Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-09-2009, 10:56 AM   #1
Weekend Camper
 
merrifik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 25
I purchased a new Kingston 33sk in may and have not had it on the road much as we presently have it a seasonal campsite but plan to tow it far afield next year! My question: is my 2004 GMC 2500 6 Liter Gas Sierra ext cab powerful enough (in your honest opinions) to do the job or should I be looking for a replacement. It is in good shape with low mileage and I used it with no problem to tow the rig about 30 miles when I first set it up in May but it did not test it on some of the roads that could cause it problems. I f anyone has experience with a similar truck and this rig I would like to hear your experiences.

Many thanks Ken
__________________
merrifik
merrifik is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2009, 11:32 AM   #2
Full Time Camper
 
Hunter11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,510
You will probably get a lot of different answers but I think you will be pushing it. That trailer weighs 10k empty and I would bet close to 12k by the time you load it if not more. I think you would like a big gas motor or a diesel much better. I had a 2001 Chevy 3/4 ton with the 6L gas engine and it was a strong engine but I would not want it pulling our trailer. That is just my opinion and only you can decide what will work best for you.
__________________
17 Chevy 3500 DRW 4X4
16 Mobile Suites 36RSSB4
2 Mini Dachshunds
Hunter11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2009, 11:59 AM   #3
Weekend Camper
 
jgerni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Virgini
Posts: 73
I hate to say it but with that 5vryou will eventually need a new truck.My trailer is 2,000lbs lighter and my 8.1L Chevy works pretty hard. You might be able to get by with it for short distances but if you want to do any traveling you won't like that truck and trailer combo.
__________________
2009 Cruiser 31QB

2006 GMC 2500HD CC D/A LBZ

Sold 2002 Chevy 2500HD CC 8.1 3.73

B&W Turnover Ball Hitch with Companion
jgerni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2009, 12:18 PM   #4
Full Time Camper
 
mwebber78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,250
Send a message via Yahoo to mwebber78
I have a Cruiser 31SB and my 2008 HD with the 6.0l and 6 spd. auto is right about at my comfort level. I felt the truck was ok, heck I took it all the way to NM and back to Maine.



You should consider a dino-powered upgrade before you do any real traveling.
__________________
Mike
2013 Jayco Eagle 334RBTS
Crossroads Forum Lurker
mwebber78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2009, 02:14 PM   #5
Full Time Camper
 
Stan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
At firstI had a 2001 2500 6.0 with 4.10 gears towing my 2007 30SK. Loaded, the rig weighedabout 10K. The truck worked great till it came to a hill and then it would slow to 30-45MPHand the trans would heat up. The engine never overheated or even rose above the normal temp but the trans would. On straight roads I was able to cruise at 70 in O.D. if I wanted to. If your towing 2K more, then I don't think you will like the truck performance. I now have the Duramax and life is good! I recommend you look into uprgrading to a diesel or large V-8/V-10. Good luck.
Stan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2009, 10:12 PM   #6
Weekend Camper
 
merrifik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 25
To my fellow Crossroads RV folk,
I was pretty sure that I would need a truck upgrade and you have confirmed it for me. Thanks for your valuable feedback. I will let you know what I end up with in the future!
Happy trails to you all. Ken
__________________
merrifik
merrifik is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2009, 06:54 AM   #7
Seasonal Camper
 
GeorgeG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 433
Send a message via Yahoo to GeorgeG
I have an 2008 33sk and have a 2006 GMC 3/4 ton with the Duramax engine and it pulls fine and stops fine and no problems on hills, but I wish I had a bigger truck for pulling it because I'm at the max I could go weight wise.
__________________
George

Nights camped in 2010 = 009
GeorgeG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2009, 08:18 AM   #8
Family Vacation Member
 
ryeja's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 164
Before spending money on something newer check you tow rating and payload ratings. I'm not sure what the GVRW is of the Kingston you have but I've mentioned before there are many other options available to going to an oil burner (no offense diesel burners). If your truck has low miles and is in good mechanical condition consider a turbo or supercharger with a programmer. You can make great power with those gassers and less maintenance in the long run. Just my 2c.
__________________
'08 CF31QB

