

:waiting:



:coolest:

Vortec motor? Just the head gaskets...which is an easy/cheap fix.

[Sea Six]

Vortec motor? Just the head gaskets...which is an easy/cheap fix.

I don't know about Vortec... it's in a 2000 3500HD. All I know is that it's gasoline with 113,000 miles. Supposedly running fine, no smoke.

Think it'll pull a 10,000 pound fifth wheel ok?

[Stangkiller]

I don't know about Vortec... it's in a 2000 3500HD. All I know is that it's gasoline with 113,000 miles. Supposedly running fine, no smoke.

Think it'll pull a 10,000 pound fifth wheel ok?

A 3500 with a 5.7??? That was even an option?

I can't imagine that would tow very well

[Sea Six]

From Wikipedia, looks like it's got 255hp, 330 ft-lbs torque


5.7 L V8 1988–1993 210 hp (160 kW) @ 4000 RPM 300 lb·ft (410 N·m) @ 2800 RPM less than 8500# GVWR
1994-1995 200 hp (150 kW) @ 4000 RPM 310 lb·ft (420 N·m) @ 2400 RPM
1988 185 hp (138 kW) @ 4000 RPM 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) @ 2400 RPM over 8500# GVWR
1989-1995 190 hp (140 kW) @ 4000 RPM 300 lb·ft (410 N·m) @ 2400 RPM
1996-2000 255 hp (190 kW) @ 4600 RPM 330 lb·ft (450 N·m) @ 2800 RPM

[Sea Six]

A 3500 with a 5.7??? That was even an option?

I can't imagine that would tow very well

He says he is the original owner since new, and it's the original engine.

It's definitely the only one of its sort I've run across. 2 door standard cab, no cruise or power doors/locks/windows. Four speed O/D tranny. The only towing equipment it has is a 2" bumper-mount ball with a four-pin flat electrical connector. No brake controller.

[Stangkiller]

He says he is the original owner since new, and it's the original engine.

It's definitely the only one of its sort I've run across. 2 door standard cab, no cruise or power doors/locks/windows. Four speed O/D tranny. The only towing equipment it has is a 2" bumper-mount ball with a four-pin flat electrical connector. No brake controller.

The brake controller is no big deal...but that does not sound any better in any way than your uncles truck.

Ill sell you my dirtymax for 14k if you want :yesnod:

[Sea Six]

The brake controller is no big deal...but that does not sound any better in any way than your uncles truck.

Ill sell you my dirtymax for 14k if you want :yesnod:

PM sent

[RED-85-Z51]

3500HD was a different animal than a 3500...the most noticeable thing was 5 lug front wheels, and a 3" spacer btween the grill and bumper.

They were, more of a fleet...vehicle, and were only available as "cab and chassis"...no beds available.

[Sea Six]

2000 Chevy Silverado HD 3500 Truck (http://dothan.craigslist.org/cto/3905952345.html)

[C5Nate]

While not a bad truck to tow with, there are others better suited for towing 10k.

[Sea Six]

While not a bad truck to tow with, there are others better suited for towing 10k.

Is it enough power and torque?

I'm thinking, for $1400 more than my Uncle's 1986 454 Camper Special, this will at least double the gas mileage under tow... and more than triple it when I'm not towing.

This means I would use it for everyday driving instead of just keeping the 454 CS for just a tow vehicle.

:waiting:

[RED-85-Z51]

Thats NOT a 3500HD...guy is full of shit. thats a 3500 2wd Fleet truck, no options, no nothing...probably rubber floors, manual everything, has the sealed beam lights up front....I wouldnt have one for anything...especially one with the anemic 5.7.

The 5.7 Gasser was gutless in a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck...

[Bill]

2000 Chevy Silverado HD 3500 Truck (http://dothan.craigslist.org/cto/3905952345.html)

Well, seeing as how it can be viewed at "the lemon lot", I say go for it.

[C5Nate]

Is it enough power and torque?



Are you talking weekend stuff or taking long trips?

If weekend stuff, should be OK.

Long trips, not so.

I have to agree with RED on this one, something doesn't feel right.

