Towing with a Pickup - weight?

edski · Apr 26, 2005

You shouldn't have a problem. 2wd's are typically rated higher than 4wd's (they weigh less). After a good brake controller, a weight distributing hitch and sway bar may prove a good investment.

CTyler · Apr 26, 2005

( The bottom line is yes you can pull it but you won't get there in a hurry, your brakes will be overloaded, and your trucks GVWR will be exceeded. )

Not sure if your responding to me or the original poster.
I'm within all the ratings both truck and trailer with the trailer loaded at its limit. The trailer has brakes.

Highbeam · Apr 26, 2005

"( The bottom line is yes you can pull it but you won't get there in a hurry, your brakes will be overloaded, and your trucks GVWR will be exceeded. ) "

I do not agree. Do the math and you may find that you are within the ratings. If your loaded truck weight does not exceed the listed GAWRs and GVWR for the truck then your brakes, bearings, axles, and frame are loaded within design specs. If not, then you are indeed overloaded. Nobody knows what the weak link is in determining and of these ratings. People guess and people even think they can increase the numbers but they can not. The ratings are recorded with the VIN of your truck and are not adjustable.

KAB · Apr 26, 2005

What Year, Engine, Transmission, Axle Ratio?
If new enough I can get you the tow rating.

If you do not know all of these answers you can PM me with the VIN and I can look it up.

Kurt

grandad · Apr 26, 2005

Just remember that your 5,200 lb tractor will be something like 7,500 lb with the FEL and a standard-duty 6 ft. brush mower thrown in. If you load the rear tires, figure another 1,000 lb. If your trailer is another 1,200-1,500 lb, well, you can do the math.

As others have said, you can probably get by pulling it OK on those local back roads, but that sure seems like a load for a 1/2 ton P/U. If there's any margin vs. the rated capacity of your vehicle, it can't be much. Obviously, the more you're on the road, the more likelihood you'll eventually encounter a situation where you need to stop or swerve in a hurry.

If it were my equipment, bought with my hard-earned money, and my precious kiester in the driver's seat, I wouldn't be depending on blind luck to avoid a bad situation like that. But that's just me. Maybe your luck is better than mine.

CTyler · Apr 27, 2005

Again I am within ALL the MFG parameters and trailer

Highbeam · Apr 27, 2005

Take it easy CTyler. By default, all responses in a thread are directed to the thread starter and not you. If someone was picking on your setup, etiquette would dictate that they address you. Your setup is quite a bit more capable than the original poster's pickup.

Dargo · Apr 27, 2005

I have towed all sorts of trailers with all sorts of weights with pickups over the decades. I've towed an enormous amount with a 1/2 ton pickup and got by with it. That being said, I have changed my ways and have been converted to use an "appropriate" sized truck and trailer.

Heck, I used to think that I should have no problem hauling however much firewood would fit in the bed of my pickup. Nevermind that it was a 1/2 ton with a full sized long bed. Upon closer examination, I found that I was severely overloading my truck. Fortunately I never paid the price.

As a lot of people have mentioned, braking is an important factor. Also, the ability to actually handle the load under less than ideal conditions should be a factor. For example, if a little kid runs out in front of me chasing a ball, I want to not only be able to stop my load, but also be able to immediately make whatever directional changes necessary to avoid a disaster. In a case like I mentioned, I technically wouldn't be at fault, but I'd have to live with the memory for the rest of my life.

Anyway, I've found that for the amount I tow, a 50hp tractor with a loader and implements, a 1 ton diesel dually is the proper equipment. Also, in an earlier thread, I told of how I also found out (very nearly the hard way) that you should never use ratcheting straps to hold that kind of equipment on your trailer. Yet another thing I found; using up every bit of the "rated" weight carrying capacity of your trailer makes the trailer handle a bit worse than I care to tow. Remember, the rated "limit" is just that; the maximum amount the trailer will handle under ideal situations. The same goes for the maximum towing rating of a pickup. That figure is based on all conditions being ideal. In the real world, things are not always ideal.

I feel much safer when I am not pushing the limits on my trailer or with my truck. For what you are wanting to do, I'd highly recommend a 1 ton pickup. That way, you shouldn't be pushing the limits of everything. It leaves a little room for error or less than absolutely ideal conditions. But, that is just my opinion. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Keith_B_ · Apr 27, 2005

( I have a Chevy 2wd, 1/2 ton P/U. I am looking to buy about a 50hp tractor with cab. The one that I am probably going to buy weighs about 5200#. I also want to add a FEL.

I routinely rent and haul a Bobcat 753 that weighs 4800# with no problem at all.

I'm not sure how much weight will be added with the FEL and probably a mower (and the heavier duty trailer). I will only be towing it about 5 to 10 miles max on backroads. If I can easily tow the Bobcat will I be able to squeeze by towing the tractor with the 1/2 ton P/U? )

You may want to think of going with a gooseneck trailer. They can haul larger loads more easily. The design of the trailers puts most of the weight over the axles of the trailer, and the weight on the truck is centered over the rear axle, which can handle more weight than placing the weight on the end of the frame as a rear receiver hitch does.

Highbeam · Apr 27, 2005

"Remember, the rated "limit" is just that; the maximum amount the trailer will handle under ideal situations."

My understanding is that the rated limit is the design limit under all conditions. Good or bad, not ideal only. If you are within the ratings on all of your equipment then go and enjoy yourself. Drive all over and haul anywhere you want because you have the right sized equipment to handle the load. If you go over a speed bump and the axle breaks depsite being within the ratings then the manufacturer of that axle is at fault.

All that being said, life is much better when you are well within the ratings and not on that ragged edge.