enough truck to pull this trailer?

[RJF]

Pay attention cause math class is now in session:
Per dodge.com a 1T Mega cab 4x4 dually has a curb weight of 7,810 lbs. At a 60/40 split that would give you a safe winter towing capacity of about 5200 lbs:

7800 + 5200 = 13,000 total combined gross weight, x .4(40%) = 5,200
Or 7800 divided by 13,000 = .60 (60%)
5,200 of trlr and sleds would in my opinion be a max winter ice towing load in this application. Keep in mind as you add fuel and gear to the truck it also raises max trlr weight. 5200lbs – 2800lbs of sled leaves 2400lbs of empty trlr. Better be looking for an all aluminum.

In my case I have a GMC 1T crew 4x4 dually which is about 6,700 lbs, a sled rack at about 400lbs two sleds wet at about 700lbs each or about 8,500lbs not including gear or truck fuel. My trlr is a 12’ floe enclosed at about 1,100lbs plus 2 sleds wet at 700lbs each or 2,500 total trlr weight. Math is as follows:

8500 + 2500 = 11,000 total combined gross vehicle weight, x .23(23%) = 2,530
Which is a ratio of 77/23, with truck fuel and gear is pretty dam close to a very safe ideal ratio of 80/20.

An example mentioned above was a 4 place steel trlr (4,000lbs) loaded with 4 sleds 700lbs each is about 6,800lbs total trlr weight. Then hook up a 2001 Tahoe with a curb weight of 5,050lbs. Math is a follows:

5050 + 6800 = 11,850 total combined gross vehicle weight,
5050 divided by 11850 = .43 (43%)
Which is a ratio of 43/57. It’s a no brainer.

We are in agreement on one statement, a 6800lbs trailer needs about a 9000lbs + tow rig in front of it.

80/20 = very comfortable towing.
70/30 = very safe towing
60/40 = reasonably safe towing
50/50 = marginal towing in good conditions.
43/57 = suicide

Again we are talking about winter ice conditions. To many people are pushing the envelope with these big trlrs and light tow rigs partly due to the light winters we have had over the last few years and partly because they haven’t had the sh!t scared out of them yet If you are in the 43/57% ratio area and are towing in winter mountainous conditions you will find your disaster. Plus the word CAR doesn't even enter into this conversation.

Now if your talking about July, you can toss this all out and start over.

While your theory is great and definantly a safe idea to go with, it's also by far too conservative. A 1 ton dually, like yours, or ours, can pull a 4-6 place enclosed without much issue, in winter icy driving conditions.

IMHO, from doing LOTS and LOTS of towing with multiple rigs, a 45/55 ratio is still safe, but the limit. (45% truck weight, 55% trailer weight.)

With a half ton, I'd prefer something like a 54/46 max ratio, as the squishy soft springs are what are the most dangerous.

Your 80/20 ratio is definantly safe, but that is so conservative, it's even a little silly. We'd need F650 Fords or Kodiak Topkicks to get our 4 places around, and it's a proven fact that a 3/4ton SRW and larger has no problem in the worst conditions with a 4 place enclosed, providing the rig has a proper driver.

In the end, it mostly boils down the the driver. If you feel your driving abilities only allow you to pull 2,500lbs with your 1 ton dually that is rated for 20K+, then that is wise of you to relize that.

 

[Ultra]

While your theory is great and definantly a safe idea to go with, it's also by far too conservative. A 1 ton dually, like yours, or ours, can pull a 4-6 place enclosed without much issue, in winter icy driving conditions.

IMHO, from doing LOTS and LOTS of towing with multiple rigs, a 45/55 ratio is still safe, but the limit. (45% truck weight, 55% trailer weight.)

With a half ton, I'd prefer something like a 54/46 max ratio, as the squishy soft springs are what are the most dangerous.

Your 80/20 ratio is definantly safe, but that is so conservative, it's even a little silly. We'd need F650 Fords or Kodiak Topkicks to get our 4 places around, and it's a proven fact that a 3/4ton SRW and larger has no problem in the worst conditions with a 4 place enclosed, providing the rig has a proper driver.

In the end, it mostly boils down the the driver. If you feel your driving abilities only allow you to pull 2,500lbs with your 1 ton dually that is rated for 20K+, then that is wise of you to relize that.

Montana ice must be different the California Ice. At times conditions can be so slick that you can’t stand up without holding on to the truck. Or freezing rain where if you stop on one side of the road crown the truck will slowly slide sideways down to the ditch. Conditions such as running water on top of a roadbed of hard ice. Then throw in narrow roads and hills. I kind of like the idea of stopping on a hill and actually using the truck to hold the trlr. Way better option then going down backwards, never really have gotten the hang of that.
Yes 80/20 is very definitely conservative but hardly silly for the northwest mountainous states and most of western Canada, which is where the guy that started this thread lives.
If I was pulling 7000lbs in these conditions I can assure you it would be with an F450 or a 4500 4x4.

