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04-22-2018, 12:01 AM
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#1
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JC Larson
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
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GM Max Trailering Package - feedback
Just purchased 2018 5.3 litre with 8 speed to tow our 09 25' FB FC. Would value feedback from owners of similar.
Will use our Equalizer set up. Came with remote trailer camera. Plan to add Air Bags. Thanks!
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04-22-2018, 02:07 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,140
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We have the 2017 Sierra with max tow and the same drivetrain, and we tow our 2016 25 FC using an Equalizer hitch. Weve been very happy with this setup. The trailer pulls great, and we have plenty of power and capacity for how we camp.
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04-22-2018, 05:43 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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If you have MaxTow package AND you stay under rear axle weight rating, AND you have proper WD setup, I doubt you need air bags. I have the 6.2L MaxTow with a 30' Classic and carry a scooter, boat motor and other gear in the bed....no bags needed.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-22-2018, 05:52 AM
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#4
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JC Larson
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
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Good to know. I would prefer to not have to add air bags. Your Classic and scooter are a good reference for load capacity. Thanks!
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04-22-2018, 09:37 AM
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#5
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Something Shiny
2017 27' International
Mosinee
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinLarson
Good to know. I would prefer to not have to add air bags. Your Classic and scooter are a good reference for load capacity. Thanks!
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I had a 2015 Denali with the same power and towing packages you've described. Our experience pulling our 27FB with a ProPride (a fairly heavy hitch) was similar to that of dznf0g, i.e., no need for air bags.
__________________
Mark & Gina
2017 International 27FB
700W Solar roof mount + 160W Zamp portable = 860A
ProPride hitch, 1400#
2018 Ford F250 Platinum 6.7L Diesel
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04-22-2018, 09:37 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Grapevine
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 63
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No problem
Towing same Flying Cloud with 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL with max tow pkg and have no problems at all. WD hitch package only.
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04-22-2018, 09:51 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1985 31' Excella
st. Paul
, mn
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 239
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinLarson
Just purchased 2018 5.3 litre with 8 speed to tow our 09 25' FB FC. Would value feedback from owners of similar.
Will use our Equalizer set up. Came with remote trailer camera. Plan to add Air Bags. Thanks! Attachment 309210
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A couple things - 1st its too late , you already bought the truck ?
Next is , without telling what truck you have - GVW , tow package , can't really say .
__________________
85 Excella , 31' , electric brakes , R. twin [ would like it to be a single ] , future upgrades , composting toilet [ replace black water tank with a 2nd fresh ] , solar power , instant hot water heater .
Tow 94 Dodge Ram , 4x4 , Cummins , AT .
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04-22-2018, 10:13 AM
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#8
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JC Larson
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
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Thought title was sufficient, however it is a GMC 1500 Seirra SLT with Max Trailering Package, a 5.3 liter ecotec, 8 speed transmission, 3.42 rear differential, 10,800 tow capacity. Towing a 25 foot 2009 Front Bedroom Flying Cloud....
All that said, not asking about my setup (have no doubt truck is capable) but I am interested in how owners of similar GM's have found the trucks overall performance ..and did they find any issues that I could be mindful of. I have added a Catch Can and a 2" lift.
Looking forward to testing the integrated remote trailer camera system.
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04-22-2018, 10:38 AM
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#9
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JC Larson
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pongo
I had a 2015 Denali with the same power and towing packages you've described. Our experience pulling our 27FB with a ProPride (a fairly heavy hitch) was similar to that of dznf0g, i.e., no need for air bags.
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Thanks for the feedback!
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04-22-2018, 11:34 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,602
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinLarson
Thanks for the feedback!
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I liked the 6.2 with the 8 speed. Finding the maxtow stock was a challenge around here in TX without special order...and payload was also a challenge. Here is the payload I saw on the a Denali, the last one I looked at below; notice it is not very high payload...1323lbs for tongue weight, passengers, and cargo...without special order, getting above 1500lbs in the 1/2T GM was a challenge. (I agree; airbags are not going to help your payload...there is a great video/thread on this forum somewhere that shows airbag myth..)
