I have a 2000 GMC Crew Cab Dually, 7.4L, auto, 4.10 rear axle and we are looking at a Widlcat 32QBBS fifth wheel.? The specs of the trailer are 8420# dry, 11.660# GVWR and a 1500# hitch weight, overall length 32'9".? By the numbers the truck can pull this weight, but I don't want to be aggravated every time we go somewhere, especially thru the mountains.? Thanks for any advice.
Will this combo work safley & correctly?
- Thread starter CHVYMTL3
- Start date
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Gary RV_Wizard
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You didn't mention the GVWR and GCWR of your Chevy, so I cannot guestimate how close to the limits you are. Generally speaking, with a gas engine you want to be 10-20% below the max if you expect good snappy performance in all terrains. Diesels are a bit more forgiving and perform pretty well right up to or even beyond their chassis limits.
You will probably find that a Gear Vendors Over/Under drive auxiliary transmission would be a big benefit if performance is a top priority for you. It would let you harness the horsepower of the 7.4L much more effectively. Gear Vendors
You will probably find that a Gear Vendors Over/Under drive auxiliary transmission would be a big benefit if performance is a top priority for you. It would let you harness the horsepower of the 7.4L much more effectively. Gear Vendors
Carl L
Moderator Emeritus
CHVYMTL3 said:
Not really. Your rig (a 3500) seems have a tow rating of 11,800#. We recommend a minimal safety factor of 10% relative to the GVWR of the trailer. That would mean a rating of 10,300#, Drag that rascal out the mountain or Pacific west, and you should make that 10% into 15% for a diesel to allow for long 6-8% grades and 8000 ft. passes. A normally aspirated engine loses 3% of rated HP per thousand foot altitude -- 8000 ft means your power is down 24%. Now your tow rating is down to 10,000#.
Big heavy 5ers demand a lot of truck.
Thanks for the input so far. I live just outside of Charlotte, NC and the majority of my travels will be weekends and a full week once or twice a year. I proboably won't see the mountains that often. Worst case is Black Mountain going thru the NC mountains. We really love the floor plan of the 32QBBS. I have looked at several other units with similar floor plans even 2 feet shorter but the weight only changes a couple hundered pounds. Does the Hypertec programmer and some of the simple add on items make an big differences?
Thanks again
Thanks again
