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Tow vehicle?

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Old 07-20-2009, 08:21 PM
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02impactblue
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Default Tow vehicle?

I'm looking for suggestions for a tow vehicle. It will only be used for towing and light hauling around the house. I will be pulling a c5z06 on an open trailer. Anyone using a 2004-2006 hemi dodge 1/2 ton? I found a couple really good deals on these. The Chevy 5.3 and Ford 5.4 seem under powered for towing but I could be wrong.
Old 07-20-2009, 08:28 PM
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Z06cool
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Originally Posted by 02impactblue
I'm looking for suggestions for a tow vehicle. It will only be used for towing and light hauling around the house. I will be pulling a c5z06 on an open trailer. Anyone using a 2004-2006 hemi dodge 1/2 ton? I found a couple really good deals on these. The Chevy 5.3 and Ford 5.4 seem under powered for towing but I could be wrong.
Been towing a C5Z in an open trailer with an 2005 Durango w/ Hemi for 3 years. Get a load distribution hitch and anti-swaybar and you should have no problems.
Old 07-20-2009, 08:34 PM
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This is what I've used for nearly 2 years, 20-25 weekends per year. LOVE the power, comfort and reliability. 0 defects to date.

Old 07-20-2009, 09:17 PM
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Bill Dearborn
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I have been towing a 16 ft open trailer with a 2003 Tahoe for 7 seasons with no problem. The Tahoe is an All Wheel Drive truck with the 5.3 and a 3:73 axle ratio. Trailer with my C5Z and a full load of tires on the tire rack pushes 5500 lbs. I usually load all of my tools, spare parts (rotors) and a bunch of other things in the back and the truck barely knows the trailer is there. I live in a hilly area and travel through the Catskill and Pocono mountains with this setup with no problem. The Tahoe will clip along at a signifigant speed over the speed limit with the trailer attached.

If you have an open trailer you don't need a diesel or Super Duty pickup. They are low drag unlike an enclosed trailer that has a lot of wind resistance.

Bill
Old 07-20-2009, 10:05 PM
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Here we go again...
Old 07-20-2009, 10:59 PM
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Stevo92z28
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Hell i used to tow my camaro on an open trailer with one of our work trucks. 1/2 or 3/4 ton 4.3 GMC Sierra with some air shocks in the rear. Little low on power but it got the job done just fine. Never got too hot, and with the trailer brakes it stopped beautifully.

Last edited by Stevo92z28; 07-20-2009 at 11:04 PM.
Old 07-21-2009, 01:05 AM
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vettehardt
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Originally Posted by Stevo92z28
Hell i used to tow my camaro on an open trailer with one of our work trucks. 1/2 or 3/4 ton 4.3 GMC Sierra with some air shocks in the rear. Little low on power but it got the job done just fine. Never got too hot, and with the trailer brakes it stopped beautifully.
For about 7 years my dad and I used an Astro minivan with the 4.3 v6 to tow our open trailer. With a load leveling hitch it wasn't too much of a problem. We even got 16mpg doing so.

Dad now has a 2001 Suburban we have been using since 2004 and I just bought a 2001 Silverado last October. Both have the 5.3L and do a great job pulling the open trailer. The Suburban will bog down a little when pulling the enclosed trailer though but is still not too bad to use. Dad also bought a 1992 motorhome in April. The motorhome with a 8.1 cummings deisel says "What trailer?"

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