Tow vehicle

for an average size antique tractor how big of a truck do you need to haul it like a half ton will work right i was wondering if a ford ranger would
 
(quoted from post at 10:53:20 03/27/11) for an average size antique tractor how big of a truck do you need to haul it like a half ton will work right i was wondering if a ford ranger would

What is an average size antique tractor?????

I sure wouldn't pull mine with a 1/2 ton or ranger.

You will get decent info if you say what the tractor is and what your trailer is.
 
the tractor i plan on restoring is a MH 30 but i dont have a truck or trailer i hope to pay some one to tow that one but i mean for future towing i want to purchase a truck and trailer to haul them and i dont wont have much money i will have like 2500
 
It would be a minimum of a 3/4 ton truck and a 10,000 lbs trailer with working brakes. ANYTHING LESS ON THE TRUCK SIDE you have crossed the line of truck pulling the trailer to trailer driving the truck !!!!!! Going with the 3/4 truck will give you a lot less stressful ride [ white knuckle driving ]
 
(quoted from post at 08:38:07 03/27/11) It would be a minimum of a 3/4 ton truck and a 10,000 lbs trailer with working brakes. ANYTHING LESS ON THE TRUCK SIDE you have crossed the line of truck pulling the trailer to trailer driving the truck !!!!!! Going with the 3/4 truck will give you a lot less stressful ride [ white knuckle driving ]


i wont go that far, i mean ya i wouldn't wanna pull anything like my Farmall M or the jd 60 i had with a 1/2 ton, put i don't see the point in a 10,000 trailer. i just pulled my newly acquired w-9 home with my 3/4 and 16 ft utility trailer, it was def heavy but with the right speed it did just fine. i even passed 3 dot officers and all just waved as they passed by.
 
For an MH30, a solid carhauler rated for 7000# would be adequate. You'd be looking at loading a 2500-3000# tractor on a trailer that, if solidly built, will run 2100-2300#. That's gonna leave you 1500-2000# to spare ("to spare" is always good" and the deck will be of a length that you will have room to move the tractor fore and aft to find the best spot for balance and hauling behavior.

As for the treuck to haul it, I'vve always found it easier and less worrisome to haul with a stick, and even then, in a 3/4 ton or better. Even asx relatively light as your loasd would be, there ain't nothin' quite like listenin' to the motor of an F-150 screech up over 5K when the automatic transmission drops down into second to make a hill, even with a load as light as yours. Never worried about the motor, but the transmission. Well maintained truck and trailer (read "brakes"), you'll do okay with a car hauler (brakes on both axles) and a pickup. If only occasional hauling, you can live with a half-ton. Hauling frequently or far, you'll want a 3/4.
 
I have a 07 silverado half ton and a 25 foot Gooseneck trailer. Half ton pulls it just fine. I've put 6000 88 oliver on it with a golfcart and no problems, will put 2 tractors on it this year weight for both will be about 11,000 truck has the 5.3 in it. 3/4 ton would be better but I only use it about 12 times a year. Rig starts and stops just fine and for the engine, well if you go back say 10 years my half ton has more power than a 3/4 ton did back then. Just make sure you have a tranny cooler. plus its all flat land where im at to.
 
im thinking i will have to spend a little more money because for around 4000 i can get a newer f350 with a 7.3 but i was also thinking of a 1980s f250 with 300 straight 6 i heard they pull like a beast
 
I had a van with that 300. Good motor, they had it for as long or longer than the reliable 8-cyl 302. They sold it for a lot of years in fleet contract vehicles (taxis and rentals cars, etc . . .) before they made it an option for you or me at the dealer's. A hoss of an engine for what it was -- but not built for pullin' trailers.
 
I towed with a 1/2 ton for years and a utility
trailer. A ranger isn't enough, A 150 will get as
good as or better gas mileage. Saying that I have a
F250 4/4 with a 5.4 and a 15000 lb goose neck deck-
over trailer, I love it. A 150 4/4 ( low range and
4/4 is important) and a 7000 lb utility trailer will
be just right to haul a 4500 lb tractor.
 
What's it got for a rear end? The 5.4 is up to it, but a tool bed is heavy.

Sounds like you're castin' around a bit for a truck to haul your tractor. Rule of thumb is to find the lightest truck you can that's got the motor and drivetrain to do what you want to do.

From that ideal, it involves compromises with other things you might want to do with the truck.
 
A 1/2 ton will do just fine if the total weight of the tractor and
trailer is under 7000 lbs....If over that go with a 3/4 ton..Forget a
Ranger..

