Washington Bound wrote:
boogie_4wheel wrote:
I agree with 93Cobra2271. Verify trailer tires, brakes, and bearings. Check roof vents for brittle plastic that could be damages by 70mph winds.
I recommend a newer half-ton rated for the weight (they do exist), or any older 3/4+ of just about any flavor rated for the weight.
In my area, a truck to move that (and hopefully be serviceable and dependable enough to make the journey) would be $4000-5000 at a minimum (but maybe I have high standards).
So, it's possible to find a 1/2 ton that would tow my trailer... are there specifications on the trucks that would tell me that?
Forget the 1/2 ton. Go 3/4 and drive safely and enjoy that trip. That sounds like a great ride across country.
You have to open the drivers door to get the ratings you need. And the Payload Capacity varies wildly in trucks.
You need the GVWR and the GAWR off the white sticker and the Cargo Capacity off the yellow. If you're going used, don't waste your time even going to look at a truck unless the seller tells you what these numbers are.
You have another problem here if looking for a 1/2 ton. Those numbers mean nothing, especially the Cargo Capacity unless YOU weigh the truck. Weight increases with everything and anything on and in a truck. Side steps, bed liner/rubber mat, tonneau cover.
Case in point. I just weighed my truck last week and I was 300lbs heavier than I thought I'd be. And that was with subtracting my 160lb massive body.
GVWR minus actual scale weight gives you your actual available Cargo Capacity. And it's going to be lower than what that yellow sticker says.
Now go to the trailer sticker and finds its GVWR. Take a safe 13% of that and there's your most likely Tongue Weight. Subtract that number from your actual remaining Cargo Capacity. That's what you have left for everything you'll put in the truck for the trip including you, dogs, everything you'll take with you and probably 100lbs of Weight Distribution Hitch.
It's getting uglier isn't it?
Be SAFE and enjoy the trip. Get a 3/4 ton truck chief. I'd bet you'd be pushing the limits even if you find a 1/2 ton with 1800lbs of Cargo Capacity per the yellow sticker. Your tongue weight is going to be over 1,000lbs. 100 for WDH. There's 1100lbs. Add you, dogs and everything else in the truck including full tank of gas. You.re eating into that 1800lbs real quick. And I'd bet your actual Cargo Capacity is LESS than that after you weigh the truck.
