Pulling 20K with HD??

Roofer · May 7, 2004

We are looking at buying a Telehandler lift pictured here . We have the F550 which weighs in about 10K alone or my 2500HD which weighs around 7K. Now I know the dual wheels will handle it better, but being the F550 weighs so much they are rated to pull about the same weight. This will be moved about twice a month or so. Can the Dmax handle a 20K trailer? The machine weighs about 15K according to specs. What do you all think?

sonjaab · May 7, 2004

ROOFER...

I have a few GM tow brochures handy..........

04 2500hd SRW 2wd/4x4...........15300 lbs.

3500 DRW 16500

3500 SRW 14900

Brochure no mention if figures are for the new or old max. engine.

EDIT: Just dug up a 02 brochure........Your truck

Ball hitch (frame) towing 12000 lbs.

5th wheel towing 15000 lbs.

Hmmmmmm...something is screwy..............geo

Roofer · May 7, 2004

That sounds about right, although according to chevrolet.com....I thought the 3500SRW had a higher rating than the DRW?

I know I am over the GCWR with either the HD or the F550. I suppose the F550 with the DRW's is going to work better.

sonjaab · May 7, 2004

Roofer.....Looking thru the different brochures the 2500 hd can tow 1000

lbs. MORE than the 3500 SRW. Hmmmmm.........

Shaners · May 7, 2004

The thing that would scare me the most would be the stock reciever/hitch failing...

Roofer · May 7, 2004

The thing that would scare me the most would be the stock reciever/hitch failing...

I would be towing with a gooseneck trailer.

I saw a guy yesterday pulling a 16K backhoe on a gooseneck rated for 22,300. He was pulling it with a regular F350 dually. He said he was perfectly legal.

Roofer · May 7, 2004

Roofer.....Looking thru the different brochures the 2500 hd can tow 1000
lbs. MORE than the 3500 SRW. Hmmmmm.........

That's funny....the online specs say the opposite, but it also says the Dmax only has 6 quarts of oil. Maybe I am reading it wrong.

Cpl Punishment · May 8, 2004

The reason the brocures say the 2500HD can tow more than the 3500 is because it weighs less (or so I was informed when I asked Chevrolet). Basically tow rating is gross combined vehicle weight rating - gross vehicle weight. So the lighter vehicle with the same drivetrain is rated to tow more. It doesn't mean it will be as stable or capable. I.e. IIRC, the 2500HD with the 8.1L in reg cab trime has the highest tow rating, but it won't be as stable as the 3500 Duallie.

sonjaab · May 8, 2004

EDIT......looking at what I posted not 1000 lbs BUT 400............

Me gotta quit posting late and buzzed.................LOL

CPL.......Your right.....I figured the 400 lbs diff. was because the 3500

is a 1 ton.........Still weird tho SRW 3500 tows 400 lbs. less than a 2500

HD.

I would think Roofers truck would handle it a couple times a month

as long as hes not beating it.........................geo

422 SS · May 9, 2004

We are looking at buying a Telehandler lift pictured here . We have the F550 which weighs in about 10K alone or my 2500HD which weighs around 7K. Now I know the dual wheels will handle it better, but being the F550 weighs so much they are rated to pull about the same weight. This will be moved about twice a month or so. Can the Dmax handle a 20K trailer? The machine weighs about 15K according to specs. What do you all think?

I have towed that much weight many times with my 2500HD.I wouldn't recommend you do it unless you drive real slow in perfect weather with light traffic.And hopefully you won't blow a tire our have to do a panic stop with a load like that.Considering you have the 550 I wouldn't do it with your Chevy.The Ford is better suited to haul a load like that.The dual wheels,beefy springs and brakes and 17,500 GVW rating are designed for stuff like that.The Chevy could get it down the road but the Ford will feel much less nerve racking while towing.

Roofer · August 26, 2004

I am bringing this topic back up because I am planning on getting the goose neck installed some time soon. We just hired a guy to move our lift and he showed up with a 24K trailer and a '96 ext cab 2500 with a 350 motor. It handled the load just fine, but took a bit to get going up hill. I think the Dmax will haul it much better.