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Newbie towing

stockk5

stockk5

1/2 ton status
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Like the title days, im a newbie to towing other vehicles. My dually is my tow rig and k5 is the toy.

From what I read a 7500k trailer can do the job, just isn't ideal.

10k is the real solution? Im on a tight budget now so trying to see if i just should save more or a 7500 ok.

Thoughts?
 
How much does your K5 weigh? How much does the empty trailer weigh? Add the two together and that is GVW. Be sure not to exceed the trailer GVW rating, better to leave a little buffer if you want to leave other stuff in the K5.
 
I'm here to tell you 10k.

Just feel the pain once. Really. Cause that 7500 lb trailers actual load capacity is probably closer to 5k.

You will never ever ever ever regret getting the 10k. Bigger brakes, bigger bearings, just everything beefier.
 
stockk5 said:
ok, yeah... i kinda figured i knew the answer... *kicks rocks* guess ill keep saving... ha!
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Yep. Used trailers are no big deal either mine was used and only a 7000 lb deal. But it was 300 bucks soooo
 
damn, 300 bucks!? I would prob go for that even if I got 1 year out of it.
 
stockk5 said:
damn, 300 bucks!? I would prob go for that even if I got 1 year out of it.
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Yep! I've had to replace one axle. The other is slightly bent. Do bearings once a year . It gets used hard. But as soon as I can I'll get a bigger one.
 
There's a few things that go with that trailer purchase you need to remember...
Good ratchet straps, at least 6
Axle straps
Weight distributing hitch
Sway control
At least 1 spare, preferably 2
A couple 18" or so chunks of load rated chain with a hook on at least one end.
Trailer brake controller

A tounge weight scale would be nice if your new at it so that you get it close to right. Once you know where your toy needs to sit you can mark the trailer and always put it there.


And yes 10k all the way. I just bought one this year and Im SO glad I opted for the extra capacity.
 
Huh, guess i'll play devil advocate once again.
You probably don't need a 10k. Nice, sure, needed?? Only you can decide.
I have been rocking a 7k trailer for years, and between me and my family borrowing it, we have beat the shit out of it without issue. Sure, I might like a 10k but it's not needed in my honest opinion.
You just hauling a k5 blazer around? 7k would be fine.

Here's a quick pic of it with my last purchase from last weekend. Not close to 7k, but I've had my k30 dump truck on it and it was fine. That's probably pretty close to 7k

IMG_20181006_180732281.jpg
 
A 7k will work. It'll probably work fine. I know plenty of people that have ran mildly overloaded alot. But after towing with a 10k and having towed (little) with an overloaded small trailer... I'll go overboard any time.
Having brakes rated for more, and the fact of less maintenance on bearings and such, makes up for the little extra cost.

A 7k vs a 10k when I bought mine was a $900 difference. Sounds like a lot. But in the off chance that somthsome bad happens, it would be much better to be under rated than explain how you were overloaded. A normal stock k5 is pushing the limits, if not over, the legal load capacity of a 7k trailer.

Will a 7k do. YES.

Should you do it... :dunno:
Up to what your willing to explain
 
beags86 said:
I understand how it works. I Don't change my opinion.

A basic 1/2 ton k5? Who cares, now maybe a big block, tons, 40s, and cage...
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I think this is the kicker. Most of us on here have built off-road rigs which are heavy as shit. If it’s just a run of the mill k5 a 7k would be more than adequate. But since he said toy I’m leaning towards it’s probabky bigger and heavier and a 10k is worth it.
 
shady said:
A 7k will work. It'll probably work fine. I know plenty of people that have ran mildly overloaded alot. But after towing with a 10k and having towed (little) with an overloaded small trailer... I'll go overboard any time.
Having brakes rated for more, and the fact of less maintenance on bearings and such, makes up for the little extra cost.

A 7k vs a 10k when I bought mine was a $900 difference. Sounds like a lot. But in the off chance that somthsome bad happens, it would be much better to be under rated than explain how you were overloaded. A normal stock k5 is pushing the limits, if not over, the legal load capacity of a 7k trailer.

Will a 7k do. YES.

Should you do it... :dunno:
Up to what your willing to explain
Click to expand...
That's if you get pulled over. And weighed. Never happened to me, even when pulling my broken down plow truck with a plow on.
 
I wasn't thinking of weighed. I was thinking of the off chance you rearend someone by chance, OR blow a tire and pile it into the median... Insurance can refuse to pay if your beyond the law.

It's an off chance. But worth the extra $900..... :thinking: :dunno:.
Tough choice. Plenty of people have done it. And been perfectly fine... It's up to the individual to decide if that choice is fine to them or not.
 
from a guy who has seen lots of damage and cheeped out purchases go south over the years in the auto world of repair . . . buy the 10k and be done .

always funny the guys b!tching the 1/2 ton truck wont haul the load and i eat 15" tires and brakes . . . then you should have purchased the 3/4 ton then dumb a$$

and trailers with bent axles / frames / blown 15" tires / only 1 axle with brakes / small parts . just buy the big one .

as said 16" tires for trailers is were its at if you plan trips and big loads . i just got 4 16" 14 ply :yikes: trailer tires for a project for under 600 bucks shipped to my door . your not going to get that to easy if at all in 15"
tire size . bigger better brakes and on all axles is the ticket for safety on the roads these days with all the crazy drivers . 1 good panic stop could be the difference between stopped and or in a ball of metal .

the few bucks more now up front will more than pay off in less maintenance later in the trailers life span . and the DOT boys are starting to play with everyone these days now not just the big boys .
 
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