Will 2013 GMC 1500 4x4 ext cab 5.3 ltr tow a R25SC

[jjdonovan]

I would like to know if anyone is towing a R25SC loaded with options, fuel, water and personal belongings on an aluminum float on trailer ? What tow vehicle are you using and would a 2013 GMC Sierra ext. cab 4x4 5.3 ltr V8 6 speed trans. and 3.42 axle be adequate to tow the R25SC comfortably? If I purchase this setup new I want to make sure before I have to invest $50,000.00 in a 2500 HD diesel.

Thanks John

 

[John Shea Jr.]

I have towed my R25 with a 2011 Silverado rear wheel drive without any problems. When I purchased the truck I checked the specs and the rear wheel actually was rated to haul more than the 4x4! I have towed the boat to the Erie Canal two years in a row and again no problems.

 

[Don and Brenda]

Quick answer, no. You are looking at a rig that loaded as you say will be 10,000#. While it may pull it you will most likely be well over your GVWR. One has to consider hills, braking etc. I would not do it, go 3/4 ton diesel and you will be safe and happy.

 

[PhilR]

NO! I just traded my '08 Chevy 2500HD, 6 liter gas engine, 3.73, which did a marginal job of towing my R-27, on a '13 2500HD, Duramax diesel, 3.73 axle. A 1500 is not sturdy enough, the small V-8 is inadequate and even the big gas engine needs the 4.10 axle. The Float On twin axle aluminum trailer is, in my opinion, the best boat trailer on the market.

Phil

 

[pleeson]

Don't do it unless it is just back and forth to a local launch. Minimum 3/4 ton with diesel or you will regret it on long or hilly hauls. As others said, you would also likely be over the rated GVW of the lighter truck let alone the consideration of how hard the gas engine would be working. There is a reason real tractors and trucks have diesel power! You will never regret spending the extra money unless your boat never leaves the driveway.

 

[kskogerson]

Just to add to the discussion...don't leave 4x4 options off the list, you will regret a steep, slippery ramp and be embarrased because you needed a tow off the ramp. I have never seen a ramp that wasn't slippery.

PS there are alot of good used diesels out there, you cannot kill them unless you abuse them.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

I am so pleased to have the diesel 4x4 every time I haul the R-27. The torque the diesel provides makes all the difference over the numerous mountain passes here in the west. And when I get to that skinny, too steep, snot-covered boat ramp made for boats much smaller and easier to handle....I am thrilled to have the 4x4 to haul it out with no drama.

It's all about reducing drama.

Still the sticker shock on a newish diesel is through the roof, and the truck is only used for hauling the boat and firewood with occasional runs to the dump. So I got a 3/4 ton 2004 Dodge Ram with a cummins that had 160k on it for 1/4 the price of a new one. It isn't pretty, but the engine is just getting broken in and so far the tranny is solid.

Got a used Ranger and a used truck and, since I saved a buch of money, I have the dough to use them.

Jeff

 

[Capt. Wanabe]

Unless it is for a very occasional, very flat, very short tow, don't even think about it. In addition to what has already been said, newer diesel trucks are a far cry from what they used to be. We have a 2008 GMC crew cab which makes a great highway cruiser with or without a tow. The engine is very quite, little diesel smell, and will get 20-24 mpg on the open road. Those numbers drop to 15 with combo city/highway driving and will drop to 10.5 when pulling our R27. (The 10.5 mpg is over a 2000mi distance from Sonora, central California up to Bellingham and back). Most of the newer common rail, computer controlled diesels will offer similar comfort and performance. Also, to repeat a previous post, I have had to repeatedly resort to the 4WD selection to have any chance of recovering the boat from the ramp.
Frank

 

[Capt. Wanabe]

Unless it is for a very occasional, very flat, very short tow, don't even think about it. In addition to what has already been said, newer diesel trucks are a far cry from what they used to be. We have a 2008 GMC crew cab which makes a great highway cruiser with or without a tow. The engine is very quite, little diesel smell, and will get 20-24 mpg on the open road. Those numbers drop to 15 with combo city/highway driving and will drop to 10.5 when pulling our R27. (The 10.5 mpg is over a 2000mi distance from Sonora, central California up to Bellingham and back). Most of the newer common rail, computer controlled diesels will offer similar comfort and performance. Also, to repeat a previous post, I have had to repeatedly resort to the 4WD selection to have any chance of recovering the boat from the ramp.
Frank

 

[riversun45]

What is the tongue weight for a R25SC on a galvanized steel trailer? I am thinking of buying a R25SC and would tow it with a RV 450 chassis around Bellingham even maybe to Seattle. The RV is rated at 350#'s tongue weight limit. I'm not yet ready to get the diesel 2500 for extended towing. Boat purchase first.

 

[kskogerson]

Got a 2001 F350 with 78000...new,practically. 4x4 diesel dually crew cab and pull a R29 fully loaded most of the time and won't pull with anything else. Get 13 mpg pulling the ranger and 15 pulling my bigfoot camper. Don't think I would try pulling both though. Something to be said for the 7.3 l diesels, you cannot kill them. Anything from 2003 to current will cost you more than you would imagine.and I'm not talking sticker!

 

[JamesTXSD]

What is the tongue weight for a R25SC on a galvanized steel trailer? I am thinking of buying a R25SC and would tow it with a RV 450 chassis around Bellingham even maybe to Seattle. The RV is rated at 350#'s tongue weight limit. I'm not yet ready to get the diesel 2500 for extended towing. Boat purchase first.

In order to keep about 10% of the weight on the tongue, you would be looking at at least 800 pounds, more like 1,000 pounds of tongue weight with an R25SC. If your RV has a 350 pound tongue weight limit, it is not rated to tow 10,000 pounds... more likely, a Class III receiver, rated for 3,500 to 5,000 pounds. Without knowing your chassis information, it could be the receiver, or the RV chassis GCVW. Either way, I would not attempt to tow that much weight with that set up.

Jim B.

 

[riversun45]

Thanks Jim. I suspected that. Since I will keep the R25SC in PNW anyway, I can get to service by water and will not need to tow the tug. Probably would tow just the trailer to where the tug would be taken out of the water for service.