First towing experience

greatmizzou · June 16, 2020

Seems like these threads are useful for people as the questions are always coming up. 2020 3500HD CrewCab Gas

Towed my Travel Trailer (7,000lb gvwr, probably around 5k-6k loaded weight) four hours distance on rolling hills. Average mpg was about 10mpg. The fuel tank and combined mpg made towing an easy going experience. I towed for four hours and didnt even need to fill up before getting to the RV park.

Issues: I don't like the hitch ball camera, i find it is not as reliable as my "hitchin' stix". Its my first time but I just cant align it right using video only. The sleeve 2" to 2.5" seems to have tons of play, didn't seem to cause any noticeable towing issues. Not sure, but my dash would randomly detect no turn signal connection but everything seemed connected fine. Sometimes the truck didnt recognize I had a trailer connected. Did some unplugging and resetting and seemed to fix it. And not surprisingly, parking and city navigating is not fun. Its doable, but its important to look at an area and pre-plan to realize parking garages and small busy parking lots are practically impossible to use. This truck width wise will take up all of an average space and needs extra depth as it is quite long.

Positives: engine braking in tow mode seemed rather responsive. Several times I wanted the engine to drop gears and it seemed to do it automatically. A couple times it didn't, Im not entirely sure what triggers it but I liked it when it worked. Cant compare it to the 6.0 4l80 but towing with this was such a dream compared to my 2002 1500. I like the trailer app and running the light test before leaving. The trailer brake gain was easy to adjust. Visibility was good. MPG was good. I wasnt expecting miracles when towing a giant wall behind me. I imagine the air resistance is primary stressor vs weight. I didnt notice any unusual gear hunting. Interior was super comfy, I have the optioned leather interior for LT trim. Remote start was great to cool the interior down before getting in.

I wondered if an HD truck was overkill for my trailer and I will deliver an emphatic NO. A half to can tow it but its not a fun experience especially when you drive over a long distance. Next trip will be to the mountains and Im really looking forward to it. We will get a fifth wheel at some point in five years or so and its nice to know we made a good long term purchase.

(to preface this, I towed this same camper for two years with a 02' 1500 Ext cab 5.3 with towpackage)

Edited June 16, 2020 by greatmizzou

sillywillie07 · June 17, 2020

thanks for the info. I like having more truck than you think your going to need.

ShotgunZ71 · June 17, 2020

18 hours ago, greatmizzou said:

Seems like these threads are useful for people as the questions are always coming up. 2020 3500HD CrewCab Gas

Towed my Travel Trailer (7,000lb gvwr, probably around 5k-6k loaded weight) four hours distance on rolling hills. Average mpg was about 10mpg. The fuel tank and combined mpg made towing an easy going experience. I towed for four hours and didnt even need to fill up before getting to the RV park.

Issues: I don't like the hitch ball camera, i find it is not as reliable as my "hitchin' stix". Its my first time but I just cant align it right using video only. The sleeve 2" to 2.5" seems to have tons of play, didn't seem to cause any noticeable towing issues. Not sure, but my dash would randomly detect no turn signal connection but everything seemed connected fine. Sometimes the truck didnt recognize I had a trailer connected. Did some unplugging and resetting and seemed to fix it. And not surprisingly, parking and city navigating is not fun. Its doable, but its important to look at an area and pre-plan to realize parking garages and small busy parking lots are practically impossible to use. This truck width wise will take up all of an average space and needs extra depth as it is quite long.

Positives: engine braking in tow mode seemed rather responsive. Several times I wanted the engine to drop gears and it seemed to do it automatically. A couple times it didn't, Im not entirely sure what triggers it but I liked it when it worked. Cant compare it to the 6.0 4l80 but towing with this was such a dream compared to my 2002 1500. I like the trailer app and running the light test before leaving. The trailer brake gain was easy to adjust. Visibility was good. MPG was good. I wasnt expecting miracles when towing a giant wall behind me. I imagine the air resistance is primary stressor vs weight. I didnt notice any unusual gear hunting. Interior was super comfy, I have the optioned leather interior for LT trim. Remote start was great to cool the interior down before getting in.

