2018 Chevy 2500 4x4 as Toad?

[vfauto]

Has anyone had experience towing a 3/4 ton 4x4 weighing about 7200 lbs, if so your thought please.

[redbaron73]

I've been doing it for 12 years. Current toad is a 2013 2500hd crewcab, with a 450isl.

I started out with a 330isb on a Fleetwood discovery, but the western hills were too much for the 330. One of our favorite spots to boon dock is in the prior mountains of Wyoming. There is a very long steep climb for many miles winding it's way up. The 330 could not handle it without many stops for cooldown, and toad disconnected.

The next year I bought the newmar, and it handled the hills without a problem. I think the truck is the perfect toad, as I can bring more toys.

[Dutch Star Don]

We towed a 1/2 ton Chevrolet Silverado for many years. For two of those years we had an RZR in the bed, which brought the combo weight up to 7K. You know it's back there with the 450 ISL. Acceleration and hill climbing were affected, but not drastically. I found the heavier setup would tend to push on the back of the coach in slow speed turns.

I no longer needed that big of a truck and changed out a couple of years ago to a GMC Canyon. The Canyon is a great toad. I like my stuff to look clean and the Canyon is so much easier to wash on the road. The Silverado LTZ was a nice truck though.

[millerj]

My first toad with my 2012 43' Ventana was a 2500 Chevy diesel 3/4 ton truck. I really couldn't tell much difference between towing the truck and towing my Chevy Equinox.

[Captain Slow]

I am currently prepping my 2018 2500HD CC with topper to be pulled behind our new coach (Dutch Star 4369). The CAT scale weight is 9800 lbs. (extra fuel tank and a few tools).

Has anyone had the steering wheel lock removed so they can tow without turning the key to accessory. My battery parasitic load is .6 Amps in the OFF position and 10.6 Amps in the accessory position. Trying not to play with the battery.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

I am currently prepping my 2018 2500HD CC with topper to be pulled behind our new coach (Dutch Star 4369). The CAT scale weight is 9800 lbs. (extra fuel tank and a few tools).

Has anyone had the steering wheel lock removed so they can tow without turning the key to accessory. My battery parasitic load is .6 Amps in the OFF position and 10.6 Amps in the accessory position. Trying not to play with the battery.

Due to electric steering, you have no choice but disconnect the battery while towing 4 down in 2014+ Chevy Silverado

Roadmaster makes a kit that simplifies the procedure with an in cabin switch.

https://amzn.to/2SFTnSE

[Captain Slow]

I am confused, I thought the power steering pump boosted the steering not electric.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

I am confused, I thought the power steering pump boosted the steering not electric.

On the newer trucks the steering is electric power steering, not hydraulic.

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/exp...ower-steering/

[Captain Slow]

Maybe because my truck is a diesel, GM installed a pully instead of an electric motor to run the pump.

[redbaron73]

On the diesel, they have both. The original hydraulic is supplemented by an electric assist.

This is found on the following HD trucks:
2016+up Crew Cab GAS trucks (LT, LTZ, High Country).
*
2016+up Double Cab and Crew Cab DURAMAX DIESEL trucks (LT, LTZ, High Country).

Power Steering System Description and Operation*(Active Hydraulic Assist (NV8))
*
The Active Hydraulic Assist (AHA) system is an updated recirculating ball hydraulic power steering system that allows for some of the performance benefits of electric power steering such as variable effort steering, active return to center, active damping, and lead/pull compensation.
*
The original hydraulic system was retrofitted with the AHA Module, a pressure sensor, and an electric coil (electromechanical valve).
*
The pressure sensor is one unit with two separate detection bodies located in the left and right chambers of the steering gear. As the driver turns the steering wheel, the pressure increases on one side and decreases on the other. These pressure changes are sent to the AHA module which then decides which way to direct the hydraulic pressure.

[Captain Slow]

Thanks RedBaron, I am a little behind in automotive technology... Looks like I am going to keep my 1989 GMC 2500 forever as a backup to my 2018. I am looking forward to more responses to the orginal posting.

[Captain Slow]

The best I can tell, my Work Truck (WT) does not have the "Digital Steering Assist". GM started installing it on the next model up (LT, etc.). Does that make it any easier to tow?

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

The best I can tell, my Work Truck (WT) does not have the "Digital Steering Assist". GM started installing it on the next model up (LT, etc.). Does that make it any easier to tow?

Does it have the ability to go into a neutral transfer case? If so, then possibly yes.

[Captain Slow]

Yes, it has the manual lever in the floor instead of the solenoid operation that unlocks the front wheels and places the trans in neutral.