Tow rig upgrade and trailer purchase ideas

[Kota4bye]

But with driveover fenders and an 18' trailer, it's a different ballgame. The driveovers are longer than normal fenders, let alone what you're viewing as "over the axles". It doesn't leave much room to scoot a K5 around. Look at the pics of his "dream trailer" if you don't understand what I'm getting at. The fenders reach way back on the trailer.



I just know how easy it is to end up too wide to fit between fenders. 96" is a lot of room on a deckover, but you'll only have 83" at best between the driveover fenders, even though overall is 102". I have lived to regret buying a lowdeck trailer and having to modify it to fit some of the trucks and deal with not having tiedowns across the fender section. I thought the height of a deckover was a big deal when I was buying, but it's really a minor issue(only 6-8" difference).
On a side note, I think it's funny that PJ lists 15" tires and even mentioned 1800lb tire rating on one of their ads, which is barely enough for a 7k trailer. BTW, I'd upgrade the coupler to a 2 5/16" if you get the buggy hauler, too, since the trailer is rated at 9,990.

I got ya, had to look closer at picture.

This thread isnt about whether or not the 73 can do it. This thread is to figure out HOW its going to do it. Bunch of pessimist you are


interesting... So the trailer that i listed as less than ideal is actually the ideal set up for me. I didnt realize having electric brakes was that vital but i will definitley put it up as a neccessity check mark when im going over potential trailers.

Definately add brakes to the second axle. Should only cost you a 2-300 if you have to do it yourself. And a good controller or they are pretty much useless to you.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

is the k5 even rated to handle the weight of the k5 & trailer & camping gear behind it?

thinking about the legalities of it. not even the safe driving but what if you get pulled over/inspected of your load? sorry if that was covered in the other thread.
i would say a priority over the power of the tow rig would be the stopping of the tow rig. make sure all the brakes are in tippy top condition, along with the trailer brakes.
and make sure you have great insurance coverage for you and the trailer and everything on it.

 

[blazinzuk]

is the k5 even rated to handle the weight of the k5 & trailer & camping gear behind it?

thinking about the legalities of it. not even the safe driving but what if you get pulled over/inspected of your load? sorry if that was covered in the other thread.
i would say a priority over the power of the tow rig would be the stopping of the tow rig. make sure all the brakes are in tippy top condition, along with the trailer brakes.
and make sure you have great insurance coverage for you and the trailer and everything on it.

This is actually a great point. I know where I live they won't even look sideways at just about anything full size towing anything. But in Cali it may be illegal what you are doing.

Double check and if you get in an accident and the insurance finds you were hauling more than the manufactures recommended towing they may not cover it

I will see if I can scrounge up my 73 owners manual and see what it says

 

[Smokinthehippies]

well i know bay area DOT has been cracking down hardcore lately trying to scrounge up money.
hollister even started checking currect registration before they let you in. got a ticket for that too. lol damn broke state.

 

[2BLAZERS]

well i know bay area DOT has been cracking down hardcore lately trying to scrounge up money.
hollister even started checking currect registration before they let you in. got a ticket for that too. lol damn broke state.

So what are they checking?

License and registration?
Licensing for tow vehicle, trailer and if the right license is paid for it?
GVW of tow vehicle and trailer?

In Oregon you must run 'T' plates if you tow a trailer RATED over 8k, then pay licensing on combined weight of load, trailer and truck. Even for noncommercial people. (RV's not included in the rule at all).
My trailers are all 10k or 14k so my Dodge is licensed for 26k combined rating $ 764 per year Many, Many offroaders have been stopped for this because they put two Jeeps on a 10ton gooseneck trailer borrowed from so & sos dad. $ 1000 fine

Its stupid for me to need to license a 10k 12' dump trailer for personal use costs an arm and a leg. But if I bought a 40' motorhome and a 30 'stacker trailer = no rules, WTF.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

yeah theyre just making sure your tags are current. i know its not a big but they used to never check so i wasnt ready for a ticket. its just they looking for a way to 9increase revenue.
and those are the kind of fines i was refering to

 

[gotblazers]

This is actually a great point. I know where I live they won't even look sideways at just about anything full size towing anything. But in Cali it may be illegal what you are doing.

