Another towing question......

[cmanz28]

Hey guys. I recently purchased myself a new enclosed trailer. Its a 3 place inline Timberwolf. It has a steel frame and aluminum sides.

I also have recently purchased a new to me 07 Silverado Classic Quad Cab

My question is------how will this combo be pulling? I just got home from weighing the truck and trailer.

Trailer = 3350lbs
Truck = 5650lbs

The trailer was empty, and when loaded with 3 sleds it will be close to the trucks weight

Please let me know your opinions!!!!

 

[BCDan]

Which engine does the truck have? Of course, the more HP you have, the better you go up the hills, but other than that, it should pull just fine. I have a buddy with a similar truck, his engine is the 6 liter, and he pulls a 24' camp trailer that weighs 5k lbs with no problems.

 

[Blu Du]

it should do just fine. might want to put in some air bags. if too much tounge weight. you can get them for as low as $200.

 

[cmanz28]

Which engine does the truck have? Of course, the more HP you have, the better you go up the hills, but other than that, it should pull just fine. I have a buddy with a similar truck, his engine is the 6 liter, and he pulls a 24' camp trailer that weighs 5k lbs with no problems.

It has the 5.3L. I plan on putting on some better tires (higher load rating) before wintertime comes around too......

 

[Mafesto]

Load distribution set up would be a good investment.
And air bags as mentioned above.

 

[R J]

Airbags are cheap if you go the route where you need to fill them with a air chuck at the station, they get a bit spendy when running the compressor and so on from what I have researched. SuperSprings.com have those overload springs that aren't too bad, a bit more then a plain airbag only set up but still kind of the same thing more or less.

I don't know what I want to do. I like the idea of bags but I don't want to spend the coin for the "good" control in the cab set up.

Get at least Load C (Light truck tires, not the passeger series tires) for that truck maybe even D's if you want. You for sure don't need E's.

Sway control would be good as well as electric brakes if it doesn't already have electric. Some come with surge and those are a joke. Get a good controller for the cab as well. I like my Prodigy T3 or whatever the newest one is that has the LCD screen with diagnostic capabilities.

 

[skidooer1]

good trailer brakes really is all you need. weight distribution bars might help a bit but with leaf spring suspension in the rear i would'nt mess with them just don't load to much in the front. my buddies 5.3 gm works very well towing a 4-place aluminum of the same weight.expect about 7-8 mpg but really good power.personally i would reccomend the orginal prodigy brake controller. very simple to use.

 

[cmanz28]

Airbags are cheap if you go the route where you need to fill them with a air chuck at the station, they get a bit spendy when running the compressor and so on from what I have researched. SuperSprings.com have those overload springs that aren't too bad, a bit more then a plain airbag only set up but still kind of the same thing more or less.

I don't know what I want to do. I like the idea of bags but I don't want to spend the coin for the "good" control in the cab set up.

Get at least Load C (Light truck tires, not the passeger series tires) for that truck maybe even D's if you want. You for sure don't need E's.

Sway control would be good as well as electric brakes if it doesn't already have electric. Some come with surge and those are a joke. Get a good controller for the cab as well. I like my Prodigy T3 or whatever the newest one is that has the LCD screen with diagnostic capabilities.

Bold 1 -- I do plan to get Load C or D tires...so that should be covered.

Bold 2 -- This trailer has surge brakes......is there anyway to convert this to electric brakes??

 

[Griff]

I suggest you load it up and take it for a pull. You will probably find you don't need anything except proper weight distribution in the trailer and run about 45-50 psi in the tires. The airbags would be the next consideration. You may be able to convert the surge brakes to electric or you can put a new axle assembly with electric brakes on...either option would not be worth the expense in my opinion. Nice looking set up by the way!

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Bold 1 -- I do plan to get Load C or D tires...so that should be covered.

Bold 2 -- This trailer has surge brakes......is there anyway to convert this to electric brakes??

most axles can be easily converted to electrics..if you really want to save the truck brakes, put electrics on both axles......

 

[BIG JOHN]

I would opdate to D rated tires...no taller than stock...get a chip for the computer...I have a load level hitch/bars for sale ...call if you want one for cheap...BJ

 

[AZ800]

Don't let anyone talk you out of the surge brakes. I think they work great, simple too.
Truck will handle that trailer fine. Just need an overload spring on your truck to keep it from sagging.

 

[cmanz28]

I suggest you load it up and take it for a pull. You will probably find you don't need anything except proper weight distribution in the trailer and run about 45-50 psi in the tires. The airbags would be the next consideration. You may be able to convert the surge brakes to electric or you can put a new axle assembly with electric brakes on...either option would not be worth the expense in my opinion. Nice looking set up by the way!