Not really sure where you are coming up with the “proven fact” thing.

Never been to California, if your sled trip has you going from a paved driveway to a paved parking lot with some spots of ice along the way, Easy squeeze, No problem.

Now lets talk about tow ratings. Manufacture suggested towing limits are again under the best of conditions and quite frankly in the real world are only good for about 80% of their listing in dry conditions.

Take any truck, load it to its maximum and go find any pass. That should convince you.

Bottom line if you are pulling 7000lbs with a 1/2T in January, you need to stay in California.

 

[icr]

Forgive me for not reading this whole thread, I get bored hearing about needing a diesel one ton to haul one sled in your bed.

I have a 1500, that's right, a half ton, that I use to tow a steel 4 place to the mountains nearly every weekend. I do 65-70 the whole way, get 11 MPG and have NEVER been overpowered by my trailer.

I live in interior AK, that mean's there's ice on the roads from oct-april, it's dark from 10am-4pm (I drive in the dark both ways) and there's moose bigger than your jeep lurking in the shrubs, and I have NEVER had an accident towing, lost control, or even wanted a bigger truck.


In summary....you'll be fine.

 

[Dogmeat]

I think 80/20 is a little rediculous, but I do agree mostly with what ultra has said...

Although, if you aren't a moron driver 50/50 with an enclosed is doable....I did it all last winter on slick roads every weekend and I didn't have any troubles with the 1/2 ton brakes, anything ... I towed up and down I70 and I80 all last winter with a 1/2 ton chevy towing 4,500# with it ..

As far as that was concerned, the brakes were fine (had trailer brake too though), handeling was fine, everything .... the motor wasn't near enough though.

I think you can do 50/50 safley if you pay attention to your driving ..

As with what Ultra has said however, I upgraded this year to a 3/4 ton ... towing the same trailer is *MUCH* easier now, in all aspects of it. Stability, power, braking, everything.....It's not that I couldn't and didn't do it with the half-ton, but yeah, it is nicer to have a bigger truck to tow with.

 

[RJF]

Montana ice must be different the California Ice. At times conditions can be so slick that you can’t stand up without holding on to the truck. Or freezing rain where if you stop on one side of the road crown the truck will slowly slide sideways down to the ditch.

I was almost to jackpot Idaho in the middle of the night once, got out to take a leak, and had to hold onto my mirror to keep from fallinf down. I may be a Californian, but I've been all over the 11 western for snowmobiling. I've been in Montana ice, Wyoming wind, Oregon rain, etc.... even with multiple rigs.

I kind of like the idea of stopping on a hill and actually using the truck to hold the trlr. Way better option then going down backwards, never really have gotten the hang of that.

Thats what trailer brakes are for. Fix your trailer brakes so they acutally work, you'll be amazed at how effective they are....

Not really sure where you are coming up with the “proven fact” thing.

it's a proven fact that most people that pull 4 place enclosed use 3/4tons, and have plenty of cusion. Just do a poll on this forum if you don't believe me, most guys will have 3/4tons, and will mention they are feel very safe in all conditions.

Never been to California, if your sled trip has you going from a paved driveway to a paved parking lot with some spots of ice along the way, Easy squeeze, No problem.

Ice is ice, I've been in stuff out here that is just as bad as Montana, infact, I think that you guys back there have better road crews that know how to handle getting a road clean better than the folks out here.

Now lets talk about tow ratings. Manufacture suggested towing limits are again under the best of conditions and quite frankly in the real world are only good for about 80% of their listing in dry conditions.

Take any truck, load it to its maximum and go find any pass. That should convince you.

With today's diesel 3/4 and 1 ton pickups, they can handle their manufacture's ratings without much fuss in good weather conditions. I know both our 3/4ton Ram Cummins and 1 ton Ram Cummins have no problem at all loaded to 20k+.

Bottom line if you are pulling 7000lbs with a 1/2T in January, you need to stay in California.

I'm not.... I'm pulling 7K with both rigs, my 2001 Ram Cummins 3/4ton pulling one 27ft 4 place Interstate, and our 2002 1 ton dually Ram pulling our second 27ft Interstate...throughout the 11 western.

Have a nice day.

 

[Mafesto]

Sure,
a half ton can tow a 4 place enclosed.

My gripe with that is the fact that the engine lacks the power required on hills
and the chassis lacks the strength to control the load at high speed.
Therefore, the clown behind the wheel is a menace to everybody else on the road who came prepared.
I hate getting trapped behind these clowns and their slow moving vehicles.
They need to pull over & let the real traffic go by them.

But yes, I guess a lil half ton will do the job.