Looking into buying a DMax/Allison combo '01-02 model years. I want one w/ 4 doors, and longbed. I have Lance('93 880) 3000lb. slide-in camper, 4000lb fully loaded. Is this truck capable? I figure the motor/tranny can handle it, how about the truck? What factory suspension is required, and are suspension upgrades needed?
What type of fuel mileage can I expect with this truck empty and loaded?
I'm a Dodge/Cummins owner now who switched from a Chevy/454 to Cummins in '97 cause GM had no decent diesels back then. My truck does a good job with Airlift bags over a factory camper group rear end(overloads leafs/sway bar). My
truck is gettin' up in age so I may switch back over to GM.
Not looking for any "this vs. that" truck bashers, just honest answers. Thanks!

LMIMike,

The only trucks that come equiped with the Dmax/Alli combo are the 2500 and 3500 models (not counting med. duty), more than enough truck for a trailer twice that weight. With a 4000lb trailer I doubt that with either one of those trucks you would even know the trailer was back there. I have an '01 3500 4x4 and a 9500lb(loaded) 5ver and I run down the interstate at 70 mph and the truck ain't even breathin' hard. Most 2500 & 3500s with the Dmax/Alli combo are setup to pull and haul. Do not sweat that small load with either model. Heck, you could pull a 4000lb trailer with a 1500 model truck with the 5.3L gas engine and 4.10s. Fuel mileage will be better with the diesel.
JP

On Edit: Ooops! I just reread your post....slide-in camper. Doh! 3-4000lbs in the bed of a 4 door would be pushin' it to the max...especially if you got a 4x4.

I think you'll be pushing your GVW ratings even with a 3500 dually. I know I sure would not want to carry that load in my truck...

One thing I'll say about the Dodge 3500 (love the Cummins) is that it will carry your load- and then the ride may be decent.

Expect about 19-20 mpg empty, say 14-15 loaded if you keep your speed reasonable.

I wouldn't hesitate to haul a 3,000-4,000 lb slide-in in the bed of our '02 3500 ... would consider that to be too much weight for a 2500 ... no clue as to mileage but can say is you will find speed to be a major enemy of fuel mileage, the faster you run her the lower the mileage will drop

Jim

LMIMike,

The dmax is great for hauling, when it's not in the shop because there is something else blowing on the engine

LMIMike,

The dmax is great for hauling, when it's not in the shop because there is something else blowing on the engine
sounds like you've had some bad experiences with your '01 ... if so, sorry to hear it ... our early '02 ('01 injectors) has over 87,000 miles on it and has yet to be in the shop for any engine/transmission issues

Jim

Hi Jim,

I really love my truck and I bought it because it was suppose to be reliable and a GM! Well, I still think diesels are the best engines out there. Just wish GM would stand behind thier product. Apparently they feel that, and I quote, "it's not thier problem".


____________________
'01 2500 HD CC SLT

HI LMIMike & FIRST THINGS FIRST! Welcome to our site & may you get all your questions answered quickly & correctly! Go over to www.trailerlife.com (http://www.trailerlife.com/) & to the forum. Then click on slide in campers & you should be able to find some one there that has what you want to hear. I typed in duramax under the search part & came up with 476 answers!! GOOD LUCK READING!! Howard

Gentlemen, I appreciate your input on my questions. I'll check out the Trailerlife site Howard. Thanks!

No problems - however you may want to investigate installing airbags on the rear axle to help with suspension sag and rocking. I also have a '03 F350 that I have a slide-in on and the airbags are great!

Yep, I have Airlift 5000 bags on my current truck, so the "Tilt'n Hilt'n I'm not! ;)
So, you guys think a '02 DMax/Allison 2500(4wd) 4-door would handle the slide-in with bags?
Don't really want a 3500 dually just to accomodate a camper a few times a year. If nor I suppose I could switch over to a 5th wheel, just gotta "smooth" the wife over real easy like..:D

LMIMike, my dad has a '02 Duramax/Allison 2500 HD and it spends just about every weekend during the summer on our gooseneck pulling around our 12,500 Lbs. pulling tractor with about another 1500 lbs. in weights on the trailer...The truck handles it on the freeway and on the hilly country roads we have up here...and the ride in a Duramax may not be the best when they are driven empty, but when you get a load on them with a trailer they turn into a completly different truck...ride smooths out and they go!

With the GM badging of the 2500 HD I am in the understanding that it is basicly a one ton truck.

The tires are basicly the limiting factor in this case or am I wrong? The rear axle and the number of springs on both models are the same aren't they?

What is the GVW difference with both models?

I would imagine that Lance did not make that camper only for use on the dually trucks. I have seen many of large style slide ins on fleet side trucks that were also 3/4 ton.

Here is another thought. For those that have 5th wheels, what is the so called tongue weight that the truck is seeing at the bed? I would imagine that those are atleast a good 3000 to 4000 lbs on the truck. And lot of 2500 HD's are towing them around.

Tires will probably be you limiting factor with single wheels. If you upgrade to a 265/75/R16E and add some Firestone airbags, you will be good to go. On the other hand, you will probably be over your 9200 gvw:eek: