Joe1
Platinum Member
GM has a half ton with an 8,200 lb towing capacity. Ford goes up to 9,400 in their half ton.
Safe Tractor trailoring
- Thread starter cgadbois
- Start date
- Views: 5880
Joe1
Platinum Member
GM has a half ton with an 8,200 lb towing capacity. Ford goes up to 9,400 in their half ton.
texasjohn
Super Member
Joe1, looks like it's you and me only on this thread.
It all depends on the equipment and driver. We know nothing about either. Worst case would be:
6 cyl engine
bumper hitch
no prior trailer pulling experience
no brakes on the trailer
poor maintence on pickup and trailer
tractor not chained down
70 miles per hour down hill and more downhill to come
rain
now.. best case:
8 cyl big engine
gooseneck
lots of trailering experience
brakes on trailer
excellent maintence and tires all around
everything chained and boomer'd down
dual rear pickup tires
60 mph downhill
dry
The first, my opinion, is a recipe for disaster, the second is a "full pull."
I hope that things are closer to the second scenario.
It all depends on the equipment and driver. We know nothing about either. Worst case would be:
6 cyl engine
bumper hitch
no prior trailer pulling experience
no brakes on the trailer
poor maintence on pickup and trailer
tractor not chained down
70 miles per hour down hill and more downhill to come
rain
now.. best case:
8 cyl big engine
gooseneck
lots of trailering experience
brakes on trailer
excellent maintence and tires all around
everything chained and boomer'd down
dual rear pickup tires
60 mph downhill
dry
The first, my opinion, is a recipe for disaster, the second is a "full pull."
I hope that things are closer to the second scenario.
texasjohn
Super Member
Joe1, looks like it's you and me only on this thread.
It all depends on the equipment and driver. We know nothing about either. Worst case would be:
6 cyl engine
bumper hitch
no prior trailer pulling experience
no brakes on the trailer
poor maintence on pickup and trailer
tractor not chained down
70 miles per hour down hill and more downhill to come
rain
now.. best case:
8 cyl big engine
gooseneck
lots of trailering experience
brakes on trailer
excellent maintence and tires all around
everything chained and boomer'd down
dual rear pickup tires
60 mph downhill
dry
The first, my opinion, is a recipe for disaster, the second is a "full pull."
I hope that things are closer to the second scenario.
It all depends on the equipment and driver. We know nothing about either. Worst case would be:
6 cyl engine
bumper hitch
no prior trailer pulling experience
no brakes on the trailer
poor maintence on pickup and trailer
tractor not chained down
70 miles per hour down hill and more downhill to come
rain
now.. best case:
8 cyl big engine
gooseneck
lots of trailering experience
brakes on trailer
excellent maintence and tires all around
everything chained and boomer'd down
dual rear pickup tires
60 mph downhill
dry
The first, my opinion, is a recipe for disaster, the second is a "full pull."
I hope that things are closer to the second scenario.
fishman
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I l see a lot of 1/2 ton trucks towing travel trailers that exceed 6,000 lbs. )</font>
Most of those have some sort of weight-distributing/anti-sway hitch as well.
Most of those have some sort of weight-distributing/anti-sway hitch as well.
fishman
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I l see a lot of 1/2 ton trucks towing travel trailers that exceed 6,000 lbs. )</font>
Most of those have some sort of weight-distributing/anti-sway hitch as well.
Most of those have some sort of weight-distributing/anti-sway hitch as well.
Hello, thanks everyone for their questions, suggestions, and advice! I have a little more information, however have sent my boyfriend this link and your expert responses, and asked him to reply in kind with his knowledge.
1) his truck is in good condition with good tires
2) the trailer is new and will have new brakes on all four trailer wheels
3) axle ratings are ove rthe combined weight of what the tractor & trailer are together
4) the trailer will be bumper pulled with a newly mounted frame hitch
5) he is taking just the basics for himself on this trip
6) he has trailered before (horse trailers and other stuff)
The only thing he doesn't know yet is the weight distributing hitch. I talked to him and he is familiar with all your terminology and promised me he would reply and look at these postings.
I really appreciate all your expertise, caring and questions / suggestions / advice for this. Oregon to the mid-west and back again is a very long trip. Hopefully he'll reply soon. Thanks again, I'll keep reading. Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I had trouble figuring out how to do it. Colleen
1) his truck is in good condition with good tires
2) the trailer is new and will have new brakes on all four trailer wheels
3) axle ratings are ove rthe combined weight of what the tractor & trailer are together
4) the trailer will be bumper pulled with a newly mounted frame hitch
5) he is taking just the basics for himself on this trip
6) he has trailered before (horse trailers and other stuff)
The only thing he doesn't know yet is the weight distributing hitch. I talked to him and he is familiar with all your terminology and promised me he would reply and look at these postings.
I really appreciate all your expertise, caring and questions / suggestions / advice for this. Oregon to the mid-west and back again is a very long trip. Hopefully he'll reply soon. Thanks again, I'll keep reading. Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I had trouble figuring out how to do it. Colleen
Hello, thanks everyone for their questions, suggestions, and advice! I have a little more information, however have sent my boyfriend this link and your expert responses, and asked him to reply in kind with his knowledge.
1) his truck is in good condition with good tires
2) the trailer is new and will have new brakes on all four trailer wheels
3) axle ratings are ove rthe combined weight of what the tractor & trailer are together
4) the trailer will be bumper pulled with a newly mounted frame hitch
5) he is taking just the basics for himself on this trip
6) he has trailered before (horse trailers and other stuff)
The only thing he doesn't know yet is the weight distributing hitch. I talked to him and he is familiar with all your terminology and promised me he would reply and look at these postings.
