Trying to stay safe!

[MFL]

Morning guys,

Wanted to run this by the experienced towers here. The numbers say this will be okay, but I'm worndering if there are any hidden considerations I should know about.

We own a 2003 GMC Yukon XL, 2WD, 5.3 L V8 with the factory towing package. When I started using this truck to tow, I installed a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller. GMC says the towing capacity is 8200 lbs. I use it currently to tow my 18' flat bed trailer to pick up hay, move my B7800, and to pull a two up, straight load horse trailer. So far, no problems. The trailers I've towed have tracked well, and the truck has never seemed short on power. The heaviest load I've pulled has been about 5000 lbs. of hay which put me about 500 lbs. below the max allowed weight for my trailer (7K). As I said, no problem.

So here's my concern. I want to know if the following setup would be safe. We are considering buying a three up, slant load horse trailer with dressing room. A used Ponderosa, nothing fancy. The current owner says that as best he can recall, the weight of the trailer is about 2400 lbs. With horses and saddles, I'm guessing about 6000 lbs all together. I'm also considering buying a weight distributing hitch to help spread the load. I know I can pull the weight when I'm pulling dead weight (hay), but I'm a little nervous putting the critters back there.

Anything else I should consider? Anything that jumps out to you experienced guys as WRONG??

Thanks for the input.

MFL

 

[MrJimi]

I was behind a long horse trailer with one horse just tied with one rope and I watched the horse at red lights at stopping and starting and that horse had a good driver towing him, he hardly moved

 

[davkir]

I used to have a 2 horse steel Cornpro that weighed more then that. You might double check the empty weight.
There was a thread about this recently, but I have never bought a used trailer that didn't have some sort of brake, bearing, tire, wiring problem.
Can't be to careful when hauling our "babies"!

 

[MFL]

Thanks Davkir. Your response prodded me to see of I could confirm the trailer weight on the web. I found a local trailer dealer who has a similar (newer model) Ponderosa, and they list the weight at 3000 lbs.! Thats an extra 600 lbs to worry about. Again, the numbers are still within the tow limit of the Yukon, but I'm still worried that the live weight will affect the trailer and towing more than I'm assuming it will. Maybe I should see if I can take a test drive on a quiet road and see what I'm in for.

 

[KAB]

From looking at Ponderosa's web site they use 2 3500# axles, so 7000# max trailer weight, you should be fine. And anytime you are towing in excess of 5000# with your Yukon you should be using a weight distributing hitch, check either your owners manual or look at the weight rating on the trailer hitch.

Kurt

 

[bota7800]

Doesn't the trailer have a manufacturer's data plate on it? Mine does. I assumed (risky -I know) they were required.

 

[Builder]

If you think you'll be at your truck's max capacity and you want to regain some ride stability, check out a set of Firestone Ride Rite airbags along with that load distributing hitch. Airbags are a fantastic way to level out and regain control of a truck towing at capacity.

Check & see if you have a rear stabilizer bar, too. If you don't, Helwig makes some nice stabilizer bars.