2500lt Towing Cap.

vertikal · July 19, 2009

if a 2500lt quadsteer was slightly underated for pulling 9400 lbs, what improvement(cheapest to highest) could u do to improve towing cap. for 5thwheel,trans. oil cooler w/fan-chip-hi-flow-air sys.,etc.(rearend and frt end axle gearing$$$$)& I'm thinking eventually after a few mtn. trip a new trans rebuilt(hd torque converter,etc)of course thats worse case scenerio......but usually seems to play out like that...if anyone could help w/ideas to keep this truck to pull my camper (9400lbs) I'd appreciate input......because got a really good deal on it...only other recourse I can think of is trade it for 2004-2006 2500hd,but I'd like to keep it...thanks

Ranger · July 19, 2009

I think that truck should be able to handle whatever a regular 2500hd could...Only reason they underrated it was they werren't sure what the long term effects of heavy hauling would be on that rear axle but it's a D60 (from what I hear) and that'll take anything...Just don't put it in QS so much when you're pulling something 10k+...

vertikal · July 19, 2009

I think that truck should be able to handle whatever a regular 2500hd could...Only reason they underrated it was they werren't sure what the long term effects of heavy hauling would be on that rear axle but it's a D60 (from what I hear) and that'll take anything...Just don't put it in QS so much when you're pulling something 10k+...

out of curiousity, what would u say max cap. for towing is on a 6.0 gas or 6.6 diesel, I only place in quad when backing into a really tight spot n capground....actually you can oversteer w/it in quadrasteer, makes a simple reverse manuever horrible

Ranger · July 19, 2009

I can imagine haha, I've seen a few of them and there's one in my neighborhood actually but the driver don't really speak english...

I would say 12,000 on bumper? With good trailer brakes and proper maintenance done on everything it should be well enough for your average 32' 5th wheels easily.

gave20 · July 19, 2009

I take it you don't have a 4:10? On the non-quadrasteer a 4:10 puts the towing at 10,300 for a 2500LD. If you do have the 4:10 then I'll agree with Ranger and GM underrated the truck due to 4 wheel steering.

Ranger · July 19, 2009

Hmm, didn't really think about that possibility as most 6.0L HDs have the 4.10s unless it's a NNBS cause of the 6 speed...

vertikal · July 19, 2009

I take it you don't have a 4:10? On the non-quadrasteer a 4:10 puts the towing at 10,300 for a 2500LD. If you do have the 4:10 then I'll agree with Ranger and GM underrated the truck due to 4 wheel steering.

well i may have the3:73, not positive but maybe i do, gm wants $3750 to install 4:10...but a well known garage that warranties all work says$1700....so I'll do it eventually "4 wheel Parts", caught between rock and hard place could put $1700 down and trade for a 2500HD but like i said earlier, I love the quadsteer

Ranger · July 19, 2009

I would keep looking at some shops...Maybe buy the gears online and just have the shops install em? You could get it done even cheaper if you pulled the chunks out but it'd be pretty hard not to mention needing another vehicle to move it there...

vertikal · July 20, 2009

I would keep looking at some shops...Maybe buy the gears online and just have the shops install em? You could get it done even cheaper if you pulled the chunks out but it'd be pretty hard not to mention needing another vehicle to move it there...

Ranger, I'll research your advice on buying gears myself & see if garage will install them w/warranty....possibly some $ saved there.....I realise may be able to make it up though Cheerokee, N.C. but once I hit Tenn.line at top of Smoky Mtns. its all downhill to Pigeonforge from there, need enough truck (and) proper equipment for stopping pwr / pulling power

Abadassbowtie · July 21, 2009

I think that truck should be able to handle whatever a regular 2500hd could...Only reason they underrated it was they werren't sure what the long term effects of heavy hauling would be on that rear axle but it's a D60 (from what I hear) and that'll take anything...Just don't put it in QS so much when you're pulling something 10k+...

out of curiousity, what would u say max cap. for towing is on a 6.0 gas or 6.6 diesel, I only place in quad when backing into a really tight spot n capground....actually you can oversteer w/it in quadrasteer, makes a simple reverse manuever horrible

i own a 2500LD X-cab long bed 2 wheel drive,6.0L/4L80E auto & 3.42 rear gears,bought it from work where i know for sure they pulled 12,000lbs of trailer.i pulled a 78 gmc pickup back that weighed 4000lbs on a trailer that was 3,500lbs. through hills & what not & i know it could pull more. on the door tag it is a 8600lb GVWR pickup,not a HD. HD is just fluff. if you want it to pull more look at springs & heavier wall tires...deeper pulling gear... thats what i am doing to mine. when i am done it'll say 2500,but it will do more than a 3500...

Abadassbowtie · July 21, 2009

I think that truck should be able to handle whatever a regular 2500hd could...Only reason they underrated it was they werren't sure what the long term effects of heavy hauling would be on that rear axle but it's a D60 (from what I hear) and that'll take anything...Just don't put it in QS so much when you're pulling something 10k+...

out of curiousity, what would u say max cap. for towing is on a 6.0 gas or 6.6 diesel, I only place in quad when backing into a really tight spot n capground....actually you can oversteer w/it in quadrasteer, makes a simple reverse manuever horrible

6.0L is a great pulling motor as well... thats why they dont offer the 8.1L big block anymore... dont need it when the small block can do just as much. mine pulls strong with 235,600 miles on it.