Gooseneck trailer tips

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

My "thinking" was that I spend 99.8% of the time getting groceries.... and Starbucks.... Very very little time actually towing - and then the big hill is Donner Pass.

After logging 50K miles in "the rig" -- I'm totally used to pulling a grade stuck in 8th (out of 13 forward gears) at 35 MPH... And then some moron tells me - "you'll hate the millage when towing - you'll only get 8 MPG". Well really??? WTF -- The rig got an AVERAGE of 5.4, so I see this as getting almost double the MPG! (as if that's something that concerns me. LOL)

our new Truck has a D60 an 10 speed at it sofar seems to average about 9-10 mpg so now I can take EVERYTHING and get better mileage. still takes a lot longer to get there, I love the 45 min to 1 hours stops for Fuel!! NOT

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by Blake Foster

our new Truck has a D60 an 10 speed at it sofar seems to average about 9-10 mpg so now I can take EVERYTHING and get better mileage. still takes a lot longer to get there, I love the 45 min to 1 hours stops for Fuel!! NOT

Yeah, but I used to drive like 1200-1500 miles on a tank.

[glassman]

17 mpg is what i got coming home from Vegas in this set up. 13 mpg for a low.
6.0 with a tow package kit from GM and trailer brakes. Curious what i'll get when i get my enclosed 24'.....

[GregWeld]

I don't care if the little half ton does a good job towing - I just don't want it to suck.... If it just does Okay - Then life is good.

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

I don't care if the little half ton does a good job towing - I just don't want it to suck.... If it just does Okay - Then life is good.

Greg............... I am thinking "LIFE IS GOOD"

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Blake Foster

Greg............... I am thinking "LIFE IS GOOD"

I just finished a 1400+ Mile round trip from Sun Valley - to Portland Oregon - up to Seattle - to back here. I hauled the Lotus and it's spares to Portland... drove empty to Seattle - and loaded up 4,000+ Pounds of wine and drove home.

#1 - A load distributing hitch is an absolute must for these half tons. These would control the porpoising and also the tail wagging the dog swaying.

#2 - The trailer tows WAY better loaded. The light load of the Lotus - and the empty run to Seattle... Wind moves it big time - as well as the Truck Ruts. Loaded almost to maximum capacity - the trailer towed way way better!

#3 - The power of the 6.2 is incredible! And the 8 speed transmission is seamless and has great gear spreads. I pulled the trailer which I scaled after loading the wine - at 8660 pounds. Max capacity for the truck is 9100. Quick math shows I was only off the max by 440 pounds! There are a LOT of grades to pull -- and I climbed all of them at 70+ MPH without batting an eye.

Those of you that THINK you need a diesel are delusional!!

The 6.2 LS - with a 3/4 ton (the 2500) for that guy that occasionally tows -- perfection. The 1500 -- you'd best have a lightweight trailer and car (under the 9100 pound limit). With the 2500 you wouldn't need the load distributing hitch. The 1500 needs it. I'll take the Cadillac ride for 99% of the time I'm NOT towing and add the $600 hitch and have a good combo.


#4 - Someone said braking would be an issue. I call BS! The combo of the truck and the trailer brakes and the 8 speed in Tow / Haul mode... most of the time I didn't apply any downhill braking - and when I did - the thing hauled right down. The Northwest has REAL mountain passes with miles long downhill 5 and 6% grades. I'm 100% confident with the brakes.

#5 - I was hoping to report the combo - loaded up - didn't totally suck. I'm happy to report the combo is more than up to the task of towing it's rated load.

#6 - The trip computer says I averaged 8.6 MPG = That my friends is driving 70+ and 80 MPH in Idaho (where it's flat and wide open) - and pulling hills like a mad man! No lifting - no mercy! I pounded the hills! This was a test of the vehicle.

I set the rear tires at 60#'s cold - the fronts at 42#'s - the trailer tires at 65#'s

The load distributing hitch - and many have a sway bar function included - would make the combo less sensitive to buffeting as you pass semis - and would help to control the sway induced by truck ruts. Gusts of wind would also be less movement. If I'd have had that hitch I'd have been 100% happy.

And NO I didn't need the two mirrors - but will put them on. Chevrolet offers them for this vehicle (a $750 option) - so I'll just have to order them.

[dontlifttoshift]

Add the Reese dual cam weight distributing hitch and you will be passing semis in a crosswind with one hand on the wheel and a PBR in the other.

Glad you like your new rig!

[Sonar Chief]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

Add the Reese dual cam weight distributing hitch and you will be passing semis in a crosswind with one hand on the wheel and a PBR in the other.

Glad you like your new rig!

Just got a mental picture of that ... nice

Greg I am glad you got her figured out, see you guys at Thunderhill!!!

Michael

[Che70velle]

I knew you'd like it Greg. Like I said 5 pages back, get the hitch and your golden. Nice truck! The dealer that your trailer came from is an hour from me. Super nice units!

[raustinss]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

Add the Reese dual cam weight distributing hitch and you will be passing semis in a crosswind with one hand on the wheel and a PBR in the other.

Glad you like your new rig!

Who in God's name drinks pbr? I mean I'm Canadian so I know what real beer is lmao but seriously I understood that pbr was crap .... Yes ?