Need a tire to tire measurement on an 88 K5 ASAP

[Fabrimacator21]

I'm planning on going out of town tomorrow to get my blazer but don't know if it will fit the dolly at the local rental yard.

Can someone pull a tape from the outside of the front tire to the other outside of the front tire?

Hoping it's under 84"

Thanks in advance.

 

[EIB8400]

Mine is sitting right around 80" with 33" bfgs.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I just ran outside and took a measurement and it is roughly 83" with a 35/12.5/16 tire on an 8" wheel with the standard back spacing.

How far do you have to move the blazer and will it see the freeway while on the dolly? The reason i ask is a dolly is actually not suppose to hold a vehicle this large and they aren't meant to go over 45 mph while on a dolly (most rental yards have stickers on them that say that even).

 

[Fabrimacator21]

Thanks for the measurements guys. Gonna be real tight if I try and use the dolly. I running 35's so it's pushing it.

The dolley I was looking at is a "truck" dolly. I'm not sure what the max rating is on it.

Are the ratings on the dollies for weight on the dolly itself or total weight towing?

I'll be towing roughly 70 miles... most of it highway. I figure I could get away with 50 mph. maybe back it down to 45 and put the flashers on.

Heres the one I'm looking at. I need to call them tomorrow. Gonna get real expensive if I have to get a trailer.
http://www.guyrents.net/equipment.asp?action=category&category=89&key=DOLT%2D1

Also I'm trying to use a dolly because my jeep is rated at 5000lbs. I'm not worried about it's ability to tow. Just getting pulled over and having a chp or cop want to weigh it. I'll be right around 5000lb's (I'm guessing) if I use the dolley. No doubt it'll be over 5000 if I use a trailer.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I've got news for you, i weighed my blazer and with a D60 front axle and a 14ff out back with rear disc swap and the typical lift it weighed in at 5,880 and i've since added a rear tube bumper with a swing out tire carrier that i built so i'm guessing right around 6100 now. If you get stopped it won't be pretty.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

I figured....

I know it's a long shot. I'm still on 1/2 tons but the 35's probably already took it over 5k.

Stock weight was 4700 lbs I beleive.

It's gonna be a cop magnet if I'm doing 45 on the 70 mph freeway with my flashers. I might be less conspicuos with the trailer. If I'm gonna get reemed either way might as well be able to go 55 (Less chance of getting pulled over) and not be pushing the limits of a dolly.

Haven't seen too many of the dodge ram chp's(the ones with scales in their truck) on that route but I may have just jinxed myself.

Ok so I'm gonna say 6300 lbs total with trailer. As far as going over the rated capacity do I need to worry?

 

[Fabrimacator21]

Change that to 7300... I've got an old 350 and a bunch of stuff in it.

 

[chulisohombre]

unless you are in a dot regulated vehicle,i have never been bothered while towing something.the whole jeep towing a blazer sounds like trouble to begin with though.i would borrow a larger truck from a friend if possible.ive never known anyone getting a ticket from overtowing with a personal vehicle.but maybe i dont know the right people.either way you are way pushing a jeep to do that much work pulling a blazer.

 

[4X4HIGH]

unless you are in a dot regulated vehicle,i have never been bothered while towing something.the whole jeep towing a blazer sounds like trouble to begin with though.i would borrow a larger truck from a friend if possible.ive never known anyone getting a ticket from overtowing with a personal vehicle.but maybe i dont know the right people.either way you are way pushing a jeep to do that much work pulling a blazer.

You don't know California very well. I have several friends who have gotten nailed for towing beyond the limit of the tow vehicle and the fines are not cheap by any means. Also it is very dangerous to use a vehicle smaller than the vehicle you wish to tow, this has BAD written all over it in several ways.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

unless you are in a dot regulated vehicle,i have never been bothered while towing something.the whole jeep towing a blazer sounds like trouble to begin with though.i would borrow a larger truck from a friend if possible.ive never known anyone getting a ticket from overtowing with a personal vehicle.but maybe i dont know the right people.either way you are way pushing a jeep to do that much work pulling a blazer.

I don't really have a choice.

It's plenty stoute. I was very impressed with it's ability to pull and stop my almost 4000lb boat. Plenty of power from the 318(more hp then the 350's in our blazers and the same tq at a lower rpm).

