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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Minimum Towing Vehicle

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Glenn F.

10-24-2005 06:55:55




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I happened upon a nice used 12,000# rated tandem frame hitch trailer. It weighs 3,000#. I hauled it home with my Chevy Astro van. I do not have a pickup yet. I have a DC and SC CASE which I would like to haul around within a 50 mile radius occasionally (one at a time of course). Would a 1/2 ton pickup, V-8, stick shift, farm license, proper gear ratio, be adequate to pull 9,000#? I don't want any more truck than necessary as most of the time it will not be towing/hauling anything. Thanks, Glenn F.

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T_Bone

10-27-2005 10:54:39




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
Hi Glenn,

One thing I didn't see mentioned is a 1/2ton has pressed on wheel bearings on the axle and will pull off the axle if overloaded, like going around a cornner while overloaded.

Being at the correct GVW then hitting a pot hole on a cornner would be considered weight overloaded on one wheel.

On a 3/4ton & up use a full floating axle where the bearing is held on a indepenant shaft with it's own adjusting lock nut. The axle shaft is mated to the hub by several bolts. Over all a huge increase in design and will hold many times more of weight over loading.

There is a huge difference of towing with a 3/4ton up truck from this reason alone.

T_Bone

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Seth_ia

10-26-2005 18:54:11




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
Have done it, but very bad idea. I was hauling cement bunkline feeder about 25 miles. I figured I was hauling about 10,000#. I don't think I ever made it over 35 mph. I was using a '01 F-150 with a small V-8, automatic, and no brakes on the trailer. I had to allow ALOT of stopping distance. It took about a quarter mile mile to safely stop. I finally found an old '84 F-250 diesel with manual tranny in my price range($450) and it has a lot more stopping power. Much Safer!

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Glenn FitzGerald

10-25-2005 12:34:36




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
Thank you fellas' for the excellent information. Looks like I'm shopping for a 3/4 ton truck. I missed one earlier this spring. A fellow had a 2 wheel drive, extended cab with a blown head gasket. It was gone before I knew about it. I'm sure something will show up. Glenn F.



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Jack B Nimble

10-25-2005 05:37:46




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
Factory weight ratings are not based on what the truck will pull or haul but on the capacity of the brakes- or what it will stop! A half ton would easily pull that load but you will get pushed down hills, overheat your brakes and in case of an emergency may be in a lot of trouble. If you get into even a minor accident and they discover that the truck is loaded above its rating you will get a date with your local judge. Also, I assume the trailer has brakes. I would not haul a trailer that size without them and some states it is the law to have trailer brakes. I have a 7000 pound trailer and the panic button on the trailer brakes has saved my butt a couple of times on slippery roads.

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mj

10-24-2005 18:17:39




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
You can get by with a 1/2 ton and 8 or 9,000 GVW on the flat but you'd be asking for big trouble in the Rockies. I used my '69 3/4 ton Chevy for years doing this but the extra weight, 4-wheel disc brakes and Jake on my 6-speed '05 Ram makes it a whole bunch better.



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CNKS

10-24-2005 17:28:48




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
9000 lbs will require a 4.10 gear ratio, then you will be right on the edge. My GMC 4x4 half ton with a 4.10 rear axle is rated at 8700 lbs, I am going to try to keep it at least 1000 lbs less than that, preferably more, because the ratings are for level ground, no wind, etc, and you have to subtract all cargo from that rating. The 8700 lb rating assumes only the truck and driver. My previous 1/2 ton was only rated for about 6500, so you need to know what yours is designed to pull. Also, with a 3000 lb trailer and a 6000 lb tractor, you need a weight distributing hitch, or you will have too much weight on the hitch, the truck needs to run as level as possible. The farm tag doesn't make it pull any better or safer, either. In spite of all the hoopla about 3/4 or 1 tons, as long as you stay within the weight limits of your truck, and know what it will or will not do, you are ok with a half-ton. But, my opinion is you are exceeding the limits with your truck.