[Sea Six]

Thats NOT a 3500HD...guy is full of shit. thats a 3500 2wd Fleet truck, no options, no nothing...probably rubber floors, manual everything, has the sealed beam lights up front....I wouldnt have one for anything...especially one with the anemic 5.7.

The 5.7 Gasser was gutless in a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck...

It is manual everything. Do you think he found a long bed and put it on the truck? You're saying it didn't come that way?

[RED-85-Z51]

Is it enough power and torque?

I'm thinking, for $1400 more than my Uncle's 1986 454 Camper Special, this will at least double the gas mileage under tow... and more than triple it when I'm not towing.

This means I would use it for everyday driving instead of just keeping the 454 CS for just a tow vehicle.

:waiting:

Same engine was available in Tahoes, Suburbans, C1500's....they made like 255hp and 330tq if you wind em up, but...its just not enough engine to tow anything of any weight...they were not great engines. Only real option in this body style of truck, is the 454, or the 6.5 Turbo Diesel, which was a pile of shit...

[Bill]

He says he is the original owner since new, and it's the original engine.

It's definitely the only one of its sort I've run across. 2 door standard cab, no cruise or power doors/locks/windows. Four speed O/D tranny. The only towing equipment it has is a 2" bumper-mount ball with a four-pin flat electrical connector. No brake controller.

Well, seeing as how it can be viewed at "the lemon lot", I say go for it.

So, the original owner (of almost 14 years) also just happens to own a car dealership? One with its own "lemon lot?" You'd think a guy that owned a car lot would trade out cars sooner than once every 14 years. Color me skeptical.

[RED-85-Z51]

No, see..what he has is a 3500 truck...its a regular, 3500...single rear wheel, 1 ton, He is CALLING it a 3500HD...which it is not. No bed will fit on a 3500HD..and the HD only came as a dually ,cab and chassis...

This is the front of a 3500HD..

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/KargoMaster/1995_3500HD_smaller2.jpg

[C5Nate]

It is manual everything. Do you think he found a long bed and put it on the truck? You're saying it didn't come that way?


No, its what Chevy/GMC called their WT optioned truck back then. Bare bones, parts and local trailer hauling was it forte. Made for local construction and local business use.

Remember the commercials where they took a baseball bat to the front grill to show how it can handle the "urban jungle". Thats the WT addition.

[Sea Six]

So, the original owner (of almost 14 years) also just happens to own a car dealership? One with its own "lemon lot?" You'd think a guy that owned a car lot would trade out cars sooner than once every 14 years. Color me skeptical.

No, he isn't a car dealer.

[Sea Six]

Remember, folks, I'm not towing 10,000 pounds 52 weeks out of the year.

I'm going to be towing maybe every 6-8 weeks, less than a two hour drive one way.

Will this thing do ok for what I need it for, even if I can't do 80 mph up a three mile long hill under tow?

[RED-85-Z51]

Technically, W/T I think was only available on C1500's...but this is essentially the same idea..no balls, no options, just the cheapest possible 1 ton truck that cna be built.

[Bill]

No, he isn't a car dealer.

So then, what exactly is "the lemon lot?" A park-and-sell location?

[RED-85-Z51]

Remember, folks, I'm not towing 10,000 pounds 52 weeks out of the year.

I'm going to be towing maybe every 6-8 weeks, less than a two hour drive one way.

Will this thing do ok for what I need it for, even if I can't do 80 mph up a three mile long hill under tow?

No

[Sea Six]

So then, what exactly is "the lemon lot?" A park-and-sell location?

Yes

[Kerrmudgeon]

2000 Chevy Silverado HD 3500 Truck (http://dothan.craigslist.org/cto/3905952345.html)

Looks like a 2000$ plain jane ck1500 to me, with grass! :toetap:

[Sea Six]

No

Why not, exactly?

[Sea Six]

Looks like a 2000$ plain jane ck1500 to me, with grass! :toetap:

It's just weed, man! :rasta:

[C5Nate]

Go look up KBB listings for this truck.

Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/3500-regular-cab/2000-chevrolet-3500-regular-cab/long-bed/?pricetype=private-party&vehicleid=5537&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=148000&r=227773823076859100)

IMHO, if you can pick it up for around $3k, you will do alright.


It is a bare bones truck and the ride is a bit rough.