Only thing I'm really worried about as far as towing it goes is stopping. I'm gonna need to be real careful.

I'm hoping the trailer has surge brakes.

 

[colbystephens]

I don't really have a choice.

actually, you do. you can plan properly and rent a tow rig if it comes down to it.

you already know my opinion about this, so i won't go on and on w/ respect to how this is a terrible idea. however, if you're going to do it - make sure you know that the tire straps are long enough to go around a 35" tire. it would suck to rent that trailer and then not be able to strap your blazer down to it.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I don't really have a choice.

It's plenty stoute. I was very impressed with it's ability to pull and stop my almost 4000lb boat. Plenty of power from the 318(more hp then the 350's in our blazers and the same tq at a lower rpm).

Only thing I'm really worried about as far as towing it goes is stopping. I'm gonna need to be real careful.

I'm hoping the trailer has surge brakes.

Isn't that the best reason to use the proper tow rig for the vehicle being towed?

 

[Fabrimacator21]

I just called AAA and upgraded my membership. Since it was only 5 bucks to upgrade and I have 2 months left until it expires I got it for free. 3 free 100 mile tows.

Free=better then 70 bucks and risking a ticket or accident. I'm stoked.

After doing some reading, the jeep is good up to 6500lbs with a 30ft trailer. The hitch itself is what's keeping the rating at 5000lbs. I'd need a class 4 hitch. It came with all the other tow package stuff, high temp seals, tranny cooler, better brakes, etc.

EDIT: Just looked at the hitch and it is a class 4... 6500lbs. Would have been doable but no point now.

Thanks for the help.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Now go look at AAA policy and they will not tow a lifted rig or one with large tires.

Limitations And Exclusions


Towing will not be provided to vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or to vehicles or trailers that have been altered, loaded or constructed in a way that interferes with the safe rendering of service.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

Now go look at AAA policy and they will not tow a lifted rig or one with large tires.

Limitations And Exclusions


Towing will not be provided to vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or to vehicles or trailers that have been altered, loaded or constructed in a way that interferes with the safe rendering of service.

Never had any problems with it.... They've towed it a total of 3 times and never said a word.

It was a hell of a site to see that thing on a flatbed. CG was up there.

I didn't consider them before because they used to have a rule that said you can't get the 100 mile tows if you haven't been a member for at least a year. They just changed it.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Yeah, it says you have to wait 48 hours now.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

yup...

I'll have to do it tuesday.


With AAA, just tell em your rig is unmodified when you join. They won't know any different (unless you get a d-bag of a tow truck driver) and the tow truck drivers don't care. Most of the time they want to know what it's got for running gear, motor etc.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Guess it's different everywhere you go, around here once the driver shows up and sees that it's lifted or has larger tires than stock they tell you sorry can't tow this one.

 

[colbystephens]

I just called AAA and upgraded my membership. Since it was only 5 bucks to upgrade and I have 2 months left until it expires I got it for free. 3 free 100 mile tows.

Free=better then 70 bucks and risking a ticket or accident. I'm stoked.

After doing some reading, the jeep is good up to 6500lbs with a 30ft trailer. The hitch itself is what's keeping the rating at 5000lbs. I'd need a class 4 hitch. It came with all the other tow package stuff, high temp seals, tranny cooler, better brakes, etc.

EDIT: Just looked at the hitch and it is a class 4... 6500lbs. Would have been doable but no point now.

Thanks for the help.

Great decision! Hope it works out and they give you no problems with it. I'm really glad you decided to not overload a trailer.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

Guess it's different everywhere you go, around here once the driver shows up and sees that it's lifted or has larger tires than stock they tell you sorry can't tow this one.

most of the companies around here are more concerned with making money then they are with rules and regulations. They would lose my business as soon as I heard "sorry, can't tow it".

Great decision! Hope it works out and they give you no problems with it. I'm really glad you decided to not overload a trailer.

Me too. It was a relief finding out it'll tow 6500 but, if I'm gonna be realistic I'd still be overloaded. Double axle flatbeds(only trailers around here that will haul a K5) usually run around 2500lbs. Yeah it's only 1000lb over the rating but with that high cg on the trailer and short wheelbase, it'd be sketch.