Will my 76 Datson pull my 4 place trailer?
A lot of "Will this vehicle pull this traler?" threads going on........
- Thread starter Mafesto
- Start date
Buying a big old diesel is just as much of a waste when only a 1/2 ton is needed, just like buying 92 is a huge waste when only 82 is needed.............
K
khaddon2110
Well-known member
This comment ^^^^^ obviously was not thought out before being made
I tow many trailers that weigh significant amounts more than the tow vehicle every day, and if that were a rule of thumb to follow, nothing would ever get towed.
Think about this: ...... How much does the semi tractor weigh that is towing a trailer with 45000 lbs.
Your tow vehicle doesn't need to be new, it doesn't need to be shiny, it doesn't need to be a diesel and you don't have to have $40k in it. It just needs to weigh reasonably more then your trlr. It needs to have good tires on it with 4x4 in reasonably good mechanical condition. At $3.00 plus a gallon the used car lots are full of them for less money than you paid for one new sled.
I can assure you if your pulling a 6k trlr with a 5.3 1/2T you are not getting descent millage.
Skibreeze,
This has little to do with towing capacities and a lot to do with control in marginal icy winter conditions. Yes a trlr that out weighs the towing vehicle such as your combo is a reciepe for disaster given the right winter conditions. The conditions you leave with in the morning are not necessarily the conditions you will be driving home in.
This comment ^^^^^ obviously was not thought out before being made
I tow many trailers that weigh significant amounts more than the tow vehicle every day, and if that were a rule of thumb to follow, nothing would ever get towed.
Think about this: ...... How much does the semi tractor weigh that is towing a trailer with 45000 lbs.
Think about this: ..... How much of the trlr weight falls on the tractor? why do you think the trlr duals are at the opposite end of the trlr?
S
snowbie
Active member
Ultra, the 10 times I tow 6K pounds a year is not worth the added cost of a diesel. Buying a diesel to tow something that in-often when we use the truck unloaded for 15K+ miles a year as a DD is pretty stupid. Plus the truck gets 12 miles to the gallon at 60 towing. It goes up the steepest passes in Washington faster than the posted speed limit. You can argue the point till you are blue in the face - for me it's cheaper - not to mention it rides 10000 times better than a 3/4 ton.
As another poster mentioned, the original poster wanted to know what a person with a 1/2 needs to tow.. Good tires, a transmission cooler (if not equiped) 4 chains and some towing mirrors. Take your time, leave plenty of space. And remember we are towing with far more advanced, powerful, safe, and capable vehicles than our parents and grandparents and they somehow managed!
As another poster mentioned, the original poster wanted to know what a person with a 1/2 needs to tow.. Good tires, a transmission cooler (if not equiped) 4 chains and some towing mirrors. Take your time, leave plenty of space. And remember we are towing with far more advanced, powerful, safe, and capable vehicles than our parents and grandparents and they somehow managed!
A
Adrenaline Revolution
Well-known member
I drive a 1/2 ton 2000 Dodge 4X4 with airbags and studs with 400 lb's of sand bags over the axle and I pull an interstate 3 place enclosed with brakes and only two sleds in it.
I can't install a load leveler set-up on it because the tongue is too short.
It's not a good time driving downhill on ice on either side of the pass here on Interstate 2 (Stevens Pass).
In fact, it can really put a damper on the whole trip when, by the time I get to the snow park I'm pretty well stressed out from the white knuckle drive.
I don't even ride at Greenwater anymore because of the nasty grade on the road (The Matterhorn as I call it) and that place used to be one of my favorite places to go.
I'll admit that I have never even got so much as even a little bit out of control as in sliding or not being able to stop quickly on ice but I know that the potential is there.
By far the worst part is the way the whole set-up handles when it gets windy on the highway at speeds and I don't mean 70 or more. More like 60 to 65 is as fast as I care to go when I'm towing.
I do end up winding her up going up the pass in 2nd or 3rd gear and I am still barely able to reach 55 even on dry pavement (the truck's a gutless POS!, 360?)
My Ideal truck, even though with the two sleds and gear I'm only pulling around 4500lb's, would be a 1 ton dually with a big block gasser. I think with the extra set of wheels back there that the trailer would push me around much less.
I'm in the market and may try to trade the motorhome in for a decent truck, Maybe even trade the '68 Chevelle for a REAL decent rig!
Sorry....I rambled again!
I can't install a load leveler set-up on it because the tongue is too short.
It's not a good time driving downhill on ice on either side of the pass here on Interstate 2 (Stevens Pass).
