I need advice on towing

[SlicksInRain]

I towed another K5 (it was on the trailer in reverse to clear the fenders of the trailer) last summer on an auto transport from u-haul and it was nuts anytime I went over 50mph. I was using my K5 for that one. Later I found out it wasn't bright in the first place to be towing anything with a short wheel base vehicle.

I will be towing another U-Haul trailer from AZ to MI next week, but I can't decide if I should use the Blazer because of the mountans or my Procharged Mercury Marauder because of the longer wheel base and it has 530hp with a built tranny. I know the trailer is different than an auto transport and the weight will be distributed better this time. Will the K5 be okay or should I go with my Mercury?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[tRustyK5]

You likely had problems due to lack of tongue weight last time. Figure the closest to actual total trailer weight, and make sure you have at least 10% on the tongue. Using weight distributing bars helps a ton too!

I'll take suspension and heavier brakes over hp when towing anyday. Also, i doubt the Marauder has much if any more wheelbase than a K5 anyways.

Rene

 

[GNERGY]

I had the same problem towing my 81 burb from minnesota back to Ohio. I didn't have enough tongue weight, didn't have it far enough forward on the trailer. When I would go over 45 mph it would swerve all over the road. It ended up being a 20 hour trip back to Ohio.
Tarey

 

[toomany]

x3 on the tounge weight. I tow with my Blazer all the time (actually twice a week now that it's winter). I usually pull a two place or four place snowmobile trailer. In the summer I pull a car trailer with my Camaro on it...or if I can't get the car trailer...I load the car onto the four place trailer. Took a few trips to figure out the weight distribution on that one.

 

[rompinstompinmudmonkey]

Tow with the blazer. It has better suspension and is heavier Make sure you have at least 60% or more weight on the front of the trailer and have trailer brakes. just cuz you can get a load moving doesn't mean you can stop it

 

[SlicksInRain]

I just don't want this truck to break down on me! I'll make the drive and I'll be around Colorado and might even make a stop in Denver to visit someone. This will be a fun road trip!!!

 

[nchinca]

Use the Blazer - Merc was not really made to tow whereas the Blazer at least has the 1/2 ton drivetrain and probably a stronger frame. It also has the 4wd in case you hit snow.

 

[Tripp]

Here is what happens when you have too much dirt on the rear of a 3.5 ton trailer and attempting to do 45 mph.

 

[Tripp]

More pix..

 

[Tripp]

 

[76zimmer]

there is a library that could be researched on this subject, but basically you really should have weight distribution bars and hitch on your tow vehicle, and load the vehicle for about 10% of towed weight on the tongue. Again there is so much info. on this subject, you need to tailor it all to your particular app.