Do a test drive with the trailer attached and make the call then.

They are not horrible trucks, many are well over the 300k miles mark.

[C5Nate]

Remember, folks, I'm not towing 10,000 pounds 52 weeks out of the year.

I'm going to be towing maybe every 6-8 weeks, less than a two hour drive one way.

Will this thing do ok for what I need it for, even if I can't do 80 mph up a three mile long hill under tow?


IMHO, it should do fine for the criteria you posted.

See my post above.

[RED-85-Z51]

Why not, exactly?

Because ive pulled lighter loads, with bigger engines, in newer trucks...and realized its no fun being :that guy: laboring his shit to leave a stop light on a slight incline...

[vetteman9368]

Is it enough power and torque?

I'm thinking, for $1400 more than my Uncle's 1986 454 Camper Special, this will at least double the gas mileage under tow... and more than triple it when I'm not towing.

This means I would use it for everyday driving instead of just keeping the 454 CS for just a tow vehicle.

:waiting:

The 350 won't get any better mileage towing that much trailer than the 454

[Sea Six]

Go look up KBB listings for this truck.

Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/3500-regular-cab/2000-chevrolet-3500-regular-cab/long-bed/?pricetype=private-party&vehicleid=5537&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=148000&r=227773823076859100)

IMHO, if you can pick it up for around $3k, you will do alright.


It is a bare bones truck and the ride is a bit rough.


Do a test drive with the trailer attached and make the call then.

They are not horrible trucks, many are well over the 300k miles mark.

Can't test drive it with the trailer... no fifth wheel hitch in the truck. Plus, at the moment, I have no trailer. :)

[Stangkiller]

The 350 won't get any better mileage towing that much trailer than the 454

Maybe worse. :leaving:

Chad when you coming out for dinner next week? Maybe get sea six out too :yesnod:

[RED-85-Z51]

The 350 won't get any better mileage towing that much trailer than the 454

True that. The 4L80E is going to spend alot of time in 2nd gear, spinning the ass out of the 350...

[RED-85-Z51]

454 be like...oh shit, was that a mountain..damn, I thought it was a speed bump...

[vetteman9368]

Maybe worse. :leaving:

Chad when you coming out for dinner next week? Maybe get sea six out too :yesnod:

We need to pick a night. And yes, SeaSix should come. For that matter, RED is local too

[Sea Six]

I'm not worried about gas mileage under tow. Less than 500 miles per year under tow ==> not enough gas $$ to worry about.

But... 15 mpg without being under tow means I can use this truck for everyday driving, and not have to maintain the 86 Chevy CS just to keep it as a tow vehicle.

And anyone behind my slow, high-rpm-revvin' ass can pass me if they have a chance. I'm not towing enough per year to factor this in. As long as the truck will pull the load without breaking down I'm ok with crappy gas mileage, pulling below the speed limit on hills, or not breaking acceleration records from a stoplight.

[Sea Six]

We need to pick a night. And yes, SeaSix should come. For that matter, RED is local too

Count me in!

You guys like seafood?

[Stangkiller]

Count me in!

You guys like seafood?

:yesnod: but only if its fresh. :rofl:

[mrvette]

Thats NOT a 3500HD...guy is full of shit. thats a 3500 2wd Fleet truck, no options, no nothing...probably rubber floors, manual everything, has the sealed beam lights up front....I wouldnt have one for anything...especially one with the anemic 5.7.

The 5.7 Gasser was gutless in a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck...

True it's an antique MHome but with a 8000 GVW rating, and a Qjet on a 350 rebuilt engine, 700 r$ auto with 411 rear in it, the cab over sleeper and 15' of aluminum after the seats....dually.....it gets only 8 mpg no matter how we drive it, the thing is just not all that fast....more like 1/2 fast.....

sticking 10k trailer, and so figger another 5k vehicle weight, expecting a 350 gas engine to pull that is a tad MUCH, I can do 70 on the freeways, fine, but it's not happy....60 is about it.....

I dunno jack shit about these various models.....

but we have a 350 Vortec in a '96 pickup we just picked up for work, and it seems fine.....

