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Powts's avatar
Powts
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015

Questions on towing with a lifted truck

First off, this is such a great site. I did a ton of reading and research and it totally Influenced me to go out and buy a brand new GMC 3500HD and a 35ft travel trailer. I've never owned or even towed a trailer! Took delivery in October and got one quick trip in up to Whistler with the family and it was such an incredible experience. Thanks for all the great info.

Now that I've had the truck for a few months I'm tossing around the idea of adding a few toys. A proper 4" suspension lift is on the list. Other than the obvious hit to fuel economy and practicality, is there anything inherently wrong/dangerous about towing with a lifted truck? The particular lift I'm looking at doesn't change the CV angles much past stock ride height and I can purchase a drop hitch to keep hitch height the same as the stock height now. The lift also doesn't chnage the stock rake of the truck. Any help/thoughts/feedback/ideas welcome. Thanks in advance!
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  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Jan 11, 2015
    I am curious as to what the purpose of lifting a truck is. :h Obviously there are number of down sides (and not just towing), as outlined above but why do it, what are the benefits? To give up handling, braking, payload etc., there would need to be some serious improvements to be had but I just don't know what they would be.

    :?
  • VintageRacer's avatar
    VintageRacer
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2015
    Everyone knows the obvious drawbacks to lifted trucks, and many with 3500's actually look to lower them for towing, so I won't go there. Once you get the lift sorted the way you want it, you need to fully and completely adjust the weight distributing hitch. You may need to find a real high quality dropped hitch head, mine is adjusted to it's lowest point to fit my stock height F250 so a 4" lift on a 3500 is probably 6" or more difference to mine. As said, watch the weight ratings on the tires and wheels so you get ones that match your usage.

    Other than that, it's going to handle a bit worse, brake worse, and probably ride worse so adjust your driving style. Lots of people tow with lifted trucks and do just fine, you probably will too.

    Brian
  • ROBERTSUNRUS's avatar
    ROBERTSUNRUS
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2015
    :) Hi, a co-worker jacked up his tow vehicle and shortly after that rolled his truck and trailer. Was that the cause? I don't know. Did it help? Maybe.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jan 11, 2015
    I would try to avoid the lift. At some point you need to derate the towing ability but with a 3500 you should be fine. I would be a little leery on going too far with the drop hitch.... any chance you have a class V hitch? Going bigger tires also?
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2015
    Raised CG is never good for handling. The lower you can keep the CG the better.

    That being said, I don't think a 4" lift would cause any "big" problems.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Jan 11, 2015
    1. Some lifts use a softer spring rate than stock and you get more suspension compression when loaded causing rear sag or excessive bounce.
    2. Some larger off-road tires do not have the same weight rating as your stock ones since they are designed to run at lower pressures with compliant sidewalls.
    3. Taller tires may affect your final drive ratio enough that power will suffer and you will need to swap out your axle gears.

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