Double check and if you get in an accident and the insurance finds you were hauling more than the manufactures recommended towing they may not cover it

I will see if I can scrounge up my 73 owners manual and see what it says

Nothing i can really do about what a piece of paper says. My drivetrain is properly built to handle this load and if you read back in this thread i will be making a 73 k5 as tow worthy as is physically possible from tires to electric brakes and controller as well as a proper hitch with sway control to the airbags in the rear.

well i know bay area DOT has been cracking down hardcore lately trying to scrounge up money.
hollister even started checking currect registration before they let you in. got a ticket for that too. lol damn broke state.

Interesting, I've never been checked for anything at hollister in the 10 or so times ive been there in the last year. Hell they dont even check for a license . I coulda been a kid with no license in a stolen truck and never had an issue.

 

[blazinzuk]

The reason I say that is that even in Idaho (although its not enforced at all) and I bet in cali there is too, a law that states it is illegal to tow a trailer with a GTW (gross trailer weight) that is beyond what the manufacturer states the vehicle is capable of.

Although I have seen 3/4 tons trucks towing triple axle toy haulers with the headlights pointed at the sky and the rear springs frowning heavily in cali (and all over the place for that matter)

Just sayin check the laws before you throw some money into the 73 and then can't use it cause your getting pulled over every time you tow with it.

Not saying don't do it.

 

[gotblazers]

The reason I say that is that even in Idaho (although its not enforced at all) and I bet in cali there is too, a law that states it is illegal to tow a trailer with a GTW (gross trailer weight) that is beyond what the manufacturer states the vehicle is capable of.

Although I have seen 3/4 tons trucks towing triple axle toy haulers with the headlights pointed at the sky and the rear springs frowning heavily in cali (and all over the place for that matter)

Just sayin check the laws before you throw some money into the 73 and then can't use it cause your getting pulled over every time you tow with it.

Not saying don't do it.

Well i checked the door after having no luck finding its GVW weight on-line or in my chilton handbook and the 73 k5's GVW is 6200 pounds. All gassed up with me in it its probably about 5,2-5,300 pounds. With a trailer weight total of lets say 7k that gives me a 700 pound hitch weight. Total weight in a worst case situation like that is still 200 pounds under GVW. This is what it was made for stock btw. With all the modern upgrades im making this thing should tow like a dream at 55.

 

[shovelbill80]

This thread isnt about whether or not the 73 can do it. This thread is to figure out HOW its going to do it. Bunch of pessimist you are

realists actually.........

 

[shovelbill80]

Well i checked the door after having no luck finding its GVW weight on-line or in my chilton handbook and the 73 k5's GVW is 6200 pounds. All gassed up with me in it its probably about 5,2-5,300 pounds. With a trailer weight total of lets say 7k that gives me a 700 pound hitch weight. Total weight in a worst case situation like that is still 200 pounds under GVW. This is what it was made for stock btw. With all the modern upgrades im making this thing should tow like a dream at 55.

GVWR is 6200......combined limit is 11,000......you can legally tow 4800 lbs. if your truck is maxed out..............and it sure as hell won't tow like a dream, not even close. all your upgrades won't increase the wheelbase.

it doesn't take much to screw up a good thing......this guy was well within his limit with a 5th wheel 2 car carrier....killed 5 people including himself. i've put this picture up a bunch of times. if it gives a reality check to just one person, it's worth the bandwidth.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Instead of upgrading the k5. Why not upgrade your dodge DD for towing?
Or just take the money you'd use to make the k5 something it isn't and put towards a tow rig

 

[gotblazers]

Instead of upgrading the k5. Why not upgrade your dodge DD for towing?
Or just take the money you'd use to make the k5 something it isn't and put towards a tow rig

The dodge DD is one of those mitsubishi mighty max's pick ups.

 

[blazinzuk]

The dodge DD is one of those mitsubishi mighty max's pick ups.

yah I would tow with the blazer too

 

[gotblazers]

yah I would tow with the blazer too

Hell my dads 00 jeep grand cherokee tows better than that thing

Edit: Found what might be a good project trailer if i wanted to go that route. Probably wouldnt save any money by the time i was done but i'd be a little smarter

 

[shovelbill80]

you don't have a proper tow rig, you don't have a trailer or anything to put on it yet.....why don't you finish the other truck (76?) from the other thread and go out on a date?

stop putting the cart before the horse....nothing ever gets done that way .

 

[gotblazers]

you don't have a proper tow rig, you don't have a trailer or anything to put on it yet.....why don't you finish the other truck (76?) from the other thread and go out on a date?

stop putting the cart before the horse....nothing ever gets done that way .