I wondered if an HD truck was overkill for my trailer and I will deliver an emphatic NO. A half to can tow it but its not a fun experience especially when you drive over a long distance. Next trip will be to the mountains and Im really looking forward to it. We will get a fifth wheel at some point in five years or so and its nice to know we made a good long term purchase.

(to preface this, I towed this same camper for two years with a 02' 1500 Ext cab 5.3 with towpackage)

Thanks for the review. I agree on the transmission shifting. Generally it does very well and downshifts promptly when needed, without losing so much speed up grades. I've used the grade braking a few times, but not enough to get a good feel of operation. I think something about tapping the brake pedal a few times will engage the engine braking?

Many people wonder about mileage and weight, and I always tell them it's more about wind resistance than weight when pulling a camper. Stopping is an entirely different matter. The brakes on these trucks are good and the trailer brake system is as well, as you said.

DeadManWalkin · August 17, 2020

If you took that giant Route 66 sign off the roof of your truck you'd get better fuel mileage. or at least put it on an angle like a deflector

Dunn · August 20, 2020

yes its better to have more than barely enough...... bought it for payload but regardless it will always be more than i need and just make that process so much easier......it is a big truck for sure. coming from a late model 1500 its not even really comparable....these are towing and hauling machines.....my brother just bought one too and same deal his 1500 could do the job but 2500 just makes it so much easier and less stressful.....he said night and day difference.....plus they drive like a champ with the weight where the 1500 doesnt

unit · August 20, 2020

Your fuel mileage seems too low for such a small trailer. I'm getting 12.5 to 13.5 towing a 30' Airstream that weighs 8,060 lbs more or less depending on how much water I have on board.

Pastusak.t · August 20, 2020

51 minutes ago, unit said:

Your fuel mileage seems too low for such a small trailer. I'm getting 12.5 to 13.5 towing a 30' Airstream that weighs 8,060 lbs more or less depending on how much water I have on board.

Damn!!! I can’t even get 13 unloaded around town. I’ve only got 700 miles on it but I’m averaging 10-11 city driving

greatmizzou · August 20, 2020

I imagine towing the hotdog shaped airstream is more efficient?

JimCost2014 · August 20, 2020

2 hours ago, unit said:

Your fuel mileage seems too low for such a small trailer. I'm getting 12.5 to 13.5 towing a 30' Airstream that weighs 8,060 lbs more or less depending on how much water I have on board.

34 minutes ago, greatmizzou said:

I imagine towing the hotdog shaped airstream is more efficient?

The OP has the (thinking the 6.6) gas engine, unit has the Duramax, he will get better mileage in most cases.

unit · August 21, 2020

I originally missed the gas blurb.

Edited August 21, 2020 by unit

Dunn · August 21, 2020

17 hours ago, Pastusak.t said:

Damn!!! I can’t even get 13 unloaded around town. I’ve only got 700 miles on it but I’m averaging 10-11 city driving

not even close to 13....8-10 in city mostly 8.....with a light foot as well

Londart2020 · August 26, 2020

On 8/21/2020 at 8:57 AM, Dunn said:

not even close to 13....8-10 in city mostly 8.....with a light foot as well

you may be doing something wrong..lol. I towed up to the mountain this weekend and got 10.8mpg. Around town with the Duramax I am getting 15-16mpg.

Dunn · August 27, 2020

7 hours ago, Londart2020 said:

you may be doing something wrong..lol. I towed up to the mountain this weekend and got 10.8mpg. Around town with the Duramax I am getting 15-16mpg.

gas engine in the city and its computer telling me this

my city is full of lights and stop signs....on hwy i get almost 20mpg

Edited August 27, 2020 by Dunn

Chopperdoc · August 27, 2020

My 2020 Diesel 3500HD Single rear get 9-11 MPG pulling my 43ft 16K 5th wheel ( Anderson hitch) up and down the hills of I65 near between Huntsville and Birmingham, AL. Great truck, towed on 3 trips with another this coming weekend. It's much better than my 2013 RAM diesel 3500 did. I think the 8 ft. bed has a lot to do with it. My RAM had the short bed.

Edit: It is my daily driver and I get about 16MPG

Edited August 27, 2020 by Chopperdoc