2005 Chevy 3500 8.1 DRW
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Question](/forums/images/icons/icon5.gif)
I been looking for buying a truck for some time now and have a good deal on a 2005 Chevy duallie CC. Is this a good truck to tow with? My boat and trailer is 11.660lbs dry and the trailer is rated for 15K. I know I have to derate my trailer to make it legal (13K) and I will. I also plan to mount a WD hitch (since Sydaways talked me in to it...). Just looking to see if the 8.1 is a good option. I know mileage wise a diesel is a better option, but I drive about 2000 miles a year so the savings will never offset the purchase price for me. Any experience out there that will like to enlighten my knowledge?
#2
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: St-Hyacinthe, quebec, canada
Posts: 7,852
Received 420 Likes
on
280 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
super combo! Not a big difference in mileage per gallon compared to duramax, specially when towing. Plenty of power, that is what you need for your low mileage a year. I have a customer pulling 15000 (up to 20000) each single day of the week and he would not change his trucks for anything else.
#3
Forum Regulator
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/prop.gif)
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
What is the gear ratio in the truck? That will make a big difference.
GT4 on the build sticker is 3.73 (check the glovebox)
GT5 on the build sticker is 4.10
Is it the 5 Speed Allison Automatic or the ZF 6 Speed Manual?
Having towed with both the 8.1L and a modern Turbo Diesel, I can tell you that there is quite a noticeable difference in power. That setup should work/tow great for a long time, but a diesel is better. "offshoredrillin" here on OSO has the same truck and he loves it.
GT4 on the build sticker is 3.73 (check the glovebox)
GT5 on the build sticker is 4.10
Is it the 5 Speed Allison Automatic or the ZF 6 Speed Manual?
Having towed with both the 8.1L and a modern Turbo Diesel, I can tell you that there is quite a noticeable difference in power. That setup should work/tow great for a long time, but a diesel is better. "offshoredrillin" here on OSO has the same truck and he loves it.
#4
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
What is the gear ratio in the truck? That will make a big difference.
GT4 on the build sticker is 3.73 (check the glovebox)
GT5 on the build sticker is 4.10
Is it the 5 Speed Allison Automatic or the ZF 6 Speed Manual?
Having towed with both the 8.1L and a modern Turbo Diesel, I can tell you that there is quite a noticeable difference in power. That setup should work/tow great for a long time, but a diesel is better. "offshoredrillin" here on OSO has the same truck and he loves it.
GT4 on the build sticker is 3.73 (check the glovebox)
GT5 on the build sticker is 4.10
Is it the 5 Speed Allison Automatic or the ZF 6 Speed Manual?
Having towed with both the 8.1L and a modern Turbo Diesel, I can tell you that there is quite a noticeable difference in power. That setup should work/tow great for a long time, but a diesel is better. "offshoredrillin" here on OSO has the same truck and he loves it.
#6
instigator
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Miami, Fla
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
check the glovebox sticker for G80 and GT5
if it has both, buy it
it'll pull a house down
put 265-75-16E tires on the front, and 235-85-16E on the rear
get a Putnam 15k hitch and the class 6 carrier below
http://www.airsafehitches.com/receiver_hitches.html
then get a big tank from transferflow
http://www.transferflow.com/GM_fuel_tank_systems.html
if it has both, buy it
it'll pull a house down
put 265-75-16E tires on the front, and 235-85-16E on the rear
get a Putnam 15k hitch and the class 6 carrier below
http://www.airsafehitches.com/receiver_hitches.html
then get a big tank from transferflow
http://www.transferflow.com/GM_fuel_tank_systems.html
#7
Platinum Member
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
great combo we have 2/ 8.1 Avalanches and a 8.1 Suburban as well as 8.1Hds we tow everything from 343 cobalts to 47 Fountains and every thing in between I love the combo if you dont mind the millage Nothing better as a tow package imho.except a Duramax!
#8
Platinum Member
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
check the glovebox sticker for G80 and GT5
if it has both, buy it
it'll pull a house down
put 265-75-16E tires on the front, and 235-85-16E on the rear
get a Putnam 15k hitch and the class 6 carrier below
http://www.airsafehitches.com/receiver_hitches.html
then get a big tank from transferflow
http://www.transferflow.com/GM_fuel_tank_systems.html
if it has both, buy it
it'll pull a house down
put 265-75-16E tires on the front, and 235-85-16E on the rear
get a Putnam 15k hitch and the class 6 carrier below
http://www.airsafehitches.com/receiver_hitches.html
then get a big tank from transferflow
http://www.transferflow.com/GM_fuel_tank_systems.html
#9
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
check the glovebox sticker for G80 and GT5
if it has both, buy it
it'll pull a house down
put 265-75-16E tires on the front, and 235-85-16E on the rear
get a Putnam 15k hitch and the class 6 carrier below
http://www.airsafehitches.com/receiver_hitches.html
then get a big tank from transferflow
http://www.transferflow.com/GM_fuel_tank_systems.html
if it has both, buy it
it'll pull a house down
put 265-75-16E tires on the front, and 235-85-16E on the rear
get a Putnam 15k hitch and the class 6 carrier below
http://www.airsafehitches.com/receiver_hitches.html
then get a big tank from transferflow
http://www.transferflow.com/GM_fuel_tank_systems.html
#10
instigator
![](https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/images/icons/platinum_member_star.gif)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Miami, Fla
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
19.5's pull the motor down too hard...
stay with 16's or get some '08 17" takeoff rims/tires
265-75 and 235-85 are virtually the same height
GT5 is 4.10
G80 is posi
stay with 16's or get some '08 17" takeoff rims/tires
265-75 and 235-85 are virtually the same height
GT5 is 4.10
G80 is posi