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Dick2

10-24-2005 15:02:40




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
You really need to check this carefully. As I remember, most 3/4-tons had a legal towing capacity of about 7,500 lbs. I did manage to spec a 350 Ford with 10,000 lbs. capacity. Dodge probably has something close by now.

A 1/2-ton might physically pull the load, but if you have an accident all of the liability will fall on you - even if you didn't cause the accident. The courts will find you liable because you exceeded the manufacturer's rated towing capacity. THINK LIABILITY!

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old

10-24-2005 11:14:08




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
I use a 1980 chev heavy half to do all my pulling and had no problems but as I said its a heavy halk which means it has 3/4 springs on it. Its also a 4X4 with a 4 speed. Its old enough to have been built a little better then the trucks are now days. The trailor I pull also has brakes which is a most when pulling a load. Shoot I can pull the trailor I use with my 1991 goe tracker but sure can't stop it like it needs to be stopped. 3/4 ton would be better unless your looking at an older truck like what I have.

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ed1

10-24-2005 10:38:14




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
I think a 1/2 ton is a little short when pulling 9,000#'s - I'd rate their towing capacity at 5,000# to 8,000#.

I think the 3/4 ton pickup would be better for 9,000#'s as it has larger a capacity frame and brakes but would go with a 1 ton for the full 13,000# capacity.

The deciding factor is your specific vehicles towing capacity. Their are a lot of options to increase towing capacity like a dual wheels. Check what the manufacturer rates your tow vehicle at.

I hope you have electric brakes - Stopping is what would worry me most. 9,000#'s will push even a 1 ton pickup quite a distance. Be careful

You also need 4 sets of chains and binders for that much weight that are clearly stamped. Your required to secure your tractor at 4 points. Be careful an old G70 chain rated at 5,000# + with out the markings is considered standard chain 2,000# or 3,000# when your stopped for inspection. They will most likely impound your vehicle for this.

Licenses are a little confusing. For a trailer over 9,999#'s the Fed DOT wants a CDL with a trailer endorsment for the registered weight - in your case 13,000 #'s. If you not using it for hire NYS (for example) says your combined truck and bumper pull trailer have to be under 26,000#'s. Not sure if your legal or not and even if your are in NYS you might not be in NJ, CT, PA or DE.

Good luck be safe

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kraigWY

10-24-2005 09:54:05




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
It dont take much power to pull something, but stopping and control is something differant. I like to control what I pull, but thats just me.



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RustyFarmall

10-24-2005 08:15:01




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
1/2 ton pickups just aren't what they used to be. A 3/4 ton is what you need. The good part is that a 3/4 ton will not be any more costly to purchase, will get fuel mileage equal to a 1/2 ton, and will not cost any more to license or insure.



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JT

10-24-2005 07:08:32




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to Glenn F., 10-24-2005 06:55:55  
1/2 ton to pull 9K plus, is kinda asking for problem.



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barryinmn

10-24-2005 13:12:05




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 Re: Minimum Towing Vehicle in reply to JT, 10-24-2005 07:08:32  
Look at the pulling capacity sticker of the truck you are considering.. Don't get in a position where some personal injury lawyer can unwind your math in court. I pulled a (9K load) about 6 blocks with my 1/2 ton, then went out & bought a cab & chassis 1 ton dually with a dump box on it. This put about 10K empty in front of that trailer & works good. The 12K bumper pull has some serious leverage on the rear of a truck, a 3/4 with a goose neck is popular but not what you have.

You should have felt the tandem axle trailer push the tail of your Astro out wide on curves taking it home, (trailer axles want to track straight ahead, turning involves dragging tires sideways) adding a load will give the trailer far more authority to push the tail of the tow vehicle.

Keeping the combination below 26K gcvw makes life simple - just stay with your own stuff. You will have to pull thru weigh stations anyway, & troopers are looking for "hotshot" loads - a 3/4 ton pickup with a 20K GVW gooseneck hauling for hire.

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