I really appreciate all your expertise, caring and questions / suggestions / advice for this. Oregon to the mid-west and back again is a very long trip. Hopefully he'll reply soon. Thanks again, I'll keep reading. Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I had trouble figuring out how to do it. Colleen
1) his truck is in good condition with good tires
2) the trailer is new and will have new brakes on all four trailer wheels
3) axle ratings are ove rthe combined weight of what the tractor & trailer are together
4) the trailer will be bumper pulled with a newly mounted frame hitch
5) he is taking just the basics for himself on this trip
6) he has trailered before (horse trailers and other stuff)
The only thing he doesn't know yet is the weight distributing hitch. I talked to him and he is familiar with all your terminology and promised me he would reply and look at these postings.
I really appreciate all your expertise, caring and questions / suggestions / advice for this. Oregon to the mid-west and back again is a very long trip. Hopefully he'll reply soon. Thanks again, I'll keep reading. Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I had trouble figuring out how to do it. Colleen
Hi, I have just gotten final answers from my boyfriend, here they are. Once again, I want to thank everyone for their interest in safety, expertise and experience here. Please let me know your comments with this information. I've finally figured out how to post a reply!!
1) trailer axles = (2): trailer brakes = (1) each wheel, a total of (4) brakes on trailer, electrically activated.
2) Each axle on trailer is rated at 5200 lbs with a combined load capability of 10,400 lbs.
3) BVWR truck = must view on cab pillar is approximately 6200 lbs
4) He will be taking a weight distributing hitch and use it if necessary
5) an anti-sway is not planned at this time
6) truck engine= 350 cubic inch, fuel injected: 700-R4 auto transmission, rear end ratio unknown
7) truck is a 1991 model C-1500; 1/2 ton rating, with strong engine, 74K miles, and extra capacity aluminum finned trans. pan, transmission cooler added. Vehicle is well maintained and tires = approximately 5-10K miles
8) truck has towing package added plus 3500 lb. overload springs
9) he will be taking minimal equipment - sleeping bag, groceries, cooler, and some hand tools. He is mechanically knowledgeable.
I hope I've answered all the great questions that were put forth, thanks again ever so much! Colleen
1) trailer axles = (2): trailer brakes = (1) each wheel, a total of (4) brakes on trailer, electrically activated.
2) Each axle on trailer is rated at 5200 lbs with a combined load capability of 10,400 lbs.
3) BVWR truck = must view on cab pillar is approximately 6200 lbs
4) He will be taking a weight distributing hitch and use it if necessary
5) an anti-sway is not planned at this time
6) truck engine= 350 cubic inch, fuel injected: 700-R4 auto transmission, rear end ratio unknown
7) truck is a 1991 model C-1500; 1/2 ton rating, with strong engine, 74K miles, and extra capacity aluminum finned trans. pan, transmission cooler added. Vehicle is well maintained and tires = approximately 5-10K miles
8) truck has towing package added plus 3500 lb. overload springs
9) he will be taking minimal equipment - sleeping bag, groceries, cooler, and some hand tools. He is mechanically knowledgeable.
I hope I've answered all the great questions that were put forth, thanks again ever so much! Colleen
Hi, I have just gotten final answers from my boyfriend, here they are. Once again, I want to thank everyone for their interest in safety, expertise and experience here. Please let me know your comments with this information. I've finally figured out how to post a reply!!
1) trailer axles = (2): trailer brakes = (1) each wheel, a total of (4) brakes on trailer, electrically activated.
2) Each axle on trailer is rated at 5200 lbs with a combined load capability of 10,400 lbs.
3) BVWR truck = must view on cab pillar is approximately 6200 lbs
4) He will be taking a weight distributing hitch and use it if necessary
5) an anti-sway is not planned at this time
6) truck engine= 350 cubic inch, fuel injected: 700-R4 auto transmission, rear end ratio unknown
7) truck is a 1991 model C-1500; 1/2 ton rating, with strong engine, 74K miles, and extra capacity aluminum finned trans. pan, transmission cooler added. Vehicle is well maintained and tires = approximately 5-10K miles
8) truck has towing package added plus 3500 lb. overload springs
9) he will be taking minimal equipment - sleeping bag, groceries, cooler, and some hand tools. He is mechanically knowledgeable.
I hope I've answered all the great questions that were put forth, thanks again ever so much! Colleen
1) trailer axles = (2): trailer brakes = (1) each wheel, a total of (4) brakes on trailer, electrically activated.
2) Each axle on trailer is rated at 5200 lbs with a combined load capability of 10,400 lbs.
3) BVWR truck = must view on cab pillar is approximately 6200 lbs
4) He will be taking a weight distributing hitch and use it if necessary
5) an anti-sway is not planned at this time
6) truck engine= 350 cubic inch, fuel injected: 700-R4 auto transmission, rear end ratio unknown
7) truck is a 1991 model C-1500; 1/2 ton rating, with strong engine, 74K miles, and extra capacity aluminum finned trans. pan, transmission cooler added. Vehicle is well maintained and tires = approximately 5-10K miles
8) truck has towing package added plus 3500 lb. overload springs
9) he will be taking minimal equipment - sleeping bag, groceries, cooler, and some hand tools. He is mechanically knowledgeable.
I hope I've answered all the great questions that were put forth, thanks again ever so much! Colleen
