Trailering question
- Thread starter vicar
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LBrown59
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Not sure those vehicles are considered 1/2 ton. I doubt it.
I think it would depend on your terrain. If you live in a hilly area it might not be a good idea unless you had brakes installed.
I know my full size 1/2 ton pulls my l3400 effortlessly, and more importantly stops it with no problems. Electric brakes are key when you are pushing your limits.
I think it would depend on your terrain. If you live in a hilly area it might not be a good idea unless you had brakes installed.
I know my full size 1/2 ton pulls my l3400 effortlessly, and more importantly stops it with no problems. Electric brakes are key when you are pushing your limits.
LBrown59
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Neither is vicars Nissan.swampvol 1* said:
His Nissan and my Nissan are the same truck.
The
Toyota
1986 Dodge D50
1989 Dodge D50
are in the same class as the Nissans.
The reason I'm questioning the advice given to vicar is because I've been warned over and over again on this and other boards not to use these import pick ups to trailer my BX23.
It just appears odd to me that nobody here has cautioned him about this but they have warned me.
RobJ
Elite Member
KeithInSpace said:
One might think a harmless looking Expedition with a 10,200# rated trailer might give the appearance of a tail wagging the dog and not be the ideal truck/trailer combination.
LBrown59
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I've seen so many post here and other boards saying I need a 3/4 ton rather than a 1/2 ton that I've been thinking about getting a 3 / 4 ton and wouldn't even consider a 1/2 ton because I've been told so many times that a 1/2 ton isn't enough truck to handle trailering my bx23.swampvol said:
I'm a little
between the conflicting information.Maybe they think you're trailering all your bx's at the same time.
Seriously, my 1/2 ton is rated at 9k towing. Your bx with bh weighs ~2700lbs. Factor in another 1500-2000 lbs for the trailer and you're still under 5k....
Again I pull my l3400 just fine with the towing package set up on my 1/2 ton. If I had a grand L, I would be wanting a 3/4 ton.
Again, trailer brakes are key. But, if you can afford the 3/4 ton get it. It certainly wouldn't hurt.
Seriously, my 1/2 ton is rated at 9k towing. Your bx with bh weighs ~2700lbs. Factor in another 1500-2000 lbs for the trailer and you're still under 5k....
Again I pull my l3400 just fine with the towing package set up on my 1/2 ton. If I had a grand L, I would be wanting a 3/4 ton.
Again, trailer brakes are key. But, if you can afford the 3/4 ton get it. It certainly wouldn't hurt.
KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
My thoughts on the truck thing:
I would not tow a 7,000# trailer behind a Nissan or D50 Dodge. Those are small trucks with empty beds (no weight) and smaller tires that could get pushed around by a trailer in an emergency situation.
I towed a 5,000#+ boat/trailer behind my 4Runner and it was VERY borderline. Didn't go over 4 miles distance in a tow and COULDN'T get over 50 MPH. Probably not safe enough. I had to swerve to avoid someone about 2 weeks after I got my Expedition...I was very thankful because if the same situation had arose while towing with the 4Runner, I would have been in real trouble. I'm certain of it.
A BX23 on a 7,000# trailer would be pushing about 5,000#.
I would never consider a 1/2 ton pickup without the tow package. WITH a tow package, I would not have a problem towing a fairly serious trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. Pretty obvious since I tow a fairly serious trailer with a thusly equipped Expedition, a 1/2 ton SUV.
A 3/4 ton is better, the big difference being the huge upgrades in the rear end, the suspension, and the transmission. But I don't see why a 3/4 ton is REQUIRED to tow a BX23. That simply isn't the case. A properly equipped 1/2 ton is just fine.
Regarding my Expedition looking like the "tail wagging the dog", I have to admit that it is a little odd (for me) towing a trailer that you could PUT the Expedition onto in a pinch. HOWEVER, having done a significant amount of research, I've learned that the Expedition has consistently higher tow capacities than a Suburban. I've seen Suburbans, Tahoes, Avalanches, and others towing VERY large trailers as well as some SERIOUS RV trailers...many dragging their rear bumpers on the ground, trailers poorly leveled, and none with the WD hitch or AS hitch installed.
Therefore, I feel OK having a trailer that weighs under 2,000# pulling a max of 4,000# load (~7,000# load for under 5 miles when hauling dirt/sand) when rated for significantly more. With the 300 HP engine, huge brakes, a great controller, and the WD hitch, I feel more "in control" of this trailer than I have of any other...and I AM in more control of my trailer than many on the road.
My point really was this: I can get an 8' x 26' landscape trailer rated at 7,000#, load 2 ZTRs held by two small nylon straps, a few push mowers, and a bunch of weed wackers, tow it behind an F150 and that is perfectly fine? And at the same time my 7' x 20' trailer with my chained down tractor and a WD hitch is begging for someone to pull me over? All I'm saying is that, while not perfectly optimal, I can point out a combination worse than mine every time I go to the grocery store. A
nd if it is the length that makes it look out of place, the extra 4' over a 7' x 16' probably weighs 200# tops. And it probably makes it safer since the axles are back more, further decreasing the chances for sway. Personally, I think of it as a Heavy Duty 7,000# trailer...not a 10,400# trailer.
