Can I exceed max tow if trailer has brakes?

[bigjbear]

Dont do it. That load will be very hard on the truck and though you can probably do it without any problems, I wouldnt advise it. If you want something you can tow with a 1/2 ton, get a jeep. Otherwise you gotta pay to play.

I disagree completely about the 1/2 ton thing. Both the F-150 and Nissan Titian are factory rated to tow around 10K lbs.

 

[rjfguitar]

I respect the input that it is unsafe. But I ask, how is it unsafe? Braking? Jack-knifing? Wobble? I'm not clear on exactly how it becomes a problem, mostly because of my unfamiliarity with towing in general.

Simply put, it has almost all to do with braking and stability.

Second would be component failure, overloaded springs, axles, and tires.

And a long third...power. Power is not near as important as some people think. A V6 truck can get a BIG load moving and hold speed. It does it slowly, but a small motor can get the job done.

What the brakes can handle and how much wieght that starts pushing the truck around is what determines the tow rating.

 

[ZZ4x4]

And a long third...power. Power is not near as important as some people think. A V6 truck can get a BIG load moving and hold speed. It does it slowly, but a small motor can get the job done.

I respect your opinion but have to disagree. A small engine may be able to accelerate with a large load due to gearing. But while moving on the highway in a headwind , or passing , or simply driving up a long incline, an underpowerd vehicle will not hold speed and will be a dangerous obstacle for others gaining from behind. Not sure if you ever lived in the hills where some guy is going 30mph on the freeway trying to tow something too big up a hill. Besides the actual speed you are going, the tranny temps and engine temps are often way up there shortening there lives as well.

 

[kennyw]

Not sure if you ever lived in the hills where some guy is going 30mph on the freeway trying to tow something too big up a hill.

You just described every semi with a load going up a mountain pass...

 

[rjfguitar]

I respect your opinion but have to disagree. A small engine may be able to accelerate with a large load due to gearing. But while moving on the highway in a headwind , or passing , or simply driving up a long incline, an underpowerd vehicle will not hold speed and will be a dangerous obstacle for others gaining from behind. Not sure if you ever lived in the hills where some guy is going 30mph on the freeway trying to tow something too big up a hill. Besides the actual speed you are going, the tranny temps and engine temps are often way up there shortening there lives as well.

Just because late model big block trucks, but mostly late diesel pickups can pull their GCWR and more up a hill at nearly full speed doesn't mean now everyone should be able to do that and if they can't pull the hill at 55mph they need to figure something else out. Thats the way it was years ago.

Now, take what I said and add a little moderation and common sense. Lets take a guy that knows nothing about towing and his Chevy S10 with the optional V6 motor. Lets say this guy wants to use it to pull a 20' gooseneck with a 15K Case 580SE backhoe on it. A combined trailer weight of about 20K + the weight of the pickup. Like I said, he doesn't know any better.

What is going to be his first problem?

He gets hooked up, the truck is sitting on the bumpstops but he doesn't think much of it.

he take off, the little V6 struggles but ever so slowly gains speed to 50mph. He had the power to get to cruising speed. Essentially, no real problems yet.

He hits the first bump.....the truck starts bouncing and breaks a spring or hanger, combined with the fact that his 20K monster behind him is now pushing him all over the road from the sway the bump caused. He stomps the brake pedal to get slowed down but that obviously does nothing....long story short our man in question has found himself in a ditch.

The brakes and chassis were grossly overpowered long before he even reached the first grade to pull.


With all that jibber jabber, I wouldn't pull that backhoe and goose with a 1 ton pickup that had the V6 credit option checked on the order list, like you said, it's too much weight for the motor and would work it too hard.

What we have in question is about a 7K trailered load consisting of a K5 and trailer. A properly equipped pickup with even just the 4.3 V6 would get the job done.

Yeah, you'd have to hammer down pretty good to keep 55mph with a BIG head wind but it would hold speed. Yeah, you'd get pulled down to 30-35mph on a decent hill but you'd be running with the rest of the big rigs out there chugging up the hill. Thats why there are always "slow trucks on grade" signs posted at the bottom of the hill.

