RE: Doolie Conversion?
OK, I'm done with that idea, unless I can find a wrecked Big Doolie and gut the rear suspension off of it before the tow truck arrives, lol!
From what I can gleen from the GM Parts Books and other sources, my truck's frame, engine and tranny are the same as a Big Doolie so no frame strengthening would be necessary and no transmission mods would be required. To do it, I would need new spring packs, shocks, a whole new rear axle assembly including axles, and the hubs are different because the Doolie has drums and mine has disks... There are other minor issues to take care of, and some other parts to buy. It could be done easily, but using new parts the cost factor is up there around $5K once I do the front end mods and buy 6 wheels and tires... That's not including the bed. If I buy too big of a 5th wheel, I will probably take the depreciation hit and go get me a 3500HW with the training wheels...
Thanks for you inputs!
WV Ridge Runner
WV Ridge Runner
RE: Doolie Conversion?
@ News W and the other weight police, I don't care about the law in this regard. I have been dragging overweight trailers and overloading pick-ups all my life, and I have never been caught, nor have I ever had an accident or broken anything. If I do get caught some day, I will pay the fine and call it even.
I am considering this conversion, because this time I am not talking about a 77 Dually with some old construction equipment out back, this time I am talking about my $55K truck and potentially a $75K toy hauler out back with about $40K worth of toys in the garage. That is a lot on the line for me personally, so I want all the stopping power I can get, and I want to be able to drag this thing around without tearing up my equipment. That said, I don't care about the door stickers or 'getting right' with the DMV, or anything like that. I simply wanted to know what it would take to convert my truck to a Big Doolie. I bought the SRW truck because I was considering trailers in the 15K to 16K lbs range. Now I have decided I want a bigger trailer after doing my shopping, thus my questioning.
I was off by 100 lbs. According to the GM propaganda, the 2011 3500HD Crew Cab Long Box 4X4 SRW can drag 16,800 lbs with a hitch weight of 3,500 lbs as long as I don't exceed the RAWR.
My current RAWR is 7,050 lbs. Does anybody know if the limiting factor is the tires? The current (stock) load range E tires are rated at 3,525 lbs per tire, coincidence? Is the axle rated for more? How much more? I plan to upgrade the tires if I don't do this conversion, either way I will have higher tire capacity.
My FAWR is 5,600 lbs and my GVWR is 11,600 lbs. I haven't had my empty truck on the scales yet, does anybody have an idea what this thing weighs empty?
The 2011 Big Doolie 4X4 can drag 21,100 lbs on the same 3,500 lb hitch weight, and with the same 3.73 gears. That extra 3,300 lbs is why I am considering doing the conversion. Plus I would have the added stability, and a few extra tires on the ground for braking (and in case of a blow-out).
So, if I may modify my original question:
What all would I need to change my truck over to a Big Doolie? if you could provide part numbers, bonus cool points for you!
Thanks for the responses so far...
WV Ridge Runner
RE: Doolie Conversion?
I am good (legally) for 16,700 lb trailer now, but the ones I am looking at have a GVWR of 18K... I wouldn't add the ehavier bed with tool boxes and such, just an aluminum flatbed with a 5th wheel hitch and a gooseneck ball. 600 lbs tops.
Keep the posts coming, one says change the axle, one says add the wheels and go... Need a tie breaker, lol!
Doolie Conversion?
I own a 2011 Chevrolet 3500HD Crew Cab Long Bed LTZ with single rear wheels. If I switch to the doolie wheels and tires out back, do I now have a big doolie with the same towing and hauling capacity? Are there any axle/frame/drivetrain or any other diferences between a Big Doolie and my 3500HD SRW? I'm not worried about the doolie bed fitting, I want an aluminum utility bed (lighter weight).
Anybody got any ideas?
WV Ridge Runner