:seasix: Although I suspect I will need redo the automatic surely it's a 4l60e.....:issues:

[Fastguy]

My brother has a 99 Suburban with the Vortec 350. We use it to tow a 26' SeaRay Cabin Cruiser back and forth to the boat ramp, about 5 miles. We use it to move the boat 90 miles once or twice a year. It is "ok" to tow with, not bad, not great. I have towed the same boat with my F250 with the 5.4 and it pulls better due to the wider torque band. We have also used an Avalanche with a 5.3, that pulls about the same as the 5.7 but gets better mileage. The issue with the Vortec is that they tend to drop injectors and if they do blow up, they are tough to find in the junkyard. I think 10,000 lbs is way too much for a 350. You need an LS based 6.0, a diesel, or a big block or you are going to break something.

[vetteman9368]

Count me in!

You guys like seafood?

McGuires FTW

[Sea Six]

McGuires FTW

That's a fun little drinking establishment, but you can't beat Joe Patti's for seafood. :yesnod:

[Stangkiller]

McGuires FTW

That's a fun little drinking establishment, but you can't beat Joe Patti's for seafood. :yesnod:

Foodie fight!

I vote the best food. Let the fighting begin.

[RedLS1GTO]

Not sure why all the 350 hate.

I towed with that exact same engine for years in my '99 Yukon. Stock driveline, factory tow package, eventually I added helper springs to the rear which made a huge difference. Is it as good as the big diesel? Of course not. Is it adequate for an occasional tow? Absolutely. I towed both my Corvette on a steel open trailer and the back loaded up for the track as well as a 26' Pontoon + people and gear with absolutely no issue whatsoever. With well over 200k miles on it today, it is still going strong with the original driveline. The current owner still uses it to tow a car and haul his gear to the local dirt track EVERY weekend. I towed my car multiple times from Cincinnati to VIR the entire length of the WVA Turnpike through the mountains. It did as well as could be expected as long as you drive like you actually know what you're doing. "laboring his shit to leave a stop light on a slight incline..." is not even remotely close unless you are driving like a jackass trying to drag race away from a light.

True that. The 4L80E is going to spend alot of time in 2nd gear, spinning the ass out of the 350...

I could go the length of the WVA Turnpike and hit 2nd on exactly 1 climb... the same climb that has the big rigs going about 25mph. It was easy to keep it in 3rd gear on anything but the biggest incline as long as you were reasonable with your speed and throttle. If you try to climb a mountain at 80mph or hold the pedal to the floor trying to accelerate up a mountain, then yea, it probably will not like that.

We have also used an Avalanche with a 5.3, that pulls about the same as the 5.7 but gets better mileage.

My '99 with the 350 would tow circles around my dad's '04 Tahoe with the 5.3. Not even remotely close.

For an occasional tow vehicle the 350 is more than adequate. For 10,000 on a 5th wheel, you might be pretty close to the max of what it could do without the drama.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Race%20Car/IMG_0943-1.jpg

[Fastguy]

The 5.7 and 5.3 feel about the same to me, might be due to using the tow/haul mode on the Avalanche. They both are good tow motors, I just wouldn't pull a heavy fifth wheel with one.

[RED-85-Z51]

One of my customers has a 2007 Silverado 2500, with the 6.0 and Hd trans, etc...He pulls a couple of trailers, he said with his 16 foot tandem, with a 2000lb mower on it, the 6.0 is out of breath going up a hill. He hooks up to his larger dump trailer...and puts some dirt or sod in it (not alot mind you) and the 6.0 is done...he's on his 2nd trans at 25,000 miles (original owner) because of the constant upshifting and downshifting, trying ot keep the little 6 Liter wound up. To boot...he only gets about 12mpg, towing anything...

For grins one day we hooked his trailer up to my 250K mile dually....keepin mind his truck was almost sitting on the squat stops with this load....and my dually dipped about 1.5 inches. He had to hold the pedal down to take off...revving it up to about 4000 to have anything going on in 2nd. I was able to accelerate off without drama...without revving it up at all..the 454 just grunted the trailer up to speed without a 2nd thought. Hell. a few days prior I had almost a 9000lb sleeper/horse trailer hooked to it and pulled 0-60 up a hill without breaking a sweat.

Powerband in a big block is down low...Its going to get 10-12mpg, regardless of towing, hauling, cruising...city driving, doesnt care. But you arent flogging its dick to get up to speed.

