Can I Tow This With My Truck?
My wife and I are making some changes in our lives trying to inch ever closer to our dream of traveling around the U.S. We are both outdoor enthusiasts and want to see and explore this majestic count...
Forum Discussion
I've been towing trailers of various sizes and uses for 40 years. It is never about the "Towing Capacity" of a TV. As we have seen on TV commercials, Toyotas can tow Boeing 747s!
It's ALWAYS about pin or tongue weight. And most 1/2 ton pickups/suburbans with a modicum of options are overloaded when the tongue weight, passengers and fuel are calculated, even for some of the "Lightweight" trailers. Just check out the new Nissan diesel if you want to see an anemic cargo capacity.
A PU or suburban exacerbates the issue as that big bed or area behind the second seat cry out for you to bring more stuff! And more weight.
A few years ago, when I owned a loaded GMC, 4dr short bed pickup, I wanted a small 5th wheel. There was nothing made that didn't overload the truck in pin weight. Thank God I didn't find one because that truck was a terrible tow vehicle. Even a small 14' motorcycle trailer taxed it going up hills. I can't image what it would have been like with the weight and frontal area of a 5r.
On this forum and others, it never ceases to amaze me how folks go out and spend thousands of dollars on a truck......and then try to find a trailer it will pull safely. Folks, find a trailer that fits your lifestyle, and then buy a vehicle capable of towing it with out hours of white knuckles and over reving engines.
It's ALWAYS about pin or tongue weight. And most 1/2 ton pickups/suburbans with a modicum of options are overloaded when the tongue weight, passengers and fuel are calculated, even for some of the "Lightweight" trailers. Just check out the new Nissan diesel if you want to see an anemic cargo capacity.
A PU or suburban exacerbates the issue as that big bed or area behind the second seat cry out for you to bring more stuff! And more weight.
A few years ago, when I owned a loaded GMC, 4dr short bed pickup, I wanted a small 5th wheel. There was nothing made that didn't overload the truck in pin weight. Thank God I didn't find one because that truck was a terrible tow vehicle. Even a small 14' motorcycle trailer taxed it going up hills. I can't image what it would have been like with the weight and frontal area of a 5r.
On this forum and others, it never ceases to amaze me how folks go out and spend thousands of dollars on a truck......and then try to find a trailer it will pull safely. Folks, find a trailer that fits your lifestyle, and then buy a vehicle capable of towing it with out hours of white knuckles and over reving engines.
