Trailer Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Wilton Iowa
Trailer Help
I would like to start taking my car on a trailer but need some information. I am thinking about a 18' trailer with dual axel. Will a half ton Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 truck pull it or do I need a three quarter ton?
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Beebs
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Beebs
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 1
From: Springfield VA
I've got a HD 20' open that I pull with my '02 Chevy 1500 4x4. It has the 5.3L and gets the job done without a problem. I normally carry an additional 400-500 lbs with associated track equipment on the trailer also. (Generator, extra tire & wheels, etc)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,855
Likes: 2
From: Grovetown GA
Originally Posted by beebs52778
I would like to start taking my car on a trailer but need some information. I am thinking about a 18' trailer with dual axel. Will a half ton Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 truck pull it or do I need a three quarter ton?
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Beebs
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Beebs
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,141
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
My dakota has a 6000lbs towing capcity and I plan on using it once I get a trailer...As long as you have a V8 and a truck frame (not a compact frame like s-10 or ranger etc) you should be ok...remember, the car only weighs 3100-3200ish pounds (maybe a little more) which really is not alot of weight.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,825
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Trailer
Don't forget an Open Trailer is going to weigh between 1200 and 1800 lbs depending on how heavy duty it is and things like tire racks and extra long ramps. My 16 ft wood bed trailer comes in at 1800 lbs. So with a 3100 lb car and 200 lbs of tires on a tire rack you are over 5000 lbs real quick. Add in 19 gals of gas at 8 lbs each and you can see very quickly a light duty vehicle will not do the job but GM or Chevy 1500 is heavy enough to it.
Bill
Bill
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 732
Likes: 138
From: Allen (DFW) Texas
I'd suggest considering a load-leveling hitch with an anti-sway stabilizer, just to be on the safe side. And make sure both axles have electric brakes - there will be many times stopping will become much more critical than going, as most drivers don't give much consideration to truck/trailer rigs (at least in Texas). Also, get the type of brake controller with a hand switch so you can activate the trailer brakes independent of the truck's brakes - in some situations, that'll save your bacon (learned that the hard way towing a two-horse trailer).
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Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
5th wheel hitches are supposed to make the trailer feel like an extension of the truck, and make driving more stable. It can be a big factor if you're towing a load that's considerably heavier than your tow vehicle. In my area of the country, stability is pretty important since the wind regularly blows above 40 mph, and even semi's get blown off the road. All that said, as light as a single car, spare parts, and tools are, I'm sure a smaller trailer will be more than adequate.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My 99 Silverado Z71 with its 5.3L motor and 4.10 gears is rated at 8000 lbs with the optional trailer towing package. The trailer tounge weight should be no more that 10-15% of the hitch pulling weight or 1000 lbs for the 1500 series trucks. You should be OK if the gross loaded trailer weight is in the 5000-6000 lb area. I agree with adding weight-distributing hitch with anti-sway bars. Your trailer choice should include electric brakes. The trailer shop can advise you on brake controllers and specific brake line pressure requirements.
The truck should also get Load Range E tires for the extra load it will see. Add a transmission cooler and maybe an auxilary radiator fan to keep things cool. Have the tranny fluid flushed, install a new filter and use a good synthetic tranny fluid. Your truck brakes should also be in tip-top condition. They will get a work out on long trips and especially if you will be driving in hilly terrain.
The truck should also get Load Range E tires for the extra load it will see. Add a transmission cooler and maybe an auxilary radiator fan to keep things cool. Have the tranny fluid flushed, install a new filter and use a good synthetic tranny fluid. Your truck brakes should also be in tip-top condition. They will get a work out on long trips and especially if you will be driving in hilly terrain.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,267
Likes: 6
From: Cumming Ga
I pulled my 18' open trailer with my 96 dodge 1500 5.3. It would pull but was very laborious, slowing down up hills etc. Now I have a silverado ss with 6.0 l and 4.11 gears and I can run 100 mph up hills in high gear, really great to have a truck big enough to do the job, now I'm not already exhausted when I get to the track