Many-many years ago I often pulled 7000 lb loads with a 1968
Chevy C-10 with a 327 and automatic..It did just fine and got
great gas mileage...Todays 1/2 tons are so much more truck
than they used to be..
 
I have pulled my CA Allis that weighs about 2800 all over the midwest behind a 98 Ranger with a 4cyl and 5 speed trans. As long as you remembered to allow stopping distance and realized it was not going to climb hills with any real speed, it did just fine. A half ton would have been better, or at least a 4.0 V6. The 4cyl got the job done.
 
Used trailers hold up their value more than used trucks seem to. I would start looking for the trailer that has the brakes and springs to handle the load. Then, I would look for the truck that has the towing capacity for the trailer and load. If the engine is too small you can be overheating. I've had the best luck pulling a trailer with a 350. By the way, you'll like the mechanic's truck with all those compartments, you can keep all your tools and chains in the compartments, but watch out for rust, the service bodies rust faster than the truck.
 
for the average tractor of 4000# or less, a 16' car hauler and a half ton truck will work. make sure the truck has a brake controller and the trailer has axles.

for real small tractors like cubs or allis G.. ih a-b-c , etc, a 12-14' trailer and a chevy s10 / ranger would work... but.. less than optimal.. as you want a tandem trailer.. not a single axle..

soundguy
 
A properly equipped 1/2 ton today is heavier than a 3/4 ton of years past. I have 1979 3/4 ton that with exception of the rear springs and 14 bolt rear is equal to a modern 1/2 ton. My latest haul was 700 miles round trip, 10,160 lb going and almost 18,000 lb return trip in nasty hills. 2001 Chevy 1/2 ton, 3.73 gears, auto trans (w/cooler), and little 5.3L. Averaged 9-11 mpg at 65 mph. The tractor is an Allis Chalmers 180. the scale tickets (CAT Scales) said it weighed approx 7500 lb (ballasted) and the trailer is approx 4500 lb.

CIMG2424.jpg


Enjoy,
CT
 
Charles does what he does, but he is VERY experienced, and knows what he's doing.

I would not recommend that a first-time tower hook 13,000lbs behind any old 1/2 ton truck and go for a ride.

My guess is that Charles's truck has a super-size transmission cooler, LT-rated tires, and helper springs at a minimum. 3.73 gearing is not common on 1/2 ton trucks. Usually it's 3.42, 3.23, or 3.08. To get your average used off-the-lot 1/2 ton 4x4 truck up to "properly equipped" will run you a few thousand $$$ at least.

Sure, today's 1/2 ton trucks have about the same capabilities as a 1970's 3/4 ton truck, so they'll tow heavy loads like a 1970's 3/4 ton truck. Unfortunately, you're not driving on 1970's roads.
 
www.vehix.com will have your answers...

combined gross vehicle rating
vehicle gross rating
front axel gross rating
rear axel gross rating

all four ratings can be found. It is not wise to exceed any of these ratings..
 
Here"s what I feel comfortable with with my 1/2 ton (F150, 4.6L V8, 5 speed with 3.55 gears and Hellwig helper springs (soon to be 4.10 gears (need to get those in soon!!)))

Here"s a 16+2 7000lb "standard car hauler." I don"t know what it weighs empty but I"m fairly certain it"s less than 2000lbs, I always tell myself 1800 when figuring loads.

First picture is on my unstyled A. Pulls that load like a dream. 65MPH no problem in 4th on flat ground. Next is the same tractor, shifted further forward, with a 318 strapped on behind it. Pulled pretty much the same, little heavier, but for my flat area once it"s rolling I have no trouble driving how I wish.

Any bigger and I"ll be getting a bigger truck and trailer. I"m eyeing F250/350 with the V10 and 6 speeds, auto or manual :)

DSCN0480.jpg


DSCN0714.jpg


DSCN0717.jpg


DSCN0561.jpg
 
I just pulled my AC WD with a 2009 f150 quad cab 4x4
v8 and my 7000 gwv flatbed trailer. it pulls like a
dream. with the tractor you said your getting the
1/2 ton pick up and 7000 lb trailer should work just
fine. I even pulled my tractor and trailer with a
ranger to get it 3 miles down the road, but i
wouldn"t recommend it though. no pictures of the
f150, but you can take a look at my trailer and my
ranger pulling it.
My hauling set up.
 