PErsonally, having towed heavy loads with a 350, and a 5.9 dodge...I really like having the power on tap to get out of situations that may arise. I know with the Dodge 360...pulling a meh...7000lb camper...it hit 2nd a few times on I65 and the 5.9 redlined a number of times...thats just not good.

[VatorMan]

Sigh....... I love my 6.0 2500. It tows great ! The ONLY reason I'm upgrading is I'm planning on a truck camper and towing my enclosed trailer.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/vatorman/CampTruk.jpg

[Yamma]

3500? Go diesel or go home. :D

[Sea Six]

3500? Go diesel or go home. :D


:funny:




:seeya: Jodi

[Sea Six]

So now I'm back to....
























http://www.2040cars.com/_content/cars/images/83/10883/001.jpg

http://www.2040cars.com/_content/cars/images/83/10883/004.jpg

http://www.2040cars.com/_content/cars/images/83/10883/009.jpg

http://www.2040cars.com/_content/cars/images/83/10883/011.jpg

[Sea Six]

Thanks everyone.

I mean it. Thank you all very much for the input.

[vetteman9368]

Foodie fight!

I vote the best food. Let the fighting begin.

Fish house

[Stangkiller]

3500? Go diesel or go home. :D

:iagree: :D

[VatorMan]

Thanks everyone.

I mean it. Thank you all very much for the input.


At the end of the day, it's what YOU want.

[Stangkiller]

At the end of the day, it's what YOU want.

for a savings of $10k....when the farthest he's towing is 50 miles...it's hard to argue the merits of a diesel.

But for a DD a diesel is hard to beat. :yesnod:

[Sea Six]

for a savings of $10k....when the farthest he's towing is 50 miles...it's hard to argue the merits of a diesel.

But for a DD a diesel is hard to beat. :yesnod:

And, that's it in a nutshell. Thanks everyone for helping me reach this decision.

That ol' 1986 Camper Special will tow the crap out of this, and probably any other Fifth Wheel I could buy in the future.

:hurray:

[Stangkiller]

And, that's it in a nutshell. Thanks everyone for helping me reach this decision.

That ol' 1986 Camper Special will tow the crap out of this, and probably any other Fifth Wheel I could buy in the future.

:hurray:

Hell whats your biggest possible repair? A new motor AND transmission at the same time? What's that $3k?

[Sea Six]

He'll whats your biggest possible repair? A new motor AND transmission at the same time? What's that $3k?

That's PRECISELY what I was figurin'.

[JRD77VET]

I see you already made a good decision :seasix:

I had the 5.7L in my '90 Suburban ( 1500 4wd) and that was a dog compared to the 6.0L in my '01 Suburban ( 2500 4wd). I tow a 24' pontoon and trailer that weighs 4K or so. Some of the hills in NY just kill it. Oh yeah, about 7 or 8 mpg towing too. Stock sized tires and 3.73 gears. The only way that light truck would work would be with short gears but that would kill the around town gas mileage.

Good choice staying with the BB :yesnod:

[RedLS1GTO]

One of my customers has a 2007 Silverado 2500, with the 6.0 and Hd trans, etc...He pulls a couple of trailers, he said with his 16 foot tandem, with a 2000lb mower on it, the 6.0 is out of breath going up a hill. He hooks up to his larger dump trailer...and puts some dirt or sod in it (not alot mind you) and the 6.0 is done...he's on his 2nd trans at 25,000 miles (original owner) because of the constant upshifting and downshifting, trying ot keep the little 6 Liter wound up. To boot...he only gets about 12mpg, towing anything...

If that's really the case, something is wrong. My guess is the guy behind the wheel doesn't know how the hell to drive a truck with a trailer behind it and just stomps the gas to take off like an idiot and doesn't have a clue how to drive up a hill without making it constantly shift. It's not hard. If you rip 2 transmissions out of a truck in 25k miles with a small trailer there is about a 99% chance it's because you don't know how to drive.

My "little" 6.0L 2500 GMC didn't even break a sweat with my car behind it and the bed loaded with tools, tires, etc... that load was a LOT more than any 2k lbs. I don't believe for a second that it was "out of breath" with a 2k lb load behind it.

