Considering engine swap for towing purposes

2183 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by stchman, Jul 24, 2013

XS ive

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2013

Hey guys, on a tablet so this will be short. Doing a significant amount of towing with my truck. Trailer is a 7x12 v nose with a usual total wt of 5k. It seems to be working very hard on some of the longer pocono grades. Even though it pulls them at 55 65 I dont like seeing the rpms at 2750 and engine temp creep to 235. Even though I can average 10.8mpg towing so I am thinking upgrade. Looking at a 14 2500hd/duramax. A lot of $$$$$ so need some input. Ie Real world mpg on the duramax and normal op temps/mpg for a 5.3.
Thanks in abvance

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XS ive

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 23, 2013

Thanks for quick reply. On a real keyboard now and I can get more specific.
My truck is a Southern Comfort edition which came from Chevy as is. It has the OEM tow package with an external oil cooler, was re programmed for the 35's, and also has a dual exhaust. I added a Volant intake, and a High capacity True Cool Tranny cooler which keeps my trans temp at around 175* on the longest steepest grades. I also recently added a Roadmaster Active Suspension system. The truck pulls the trailer great, just seems like it is working too hard to do so. I think 2750 is a bit high for RPMs on the highway to crest some grades, and it usually cruises at 2100RPMs at 67-70 mph on flats in "D", it will pull in OD, but shifts in/out too much. It only has 38k miles on it and I am still under warranty. I love my truck and really didn't think I'd be towing every weekend.
I guess what I am looking for is validation to consider a 2500HD with the 6.6 Duramax/Allison. It would likely be overkill for my situation but I would really enjoy stress free driving home after a weekend of Motocross racing.

Does anyone know if the beds of an 08 1500, and 14 2500 are the same size?

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XS ive

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 24, 2013

stchman said:
Your 08 crew cab has a 5'8" bed, the 2500HD has only a 6'6" or an 8' bed options.

As I said, if you can afford a 2500HD with a Duramax, get it. It will be cheaper to put smaller tires on your 08 and re-program the ECM. The truck may look dumb with small tires and a 3" lift.

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I triple checked the Chevy specs on the 2014 2500HD and the standard bed size is the same as the 08 1500. Actually, they have the length of the 2500HD as 78.8" and the 1500 78.7" all the rest are identical. I will have to take a tape measure and measure myself to be sure. I just can't put smaller tires on the truck. It's part of the look and I wouldn't like it. I got some nice numbers from my dealer so if the tape measure works in my favor, I may have to go to the bank....
I hate to see my XS ive truck go, but I'd rather trade it in then kill it.

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