Towing full size truck

[Jeff & Kathy]

Locking for suggestions for the best way to tow our full size GMC truck. Thanks

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

The first thing you need to find out is whether your specific year/model truck is actually towable with all four wheels on the ground. Some are not due to transmission/driveline configurations. I would check with your GMC dealer on this before proceeding.

TJ

 

[DKRITTER]

Locking for suggestions for the best way to tow our full size GMC truck. Thanks

Sorry Jeff or Kathy it's impossible to help with the little tiny amount of information given. Please completely describe the vehicle being towed and what you're going to tow it with.

 

[Jeff & Kathy]

Sorry Jeff or Kathy it's impossible to help with the little tiny amount of information given. Please completely describe the vehicle being towed and what you're going to tow it with.

Thanks for responding, we have a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 2WD we are wanting to tow with our future Motorhome ( still in decision ) mode. Probably at a 36-38 ft gas coach.

 

[VTPete]

Typically a truck must be 4WD to be flat towed, so the transfer case can be set to neutral. If you have a 2WD drive truck you'll probably be out of luck.

If you choose to dolly tow or other options, you'll want to look carefully at the curb weight of your truck, it would appear to be about 5000lbs (2020 Sierra Denali 1500: Pickup Truck - GMC), or 500lbs more if you have the 6.2L, then you'd need to add the weight of the dolly. Make sure you look for MH's that have at least a 10,000lb hitch, even though 5000lbs is close, best to have overhead for this. Furthermore, you also need to look at MH's that have enough "capacity" to handle the weight of your tow vehicle. This is typically shown in the specs as CCC , Combined Carrying Capacity, or Newmar calls it the " APP. NCC". This is the difference between the max weight of the MH (GVWR) and the unloaded weight.

Bottom line, you will struggle with a gas MH with the weight of your truck, while still allowing for belongings, food and drink and people and pets you want to travel with. You might want to consider a Diesel pusher in your budget and trading in your truck for something you can tow. In a perfect world!

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

@VTPete gave you some very good information. After a little quick research online, it does not appear that your 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 2WD pickup is suitable for "flat" towing. Using a dolly will add 1,000-1,500 pounds to the overall weight being towed, putting you well over what smaller, gas-powered motorhomes can safely tow.

Unfortunately, you are trying to put incompatible components together here. If you plan to move forward with buying a smaller motorhome, you might want to see if you can swap your 2WD GMC for a 4WD version that would be flat towable. Or, trade it for something a bit smaller like the Chevy Colorado. The other option is to purchase a larger, more powerful motorhome capable of towing 10,000 pounds or so. That would allow you to safely use a dolly, though the storage issues mentioned by @VTPete would still exist.

The best solution, in my estimation, would be to consider what motorhome would really suit your needs best and then trading your 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 2WD in on a more suitable vehicle to be towed behind it. While that option might seem to be too much of a hassle, I think it would be less of a hassle than allowing one component (your current truck) to dictate your choice of motorhome.

TJ

 

[DKRITTER]

Using a dolly will add 1,000-1,500 pounds to the overall weight being towed, putting you well over what smaller, gas-powered motorhomes can safely tow.
TJ

Some very good points, You might be able to flat tow but it's not going to be easy or practicle really. You will need to disconnect the driveshaft from the rear end or you risk severe damage to the transmission. I don't think (not sure) dolly towing is an option, this is a rear wheel drive truck and dollys are used with front wheel drive vehicles.

You could get a trailer and tow the truck on it.


Looks like Pete and TJ are pointing in the correct direction.

 

[BGMAC]

Has anyone tried this? It is suppose to disconnect the driveshaft for towing. REMCO/ Quick Disconnect Drive Shafts

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I have not used one, butI have seen them in use. They do work...apparently...but are a bit pricey; $1,200+

TJ

 

[BGMAC]

I have not used one, butI have seen them in use. They do work...apparently...but are a bit pricey; $1,200+

TJ

True, but a tow dolly is about the same price or more.