"The_higu" (higupon)
12/16/2014 at 20:21 • Filed to: None
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"The_higu" (higupon)
12/16/2014 at 20:21 • Filed to: None | 0
| 18 |
Question for towing Oppos. My parents bought a 28 foot camping trailer with a dry weight of about 4000 lbs. How big of a truck will they need to tow it safely? My mother says they need 10k lbs of towing and I think that's waaay over what they actually need
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 20:28 |
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They could easily get by with a midsize.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 20:33 |
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Does the trailer have brakes on it? Also, what's the tongue weight?
Max pulling capacity is less important than the ability to carry the tongue weight. You also need to make sure that any extra stuff you put in the truck (like people) doesn't overload the GAWR rear.
So it's possible that a truck rated for 9-10K pounds can only carry 600-700lbs tongue weight, and once you add cargo to the bed, you are at the payload limit.
You'll want to do some calculations and see what you actually need, and where you can put the cargo. I have to do this with my Audi, and put my tools in the trunk of the Audi when it's on the trailer, otherwise the weight balance is off and it stresses the rear axle on my 95 F-150 a bit more than I'd like.
nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 20:33 |
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somewhere less than this..
But more than this
DasWauto
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 20:36 |
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Any full size (half ton; F150, Silverado, Ram, Tundra, Titan) will handle that with ease, even with a basic V6 model. A mid size truck (Tacoma, Colorado, Frontier) will be able to deal with it without too much trouble too. In any case, just make sure you've got a towing package (trailer brake) and you should be good to go.
ranwhenparked
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 20:38 |
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Doesn't even have to be a truck, a '90s Caprice or Roadmaster could handle that without breaking a sweat.
Tohru
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 20:48 |
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Truck?
Factory towing package - it can handle 5,000 lbs.
I would recommend a frame-mounted receiver, a weight-distributing hitch, and a brake controller. But this would do it all day long and you'd be nice and comfortable inside.
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Tohru
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/16/2014 at 20:49 |
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It has to have trailer brakes over a certain weight and/or length. I don't remember what the limit is exactly, but I know this is over it.
A well-balanced trailer puts 10% of the weight on the tongue.
BJ
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 21:22 |
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To understand all the numbers and make a good choice, please take a good read through this: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/tow-me-down-16…
You need to consider the loaded weight plus the cargo & people in the vehicle. A little extra won't hurt, but you won't need a 1-ton dually either!
Jcarr
> DasWauto
12/16/2014 at 21:49 |
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I would echo this. I've pulled a trailer like that with my Envoy and while I had enough power, it would have been less stressful with a longer, heavier truck.
HammerheadFistpunch
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 22:05 |
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we need to know a couple of things:
gvwr
frontal area
tongue weight.
10k towing capacity is overkill...unless something less doesn't have sufficient GAWR.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> BJ
12/16/2014 at 22:07 |
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Don't read that non-sense it was written by a lunatic.
/maintains eye contact
Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
> The_higu
12/16/2014 at 22:09 |
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Full-size anything with a towing package should be fine. We have a 2013 Durango which is a lovely SUV to live with on a daily basis. With a transmission cooler and proper tongue weight, it's rated for 5000# with the V6. With the Hemi that goes to 7200#.
If she thinks you need a 3/4 ton just to be safe, think of all the months of living with tall step-in height, poor gas mileage and rough suspension for the few times a year to actually tow. Get something much closer to your actual weight.
deekster_caddy
> Jcarr
12/16/2014 at 22:31 |
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Third recommendation for a full size truck. For a trailer that big, you want a long tow vehicle. A 3/4 ton is nice for the better braking but not necessary for occasional use. The tow vehicle size is important though. My dad hauls a 27' with my old 3/4 ton Yukon XL. Power isn't the issue, the size gives you a lot more control and stability.
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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Tohru
12/17/2014 at 08:07 |
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It depends on the state. GA law says brakes on any trailer with a GVWR over 3000lbs. Others say less. Personally, I wouldn't tow more than a dinghy behind my truck without brakes on the trailer, because its an old Ford, and that means no front ABS and rear drum brakes.
Depending on the truck, hitch, and trailer combination, you could theoretically exceed 10% tongue weight. However, its far easier to cause a dynamic overload doing so in most trucks [read: half-tons] (and at that point, you are off to gooseneck or fifth wheel, and a 3/4 ton truck).
The most comprehensive way is to measure axle load and either adjust ever so slightly the load position on the trailer (don't go aft of the axles), or the actual solution, install weight distribution springs. Shifting the load only masks a much more serious problem.
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BJ
> HammerheadFistpunch
12/17/2014 at 08:24 |
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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> DasWauto
12/17/2014 at 09:01 |
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I'd take the 1/2 ton full size over the midsize truck in this case. Especially if the driver is inexperienced at towing a trailer that weighs almost as much as the truck itself.
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Tohru
> ranwhenparked
12/17/2014 at 10:02 |
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You'd need one with a towing package.
A RWD D-body Fleetwood with the V4P towing package would be better - they were rated to 7000lbs.
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ranwhenparked
> Tohru
12/17/2014 at 10:40 |
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I know, I used to have one. Mind you, I only realized it had the towing package when I had to replace the radiator and realized it was the larger capacity version.