First long tow with TT.

FireRob wrote:

CavemanCharlie wrote:
Yup, the back end of the pickup must have been squatting to low. I'm balanced purdy well except for the extra 7 gallons of water. .

You really think 7 gallons of water and where you placed it in the pick up bed is your problem??? Were only talking 58 pounds. A decent sized dog walking around the bed of the truck weighs more then that and you wouldn't notice a difference.

Good point. I really didn't have that much of a problem except for the people bright lighting me. It towed quite nicely. I still say this pickup is just not set up for hauling. It's like a Ranchero, or a ElCamino. It hasn't enough rear suspension.

I'm really not planning on upgrading anything. I was just posting the story. If I ever go further from home again, and I will probably not, I will think about changes.

I'll tell you city slickers a story. In 1970 my dad needed a replacement for the 1948 Dodge pickup that he and my grandfather had bought new. He then bought a 1970 F250 with the 360 and a 4 speed. My mom that first year pulled 300 trips to town with that pickup full of corn in the back and a wagon behind. My dad had added side boards to the pickup so it could hold more corn. To get the grain out the grain terminal had a lift that would go under the front wheels of the truck and raise the truck in the air so high that all 4 wheels would come off of the ground and the truck would balance on it's back bumper. The bumper was a after market bumper made by Laverne Industry's in Laverne , MN.

When my older bother got into the hog business he bought a livestock trailer that hooked to the ball hitch on the bumper. No fancy weight distribution hitch thing was even though of. Hauled many hogs to town that way. No electric brakes either. When that trailer wore out he bought another and this one had brakes. By 1986 the old 1970 Ford had 150000 miles on it and had a hard life and was getting tired. My dad told my bother to trade his car in for a pickup and my brother bought a new 1986 F250 with a 300 inline 6 and a 4 speed. Times had changed and to go pick up up boars to breed the sows to make piglets we would pull that bumper hitch trailer 100's of miles with no fancy dancy weight distribution hitch. You could feel the hogs move around inside the trailer. I was old enough to drive by this time and it was one of my jobs. After 195000 miles the 1986 Ford was getting tired. I don't remember what year this was but, we got a fifth wheel livestock trailer and a used pickup to pull it with. After that and I got the 86 ford as my going to work vehicle. ( I kinda miss that truck though I wish it had Air Conditioning )

Anyway, I still know people to this day that pull bumper hitch trailers all over with no WDH. They haul livestock, scrap iron, firewood, lumber for building your house, enclosed trailers for hauling tools, hay, straw, and a lot of other things I can't think of right now. Check out the trailer the next time the roofer comes out to replace the roof on your house. I bet there is no WDH there.

Now, if I was taking long distance trips across the country all the time I would feel differently. But, as a experienced driver that is a weekend camper that, except for this one time, never goes more the 70 miles from home and on two lane roads. Well, then I think it's just a pain in the ass to hook and unhook that I don't need.

I appreciate you opinions and input. I just feel differently for me and my lifestyle. Have a nice Day.

CavemanCharlie wrote:
Yup, the back end of the pickup must have been squatting to low. I'm balanced purdy well except for the extra 7 gallons of water. .

You really think 7 gallons of water and where you placed it in the pick up bed is your problem??? Were only talking 58 pounds. A decent sized dog walking around the bed of the truck weighs more then that and you wouldn't notice a difference.

Oh man get the hitch. An EazLift doesn't cost much, is easy to use and makes for a MUCH better handling and riding rig. A sway bar would also help. The trucks suspension would thank you and would probably be cheaper than new springs. As long as you are in the upgrade mood, look into new really good shocks.

Yup, the back end of the pickup must have been squatting to low. I'm balanced purdy well except for the extra 7 gallons of water. The pickup I have is the lightest duty 1/2 ton pickup they make. And, quite frankly, Chevy pickups are not known as work vehicles but, they ride like a car. If I ever go this far again, especially after dark, the problem would have to be attended too. A weight distribution hitch may, be the solution. A decent set of springs on the back of the pickup would be good start though. I have no idea what this pickup is even rated for carrying for load. I bet it ain't much.

Invest in a WD hitch. You really should have one

You were getting lights flashed at you because your rear end was squatting too much so the front end was up higher and the lights were angled right at the other drivers.

WDH would solve that issue...

Sounds like a good combination and good time had...

WD hitch would have done better. JMHO