New tow pig

[Johnny Quest]

Brought this thing home over the weekend. 02 Duramax. Clean truck but with high miles. Pretty stoked to step up from the 6.0 Yukon XL.
Not going to be doing anything to crazy to be honest; I want to keep it reliable and comfortable. Might do some minor cosmetic stuff to ‘make it mine’, but not really planning on anything under the hood.

 

[Jinx]

Love that year of Chevy, reminds me of the 1972 pick up...

Great find!

 

[Gravy]

Nice buy.
Newer 18" OEM wheels would really bring that truck's look up to date.

 

[Johnny Quest]

Nice buy.
Newer 18" OEM wheels would really bring that truck's look up to date.

ive actually been looking at some take-off options. The tires on the truck are a great tire, but this particular set is starting to dry rot. not a huge fan of the 16s either to be honest, so when i go with new tires, i might as well step into a new wheel size as well. the only issue is that the newer wheels are a different bolt pattern, so i would have to run an adapter as well.

 

[Gravy]

Oh yeaaaah. I forgot Chev/GMC changed bolt patterns on the 2500/3500 in '11.
But I so think there are some good looking factory 17's prior to that.


Also I love the look of H2s!

 

[Johnny Quest]

i have looked at H2s as well.....

 

[RockChucker]

what about those fancy teraflex wheels? i bet you know a guy that could get you a deal...unless you want greater backspacing. are you lucky and the injectors have already been done? i sold my '03 LB7 because the injectors started to go and i didn't want to deal with it. then promptly bought an LBZ that i had to do the injectors on about 2 years later at least that is a truck that i don't plan on getting rid of, since it is a crew cab rather than single cab.

also, if you're interested, i have 2 (maybe 3) of the wheels that stratton posted. i know the 2 i have for sure have a good year tire mounted to them. i'll sell them cheeeeeap.

 

[Johnny Quest]

I've thought about the Nomads too, just not sure i want to run a black or a dark titanium wheel. I'd have to look at the fitment, but i know they'd bolt up just fine. I'm also not *totally* sold on 17s vs 18s vs 20s.

i have a lot of research to do still.

 

[mbryson]

I've thought about the Nomads too, just not sure i want to run a black or a dark titanium wheel. I'd have to look at the fitment, but i know they'd bolt up just fine. I'm also not *totally* sold on 17s vs 18s vs 20s.

i have a lot of research to do still.

My take on the wheel sizes. If you tow/haul a lot at capacity, 20" gives less sidewall and significantly less sidewall flex. Probably the best choice if you're going to be at capacity.

18" is a good size and will be a good compromise on sidewall vs usability off highway. A one ton doesn't exactly have a supple suspension so a little sidewall flex is a good thing vs the 20"

17", I'm not sure how many E-rated 125+ tires are out there in that size? HD pickup tires seem to be more 18" or 20" the last 5+ years?

 

[Johnny Quest]

i've been reading up on tires, and started with Nittos, since i've had great experiences with them on my crawlers. Its interesting to see that the maximum load doesnt always follow the load range.

 

[Greg]

If its going to be mostly on-road with minimal dirt use, its hard to beat Michelin for tires. Super smooth and quiet, great road performance and they last a long time.

 

[mbryson]

If its going to be mostly on-road with minimal dirt use, its hard to beat Michelin for tires. Super smooth and quiet, great road performance and they last a long time.

I'd agree with that. I ended up with some Firestone TransForce AT2 tires on my Stuper Duty in a 20" flavor. I went down in overall size from previous on my truck and went with a skinnier tire. I'm hoping to get a little more pulling power and less surface friction from the 12.50 that was on there before. I don't think it'll make as much of a difference on a turbo diesel but I'll take anything I can get with a gasser that'll make just a little difference. 3-4 subtle changes may make my truck an even better/more efficient puller?

 

[Bart]

I went to an 18" wheel because it comes on newer trucks and sometimes you can find new take offs for dirt cheap. I know they're not popular with a lot people, but I just bought my second set of Big O ATs. They are quiet on the road, do well in the snow, and it's tough to beat the replacement warranty. I only got 35k out of the first set, but I know I wear them out faster than most because of the towing I do. I use my truck mostly for towing, and to I probably tow more than most people.

 

[Johnny Quest]

the further i get into this truck, the more i want to just keep it stock. been looking for new tires (along with new wheels), and a bed topper. but thats really it. I could EASILY go all in, and dump tens of thousands into the motor alone, let alone trans. and for something that is only going to see minimal use.

so, the "old man truck" is going to be a pretty boring vehicle, on purpose.

 

[N-Smooth]

I think the only "mods" I've done on my truck were removing the emblems, adding nice factory mudflaps and a tonneau cover. I like stock.

 

[haulinshine]

how much weight are you planning on towing with the pig?

 

[Johnny Quest]

how much weight are you planning on towing with the pig?

not much. The trail ive got now only has like 800lbs of hitch weight. might step up to something a bit larger, but well within what the truck can handle. I like to stay at around 75%-80% of what the truck is capable of, so i'm not hitting the climbs at 25mph with my hazards on. i dont need it to be a racecar, but i also dont want to be a road hazard either.

 

[haulinshine]

not much. The trail ive got now only has like 800lbs of hitch weight. might step up to something a bit larger, but well within what the truck can handle. I like to stay at around 75%-80% of what the truck is capable of, so i'm not hitting the climbs at 25mph with my hazards on. i dont need it to be a racecar, but i also dont want to be a road hazard either.

if you are bumper pulling with that you will probably see a good amount of sag but doing 60 up most hills should be easy to do. If it doesn't have them I would advise a good set of airbags under the rear it does make a world of difference when pulling

 

[Hickey]

I like stock tow pigs. I'll put more aggressive tires on them, but not really any larger than stock. They just tow so much better that way.

 

[mbryson]

if you are bumper pulling with that you will probably see a good amount of sag but doing 60 up most hills should be easy to do. If it doesn't have them I would advise a good set of airbags under the rear it does make a world of difference when pulling

I'm more of a fan of an equalizer hitch than airbags. Some folks like them, I've not been that impressed with them.