Page 5 of 8
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:07 pm
by vr4
Note: Use of a circuit breaker is highly recommended to protect the vehicle and battery from
damage from winch failure/overload. A 50-amp circuit breaker (not included) should be installed
in a safe location as close to the vehicle’s battery as possible. The circuit breaker will be
installed in line with the Winch’s Battery Cable (8) and the vehicle battery. Use two solderless,
insulated, 12-10 AWG ring tongue terminals (not included) to install the circuit breaker.
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:25 pm
by DCIV
That harness for the camper is 30amps (as I’m sure you know) so yes a 25amp fused link would work. Wonder if I can get the plug that goes right into that and then connector that goes right into the winch. That would be slick. But I do think we are over thinking this (and that comes from me) yes I will use it to pull the golf cart (later a kart for the daughter to race) but this is gonna be rare. Might just be easier to throw a battery in the tool box with a solar panel and use it when needed.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 1:11 am
by DCIV
Just did around 700 miles, if not more with the truck.
Rented a camper and drove it to a buddies wedding. Camper was some off road package. So it sat higher. It was just shy of 3800lbs before stuff. It was a single axle and pretty simple. Infact my truck made it look small. Lol. It was good though. Had nice heat and air. Came with two generators, paid extra for them to dump the black water tank. Had an awning, outdoor and indoor speakers, solar power, two batteries, big propane tank…it was nice and simple to pull.
Now to the truck. First….jeff repaired my trucks original abs module and no more abs light!!!! So that’s super nice. Thanks again jeff.
Also fixed the trans line and none of that leaked. So that was nice.
The truck burned about half a qt of oil and the spark plugs need to be changed. Also, I thought I had the trans fluid perfect. I’m about 3/4 a qt overfill on that. I’m pretty bummed I messed that up that much. Maybe where I did it isn’t as flat as I thought. It was perfect level when cold and checking it. Then after warming it up it was just a hair above the full on the hot but online they say that’s where the trans likes it’s fluid. But when I checked it about 3 hours into the trip it was way higher.
This trip took me over the Cumberland gap, so while it’s no Rocky’s it’s not flat either. The truck really wanted me to pull between 75/80mph. That’s where it would hold its speed the best. If I got to 70, it would slowly drop speed to 55 then downshift and go as fast as I wanted. But it was odd. Sometimes it would hold those hills great, and other times it seemed like it didn’t want to. I don’t know what to make of it.
I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff that I can update later.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 1:42 am
by Chris GTO TT
Looks good. I'm a little surprised it wouldn't hold speed at less than 70. IMO 75 is way too fast for a travel trailer towing. Many trailer tires have a speed range that is maybe 70mph.
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 1:52 am
by DCIV
Chris GTO TT wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 1:42 am
Looks good. I'm a little surprised it wouldn't hold speed at less than 70. IMO 75 is way too fast for a travel trailer towing. Many trailer tires have a speed range that is maybe 70mph.
I agree. It’s got the higher gears and everything. I am surprised myself. I am not upset as it’s merging and general driving around is amazing with the 8.1. I just thought the bigger gears would me better at a little lower speed. I wonder if the trans fluid did anything? Also wonder if the plugs will help.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:30 am
by Chris GTO TT
You may need to lock out OD on those climbs. My truck doesn't go over 8th when I'm towing the travel trailer.
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:39 am
by DCIV
This truck I can’t select gears. I can spent like 500 bucks for a module to do it. If I’m gonna tow a trailer more often then I’ll do it. But this was just one of those, because it’s a better option and we can, let’s.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:49 am
by Jeff V.
Did you have the tow/haul mode turned on?
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:30 am
by Chris GTO TT
Yeah I'm wondering, that Allison transmission is supposed to be a beast. It's actually built by Allison and not just branded like they have been for years now.
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:16 am
by DCIV
Jeff V. wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:49 am
Did you have the tow/haul mode turned on?
Yep.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:36 pm
by ChargerX3
Surprised it couldn't hold as well, but that is a fair sized load. With the taller gears and what appear to be taller tires than stock it might be outside of its efficiency range.
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:50 pm
by Jeff V.
Wasn't the main excuse for buying this truck to have copious low end torque to pull a boat up a ramp? And now you're nit picking about long haul interstate use?
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 4:52 pm
by aaronatstate
Jeff V. wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:50 pm
Wasn't the main excuse for buying this truck to have copious low end torque to pull a boat up a ramp? And now you're nit picking about long haul interstate use?
Coop and Chris are never satisfied with their tow vehicles.
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 6:58 pm
by DCIV
Jeff V. wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:50 pm
Wasn't the main excuse for buying this truck to have copious low end torque to pull a boat up a ramp? And now you're nit picking about long haul interstate use?
Main reason was the avalanche was rusted and parts of it were left on the ramp.
Secondary reasons were if I get a new boat it will likely need a 3/4 ton truck. I would like to tow the vr4 to meets now days instead of drive it. The model a really didn’t like being towed by the avalanche.
So it wasn’t the boat ramp pulling power but the rusted truck.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 7:00 pm
by DCIV
ChargerX3 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:36 pm
Surprised it couldn't hold as well, but that is a fair sized load. With the taller gears and what appear to be taller tires than stock it might be outside of its efficiency range.
I say taller gears. I mean 3.73 is an option. I have the 4.10’s. The tires make it 4.03 or something. But I wish it did have stock wheels if these tires weren’t basically brand new I would be getting stocks. But as far as out of efficiency range, I doubt it.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 7:01 pm
by DCIV
aaronatstate wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 4:52 pm
Jeff V. wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:50 pm
Wasn't the main excuse for buying this truck to have copious low end torque to pull a boat up a ramp? And now you're nit picking about long haul interstate use?
Coop and Chris are never satisfied with their tow vehicles.
Don’t get me wrong, I passed plenty of regular trucks pulling smaller loads going up hills. I just don’t know if it lived up to the hype I had in my head. It’s a million times better than what I had though.
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 2:49 am
by Chris GTO TT
aaronatstate wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 4:52 pm
Jeff V. wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:50 pm
Wasn't the main excuse for buying this truck to have copious low end torque to pull a boat up a ramp? And now you're nit picking about long haul interstate use?
Coop and Chris are never satisfied with their tow vehicles.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventory ... NE/DEFAULT
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:34 am
by DCIV
That would tow!
Coop
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:25 pm
by aaronatstate
Y'all still find some reason it wasn't good at towing
Re: 2001 gmc sierra 2500 slt
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 4:09 pm
by ChargerX3
Time to trade in.