When a 3500 is not enough

[AlinCal]

My neighbor says his 06 3500HD Duramax overheats towing the grades so being a trucker he rigged his vintage Kenworth to tow his wife horse trailer, it has no air conditioning so now they overheat. LOL

[rmkrum]

Oooh. Where’s the like button. Talk about massive overkill!!!

[steverino]

Hmm it looks like the front fenders are a little high... perhaps some weight distribution is in order. What do you suggest - Equalizer or ProPride?
(ducks and runs for the door) [emoji4]

[OTRA15]

Seriously though, that truck's suspension was never designed for such a point load falling so far behind the rear axles! Looks like it is, what?, about 4' to 6' behind the mid-point between the two rear axles? What is the hitch weight of that 5th wheel setup, when loaded with horses?

Not overkill at all . . . but surely bad aiming!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, so replacing a 12 year old radiator, thermostat, or maybe a fan clutch isn't worth fixing the problem, so use the Kenworth. What happens when the Kenworth starts to have problems? Boeing 747???????

[Foiled Again]

I saw several 5th wheels pulled by semi rigs when I was in Texas. All of them had the tag axle removed and the frame shortened. I was told that the semi could be tagged as a private tow vehicle rather than a commercial tractor once the second axle was removed.

Seriously, horses are heavy and so are their trailers (2 to 3 inch thick plywood floor). 3500 is probably overloaded with a big horse trailer. But a Kenworth? Are the horses Clydesdales?

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by AlinCal

. . . so being a trucker he rigged his vintage Kenworth to tow his wife horse trailer . . .

Er, how many horse wives does he have?

[AlinCal]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Seriously though, that truck's suspension was never designed for such a point load falling so far behind the rear axles! Looks like it is, what?, about 4' to 6' behind the mid-point between the two rear axles? What is the hitch weight of that 5th wheel setup, when loaded with horses?

Not overkill at all . . . but surely bad aiming!

Not actually hitched yet, just in vicinity.

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, so replacing a 12 year old radiator, thermostat, or maybe a fan clutch isn't worth fixing the problem, so use the Kenworth. What happens when the Kenworth starts to have problems? Boeing 747???????

06 has less than 10K mi. on it and is modified with larger exhaust and upgraded intake and turbo to try to fix the problem with no satisfaction.
Trust me if it could be fixed it would be.

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

I saw several 5th wheels pulled by semi rigs when I was in Texas. All of them had the tag axle removed and the frame shortened. I was told that the semi could be tagged as a private tow vehicle rather than a commercial tractor once the second axle was removed.

Seriously, horses are heavy and so are their trailers (2 to 3 inch thick plywood floor). 3500 is probably overloaded with a big horse trailer. But a Kenworth? Are the horses Clydesdales?

They are Mules to be more accurate, but usually only one goes at a time.

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Er, how many horse wives does he have?

Are you just working on your post count here?

[AlinCal]

Originally Posted by AlinCal

My neighbor says his 06 3500HD Duramax overheats towing the grades so being a trucker he rigged his vintage Kenworth to tow his wife horse trailer, it has no air conditioning so now they overheat. LOL

If you look at the lowered rail you can see the kingpin is over the axles and as seen not yet hitched.

[OTRA15]

Thanks, sorry, I did not notice that!

[JMynes]

I had an ‘05 Duramax, and of course I frequented the applicable forums for it.
Some D’Max trucks in that era had overheating problems, some did not. Mine did not. There were super duper aftermarket radiators available to help fix those that did.
I’m a little skeptical about the oversized intake, turbo, and exhaust fixing the overheating. Certainly you will be moving more air through the engine, but also making more power, and therefore heat, that the cooling system still won’t be able to handle.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by JMynes

I had an ‘05 Duramax, and of course I frequented the applicable forums for it.
Some D’Max trucks in that era had overheating problems, some did not. Mine did not. There were super duper aftermarket radiators available to help fix those that did.
I’m a little skeptical about the oversized intake, turbo, and exhaust fixing the overheating. Certainly you will be moving more air through the engine, but also making more power, and therefore heat, that the cooling system still won’t be able to handle.

........you are right on....maybe it also is chipped....I would like to drive it once...just back off on the grades...like driving a 280 cumalong...or 262...

[Betty Farmer]

We have owned a 2002 GMC, DuraMax, 1 ton, dually, bought new. We have pulled heavy equipment; a three horse trailer w/ living quarters, - loaded with 3 horses, etc. over all terrains without a heating issue. I would have done something like this in jest, but I would have that 2006 DuraMax iback in the dealership from where it was bought. This should not be happening.

[AlinCal]

Thanks for all the great replies, did not think this would have taken this tack and I'll let him know what you all think he should do.
I think he likes towing with the Kenworth though and it's just an excuse to do so.


If a hammer is good for the job a sledge hammer should work better.

[Betty Farmer]

That was my point. This would be an attention getter!!!

[pteck]

Is slowmover your neighbor?

[AlinCal]

Originally Posted by pteck

Is slowmover your neighbor?

Thankfully NO.

[thiel]

I think that we can all agree that since he doesn't have a Hensley he is being irresponsible and putting others lives at risk!

[STREMN]

Apparently the need for a bigger "hammer" is not limited to the "left" coast as we can see the "right" coast is doing the same thing.

This rig was at the Hampton Beach SP for a few days of fun in the sun and salt air.

Not very clear on the photo but the drivers door was titled "Rat Trap".

Tom - Slide-Out Society Registry Member #025
AlumaSlider Get-Together, 28-30 Sep 2018, Stone Mountain SP, NC

[RandyNH]

And like people who tow a 23'er with a ¾ or 1 ton, he probably tells everyone it doesn't even feel like anything is back there. Go big or go home