I would not tow a 7,000# trailer behind a Nissan or D50 Dodge. Those are small trucks with empty beds (no weight) and smaller tires that could get pushed around by a trailer in an emergency situation.
I towed a 5,000#+ boat/trailer behind my 4Runner and it was VERY borderline. Didn't go over 4 miles distance in a tow and COULDN'T get over 50 MPH. Probably not safe enough. I had to swerve to avoid someone about 2 weeks after I got my Expedition...I was very thankful because if the same situation had arose while towing with the 4Runner, I would have been in real trouble. I'm certain of it.
A BX23 on a 7,000# trailer would be pushing about 5,000#.
I would never consider a 1/2 ton pickup without the tow package. WITH a tow package, I would not have a problem towing a fairly serious trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. Pretty obvious since I tow a fairly serious trailer with a thusly equipped Expedition, a 1/2 ton SUV.
A 3/4 ton is better, the big difference being the huge upgrades in the rear end, the suspension, and the transmission. But I don't see why a 3/4 ton is REQUIRED to tow a BX23. That simply isn't the case. A properly equipped 1/2 ton is just fine.
Regarding my Expedition looking like the "tail wagging the dog", I have to admit that it is a little odd (for me) towing a trailer that you could PUT the Expedition onto in a pinch. HOWEVER, having done a significant amount of research, I've learned that the Expedition has consistently higher tow capacities than a Suburban. I've seen Suburbans, Tahoes, Avalanches, and others towing VERY large trailers as well as some SERIOUS RV trailers...many dragging their rear bumpers on the ground, trailers poorly leveled, and none with the WD hitch or AS hitch installed.
Therefore, I feel OK having a trailer that weighs under 2,000# pulling a max of 4,000# load (~7,000# load for under 5 miles when hauling dirt/sand) when rated for significantly more. With the 300 HP engine, huge brakes, a great controller, and the WD hitch, I feel more "in control" of this trailer than I have of any other...and I AM in more control of my trailer than many on the road.
My point really was this: I can get an 8' x 26' landscape trailer rated at 7,000#, load 2 ZTRs held by two small nylon straps, a few push mowers, and a bunch of weed wackers, tow it behind an F150 and that is perfectly fine? And at the same time my 7' x 20' trailer with my chained down tractor and a WD hitch is begging for someone to pull me over? All I'm saying is that, while not perfectly optimal, I can point out a combination worse than mine every time I go to the grocery store. A
nd if it is the length that makes it look out of place, the extra 4' over a 7' x 16' probably weighs 200# tops. And it probably makes it safer since the axles are back more, further decreasing the chances for sway. Personally, I think of it as a Heavy Duty 7,000# trailer...not a 10,400# trailer.
Last edited:
LBrown59
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swampvol said:*Maybe they think you're trailering all your bx's at the same time.
Seriously, my 1/2 ton is rated at 9k towing. Your bx with bh weighs ~2700lbs. Factor in another 1500-2000 lbs for the trailer and you're still under 5k....
Again I pull my l3400 just fine with the towing package set up on my 1/2 ton. If I had a grand L, I would be wanting a 3/4 ton.
Again, trailer brakes are key. But, if you can afford the 3/4 ton get it. It certainly wouldn't hurt.
*Naw that was way way B 4 I got the 2 BX1500s.
If I have to go to a bigger bulkier more cumbersome full size pick up I might just as well go with a 3/4 ton.
Besides I'd like to have a dump bed and I could haul heaver loads with a 3/4 ton over a 1/2 ton.
Wish I had such a truck and trailer for my BX23 right now as there is somebody giving away free fill dirt.
The only rub is you have to load and haul it yourself.
This is the second time I've missed out on free dirt because of the truck and trailer situation I'm in.
I tow a B3030 with FEL and BH around on a 16' 7000# rated utility trailer with my 2005 Nissan Frontier V6. I have a Prodigy brake controller for the brakes on both axles. Trailer weight is about 2300#. While it does tax the truck a bit, it has always towed well as long as I have the proper amount of weight on the tongue. I tow it on the Hwy at about 60 to 65 mph. Mileage is only 9 or 10mpg! I wouldn't want to tow it long distance with this truck but for around town it is just fine.
LBrown59 said:
If you don't already have the trailer you might look into a dump trailer. They're a couple grand more than your standard 7-10klb equipment trailer, but they can haul your bx and that free dirt.
SnowRidgeME
Member
for what it's worth, called State Police to inquire about tie downs, in Maine, carrying a load under 10K# requires two tie-downs, one in front, one in back to prevent movement in any direction, and the sum of the load ratings of the tie downs needs to be at least 1/2 of the load. For example, I'll be using 4 tie down straps, one in each corner, if each strap is rated to be 1000lbs, I can trailer an 8000lb load.