In fact, it can really put a damper on the whole trip when, by the time I get to the snow park I'm pretty well stressed out from the white knuckle drive.
I don't even ride at Greenwater anymore because of the nasty grade on the road (The Matterhorn as I call it) and that place used to be one of my favorite places to go.
I'll admit that I have never even got so much as even a little bit out of control as in sliding or not being able to stop quickly on ice but I know that the potential is there.
By far the worst part is the way the whole set-up handles when it gets windy on the highway at speeds and I don't mean 70 or more. More like 60 to 65 is as fast as I care to go when I'm towing.
I do end up winding her up going up the pass in 2nd or 3rd gear and I am still barely able to reach 55 even on dry pavement (the truck's a gutless POS!, 360?)
My Ideal truck, even though with the two sleds and gear I'm only pulling around 4500lb's, would be a 1 ton dually with a big block gasser. I think with the extra set of wheels back there that the trailer would push me around much less.
I'm in the market and may try to trade the motorhome in for a decent truck, Maybe even trade the '68 Chevelle for a REAL decent rig!
Sorry....I rambled again!
So, how does a 6,000lb 3/4 ton vehicle towing 10,000 lb trailer have more control in those same conditions? It doesn't.
It's just human nature...........everyone has his/her own idea on this subject. So whatever works for YOU, more power to ya. This thred is going in circles..kinda comical 
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
I've got an aux cooler and a trans temp guage on it.
Snowbie,
Yes, I understand the cost implications, believe me I have been thru it, and I'm not saying it can't be done people do it all summer long but winter is a different story.Trust me, if you find yourself on nasty ice even once it will change your mind. 6000lbs behind a 1/2T is a lot of weight.
Yes, I understand the cost implications, believe me I have been thru it, and I'm not saying it can't be done people do it all summer long but winter is a different story.Trust me, if you find yourself on nasty ice even once it will change your mind. 6000lbs behind a 1/2T is a lot of weight.
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Your right, It doesn't. If you are towing a 10k trailer in winter conditions you will need a hell of a lot more truck than a 3/4T. I would be looking at getting rid of some serious trlr weight.
If you are towing in a smaller rig, PLEASE pull over & let traffic by as frequently as possible.
It is a huge pain in the sphincter following these clowns who should have a
slow moving vehicle sign on. (you know, the orange triangle)
Just show some courtesy, and not hold up a parade of vehicles!
It is a huge pain in the sphincter following these clowns who should have a
slow moving vehicle sign on. (you know, the orange triangle)
Just show some courtesy, and not hold up a parade of vehicles!
Adrenaline Revolution, makes sense to me. been down the same road. Three different trlrs, three different trucks. Two sliding backwards episodes. Got a 1T dually 454 gasser 4x4 crew now, what a difference. Lot more truck then the 3/4T crew 4x4. You will be happy.
A lot of guys on here think its overkill and it probably is, but that was kind of the idea. Nothing bothers this truck weather wise.
In the summer we use it to go camping. 30ft bumper pull + all the camping gear I own, 3 MC's, generator, etc then a 14' boat behind the trlr. Its still an easy 70-75mph and no white knuckles. Your right about the second set of tires, get no sideways action anymore.
The bonus is most people shy away from the dually's. Keeps the used price of them down. You'll find a good deal.
While that is certainly a pain in the rear it aint the worst case. What scares me is one of them sliding into me or one of them coming across the center line.
While that is certainly a pain in the rear it aint the worst case. What scares me is one of them sliding into me or one of them coming across the center line.
I pull a 29' enclosed (v-nose) car hauler with a 1/2 ton 2007 toyota tundra. 99% of my towing is in the midwest; while my setup works well in the flatlands I have not tested it in the mountains out west. trailer + contents ~8500-9000 lbs.
my concern with using a SUV to tow a larger enclosed trailer would be the short wheelbase of the SUV which may lead to the proverbial "tail wagging the dog" which could be a big problem in the mountains or at speed.
my suggestions:
weight distributing hitch
trailer sway control bar (great to counteract high winds)
electric trailer brakes (no-brainer)
fully loaded the tundra gets right at 10mpg on the interstate; speed range ~70 mph.
my concern with using a SUV to tow a larger enclosed trailer would be the short wheelbase of the SUV which may lead to the proverbial "tail wagging the dog" which could be a big problem in the mountains or at speed.
my suggestions:
weight distributing hitch
trailer sway control bar (great to counteract high winds)
electric trailer brakes (no-brainer)
fully loaded the tundra gets right at 10mpg on the interstate; speed range ~70 mph.
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