...and there is no friggen way that a 2k lb trailer squats it to the stops. No way. Keep in mind that there are 4 mounted slicks and at least 500lbs worth of spares/tools in the bed in the picture below. It towed this setup like it wasn't even there. It would easily hold 70mph through the WVA mountains, hardly shifting at all. If you have a truck that is constantly banging gears up and down hills, the first thing you need to check is the driver.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Race%20Car/VIR%20TrackDaze%202010/44519_1591902365362_1469995638_31548283_745354_n.jpg

[RED-85-Z51]

If that's really the case, something is wrong. My guess is the guy behind the wheel doesn't know how the hell to drive a truck with a trailer behind it and just stomps the gas to take off like an idiot.

My 6.0L 2500 GMC didn't even break a sweat with my car behind it and the bed loaded with tools, tires, etc... that load was a LOT more than any 2k lbs.

...and there is no friggen way that a 2k lb trailer squats it to the stops.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p90/botch1980/Race%20Car/VIR%20TrackDaze%202010/44519_1591902365362_1469995638_31548283_745354_n.jpg

The heavier trailer is the one that had it squatted near the rear stops...

The trailer with the 2K mower on it, probably weighs about 4000 total...and it gives it a work out. Ive driven it...the 6 Liter gets a workout with al oad on it, its been back to the dealer a number of times for reflashes and stuff..to try and get more power out of it...but it just lacks balls.

[RedLS1GTO]

The heavier trailer is the one that had it squatted near the rear stops...

The trailer with the 2K mower on it, probably weighs about 4000 total...and it gives it a work out. Ive driven it...the 6 Liter gets a workout with al oad on it, its been back to the dealer a number of times for reflashes and stuff..to try and get more power out of it...but it just lacks balls.

I towed a lot more than 4k as you can see with mine through mountains on a regular basis... it did it with ease. I have towed with a lot of trucks in my life from an S-10 and a Ranger to big diesels from GM, Dodge, and Ford. The 6.0 was more than capable of doing anything and everything you could reasonably expect out of it. :shrug:

If you had one on the stops, you had a LOT more weight on it than you thought you did.

[Fastguy]

If you have a 2500 on the stops, you have the trailer loaded wrong. I towed a 26' enclosed trailer with a Trans Am in the back and the bed full of wheels and tires and it barely moves the bumper height.

[JRD77VET]

If you have a 2500 on the stops, you have the trailer loaded wrong. I towed a 26' enclosed trailer with a Trans Am in the back and the bed full of wheels and tires and it barely moves the bumper height.

:iagree:

Correct weight distribution is extremely important but the Auto Ride on my 2500 Suburban helps out with the final ride height :seasix:

[RED-85-Z51]

Trailer was a 16 X 7, Tandem axel, axels were centered up on the frame. He had the 2000lb mower about a foot from the front...tied down, and the truck was visibly squatting some.

Then he had his, I think 18X8 dumper trailer, tandem axle, with sod on it, probably a good 4000-5000lbs of sod, on about a 3000lb trailer...and it was sitting near the stops, and the truck struggled ot get it moving. He was parked in my yard, and that didnt help, but...the truck struggled. Same start, my truck...no indication the engine or trans were loaded...

I told him, he should have sprung for the 2500HD...and D-max

[Fastguy]

If you load 2,000 that close to the tongue, all sorts of bad things happen. The tongue weight is too high, the trailer suspension geometry is way off, the brakes won't work properly on the truck or trailer, and it will handle awful. My Miata is only slightly heavier than that and I have to center it properly on the trailer or it will not function properly. I have a fairly heavy steel car trailer and when I load my 700lb motorcycle on the front, it handles very differently than it does when I have a heavy car properly centered.

[RED-85-Z51]

If you load 2,000 that close to the tongue, all sorts of bad things happen. The tongue weight is too high, the trailer suspension geometry is way off, the brakes won't work properly on the truck or trailer, and it will handle awful. My Miata is only slightly heavier than that and I have to center it properly on the trailer or it will not function properly. I have a fairly heavy steel car trailer and when I load my 700lb motorcycle on the front, it handles very differently than it does when I have a heavy car properly centered.