LBrown59 said:
Interesting questions. I'm no truck expert, but i think my 06 Frontier V6 is significantly bigger and heavier than the D50. I had a 90 toyota 2WD and this truck weighs at least 1500# more and is significantly larger in every dimension. It also has 16" wheels with much beefier tires. Why would it be rated to tow 6100# unless it could do so? I think the capacity on my little Toyota was well under 2000#, and it wouldn't have been able to get up the slight incline of my driveway if i had put that much behind it.
When I was recently in the UK, I saw contractors pulling all kinds of tractors and loaded trailers behind trucks like mine and smaller, on all kinds of small roads and even superhighways without a problem. I never even saw a fullsize pickup there in 2 weeks. Gas at US$10 + a gallon probably discouraged that, along with narrow roads and very tight parking. I expect that if i were to tow, it would represent 1-2% of my annual mileage. If I have to take it slow and careful, so be it. To me, the 20+ MPG I get on the highway in regular use is a good trade off. If I towed regularly, or over a long distance, I'd get a bigger truck.
Thanks Jusdande. You have answered my question exactly.
ChrisBWJ
Member
<flame suit on>
I towed my L3430 with backhoe, loaded tires, etc... including the trailer, it was about 13,000 lb load. I towed it with my Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is rated for 7,000 lbs!!!!
Starting was slow but steady, stopping wasn't too bad with the brake controller for the trailer. Had to have the tractor in the right spot to get the weight distribution on the trailer where it wouldn't be wagging the dog so to speak. Bumps in the road SCARED the crap out of me as I was afraid the springs in the back of the Jeep were going to shatter.
I had a 2 hour drive each way, down all back roads and one short section on the highway. Speeds were definitely kept below the speed limit.
Now I've driven all across this country on just about every terrain, in every weather condition imaginable, once being the designated driver in a 15 person van (with 13 drunk fraternity brothers in the back) driving through lake-effect blizzard conditions on strange roads. I've been off-roading in serious off-camber situations in my Grand Cherokee, and have driven on the Autobahn in Germany. NONE of it compares to the PUCKER factor I experienced while towing my tractor with the Grand Cherokee.
I would NOT recommend to anyone to exceed the rated towing capacity of your vehicle in that manner!
However, one of my buddies is a test driver for Chrysler and I know they regularly drive with loads that exceed the tow rating of a vehicle and do all sorts of tests on transmissions, brakes, vehicle stability, etc.... The ratings the auto makers put on vehicles is prudent and usually a tad conservative.
Is exceeding the tow limit by 900 pounds legal.... Technically I guess you could get in to trouble with local authorities, but I'd be highly surprised if anyone paid attention to you unless you were driving crazy.
Is it safe to exceed the tow limit by 900 pounds in your case? Personally I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure you are careful... Properly strapped down, weight distributed on the trailer property, a WD hitch, etc.. If you normally look 500 feet ahead of you for trouble/when to stop, I'd be looking 1000 ft ahead....
</flame suit off>
Now I tow my tractor with a GMC 2500HD with the D/A and I don't worry about trailering NEARLY as much!
I towed my L3430 with backhoe, loaded tires, etc... including the trailer, it was about 13,000 lb load. I towed it with my Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is rated for 7,000 lbs!!!!
Starting was slow but steady, stopping wasn't too bad with the brake controller for the trailer. Had to have the tractor in the right spot to get the weight distribution on the trailer where it wouldn't be wagging the dog so to speak. Bumps in the road SCARED the crap out of me as I was afraid the springs in the back of the Jeep were going to shatter.
I had a 2 hour drive each way, down all back roads and one short section on the highway. Speeds were definitely kept below the speed limit.
Now I've driven all across this country on just about every terrain, in every weather condition imaginable, once being the designated driver in a 15 person van (with 13 drunk fraternity brothers in the back) driving through lake-effect blizzard conditions on strange roads. I've been off-roading in serious off-camber situations in my Grand Cherokee, and have driven on the Autobahn in Germany. NONE of it compares to the PUCKER factor I experienced while towing my tractor with the Grand Cherokee.
I would NOT recommend to anyone to exceed the rated towing capacity of your vehicle in that manner!
However, one of my buddies is a test driver for Chrysler and I know they regularly drive with loads that exceed the tow rating of a vehicle and do all sorts of tests on transmissions, brakes, vehicle stability, etc.... The ratings the auto makers put on vehicles is prudent and usually a tad conservative.
Is exceeding the tow limit by 900 pounds legal.... Technically I guess you could get in to trouble with local authorities, but I'd be highly surprised if anyone paid attention to you unless you were driving crazy.
Is it safe to exceed the tow limit by 900 pounds in your case? Personally I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure you are careful... Properly strapped down, weight distributed on the trailer property, a WD hitch, etc.. If you normally look 500 feet ahead of you for trouble/when to stop, I'd be looking 1000 ft ahead....
</flame suit off>
Now I tow my tractor with a GMC 2500HD with the D/A and I don't worry about trailering NEARLY as much!
