KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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Joined: 03/16/2008
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I currently use my work truck to haul my truck camper and pull the boat. This works great buy my work situation is changing and I may not have a work truck in the next year or so. Also, the family is growing and truck campers are only so big.
I'm considering a Class C so I can still tow the boat which weighs almost 5,000. In the future I may like a larger boat which would probably be over 5,000.
I suspect most Class C MH aren't rated to pull 5,000, let alone more. Also, I want a Chevy and most of the smaller ones are the 6.0 V8. I would rather have the 8.1 and the Allison trans.
What manufacturers made MH on the Kodiak chassis with the 8.1 big block? Did they all come with Allison automatics or were some GM automatics? What tow ratings do these typically have?
Thanks,
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GrumpyandGrandma
CIncinnati, OH
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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Not sure how many you will find with a gasser, but I know JAYCO had some gas chassis with an Allison. (some were 5 speed/some 6) The majority that were on the market had the DURAMAX. Why are you restricting yourself to gas? I have a SENECA on the 5500 with the DURAMAX/6 sp Allison and it tows our full size Silverado, with a golf cart in the bed just fine. Trans temps never exceed 200. I know I'm over on GCVW, but I have a aux brake system which you need either way. The chassis brakes will only stop 22,000, which is the GVW.
The only reason that the 5500 was restricted on GCVW was the parking pawl in the transmission (I just confirmed that with an Allison service center). The 1000 and the 2000 series are identical, except for the parking pawl. Some of the 2000 series are on chassis with air brakes and there was one trans that has the heavier parking pawl (don't remember which one).
Grandma in front of her retirement home..
She lets Grumpy drive!!
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi,
I know that some Ford V-10 chassises are rated at 22500. Look for a 30 foot class A?
My 28 footer class C is rated at 14500 total weight. My hitch is rated at 5000.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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There are a lot of Gulf Stream Super C's with the 8.1 engine. Like many of the MH's built on the Kodiak chassis there is not much towing capacity left after putting a big box on the chassis. If you stay under 33' you will get enough towing capacity for 5,000 + lbs.
I have been watching for them on EBAY. Some good deals have been there lately.
2004 Gulf Stream Endura 6340 D/A
TST tire pressure monitor system
Kodiak Chassis Class C Forum
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KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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Thanks for the replies so far. I didn't mean to make it sound like I didn't want a Duramax diesel. That would be great. I know they all had the Allison, I wasn't sure about the 8.1s all having the Allison. I suspect a gas engine would be cheaper initially but it's probably not enough to notice.
I've owned trucks with both 8.1 and duramax and both are excellent engines.
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chrisjpr
Owosso
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Joined: 09/25/2011
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I owned two kodiac 5500s with duramax / Alison combo.Both 2006s. One was a crew cab 4x4 flatbed and the other was a 2wd single cab flatbed with a small sleeper. They both were used to haul construction equipment for my company across country. Both were the largest piles of garbage I have ever owned. Both units were in the shop constantly. These units cost me more money than any truck I have ever owned. I was furious with GM at the end of my ownership of these trucks. I dumped both of them and went with normal one ton crew cab duallies. The Kodiacs handled the weight fairly well. Both trailers averaged 20,000 lbs. But both units were absolutely gutless. The guys were constantly complaining about their lack of power. My one ton duallies actually seem to handle the weight just as well and they have much more power. Beware when buying one of these units.
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bowtiebill
Fillmore, CA
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Joined: 04/14/2005
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Mine is with the 8.1 gasser, advertised at 31 foot, but actually 33'. UVW is 15.4K, GVW is 19.5K, GCWR is 26.5K. If I do not overload, I should be able to tow 8K and be under GCWR. Need to get it to the scales and get some true weights though, have not done this yet. When I do I will post results.
I usually tow my smoker, which is only about 2200lbs. Do not even know it is back there.
Good luck
Bill, Sherry, & Riley
2005 Gulfstream Super C
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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FWIW, my little 19' Tiger on an '06 Silverado chassis has the 8.1 / Allison. It's been totally reliable. The only engine work I've done in 55K is to replace the oil pressure sending unit ($125 and a DIY PITA).
The 8.1 & Allison make a wonderful combo in that little thing.
Jim, "Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
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BLeonard
FL
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Joined: 12/12/2006
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I have a 2006 Gulfstream with the 8.1 gasser and the Allison. I tow an 8k Sea Ray Amberjack (10' beam) with no problems.
I usually run the cheap 87 octane gas with no problems. With that transmission and the 5:14 gears in the back you really don't need the extra torque of the diesel. I towed a small car through the Shenandoah mountains once and on the steepest grade fully loaded I had to drop to third gear and the motor turned 4500rpm but went over the grade like nobodies biz. The diesel would've helped there but that was one trip out of 20-30 trips and 33k miles. Hard to justify the extra 10k+ for the diesel when we bought it when most of the time its flat towing over the road with mild hills. I can see where the diesel would be an advantage but you need to look close at how and where you are going to use the RV. Maybe out west in the rockies. Even then that 8.1 gasser certainly isn't gonna get you stuck somewhere.
The only things I had go bad so far is an idler pulley on the fan belt. Maintenance is done religiously and always run Mobile1 oil front and back (axle). The brake light switch under the dash on the brake peddle is the only thing has given us trouble on the road, but once you figure that out its no big deal (just carry a spare). Replace the Michelin "May Pops" as soon as you can! They are garbage and will leave you stranded! Very dangerous. So far the Chinese made Dynatracs have been much better. People with a good work ethic! LOL!!
-BL
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shawdowboss
Ames, IA
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Joined: 12/25/2007
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From the information I've found from Gulfstream, all of the Super C's with 8.1L gas motors came with the Allison transmission.
I've weighed our unit and we are under the 19.5k ready for the road, so there's some room to pull 5k without exceeding the GCWR.
A concern from the Kodiak Yahoo group was the Duramax cooling fan shredding itself and causing lot of damage under the hood and to the hood. It's a good site to follow for the kodiaks - lots of great information on all the makers.
2006 Gulfstream Ultra 6331
33' Super C
8.1L V8 Gas
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