So im getting ready to pick up a trailer so i can green sticker the 76. Theres countless obstacles ive backed down from because i had that lingering burden of having to drive it home but that will be no more.

...

 

[blazinzuk]

Hell my dads 00 jeep grand cherokee tows better than that thing

Edit: Found what might be a good project trailer if i wanted to go that route. Probably wouldnt save any money by the time i was done but i'd be a little smarter

I have helped with project trailers and unless there is something special about them (say 5k axles with brakes) I bet you will be more than just buying one.

You still got a little time I picked my trailer up for 700 bucks but I talked to the guy about it over about 3 months time.

 

[rjfguitar]

I didnt realize having electric brakes was that vital but i will definitley put it up as a neccessity check mark when im going over potential trailers.

Without electric brakes you wouldn't be able to stop worth a darn. electric brakes that work good will cut your stopping distance in half.

My drivetrain is properly built to handle this load.

No.....it's not actually....

Well i checked the door after having no luck finding its GVW weight on-line or in my chilton handbook and the 73 k5's GVW is 6200 pounds. All gassed up with me in it its probably about 5,2-5,300 pounds. With a trailer weight total of lets say 7k that gives me a 700 pound hitch weight. Total weight in a worst case situation like that is still 200 pounds under GVW. This is what it was made for stock btw. With all the modern upgrades im making this thing should tow like a dream at 55.

As mentioned, you are not reading the label properly. It means that you could load your K5 up with say, 3 really fat women. If 4 really fat women put you over 6200lbs, then that means 3 fat women would be your limit. It has nothing to do with a trailer, get it?

I know you really want this to work, but a K5 towing a K5 just doesn't reliably work. A K5's towing capability comes close to being able to do it, but it does indeed come up short. Close only counts with horse shoes, hand grenades, and slow dancing.

 

[gotblazers]

I have helped with project trailers and unless there is something special about them (say 5k axles with brakes) I bet you will be more than just buying one.

You still got a little time I picked my trailer up for 700 bucks but I talked to the guy about it over about 3 months time.

The project one i found on CL was 795 listed. Looked like it needed new floorboards,tires and Electric brakes. I figure buy it for 500 and its probably worth doing. But something newer already done is ideal.

Without electric brakes you wouldn't be able to stop worth a darn. electric brakes that work good will cut your stopping distance in half.

No.....it's not actually....



As mentioned, you are not reading the label properly. It means that you could load your K5 up with say, 3 really fat women. If 4 really fat women put you over 6200lbs, then that means 3 fat women would be your limit. It has nothing to do with a trailer, get it?

I know you really want this to work, but a K5 towing a K5 just doesn't reliably work. A K5's towing capability comes close to being able to do it, but it does indeed come up short. Close only counts with horse shoes, hand grenades, and slow dancing.

Im with you on the electric brakes 100% and i plan to run them on both axles for sure.

As far as the Drivetrain, The th350 has a towing shift kit in it and 0 miles since rebuild. The 350 has an RV cam and crank on a freshly machined blocks with hydraulic lifters and other fancy **** i cant think of atm. Regardless its supposed to put out 400 horsepower all said and done and its completely balanced for spinning up to higher rpms. Short of a big block or a diesel (before you ask, im not swapping in a cummins ) how are you going to get any better?

As to your doubts of Whether itll do it or not. My uncle who owned it prior to my self has been a truck driver for over 30 years and towed 6500 lbs with it quite a few times without airbags or any of the upgrades i listed and said keep it under 55 and you wont have a problem. So i really have no doubt its going to do it when a guy who makes his living towing tells me it can do it especially when hes done it himself with that vehicle. I admit i do have some rose colored glasses on right now but when a guy who makes his living towing and actually cares about my personal safety gives me the go ahead i dont think im being unreasonable to believe him. I will obviously admit that its not ideal and im sure with someone who is used to towing with a long wheel base legendary cummins. towing with such a inferior towing vehicle is a laughing matter but its what i got for now . Im pretty sure ive said this more than once but i'll say it again, This is a temporary set up. I dont expect to go far this way.

Im on here to find out the best ways to do it, Which blazinuk has pretty much told me how so now we are arguing over whether its possible or not even though its already been done . It would appear this thread is going to become another WHEELBASE!!!! thread despite my best efforts.