Who is high mileage towing?

[FlyingTexan]

I have a tuned, weight loss, 2008 Duramax with 188k miles. Thinking of buying a gooseneck to tow my Ineos Grenadier and a CFMOTO Uforce U10 XL UTV on Colorado then MOAB. I think that will be about 8k lbs before o add all the tools, coolers, etc. plus going up into the Rockies then running to Moab and going up the mountain there in the heat to get to our camping spots.

Does this seem like too much for the LLM Duramax? I’ve pulled so much weight on a ranch but that was short distances and low gears. I’ve never towed this much this far on a truck this old. Send it or do we have serious concerns? I haven’t bought a gooseneck yet but will only get something with great brakes.

 

[FlyingTexan]

For the record every fluid but radiator has been replaced, which I have, with Amsoil in the Allison, diffs, transfer, and engine. All new. New front end. New rotors and pads.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

My truck has 85k miles, but the engine has 260,000 (or around there) on it. Junkyard engine.

I rent for longer trips. $600 for a 3 day weekend with unlimited mileage from Enterprise for a 3/4 ton truck is a lot cheaper than breaking down.

 

[wlk]

I've towed with my 93 C1500 5.7l, 125k and 6500ish lbs travel trailer from PA to SD and back in 2021. My '04 Expedition 200k and same camper from PA to SC and PA to MN and over to ND and back as well in 2023. My son now has the Expedition 220k miles at the time and we towed his 5k lbs travel trailer from PA to Washington state in 2024. Now I use my '94 F350 7.5l 125k on drivetrain, 260k on body and frame to tow our new 9-10k lbs travel trailer around PA and WV so far but will be heading out on longer trips hopefully next year.
Swap fluids, do tune up and pack your tools.

 

[clinebarger]

It's a LMM.....Good engine! If the cooling stack has never been pulled & cleaned....It needs to be done.

Keep her cool & she'll tow up to the legal capacity.

 

[wwillson]

Does this seem like too much for the LLM Duramax?

No it's not too much with the right guy behind the wheel. It's not a race. Pull at a slow speed up and down the long steep grades. I get behind a slow semi and go his speed, usually 25 MPH both uphill and downhill. My goal going downhill is to not use my foot brakes, only the exhaust brake. We weigh about 30,000 pounds and pulling down from the Eisenhower tunnel, that speed is no greater than 25 MPH. It takes me longer than Mr. Cowboy that thinks it is a race, but I have cold brakes at the bottom, while he has smoking hot brakes.

 

[FlyingTexan]

How long a trailer would say you need? I have a free 40ft but that seems too long was hoping to keep it a little easier to maneuver. Think a 25ft could do it?

 

[GON]

This 2002 F350 V10 4.33 rear with 200k miles towed this enclosed gooseneck early this month from New Mexico to Florida, and back to New Mexico. Changes in grades, lots of burning hot interstate, the older Ford never missed a beat. Picture taken in Florida. I'd be more worried about the manufacturer of the trailer tires and the air pressure in the trailer than the age or torque of your Chevy truck.

Another option to reduce weight but not cargo capacity is to use an aluminum trailer.

Some of the older trucks might holistically do better towing than new trucks.

 

[ClutchDisc]

2012 Nissan Armada 192k. Towing my 4k lbs (dry) travel trailer.

 

[fantastic]

It's what those trucks were made for. I think your question revolves around reliability for higher mileages & that is a real thought as mileage can cause break-downs but 188k isn't 288k you know what I mean. At 288k I'd imagine plenty of trucks have served their heyday & to start shopping for a replacement if going far from home base. Have fun!