2001 GMC 2500 4X4, 6.0 V8, EC, LB and stock. What are its limits?

[CSG]

I've had this pickup since new and bought it to carry our 9.5' Lance camper and later tow our 30' fifth wheel. I can't raise it because I need to keep the hitch set for the fiver and it's all the way up already.

However, living in southern Idaho, I'd like to use it for solo camping from time to time. Obviously, it handles gravel roads and mild two-track roads OK. It does have factory skid plates and the tires are the Michelin LTX M/S 245/75 R16.

My question is what *shouldn't* I attempt with a truck like this? With the extended cab and long bed, it's a long truck. I have no interest in technical stuff or rock crawling but I've never really tested the truck's capabilities.

What are your thoughts?

 

[haven]

Basically, if it's a "road," you should do fine.
If it's a "trail," meant for off-road vehicles,
then you'll have problems. I think the length
and width of your truck will be the biggest
issues. But, borrowing from Joaquin Suave,
"You can get into all sorts of manageable trouble"
with your rig and survive. Particularly if you're
willing to accept occasional body damage.

Chip Haven

 

[CSG]

Thanks Chip. So if you see a sign that says "4x4 high-clearance vehicles" at the head of a road, it might be better to avoid it unless I know what lies ahead? My theory of 4X4 is to leave the vehicle in 2X4 until you get in trouble and then hope the 4X4 would get you out.

I could certainly replace the front bumper and add a winch but I'm guessing the length and width of the truck as well as smaller tires are where the limitations are.

 

[absolute]

I would have to say your only limitations is the length on narrow trails.
I have an 05 EC/LB with 285's that I installed around 7k. I personally have taking my truck alot of places in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Utah. Granted some of these trails aren't Extreme or Technical but I wouldn't take my car on them and my truck has never failed to get me out of some hairy situations. As far as anything recommeded for modifications I have been looking in to Cognitio Leveling Kit for the front end. Just don't like the idea of cranking torsion bars to achive height. I have little to no rubbing with the 285's.

 

[ujoint]

The only real weak area of the truck is the IFS, especially the steering. There are some good upgrades available to beef up the steering, and I wouldn't worry too much about the IFS as long as you know the limits and stay off knarly trails. www.norcaltruck.com has some good info on steering upgrades.

 

[crawler#976]

I had a similar truck, a '98 EC short bed w/ a 7.4L.

It had the same tires, the Govloc limited slip rear end, and was used to trailer the '87 trail beater. On the few occasions I used it as a 4x4, I was pretty disappointed in it's limited capability. I was helping on a trail cleanup and had 3 55 gallon drums full of water in the back. Even with that much weight I had difficulty even making it to the trail head in slick mud. Part of the problem was too much power - the tires were way to easy to spin. On other trails the 14 bolt rear end was an anchor point extraordinaire. It hung so low, I had to really pay attention to the crown of the trail if it was rutted.

On the other hand it was extremely comfortable when cruzin' the FS roads. I called it my cowboy caddy because it road so well with the long wheelbase, and yours is longer yet.

I'd recommend hanging a 10 or 12K winch up front - that can overcome a lot of the shortcomings of the rig off highway.

Mark

 

[masterplumber]

I personally have taken a Ford extended cab long bed plumbing truck up Rose Garden hill in Moab but wouldn't even think about trying the Rubicon due to the tight nature of the trail. A lot depends on your driving skills which you can develope slowly - try some organized runs like the Easter Jeep Safari where you have spotters & guides first to get a feel for it. While it certainly would be nice to have a trail jeep budget demands no more vehicles right now so I use my 4 door Ford long bed to four wheel right now & most of the time it's carrying a four wheel popup camper - I'm sure I'll come to a trail in Colorado that will be too tight at some point but I haven't yet & other than a few brush scratches I haven't damaged the truck yet. All this is to say if you have the truck use it & enjoy - just go slow & be carefull.

 

[CSG]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Sound like I have enough truck to do whatever I might likely do. I'm not really interested in four wheeling for its own sake but rather going places my Miata or Pleasure Way Traverse (camper van) can't take me along with some gear to spend a couple, three days purely camping.

 

[fisher205]

I have a 2001 EC SB Chevy w the 5.3L and the biggest problem is the length. What makes them such a good travel rig is that the wheels have been pushed out to the corners. It drives great and handles gravel washboard easily but tends to high center easily. By the same token it has seen a fair amount of offroad. I prefer to leave the front spoiler on because of fuel economy so carry a bunch of zip ties to reattach it occaisionly. - Brad

 

[Zatara]

My current truck is a 2500HD E/C S/B with the 6.0
In the past I have had fullsize chevy trucks and I have taken them through plenty of nasty trails. The only limitation was the width.
Granted, they were SFA trucks and my current is a IFS.
The IFS works fine as long as you aren't looking to do hard core off roading especially if you use the Cognito parts to strengthen the front end.
My next project is the Cognito UCA leveling kit and a front ARB bumper. The ARB really helps the front approach angles.

 

[CSG]

Well, I took the thing up into the South Hills this afternoon and it handled stuff better than I might have thought. I didn't push it too hard but it got me to spots that I wasn't sure about until I tried it. I only had to use 4 hi to climb some steeper sections of the road that were rock strewn. I can easily see how length is a limiting factor on tight turns and high centering but I didn't press my luck.

For now, it will do what I hoped it would.

 

[CSG]

Went out again today and took a different route into Shoshone Basin. I think for what I want to do and am comfortable trying, this truck works pretty good. The biggest drawback is the length but as long as I don't try some of the really narrow trails I think I'm good with the basic truck. I was able to climb a steep and rocky trial to a cell tower in 4 high without issue. I honestly wondered if the truck was even capable. Guess so.

 

[T.Low]

You sound like you have pretty good judgement when you're out there and thats the biggest part of the battle.

Pleasure Way, you say? Is there a 4x4 conversion on your schedule this winter?

 

[CSG]

No. I had been looking at Sportsmobiles before I bought the Traverse but the PW was so inexpensive I decided it would work for most of my stuff. It's more of a touring rig than camping rig.

Frankly, what I want to do is a camping rig but I'm not sure if I want to do it with the GMC. The truck serves to pull our fifth wheel and has a toolbox and hitch in the bed. Not sure I want to mess with pulling stuff out adding a cap or whatever and then have to change it all back to tow vehicle duty.

I suppose I could sleep on the ground...

Shudder.

 

[T.Low]

No. I had been looking at Sportsmobiles before I bought the Traverse but the PW was so inexpensive I decided it would work for most of my stuff. It's more of a touring rig than camping rig.

Frankly, what I want to do is a camping rig but I'm not sure if I want to do it with the GMC. The truck serves to pull our fifth wheel and has a toolbox and hitch in the bed. Not sure I want to mess with pulling stuff out adding a cap or whatever and then have to change it all back to tow vehicle duty.

I suppose I could sleep on the ground...

Shudder.

I have a similar fleet but with slightly different roles. My company F-150 four door pulls my Prowler RV camper, goes touring, and will be used on gravel, but careful not to get it pinstriped.

I have a van that I have been building specifically for off road camping, such as a low budget mini me Sportsmobile. I understand your concerns.

And I'm trying to talk the wife into a Honda S2000, but she won't give up her Murano.