Anyone towing with Chevy 2500HD / Duramax diesel?
#16
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Rich. Yes, the Allison 1000 in my truck is a 6 speed. That and the "new" Duramax 6600 High Output with 650 FT LBs of torque are new this year from what i'm told. I'll pop on over to DieselPlace and see whats going on there also, thx for the link. The dealer is telling me not to bother getting an "equalizer" bar until I try towing for a while, that I most likely will NOT need it for under 7000LB tow weight. The manual says above 7500 to get one, so I guess i'll wait and see if I get sway..
#17
I also have a 2005 Duramax that I'm very happy with. I tow a 6,000 lb loaded enclosed trailer and I hardly know it's there. I tow in overdrive on cruise control at 64mph and get about 13.5mph by the DIC. The "trailer" feature is nice on long downhills. I bought the Prodigy brake controller and installed it myself in 20 minutes. I would recommend that too.
Have fun with your new truck.
Have fun with your new truck.
#18
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Hmmm, I assumed the trailer "package" had an integrated brake controller.. just checked and I see it's set up for one per this description:
"Trailering equipment, heavy-duty, includes trailering hitch platform,
7-wire harness (harness includes wires for: park lamps, backup lamps,
right turn, left turn, electric brake lead, battery and ground) with
independent fused trailering circuits mated to a 7-way sealed
connector, instrument panel jumper wiring harness for electric trailer
brake controller, and 1-way sealed connector for center high-mounted
stop/brake lamp. Also includes (K47) Air cleaner, high capacity (Z82)"
So is the controller you mention a direct plug in? Is this the one - http://www.brakecontroller.com/prodigy1.htm
Thanks!
"Trailering equipment, heavy-duty, includes trailering hitch platform,
7-wire harness (harness includes wires for: park lamps, backup lamps,
right turn, left turn, electric brake lead, battery and ground) with
independent fused trailering circuits mated to a 7-way sealed
connector, instrument panel jumper wiring harness for electric trailer
brake controller, and 1-way sealed connector for center high-mounted
stop/brake lamp. Also includes (K47) Air cleaner, high capacity (Z82)"
So is the controller you mention a direct plug in? Is this the one - http://www.brakecontroller.com/prodigy1.htm
Thanks!
#19
I paid about $100 online for the Prodigy. The truck came with the fuse/relay and the cable. I installed it directly below the steering wheel in two holes that were already there. Clean and simple and I can read the display.
#20
Race Director
I own a trailer/rv dealership. We have a 2000 Ford F-350 Turbo Diesel and a 2002 GMC 2500HD Duramax with the 5 speed Allison transmission. We have had absolutely no problems with the GMC and that is towing as well as snow plowing in the winter. It has loads of torque and decent fuel consumption. We've towed up to 13,000 lbs (5th wheel) w/o a problem and have regularly towed 8000lbs. without a hiccup.
You'll like the truck. We do.
You'll like the truck. We do.
#22
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks kgor et al. I pick her up in 1.5 hours from now. Not as exciting as picking up a new Porsche but WTH.. as long as it has XM radio i'm happy! I'm getting the Prodigy, still have to decide on a stabilizer bar and what to do about covering the bed (along with which coating to paint/protect it with). Looking at Grizzly as I can DIY... no idea what cover/cap is best.
Last edited by Gary R.; 01-27-2006 at 11:16 AM.
#24
Originally Posted by Gary R.
still have to decide on a stabilizer bar
Strait-Line Trunnion
#25
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks you Kim, just wrote them for advice on which combo to get for my needs. They also have the adapter I JUST noticed I need for the electrical hookup. My trailer has a 7(?) pin round connector, the Chevy (gee, maybe I should have LOOKED under the cap?) has a totally different arrangement.. looks the same with the cap on the connector!