towing albemarle 24?

[mac83]

hey everyone, quick question...is it safe to tow an albemarle 24 express with a 2005 Silverado 1500 5.3L v8 4x4?

[Lone Ranger]

Depends on your Driving skills......Just kidding.They are pretty hefty Boats,It will do it,but you will know its back there.What rear end ratio is in your Truck?3:73's would be best.

[Bryansfish]

Look in you manual to see what that truck ia rated to tow. You should have two ratings one with just the hitch (thats the one you want) and one with a weight distribution system. You then need to look for the numbers on the actual hitch to see what it is rated and it will also have the two different numbers. My truck was rated to tow 8200 but the hitch was only rated for 6,000.

[alby man]

I tow my albe with that truck . my z71 has a 6.0 engine , 3.73 gears & GM tow package . the boat is right at the limit for my truck but she will pull it OK .I have pulled it across the CBBT witout any problems .

[larryhorne]

I pull with a 2006 2500 6.0L Auto 4x4 with 4:10 rear. I installed a heavier than normal receiver hitch (I think 7500#, not sure which class). I was told when looking for 2500's to try to find a 6.0L vice the 5.3L and am very pleased with the 6.0 performane......I don't baby it either. I personally like the 2500 for towing at this weight catagory.

The brakes on the truck seem to be ok. I need to replace the rotors there is some hop when braking.

I didn't find a truck with positive trackion which I wish it at least had limited slip. I may install a kit so that it transfer power if one wheel begins to slip when coming up ramp.

Just my .02

Good Luck.

[Jason9301]

pulling is never an issue you can move anything on wheels, just take ur time....... The main issue is stopping that load!!!!!!!!

[Capt.Nick]

24 albe weighs about 5k# + 2k# trlr. + fuel etc. 8k#.what's your hitch & truck rated for?

[Capt.Nick]

Make sure you have a transmission cooler.It's a little radiator that's hooked to the trans. and cools the trans. fluid in front of you main radiator & fan or you can smoke your trans.

[mac83]

aight guys, i need some help....my hitch is only rated for 5,000 lbs, at least that is what it has on the hitch. these numbers are straight off the truck invoice...gvw 6,400lbs, rear axle is 3.42 ratio, hd trailering equipment ~whatever that is, it's not specified......thanks for the help

[gary49]

The Albemarle 24 probably is at least 8K# on the trailer with gas, may be more than that if it's an old one. One of my fishing buddies has one of the first ones they ever built and it weighs an extra 1K#! They are tanks. I doubt your truck is rated to tow 8K with the 3.42 rear. My 06 2500 HD is rated for a bit over 10K# with the 6.0 liter and a 4.10 rear. It does fine with an 8K# tow, but you will probably be unhappy with your rig for anything but local trips, and it might be ugly with your insurance company if you had an accident and it was found you were towing something that weighed more than what the truck was rated for. I would look for a 2500HD used, you ought to be able to find one at a good deal. FWIW, a buddy who has a similar weight boat and trailer (25' Hydra-Sports WA) uses an '03 Chevy 3500 Van with the 6.0 liter to tow it, and it tows very well, even with 2 wheel drive.

[larryhorne]

Sounds like we have the same truck. 2006, 2500HD, 6.0L, 4X4, A/T, 4:10 rear, ext cab, short bed.

I found mine at VAIL in Norfolk, VA they only deal in used Commercial vehicles. It had 100,000 miles but was super clean. Has rubber mat (no carpet) which is perfect for fishing, power locks, extended cab and short bed. Who ever had it must have been a supervisor because the bed didnt have a scratch in it, only 3 tool boxes. I got it last year for $10,000.

Compared to the old '89 F250 5.8L, 5 spd, 4X4 the 2500HD pulls the crap out of the Albe fully loaded which I have weighed and verified its 8200 (boat and 120 gal fuel).

As I mentioned, the brakes seem OK with the load, I have brake assist on the trailer of course but the 4 way disc seem large enough to do the job well.

Bottomline, I really like the 2500HD.

Lar

[Ben S]

aight guys, i need some help....my hitch is only rated for 5,000 lbs, at least that is what it has on the hitch. these numbers are straight off the truck invoice...gvw 6,400lbs, rear axle is 3.42 ratio, hd trailering equipment ~whatever that is, it's not specified......thanks for the help

You need a smaller boat or a bigger truck....get a bigger truck. I used to own a 24 Albemarle express and it weighed 7200lbs loaded with fuel on a galvanized steel trailer on certified scales at the local cement place. Save some weight by going with a Loadmaster or similar aluminum bunk trailer. As someone already stated you can always get it moving but your tranny will take a beating and stopping it when someone suddenly pulls in front of you and stops will be another issue. Good luck...you are taking your chances.

[farm use]

Safe and legal are two different animals. You're probably at/over the limit. If you pay attention and give yourself room it can be done safely. The man may know it's over and that's when the problems start. I'm getting a heavier truck next time. I'm tired of putting transmissions in my 1500 Suburbans. I'm going with a 3500 Express van. Good luck.

[Rogerv]

Get yourself a Ford F250XLT Diesel cant beat it. I bought a 1997 CrewCab SD with 7.3 Diesel which adverages 19mpg for 10k 2yrs ago had 100k now has 150k rated tow 12,500. I tow a 28' Seamaster loaded it weighs 11k and the only time you know its there is backing up. a 38' triple axle trailer does not track well in reverse. but I have learned to handle it.

[the memory maker]

i was in a simial situation. i had a f150 towing a 23 mako.. i lost the the brakes coming down indian river rd one morning, thank god no one was in front of me at 3 am. i got to rudee.. launced the boat and my buddy called his wife to bring his truck (F-250).. once i had the whole system replaced i bought a v10 excursion 4x4.. the truck is a animal...

[us42449]

I have a 242 with a D-4 diesel. Rig weighs 7400# on the truck scale with 80 gal fuel. Think the trailer is 1200#. has elect/hyd brakes--mighty good; will stop the whole rig. Tow with a Tundra '08; rated at 10k. Effortless!

Tundra is pretty robust, but so are the other vehicles discussed. No prob is my guess, assuming your trailer has real brakes--4 wheel disc, in good cond.

A good hitch---10k rated--might be a cheap enhancement. Good luck--this should not be too hard to make comfortable.