'06 F-250 SD V-10

SCT custom tuned

https://i785.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/SDC12617.jpg
ryeja is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2009, 11:13 AM   #9
Weekend Camper
 
merrifik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 25




Thanks, That is a good point to consider as well and it is something that a friend mentioned to me not too long ago. He has put a turbo on his Gas truck and increased the HP considerably, but the problem will be, can the tranny take the extra load that the new trailer and increased HP from the engine will put on it ? Even more to think about!!!
__________________
merrifik
merrifik is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2009, 11:15 PM   #10
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mankato, Mn
Posts: 239
If you only use the truck for the seasonal thing you probably won't have a problem. However A 3/4 ton truck is too small for a Kingston KF33SK. You willexceed your GVWR of your truck. Just for a moment, set aside all the trucks war things and just Look at plain facts.The GM and DODGE 1 tons have a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. A Ford F-350 has a GVWR of 11,200 lbs. The truck "experts" will argue that if you consider the difference between empty weight and GVWR, Ford only has an advantage of about 300 lbs...."only?"...thats 300 lbs more pin weightcapability! If you are towing that 33SK in a 30mph crosswind, which would you rather be driving, a 9,900 lb truck or 11,200 lb truck? Anyway, if you are considering a new/newer truck, do NOT hesitate to get a one ton. An F-350 drives the same as an F-250, gets the same mileage, rides the same and I assume the GM and DODGE models have the same characteristics. Last weekend was my first long trip with the 6.4 diesel and the 33SK and with the cruise control at 65mph I got 12.2 mpg. I do NOT believe this is a constant as the weather was perfect, minimal traffic, relatively flat surface, all interstate, etc. I would not mind switching to a GM truck but at this time they just don't have as good of a frame and therefore weight capabilities. I hope this fall yet to take my truck to a scale and get the actual pin weight. The Crossroads brochure lists the pin weight for a 33SK as 1,810. I'm curious to know what it really is cuz it really brings the box down onmy one ton. But since the 4wd one ton sits so high anyway it sits just about level with the trailer. Final word....get a one ton.
__________________
Ken and Renee

2012 Cruiser CF325CKP

2010 Ford F-350 6.4 SB 4wd

W0CSC

Semper Fi 59-63
calliopeguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2009, 08:16 AM   #11
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 135
Quote:
Originally Posted by calliopeguy
I hope this fall yet to take my truck to a scale and get the actual pin weight. The Crossroads brochure lists the pin weight for a 33SK as 1,810. I'm curious to know what it really is cuz it really brings the box down onmy one ton. But since the 4wd one ton sits so high anyway it sits just about level with the trailer. Final word....get a one ton.


I did mine recently (Chevy 3550 dually with KF30SB), I wanted to drop the legs and do a trailer only wait, but there were semis waiting on me (I had my truck only weight from a trip to the dump a couple of months before).





<TABLE style="WIDTH: 119pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=158 border=0 x:str>

<COLGROUP>

<COL style="WIDTH: 71pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3437" width=94>

<COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64>

<T>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" width=94 height=17>front axle</TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent" align=right width=64 x:num>4360</TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17>drvie axle</TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent" align=right x:num>5940</TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17>trailer</TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent" align=right x:num>8420</TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17></TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent"></TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17>total</TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent" align=right x:num>18720</TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17></TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent"></TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent; mso-ignore: colspan" colSpan=2 height=17>calculate weights</TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17></TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent"></TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17 x:str="truck ">truck</TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent" align=right x:num>8050</TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17 x:str="trailer ">trailer</TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent" align=right x:num>10670</TD></TR>

<TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; : transparent" height=17>pin</TD>

<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: #ebe9ed; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ebe9ed; : transparent" align=right x:num x:fmla="=+B1+B2-B9">2250</TD></TR></T></TABLE>
__________________
-Grant

2008.5ish Kingston KF30SB

2008 Chevy 3500 dually
sheltieRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2009, 09:23 AM   #12
Full Time Camper
 
fhenn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MS
Posts: 2,746
If you can convience your DW that it will help her in any way you can justify it. Or the way I did it I sent her to visit her sister and did the dead while she was away

__________________
Frank and Janet Henn
2000 Monoco Lapalma
being pushed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Traveling with Rainbow the wonder dog and now with Sunshine the rescue Schnauzer.
fhenn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2009, 10:55 AM   #13
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mankato, Mn
Posts: 239
SheltieRV - How did you get the actual pin weight without disconnecting? I would like to do that too but with my luck there wouldn't be anybody waiting until I unhooked and then it would "Let's everybody weigh our TRUCK". If you had the truck weight from before how did you calculate the pin? When you did your truck were you fully loaded the same as if you were towing? I'm surprised a dually weighs that much (10,300?). I'm not interested in a dually for a regular driver but getting back to that 30mph crosswind that 10,300 truck only weight would be nice. I'm assuming with your rig wind is not much of a problem.