I pulled an Expedition, on a 20 foot hauler, tongue pull, no load levelers..with a lwb ram 1500, and it squatted it pretty good, it was pulled up t othe tongue. But...it pulled it fine. The 6.0 makes about the same power as the 5.9 magnum. The Expedition, and trailer together was at least...feck..6000lbs, and the little ram worked hard but was never laboring.

i agree though, the 2500LD should not be working hard with the load on it, but ive driven it, Ive seen the load..the truck is struggling. He said its gotten as low as 8mpg with the heavier trailer on it..and it smoked the orignal trans with that trailer on it.

[Kerrmudgeon]

BTW....my 5.7 has over 300,000 klicks on it and it still runs great. A little puff of oil on startup from the valve seals leaking down, that's all.....good for reducing the mosquito population. :D

Oh, that's over 186,000 miles in old speak. :D

[Fastguy]

This is my setup, even with three sets of wheels in the bed, no chassis squat, and that is only an F-250.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/cars/IMAG0830.jpg
This is my brother's setup, as I mentioned, we pull this with a 99 Suburban and this Avalanche but when we pull it with my buddy's 2500 DMax, its like it's not even behind us.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/IMAG0179.jpg

[RedLS1GTO]

i agree though, the 2500LD should not be working hard with the load on it, but ive driven it, Ive seen the load..the truck is struggling. He said its gotten as low as 8mpg with the heavier trailer on it..and it smoked the orignal trans with that trailer on it.

There is either something bad wrong with that truck or something bad wrong with the driver. Towing as much as you are talking about through mountains no less, I was at at about 11mpg. I have taken 600+ mile trips with the car and gear and went about 70 miles once with a Tahoe on the same steel trailer. With thousands of towing miles behind it, the truck did great each and every time.

Based on the fact that the one you are talking about has ripped through 2 transmissions in 25k miles because of "constant upshifting and downshifting", my money is on the driver not having a clue how to drive a truck with a trailer behind it.

Again, it is obviously not a big diesel, but the 6.0 in a GM 2500 chassis has more than enough power to comfortably tow any reasonable load. Anybody who doesn't think so either has unrealistic expectations, something wrong with the truck, an improperly loaded trailer, or simply doesn't know how to drive with a trailer behind them. :shrug:

[RED-85-Z51]

Considering the guy is a Retired Master Chief, and has been with the Navy for shit..at least 30 years, I dont question him on alot of stuff, I think he is capable of knowing how to drive a truck with a loaded trailer. He buys good equipment, his last Trailer cost like 20,000 dollars to have built. The truck is maintained in tip top condition, he bought it because the tow rating was above what his trailers weigh, and they should be able to pull them..and they do pull them. But..it takes its toll. The original trans never even made it to its first fluid/filter change..it just gave up, started slipping.

[RedLS1GTO]

Considering the guy is a Retired Master Chief, and has been with the Navy for shit..at least 30 years, I dont question him on alot of stuff, I think he is capable of knowing how to drive a truck with a loaded trailer. He buys good equipment, his last Trailer cost like 20,000 dollars to have built. The truck is maintained in tip top condition, he bought it because the tow rating was above what his trailers weigh, and they should be able to pull them..and they do pull them. But..it takes its toll. The original trans never even made it to its first fluid/filter change..it just gave up, started slipping.

No offense to the Master Chief but 30 years in the Navy doesn't mean he knows how to drive a truck. I've served with plenty of Master Chiefs that didn't know how to tighten a bolt. It certainly doesn't qualify him to drive a truck. Spending a lot of money on the trailer doesn't mean a thing either. You can maintain the truck all you want, but if you don't know how to drive without banging gears constantly, you are going to tear it up. The fact that he said it continuously shifted indicates that he did exactly that. The 6.0 trucks have zero problem towing the loads you are talking about. Zero. I have done it countless times myself. Others have done it countless times. Why your guy can't seem to do it, I have no idea.

I traded my 6.0 in with just over 50k miles and a dozen or so 600+ mile trips through the mountains fully loaded with the trailer on it without even a hint of a problem. My 5.7 Yukon had tens of thousands of towing miles and well over 200k total on the original engine and trans. It is still going strong and to this day still tows a dirt track car every week with the current owner. Maybe your guy got a lemon of a truck. Maybe he can't drive. Who knows. No matter what the case it certainly is not representative of the rest of them.