 

[gmcjimmy88]

Find a cheap k5 or suburban. Even a v-6 fullsize truck (that doesn't even look right typed). Something that is at least closer to the tow rating you need. Problems I see:
1. Towing for any distance or time may be too stressful on a lighter duty truck not designed to handle that much weight.

2. It looked like you are in OH (maybe I looked at the wrong thing) if so think of the hills and how your vehicle handles it with no wieght. Now add 5-6k to that. Not pretty.

3. STATE TROOPERS love seeing this going down the road and worse local city cops in small towns. HUGE FINES for being over max weight.

4. I understand driving safely and cautiosly but think about the other dumb@&& on the road that waits until the last second to slam there brakes at the red light in front of them.

5. Those hills earlier, Think about slowing down.

6. God forbid it starts raining.

Just a thought. If the k-5 is say 5k and your tow rating is 5k. Forget a trailer and try a towbar or a set of dollies. brakes can be found on dollies. Just another thought.

Dont get me wrong I am not perfect either. For a short distance or close to the weight limit is understandable. I have towed things WAY too heavy for the tow vehicle but for short distances. My opinion is if you are comfortable and feel it is safe then that is you. As far as gas mileage goes a fullsize towing a k5 isnt too bad I dont think. Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do tow with a small truck at least post pics of it.

 

[rjfguitar]

So basically the consensus is....

A 3/4t or 1 ton pickup with either a small block, big block, or diesel is ideal. A V6 could work if BIG hills aren't between point A&B and won't be pulling a lot of miles annually.

A 1/2 ton long bed reg. cab, short bed ext. or crew cab, and long bed ext./crew can also handle a K5 and trailer. Obviously a small block is the biggest engine option, basically plenty in flat and rolling hills, and adequit in the mountains. A V6 could get the job done depending on terrain and distance as stated before.

With the 1/2t special care should be taken to choose a trailer with brakes on BOTH axles that are all in working order. Also, some sort of simple helper spring or air bag system should be consider for a little stability help.

One step down IMHO would be a regular cab short bed and K5 1/2t. These could be tow rig capable for a 5K and trailer, but helper springs or bags should be a must, and reconsideration should be taken if the rig will see whindy roads, high winds....that sort of thing.

Not saying it can't be done, I pulled 8K+ behind my 10" lifted K5 with 35" boggers but I was 3/4t converted with heavier springs. I never traveled far loaded this heavy either.

Anything less shouldn't be considered, meaning 1/4t trucks like S10's, Rangers, Toyotas, those sizes. Just too small of a chassis regardless of power.


This is what I have roughly gathered from everyone that has posted in this thread, give or take a few opinions.

 

[bigjbear]

Trailer weight is also important. I towed 3/4 ton Dodge from Columbia, SC to my place in Atlanta, GA with my Grand Cherokee (318 V8, 4 wheel disc brakes, D44 rear) on a light weight trailer. Then down to south GA the next weekend. (read-flat) There is no way I would have done that w/ my trailer. I would not have wanted another 2k lbs back there.

Lots of people want the baddest trailer they can find. But if it's more than they need it is just cutting into the tow rig's capacity.

 

[ZZ4x4]

Lots of people want the baddest trailer they can find. But if it's more than they need it is just cutting into the tow rig's capacity.

Great point. One time I towed my K5 on a 12K equipment trailer which was the only thing available . The trailer weighed near 3K by itself. Such a huge (negative) difference in towing that time vs. a regular 7K car hauler. You could really feel that extra weight back there! Always a better trip when you use the right sized trailer ( and tow rig) which are the right tools for the job. Gosh I sound like Mike Brady now.

 

[rjfguitar]

HA! I've got all of you beat then. I'll be hauling my K5 with a triple axle 18K gooseneck flatbed. Talk about overtrailered..... I'll have 11K worth of weight behind me, 5,500lbs trailer, and 5,500lbs K5.

But it's ok....I've got a diesel.

 

[ZZ4x4]

But it's ok....I've got a diesel.

Yeah, that Cummins will surely handle it OK. Have fun on your trip.