Trailer/Truck Setup

elothian · Jul 9, 2015

I'm new at this but I have a truck/trailer configuration question.

I have a 2002 Chevy 1500 and a 10K trailer. I moved from Vermont to Arkansas in 2010 and used my trailer to move household good, mower, etc. I had to leave my Bobcat CT230 in storage. I now want to bring it down to do work around the house and looked at having it commercially transported. The cost is staggering ($2-4k). I'm just wondering if my Chevy can manage the trailer and 3,500lb trailer? If not what configuration would work as this is a 1500 mile trip and I don't want to hurt the truck, trailer, tractor, myself, or anyone else on the road.

Any information would be appreciated.

dusty3030 · Jul 9, 2015

Welcome!
How much does your trailer weigh? Let's say it's 2,000 and your tractor is 3,500 = 5,500 lbs.
Does your trailer have brakes and does your truck have a brake controller?
What engine is in the truck? Auto or Manual?

If you have one of the V8's and automatic than you should be great and well within the capacity.
I would want working brakes on the trailer, that's a long ride to be white knuckled.

Good luck! Cabot is a nice place to live, that whole area has grown immensely in the last few years and it's not far from the mountains to get away on the weekend.

RedNeckRacin · Jul 9, 2015

Agreed, 5500lbs wouldn't much much work for a 1500 with a v8 as long as you load the trailer properly, chain it down, drive sensibly and the trailer has brakes. Have you checked the tires on the truck and trailer? What about the lights/brakes on the trailer?

Do you have 4 days to make the trip? A quick google search shows 23 hrs driving and that doesn't include stops, traffic or breakdowns.

elothian · Jul 9, 2015

Thank you for your input. My 1500 has the 5.3 litter V8 and I have trailer breaks. I loaded it in 2010 and it squatted the truck pretty good which has me concerned. If it will work, I will spend the money on updating the trailer and preparing the truck for the trip.

dusty3030 · Jul 9, 2015

If it's the tractor only and nothing hanging off the back of it then you should be able to balance over the trailers axles.

You might check into a weight distribution hitch set up for the truck / trailer combo. On a bumper pull trailer it helps in leveling you back out but more important in control in keeping the front tires on the ground.

M5farms · Jul 9, 2015

Load and go. IMO to many people do not use the trucks capabilities. Brakes on the trailer and balanced load are most important. todays 1500s are equivalent to 250 and 350 of yesteryear .

George2615 · Jul 9, 2015

Tractordata shows your CT230 weighing at 3056 lb. plus 735 lb. for the loader (3791 total).
Assuming your trailer weighs 3500 that totals 7291 lbs. which should be no problem for your 1500 with 5.3L and trailer with brakes.
If your truck has a tow/haul button on the shifter using it will raise your shift points to prevent lugging the engine.
My 1500 w/ 5.3 is a little newer than yours and its rated to tow 9600 lb.
I did add helper springs to my rear leafs to cut down on the squat.
If too much squat is a problem you can add helper springs, Have a spring company add a leaf or two, install air shocks to assist holding the back end up or get a load equalizer hitch set up.

tcartwri · Jul 9, 2015

Call a freight broker and ask for a 'LTL' shipment. It will be less than the fuel you will burn in your pickup for the trip.

LD1 · Jul 9, 2015

Not enough information for anyone to accurately say.

1. What does your manual say you chevy is rated to tow? Things like 4wd or 2wd, standard cab or ex cab, axle ratio, auto or standarf options, etc can all change the tow ratings. Tow ratings for the 5.3 in that year can be anywhere from 7100# up to 9000#, depending on options.

2. The trailer. Ok, its a 10k. How much does it weigh? There are several style of trailers in 10k form and several lengths. They could weight anywhere from 2k or a tad under, to over 3500#

3. Tractor. Ok its a CT230. How much does it weigh. Base weight is 3100#. Does it have a loader? Loaded tires? Cab? any attachemts going with it? A 230 with loader, cab, loaded tires and a heavy implement could be over 5k.

So...worst case scenerio you have a 5000# tractor and a 3500# trailer and a truck rated to tow 7100#, then no I wouldnt want to tow that 1500 miles.

Best case would be a base 3000# tractor, a 2000# trailer, and a truck rated to tow 9k.

So the answer to "if you can tow it".....I dont have the slightest clue without knowing what you have got. How can anyone?

Diamondpilot · Jul 10, 2015

You are bumping the limits with that era 5.3 truck but it's doable. The biggest issue is the soft suspension as you noted. I back my tractor on to help with weight distribution.

You may also look into renting a truck. Around here you can get a diesel 3/4 ton for a week for $400. Many people at my marina do this.

Chris