[mrvette]

If you load 2,000 that close to the tongue, all sorts of bad things happen. The tongue weight is too high, the trailer suspension geometry is way off, the brakes won't work properly on the truck or trailer, and it will handle awful. My Miata is only slightly heavier than that and I have to center it properly on the trailer or it will not function properly. I have a fairly heavy steel car trailer and when I load my 700lb motorcycle on the front, it handles very differently than it does when I have a heavy car properly centered.

:rofl:

THIS is a completely true story, back in the early 80's the ex and I wanted a storage shed, and so being as it was a sort of lo spot in the back yard, I determined we had to bag the concrete......all I had was a Datsun inline 6 stick shift station wagon 810.......SO the store had trailer loaners for heavy loads.....I loaded enough bags of crete to make a slab about 6" thick and 9x12 in size, with the mixer on another load.....so the mixer was there, and I went to get the crete.....they went to load it, too far back, tail of car came off the ground, further forward, tail was totally dragging ASS.....:issues::rofl:

so the centered it enough to make it ride level, and I took off, slowly.....went down a steep hill, light, turn left, shot the light with the horn blazing, could not stop....cut the corner, and downshift to 1st, pull the hill at about 10 mph engine screaming....up to the next light, and turn right....but this one I had to stop for, so to get going UPHILL.....2-3 attempts and I just slipped the hell outta the clutch to get it going.....

into the burb, and on my street, uphill to back yard, drive ended at back of house, not an issue there....trick was, to make the turn with enough speed to not bog down.....1st gear and slip hell outta the clutch at higher rpm to keep from bogging engine....got the shit up into the back yard....unloaded, mixed and set that afternoon.....

somehow that poor Datsun clutch just did not feel as grippy and strong as it did before it almost set fire to the back lawn.....

jee, wonder why???


:rofl:

the trip was a mess, but the stone funny part was positioning the crete bags on the trailer, and having it lift/bottom out that Datsun like it was a go car or such.....

:rofl::lol:

[RED-85-Z51]

No offense to the Master Chief but 30 years in the Navy doesn't mean he knows how to drive a truck. I've served with plenty of Master Chiefs that didn't know how to tighten a bolt. It certainly doesn't qualify him to drive a truck. Spending a lot of money on the trailer doesn't mean a thing either. You can maintain the truck all you want, but if you don't know how to drive without banging gears constantly, you are going to tear it up. The fact that he said it continuously shifted indicates that he did exactly that. The 6.0 trucks have zero problem towing the loads you are talking about. Zero. I have done it countless times myself. Others have done it countless times. Why your guy can't seem to do it, I have no idea.

I traded my 6.0 in with just over 50k miles and a dozen or so 600+ mile trips through the mountains fully loaded with the trailer on it without even a hint of a problem. My 5.7 Yukon had tens of thousands of towing miles and well over 200k total on the original engine and trans. It is still going strong and to this day still tows a dirt track car every week with the current owner. Maybe your guy got a lemon of a truck. Maybe he can't drive. Who knows. No matter what the case it certainly is not representative of the rest of them.

The truck it replaced was a 96 F250, 460/Automatic and he had over 150K on it, and said it never let him down once, never felt out of power, never any towing issues...but he got hit hard and it was badly damaged. Its not the operator. Ive driven his truck to feel it, and it feels likes it got a damn V6 under the hood...

[RedLS1GTO]

Ive driven his truck to feel it, and it feels likes it got a damn V6 under the hood...

And my original comment still holds true...

Again, it is obviously not a big diesel, but the 6.0 in a GM 2500 chassis has more than enough power to comfortably tow any reasonable load. Anybody who doesn't think so either has unrealistic expectations, something wrong with the truck, an improperly loaded trailer, or simply doesn't know how to drive with a trailer behind them.

I'm not sure what the problem is in your friend's case and quite honestly at this point this argument is stupid enough that I don't really care, but the point remains. These trucks don't just randomly smoke multiple transmissions towing light loads unless something is causing it and they certainly don't feel like a "damn V6". :shrug:

:seeya: