Pulling A 15,000 Lb Boat !

ss502gmc · June 19, 2009

Hey guys i was wondering how many people have pulled really heavy loads with there 2500hd's and 3500's? And also how did the trucks perform and with which motors? Just curious to see some feedback from other peoples experiences. I pulled a 36' boat that weighed between 14000 and 15000 lbs. It towed with no problems really and was on the highway most of the time but when i got to some hilly terrain my truck was struggling to stay at 65mph. It wasnt really steep grades but steep enough for the cruise control to hold it at WOT. And there were a few times that it seemed like the allison couldnt make up its mind on what was the right gear to stay in. So overall it was a 150 mile trip and averaged 7.8 mpg with the 8.1. Oh yeah and this rig didnt have working trailer brakes. LOL. Yeah that was some fun. But let me know of other peoples experiences with similar things.

pwall · June 19, 2009

Ok, let me be frist to respond......

Towing a 15,000lb trailer/boat with no brakes at 65mph.

On second though, I don't have much to say.

rodram · June 19, 2009

You certainly have the right kind of truck for hauling a big load, (8.1L engine, alli trans, 4.10 gears, 10-ply tires, etc...) but....

It is illegal to tow a trailer more than 3,000 lbs without trailer brakes where I come from... I think there is a reason for that. ... I pull an 7900 lbs 33 foot travel trailer, and I would not want to be on the highway without trailer brakes.

I have no experience with an Allison transmission, but in general... save your tranny by locking it down one gear if it keeps switching up and down.

8 mpg.... ouch! what is your gas mileage on a regular highway road trip...?

J-man67 · June 19, 2009

I don't see where towing 15k with no t. brakes is funny....at all. You could of really hurt someone if you had to make an emergency stop. Thats just stupid.

Zembonez · June 19, 2009

I don't see where towing 15k with no t. brakes is funny....at all. You could of really hurt someone if you had to make an emergency stop. Thats just stupid.

+1

That's just nuts. The person you kill when you can't stop that rig probably doesn't deserve it. Ya gotta think about this stuff.

bill190 · June 19, 2009

Ya it's not a matter of getting it going...

It is a matter of STOPPING!

And not necessarily because of my driving, it is all the idiots out there who pull in front of me then suddenly brake or turn without their signal.

Other than that, I have one of those triple ball hitches. I think the largest ball is rated at 10,000 lbs.

ss502gmc · June 19, 2009

Well let me say that it had elec brakes on it and the guy i pulled it for said they worked and well when i was on the road there was nothing and it was late at night so there wasn't really any traffic so i kept going. i know it was stupid of me but it worked out fine. And surprisingly my truck stopped it better than you would think even though im sure i cut the life of my pads in half.

Hulk1999 · June 19, 2009

Well let me say that it had elec brakes on it and the guy i pulled it for said they worked and well when i was on the road there was nothing and it was late at night so there wasn't really any traffic so i kept going. i know it was stupid of me but it worked out fine. And surprisingly my truck stopped it better than you would think even though im sure i cut the life of my pads in half.

I would have a "chat" with the guy you pulled it for cause he probably knew they were bad and didn't tell you. Glad everything worked out, but that could have been ugly. Better check your pads out soon.

Hulk

Silv.4X4 · June 19, 2009

Yeah I pull things around that wieght pretty often, I have a 2007 2500hd (nbs) with 6.0L, and it handles it no problem. I usually have a jump trailer with a tractor and an implement on it, and that trailer doesnt have trailer brakes. And i can stop it no problem. Sure trailer brakes would probally be a little nicer, but i dont know why everyone is making such a big damn deal about it. Just pay attention to what your doing and downshift, I woulda pulled it without breaks. You guys need to stop over reacting.

txab · June 19, 2009

Silverado4x4 · June 20, 2009

I don't see where towing 15k with no t. brakes is funny....at all. You could of really hurt someone if you had to make an emergency stop. Thats just stupid.

+1

That's just nuts. The person you kill when you can't stop that rig probably doesn't deserve it. Ya gotta think about this stuff.

+1

gmowner4life · June 20, 2009

Stevens03 · June 20, 2009

Yeah I pull things around that wieght pretty often, I have a 2007 2500hd (nbs) with 6.0L, and it handles it no problem. I usually have a jump trailer with a tractor and an implement on it, and that trailer doesnt have trailer brakes. And i can stop it no problem. Sure trailer brakes would probally be a little nicer, but i dont know why everyone is making such a big damn deal about it. Just pay attention to what your doing and downshift, I woulda pulled it without breaks. You guys need to stop over reacting.

Stop over reacting?!?!? All you'd need is 1 patch of shale near a stop light or stop sign and your going right thru it

It's illegal and stupid in my mind. JMO but I believe the law would agree. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. They call them accidents for a reason. You don't set out to have one, but they happen.