Re: Hauling Tractors
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Posted by Steve Hansen on November 22, 1998 at 16:56:28:
In Reply to: Hauling Tractors posted by Bob Almstrom on November 22, 1998 at 05:22:59:
Bob, You are talking about some serious trailer towing. I see two concerns. The fist is hitch capacity. A Class II receiver hitch with 2" ball is rated to 5,000 GTW (Gross Tow Weight). With a weight distribution rig you can get 8,000 GTW. There are other options, a Class III, for example, with a larger ball, that can get you up to 10,000 GTW. If your trailer is set up for a 2" ball you may have to chose between a Class II with weight distribution, or changing your trailer coupling to accomodate a larger ball. Cost and utility considerations. I do note that a 3,000 pound trailer can only carry a 2,000 pound load on a 2" ball so you may want to upgrade the coupler anyway (if it is not so equipped now). Suggest you surf "trailer hitch". One site I found, www.hitchhouseusa.com/hitch_hitches.html, has some good info. At some point, you are going to need to talk to a hitch dealer because no matter what truck you buy, you are not going to tow 7,500 pounds of the step bumper. Second is truck size. Every truck has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating. This is the weight of the vehicle, passingers, stuff in the bed, and the weight of everything in tow. Please not, GVW is not the weight that the vehicles brakes can handel, it is the weight the drive train can pull. You can find the GVW in the owners manual and on the info tag that is normally located on a door or in the door jam. Let's assume your truck's GVW is 9,000 pounds. If your truck is 3,500 pounds, you and your significant other total 300 pounds, and you have 200 pounds of tools in the bed (4,000 pounds total you can safely tow 5,000 pounds (with electric brakes). I do not know the GVWs of the various trucks on the market but I think you are going to be close to or slightly above the ratings for F150s and GM 1500s. Go by the dealers and get the specs. I do agree that if you buy an automatic you need auxiliary oil cooling. This is a common after market accessory available at stores like Pep Boys and at trailer hitch dealers. Towing is not one of those areas where I would cut corners. It will be your tush in the cab if things get out of hand and if other people get hurt the compliance of your rig with safety standards will be an issue.
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