Thanks guys for your honest opinions!!!

Bold 1 - I would completely do that, but the around the Midwest is now where I'm worried about the truck pulling it. I know it can pull it in the flats here.....what I'm worried about is pulling it through the mountains.....

 

[cmanz28]

I would opdate to D rated tires...no taller than stock...get a chip for the computer...I have a load level hitch/bars for sale ...call if you want one for cheap...BJ

John.....

if you think they will work for this trailer, I will have to give ya a call! Everyone I've looked at on-line doesn't appear it will work with this trailer, due to the VERY short exposed tongue of the trailer.

 

[Blk88GT]

I don't think you'll get any leveling bars on there. Invest in a good rear suspension setup and spend some time with your load down at the CAT scale getting things where they should be. Make sure you have enough tongue weight when loaded.

Personally, I would get rid of the surge brakes. You should be able to convert the trailer to electric for under 500 dollars, brake controller included. If you're not fond of airbags, have a look at Timbrens. They're supposed to work just as good with less screwing around.

I had airbags with an onboard compressor in my last truck. While they served the purpose, the ride was far too bouncy. It likely needed new shocks, but it was bad.

EDIT: You'll want to get something for that truck to control the shifting. My dad has the same truck and when towing larger trailers, it likes to upshift/downshift too much, even in tow/haul. Try it and find out how it behaves.

 

[MTdream]

Bold 1 -- I do plan to get Load C or D tires...so that should be covered.

Bold 2 -- This trailer has surge brakes......is there anyway to convert this to electric brakes??

take it to a trailer shop, and yes they can take care of it, would be surprised if it does not already have them, most states it is a requirement...

but brake controller, and good high ply rated tires is all you need...and someone mentioned Prodigy brake controllers, IMHO they are the best...

 

[MTdream]

Thanks guys for your honest opinions!!!

Bold 1 - I would completely do that, but the around the Midwest is now where I'm worried about the truck pulling it. I know it can pull it in the flats here.....what I'm worried about is pulling it through the mountains.....

I pull a three horse gooseneck with three horses in it, and all my hunting gear (WAY heavier than your load each horse is near 1500lbs. alone)...with essentially the same truck...you will slow down on HUGE passes, but it will pull fine...

 

[PCDOC]

What gears are in your truck? I have the same truck with 4.10's and it does a pretty good job for a 1/2 ton. I pulled an open 4 place with my old suburban that had 3.73's and it struggled on the hills. My new truck with the 4.10's pulls wayyyy better on the hills and doesn't downshift unless pulling a steep grade.

Not that changing gears is a cost effective option, but if you have the taller gears you will be happy.

 

[cmanz28]

Guys---

Thanks SO much for your advise.....all of it will be considered. I do not want to put much in this truck since I will only have it for a year.... I will be a traveling sales rep putting TONS of miles on the truck (50k per year), and I will likely be trading truck every year or two. This truck will be traded in a year since I bought it used......

What gears are in your truck? I have the same truck with 4.10's and it does a pretty good job for a 1/2 ton. I pulled an open 4 place with my old suburban that had 3.73's and it struggled on the hills. My new truck with the 4.10's pulls wayyyy better on the hills and doesn't downshift unless pulling a steep grade.

Not that changing gears is a cost effective option, but if you have the taller gears you will be happy.

This truck has the hwy traveling friendly 3.42....

 

[cmanz28]

I don't think you'll get any leveling bars on there. Invest in a good rear suspension setup and spend some time with your load down at the CAT scale getting things where they should be. Make sure you have enough tongue weight when loaded.

Personally, I would get rid of the surge brakes. You should be able to convert the trailer to electric for under 500 dollars, brake controller included. If you're not fond of airbags, have a look at Timbrens. They're supposed to work just as good with less screwing around.

I had airbags with an onboard compressor in my last truck. While they served the purpose, the ride was far too bouncy. It likely needed new shocks, but it was bad.

EDIT: You'll want to get something for that truck to control the shifting. My dad has the same truck and when towing larger trailers, it likes to upshift/downshift too much, even in tow/haul. Try it and find out how it behaves.

I like to hear that!!!!!

take it to a trailer shop, and yes they can take care of it, would be surprised if it does not already have them, most states it is a requirement...

but brake controller, and good high ply rated tires is all you need...and someone mentioned Prodigy brake controllers, IMHO they are the best...

I WILL be looking into those things!!! THANKS!