every body preference is different. did you think of safety factors. now and later, how much weight are you going to put on trailer? is the truck heavy duty enough to handle weight, is trucks wheelbase long enough to keep under control when stopping,etc, depending on load. does the truck have heavy-duty brakes to stop, and stop straight without jackknifing. can't depend on trailer brakes because of time delay with brake controller. been driving a 18-wheeler for 30 yrs and have a 1-ton truck with 5th wheel goose-neck to handle it all. [my friendly opinion]
 
[b:d6162b6117]1 dollar[/b:d6162b6117], that A has your F150 squatting hard. And you have helper springs? The picture of the 1500 in the above picture doesn't have helpers. I believe my springs are heavier than a standard 1/2 ton, but it was equipped from the factory for towing a large camper. How much does the unstyled A weigh, 5000? Also the 318 is a nice machine. I have used the hyd blade for backfilling trenches numerous times.

[b:d6162b6117]mkirsh[/b:d6162b6117], you are right on, it is not a run of the mill 1/2 ton. The build sheet has many options that bring up its abilities. The 3.73 limited slip is stock, 4.10 was an option (wish I had it). Heavier rear springs and aux trans cooler as well as 7 wire and brake wiring were installed at the factory. I'm running 10 ply M/T tires, K&N Cold Air intake, exiting a 3" x 18" glass pack. When towing a load like this a passanger in the back seat needs ear plugs! This load makes the 5.3L [b:d6162b6117]BARK ![/b:d6162b6117]

If I towed more often a 3/4 with at least a 6.0L would make sense.

CT
 
Charles, I wonder if your pickup has the HD option... The standard duty has a GVWR of 6400 pounds, while the HD option has a GVWR of 8600 pounds.. The rear axel on the standard duty is rated at 3750 pounds, while the rear axel on the HD is rated at 6000 pounds; and will have springs and brakes to match...

On pickups such as the squatted F150 that you mentioned; Properly installed and adjusted Equalizer hitches will make a world of difference on a bumper pull trailer; and yep, a good set of variable ratio overload springs are a welcomed asset on a pickup suspension.
 
Nope, Charles's truck is clearly a normal Chevy 1500. Those are definitely 6-lug wheels. That style was only available in 6-lug.

The 1500HD only comes in crew cab, with 8-lug wheels, with the 6.0L gas engine.

Equalizer, or weight-distribution bars only work on bumper-pull trailers. They're a good idea when the truck is squatting like that, not only to correct the squat, but to restore the weight back to the front wheels for better handling and braking.

On a gooseneck, the weight is centered over the rear axle so it isn't adding or subtracting any weight from the front.
 
[b:f95beb5c84]mkirsch[/b:f95beb5c84] The scale tickets that I have said I only "lost" 20 lbs from the front axle and "gained" about 1400 lbs on the rear axle (on top of empty tounge weight). The remainder was on the trailer. It looks to be too far forward but I load by watching the truck. When I get a little squat, I know that it will be stable. I have loaded more or less balanced over the axles and it raises the "pucker factor" a bit :lol: Too much trailer weight, not enough truck/tounge weight. All new 12" brakes on the trailer helps too!

happy trailering

CT
 
[b:1bc7d4c2cc]BDT[/b:1bc7d4c2cc] I have wondered why they even call that style a 1500 HD? It has the 8600 GVWR like a 3/4 ton. Basically it is a 3/4 ton. Remember back in the late 80's or mid 90's they had two 3/4 ton trucks (Chevy/GMC) the 6 lug 3/4 ton was standard and the 8 lug was the HD 3/4 ton while the 1/2 tons were 5 lug? I suspect the old "light 3/4, 6 lug" became the next generation 1/2 ton in the late 90's. Heck the Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra are alomst 3/4 tons themselves. rumor one mfg. (I forget) was looking a putting a small diesel into one.

happy trailering

CT
 
Yep, I remember those changes very well, working 15 years as a GM Goodwrench. Did new vehicle inspections on many of those units. Standard half ton was 6400 gvwr, standard three quarter ton was 6800 gvwr, and the heavy three quarter ton was 8600 gvwr... Dern salesmen would sell a farmer a half ton, and a few weeks later, the pickup would be in the shop getting two more leafs added to the rear springs .. Some of these Farmers carried half the farm in the back of the pickup..

1988 brought a number of changes, I remember tearing down a three quarter ton rear axel under warranty... I was thinking "overgrown Impala" with the semi-floating rear axes..But way Bigger and better.

The pickups of yesterday may be good machines, but the modern day replacements are in a class of their own...
 
