Advice for Prepping '99 C3500 Dually for Summer Camping?

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ErikL

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Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I just purchased a '99 GMC C3500 dually with the 7.4L and ~125,000 miles on it. I bought it so I could occaisonally tow a fifth wheel or bumper pull camper in the summer (upgrading from SUV+tent trailer). Apparently the original owner used the GMC in the summer for his landscaping company (no rust, which is a rarity in these parts). I'll be spending the winter sorting out the work I'll need to do to make sure it's safe for towing in the summer. I'd appreciate your thoughts on areas I should focus on (I've never owned a dually before).

Ideally, I'd like to find a late-'90s fifth wheel camper with dry weight <=5000 lbs and <25 ft long. Alternatively, same weight and length bumper pull camper. I'm not at all interested in towing a very long or heavy unit. I intend to be well under the max GCWR for the truck. I bought a dually so I wouldn't have to worry about exceeding payload.

In the spring I intend to service the transmission (don't know if pan is stock or deep), brakes, change all fluids and spark plugs (basic maintenance), change shocks. Other observations/thoughts:
  • No transmission temp gauge has been installed.
  • Unloaded, transmission seems to shift smoothly.
  • I don't smell any coolant leaks.
  • No problems restarting when warm.
  • Drivers side valve cover might have a little leak.
  • The tires are relatively new (Firestone Transforce AT2, load range E).
  • It has an old Tekonsha Voyager brake controller. I'll probably move my Tekonsha P3 from my SUV to the GMC.
  • Considering replacing shocks with Bilstein 4600 series.
  • Has old fifth wheel rails installed for DSP hitch (rails run longitudinally from tailgate to cab). Will replace with universal rails and new hitch if I get a fifth wheel camper.

Any thoughts on areas I absolutely should focus on or address? Your input is greatly appreciated.
 

mr_josh

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I think you have it pretty well covered.

Brakes, shocks, tires, steering are my safety go-tos.

Might want to add U-joints to your inspection list. What you’re planning to tow is so (comparatively) light that I don’t think you have much to worry about.
 

stutaeng

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That's a pretty good start. And the transmission temp guage is also a really good idea. I don't think that auto transmission (it's an Auto, right?) had the deep vs shallow pan. I think they were all the same capacity, just slightly different pan shape on the early ones. Does it have a drain plug?

I'd say check brake/drum pad wear, and double check all your rubber hoses. They tend to dry crack from age. Especially the hydroboost lines. I had a leaky mess on my '00 K3500 when I bought it. Lost about 1/2 quart of PS fluid in 30 miles, LOL. I changed one of hoses and another hose sprung a leak (or was already leaking, don't know.)

The packaging of those replacement hoses say to replace all of them, because they degrade from the inside. So, they may look okay from a visual inspection.
 
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