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tonymull's avatar
tonymull
Explorer
Sep 24, 2014

Anyone try this??

I'm looking at towing a car hauler trailer behind my TC with a Prius C which weighs 2500lbs and a Honda Pioneer 500 ATV which comes in at 1000lbs. By loading the ATV sideways they will both fit on an 18' trailer. I plan on using an Equal-i-zer W/D system. Anyone done this or have some input. Will be using a 2015 one ton Silverado or Sierra and my camper only goes 2800 wet.
  • I'll be using an open trailer. I want to keep the trailer as short as possible and that means side loading the ATV otherwise I'd have to go from 18 to 22 feet to fit them end to end. The trailer weighs only around 1500 lbs leaving me with about 5500lbs of payload on the trailer. I can order the trailer and wait a couple of weeks for it to be built here in WA. So I can get all the tie down points I want, pick the color, get a wide bed, a rock shield etc...and since I usually won't be hauling both vehicles I will get plenty of anchor points for flexibility . I used the wheel nets years ago coming down the Alaska Hwy, they worked well, and easier I thought. I'll be using this rig mostly in BC and AK.
  • I regularly tow 6000-8000 lbs behind my TC. Yes, get the SuperHitch with SuperTruss extension and use a WDH. Your biggest concern will be rear axle weight and the capacity of your rear rims and tires - I run 19.5" wheels due to my trailer tongue weight on an extension.

    Expect the enclosed trailer to weigh around 3000 lbs empty, so you may want to look at trailers that have a 10,000 lb rating instead of the cheaper 7,000 lb versions. I went with drop torsion axles for a better and lower ride. Some cars will have issue with break over angle between load floor and ramp with standard height trailers. It will be difficult to open your door once inside unless you have a man/escape door or the left side of the trailer over the wheel wells - Look for this feature when trailer shopping.

    I prefer to use wheel nets to secure vehicles instead of anchoring the chassis. Make sure you have enough tie down points on the floor to anchor your Prius and quad.
  • WD will not affect tongue weight. It will just distribute it to the front axle and trailer axles.

    You adjust the WD hitch, with the camper loaded of course, to "negate" the trailer's effect on your truck's front ride height.
  • The Pioneer is 102.5 inches :-) I haven't decided on whether to have a 'back porch' or not. It does mean I need an 18" extension but then I can use steps that are more convenient. I suppose I'll go to a supertruss and extension in that case. I am a bit confused as to how W/D will affect tongue weight.
  • As long as you are not using a hitch extension you will be fine. I carried a jeep and a Honda Rancher on a trailer behind my TC and never had a problem.
  • Check the length of the Pioneer, you can't be over 102 " otherwise you should be good.
  • My advice is to get a dually 8-ft bed and make sure the TC does not extend past the bumper.
  • If the TC has a large overhang requiring a hitch extension I would be cautious of this.

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