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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04-22-2018, 12:07 PM
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#11
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JC Larson
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsydad
I liked the 6.2 with the 8 speed. Finding the maxtow stock was a challenge around here in TX without special order...and payload was also a challenge. Here is the payload I saw on the a Denali, the last one I looked at below; notice it is not very high payload...1323lbs for tongue weight, passengers, and cargo...without special order, getting above 1500lbs in the 1/2T GM was a challenge. (I agree; airbags are not going to help your payload...there is a great video/thread on this forum somewhere that shows airbag myth..)
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Yes. Would've liked a 6.2, however made a decision based on availability trading in 2016 Duramax after 20 visits to GM for emission related issues. Tired of limp mode. Hope the 5.3 proves more reliable.
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04-22-2018, 01:02 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2017 19' International
Tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 938
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I have the 5.3-liter V8 in my Suburban. Fourteen years old, 120,000 miles.
Most reliable engine (and vehicle) Ive ever had.
Mine does not have the turn-off-a-few-cylinders function on the newer engines. I cant speak to the reliability of those engines.
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04-22-2018, 01:45 PM
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#13
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JC Larson
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereStream
I have the 5.3-liter V8 in my Suburban. Fourteen years old, 120,000 miles.
Most reliable engine (and vehicle) Ive ever had.
Mine does not have the turn-off-a-few-cylinders function on the newer engines. I cant speak to the reliability of those engines.
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Good to hear. Thank you.
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04-22-2018, 04:54 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2003 25' Safari
LAS VEGAS
, Nevada
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereStream
I have the 5.3-liter V8 in my Suburban. Fourteen years old, 120,000 miles.
Most reliable engine (and vehicle) Ive ever had.
Mine does not have the turn-off-a-few-cylinders function on the newer engines. I cant speak to the reliability of those engines.
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I agree with the reliability issue. I have an 18 year GMC Sierra 1500 PU with 5.3 L engine and auto trans and 140,000 miles. I find it capable of towing my 25 ft Airstream, but short of power climbing mountains (like those in Colorado, etc.) and short on payload capacity for my motorcycle and generator.
I have recently purchased a 2017 CHevy 2500HD crew cab with Duramax/Allison trans and am very pleased with it. No longer wanting for power, and much better control going downhill.
I think you (the OP) are going backwards on your tow vehicle if you travel in the mountains. I can find no evidence of any problems with the Duramax among several users that I know well. You may have had the bad apple among many very successful users.
BTW, I still have and plan to keep the GMC 5.3 because it is so reliable. Wife and I use both PUs as dailey drivers when not towing.
Hope all works out well for you.
Abe
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04-22-2018, 05:09 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,602
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinLarson
Yes. Would've liked a 6.2, however made a decision based on availability trading in 2016 Duramax after 20 visits to GM for emission related issues. Tired of limp mode. Hope the 5.3 proves more reliable.
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Understand. What is your payload if you don't mind sharing?
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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04-23-2018, 01:24 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,140
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gypsydad
Understand. What is your payload if you don't mind sharing?
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With the max tow, option depending on other options and 4WD vs. 2WD, most fall in the 1900 to 2100 range. My 4WD sticker shows a payload of 1920.
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04-23-2018, 05:32 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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Mine shows 2034# Payload. LTZ double cab.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-23-2018, 08:20 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,214
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The driver's door sticker lists the front and rear axle ratings of that specific vehicle. Changing suspension, adding stiffer tires etc does not increase that axle rating but can reduce the existing payload by the weight of differential of the new stuff over the OEM equipment.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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04-23-2018, 08:47 AM
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#19
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JC Larson
2009 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
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Mine shows 1920# Payload as well. Understand payload vs tow capacity.. and GCVW.
I hoped only for feedback from owners of similar GMs on their experience, which provided good information on Air bags. Greatly appreciate GM owner comments.
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04-23-2018, 03:10 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,602
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinLarson
Mine shows 1920# Payload as well. Understand payload vs tow capacity.. and GCVW.
I hoped only for feedback from owners of similar GMs on their experience, which provided good information on Air bags. Greatly appreciate GM owner comments.
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That's a good payload for a 1/2T......lots of good information here. You will notice on the Forum, it's pretty much open to everyone's response....wether you want to read it is another story!
The airbag suspension issue was an eye opener for me when I had my F150 EB with only 1039lbs payload rating...I thought the answer might be adding airbags until I saw the video and herd from several folks on the Forum that it masks the problem; doesn't fix it. Here is a good video of airbags:
https://youtu.be/XBZu39pQ8Gg
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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