Ken
__________________
Ken and Renee

2012 Cruiser CF325CKP

2010 Ford F-350 6.4 SB 4wd

W0CSC

Semper Fi 59-63
calliopeguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2009, 03:01 PM   #14
Seasonal Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 393
SheltieRV Curious. Do you have your front axle weight on the truck without the trailer? My 5th wheel unloads my front axle by about 150#. Edited by: rcflyer
rcflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2009, 01:03 AM   #15
Weekend Camper
 
jgerni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Virgini
Posts: 73


A 2004 Extended cab 2500HD 6.0 with 4.10s has a max tow capacity of 10,300lbs. I think you will be close on the pin weight but might be OK since the 2500HD with the 6.0L has a pretty good payload. Where you will be over without a doubt is the GCVW which is only 16,000lbs. You will probably be over that by 1,500lbs or so with that trailer.



A good single axle 3500 or dually in a diesel or big block should be a good match.
__________________
2009 Cruiser 31QB

2006 GMC 2500HD CC D/A LBZ

Sold 2002 Chevy 2500HD CC 8.1 3.73

B&W Turnover Ball Hitch with Companion
jgerni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2009, 02:27 AM   #16
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 135
Quote:
Originally Posted by calliopeguy
SheltieRV - How did you get the actual pin weight without disconnecting? I would like to do that too but with my luck there wouldn't be anybody waiting until I unhooked and then it would "Let's everybody weigh our TRUCK". If you had the truck weight from before how did you calculate the pin? When you did your truck were you fully loaded the same as if you were towing? I'm surprised a dually weighs that much (10,300?). I'm not interested in a dually for a regular driver but getting back to that 30mph crosswind that 10,300 truck only weight would be nice. I'm assuming with your rig wind is not much of a problem.

Ken
I did this Via Excel calculations...probably not perfect but close. I knew what the truck weighed from before (I estimated the difference of no people and adding the hitch as those were the only differences between the 2 weighs). Since I know the truck, I figure anything else on the truck axles must be trailer. The 10,300 includes the pin weight of the trailer.



You are correct that someone will show up, wegot on the scales and the place was empty, sure enough 3 trucks hopped in line while we were fumbling with getting everything in the right place (used the Cat scales), the operator told me to ignore the truckers, but they are trying to earn a living. So I decided to skip the trailer only weight (which would have given me wheels and Leg weight).



As far as wind (knock on wood here) I have not noticed it. In fact, my biggest issue is that I forget the trailer is back there. The 3500/dually and trailer combo is a bit of an overkill, but we deicded to err on the side of caution. Besides with a dually you get much more excercise as you need to park out in the north 40 when taking it places.
__________________
-Grant

2008.5ish Kingston KF30SB

2008 Chevy 3500 dually
sheltieRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2009, 02:28 AM   #17
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 135
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcflyer
SheltieRV Curious. Do you have your front axle weight on the truck without the trailer? My 5th wheel unloads my front axle by about 150#.


No, I weighed the truck at the dump, so all I got was the total weight.
__________________
-Grant

2008.5ish Kingston KF30SB

2008 Chevy 3500 dually
sheltieRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2009, 10:20 AM   #18
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Can
Posts: 198
Just an opinion - but I prefer the diesel to do the "heavy lifting". There is a reason why train locomotives and the "big rigs" use diesels - they are built to tow. Some of the bigger gas engines "can" do the work - but "you pays yer money and takes yer chances"......
__________________

Roselyn and Darrell
2007.5 Silverado LT/EFI Live Tuned Duramax/6Spd Allison/Banks Ram Air with Super Scoop/Edge CTS Gauges/Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 Ultimate Air Springs
2014 335ss Cruiser Provincial
Retired Navy
Darrell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2009, 12:23 PM   #19
Weekend Camper
 
jgerni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Virgini
Posts: 73


Why does this have this have to turn into a gas vs diesel. What kind of chances do I take towing with my gas truck please let me know.
__________________
2009 Cruiser 31QB

2006 GMC 2500HD CC D/A LBZ

Sold 2002 Chevy 2500HD CC 8.1 3.73

B&W Turnover Ball Hitch with Companion
jgerni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2009, 03:42 PM   #20
Family Vacation Member
 
ryeja's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 164
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgerni



Why does this have this have to turn into a gas vs diesel. What kind of chances do I take towing with my gas truck please let me know.


ABSOLUTELY NONE!!! You have plenty of power plus payload to tow what you have. Depending on the size of your fuel tank the only thing slowing you down is the fuel stations. Ask anyone here about fuel mileage with their oil burners and I'll guess you are not far off depending on engine mods. This I'm sure will start a whole new thread. Go to any duramax of ford forums and read the already many posts on this. I'm by no means exploiting my V-10 but it does the job required and its not really a daily driver. Don't get me wrong dino burners I would love more umph, just waiting on getting my turbo system developed and built. Just not economical as it only sees about 6 months driving time.
__________________
'08 CF31QB

'06 F-250 SD V-10

SCT custom tuned

https://i785.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/SDC12617.jpg
ryeja is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Crossroads RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×