[b:827ec70247]BDT[/b:827ec70247], the semi-float is the only thing that concerns me sometimes. I know that if a semi-float axle breaks it can exit the vehicle. The full float (like my 14 bolt 10.5" on my 3/4 ton) will stay on. I saw where you said 3750 lb is the designed max load, I had about 4800 lbs on it towing that load. The semi-float scenario was in the back of mind during the 350 miles I pulled the AC 180. One of the reasons I keep full synthetic fluids in the truck from bumper to bumper. I know it will not make it carry more load, but at least it may protect bearings from galling and overheating.

I have retired the old '79 to local farm duties and use the '01 1500 mainly for my longer hauls. Once I wear this one out a new 3/4 ton gasser will be my next purchase. I wish they still made the 8.1L. I have actually thought of repowering my '79 3/4 ton with an 8.1L. I have seen salvage yards sell them for $2500 ECM, wiring harness, and motor with low miles. That would be fun with 4.10 gears and a TH400. :twisted: But for now the '01 1500 has 147K on the clock with the only repair maintenance being a fuel pump, tires, and 2 batteries (now an Optima Yellow Top).

CT
 
Ya it has 2500lb Hellwig helpers but I don't have them wound too tight. I really wasn't looking to make it carry more or squat less (I don't want to get too carried away and forget its still only a 1/2 ton lol), just make it more stable, which it has really done. It won't go much lower than that, but even then the rear end doesn't get bounced around as much as it used to. I also have the front wheels of that A (yep, about 5000lbs) about 3 inches from the front rail in that snow picture, just to fit the 318 (~1000 there on the trailer with its 300 lbs of rear weights sitting on the passenger floorboard) on the back, so it's very front heavy there. And the toolbox addition added a bit of tongue weight too.
 
I have thought about helpers or air bags for that reason too. My truck is stable most of the time until I get into some hilly, curvy, sub-standard roads (Louisiana), then i notice some sway. When I went to 10 ply tires and put 70-80 psi in them even that went away.

Dad has a 318 and i mowed A LOT of grass with it growing up. Even more grass with a 300. The 300 needs an engine rebuild, it started blowing oil through the carb. Thats when he bought the 318 lightly used. The blade swaps between the two. He dosen't have weights, but both have chevron tread tires (like an R1) loaded with water.

I have thought about rebuilding the Kohler in the 300 and using it at my place. If I do it will be the 2nd time it has been punched out. He has over 1000 hrs on the Onan in the 318 and still going w/o smoke. I laugh thinking about this but when he brought it home I noticed a cylinder on the front axle. I thought it was crazy to have a lawn tractor with power steering, but it makes it nice!

Happy Trailering,
CT
 
I have a 89 F150 4x4 long bed with a straight stick and the straight six engine. Actually it will pull anything I have ever needed to and more. However I am wanting a later model with 7.3 diesel, not because I need it, or more capacity, but just because I want one.

Harold H
 
That Ford six cylinder engine was also used by UPS for many years in their vans before they went to diesel, I think they still use some. Most all were run several hundard thousand miles before they were replaced.

Harold H
 
A UPS mechanic told me the other day that the newest UPS vans have gas motors now, 6.0 Chevy V8's go figure
 
A UPS mechanic told me the other day that the newest UPS vans have gas motors now, 6.0 Chevy V8's go figure
 
[b:4ccb144604]Harold H[/b:4ccb144604] the 300 and 318 we were discussing were John Deere lawn tractors. I have known people that owned the Ford 300's and Chevy 292's. They are torque motors for their displacement if the gearing is set up to match. I have driven grain trucks with inline-6 engines that would pull with many V-8's. They just topped out at about 50 mph.

[b:4ccb144604]VicS[/b:4ccb144604] interseting that UPS went 6.0L GM gas. Maybe they know something we don't about diesel prices and maintenance cost. Most of the newer trucks in our area are Freightliner diesels (I think).

CT
 
Just today went horse riding with a few friends,
One of them had a 2 wheel drive Nisson and a 2
horse trailer. When he went to turn off the
blacktop his jack hit the ground and the trailer
jumped off the ball, his safty chains helt. and no
harm no foul. He had just one horse in the
trailer. We loaded his horse in our trailer this
made 7 behind a 2500 6 liter Chevy. It is one of
those hitches that pull up on the wedge, and there
is a adjusting nut on the bottom. I tightned it up
2 rounds. He has decided even one horse is to much
for the Nisson, he is looking for a real truck.
 

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