Reply With Quotedo you want accelerated wear on the trans and rear end?(they are not realy as strong as you think)
as far as suspension stiffer springs or air bags will help as well as brakes on both trailers.
I have a 1/2 ton 2001 Chevy Xcab, short bed with a towing capacity of 7100 pounds. It is an Auto with the tow package and the 300ci V8. The boat/trailer weighs in at around 3000 pounds. I am thinking of getting a small 5th wheel that weighs about 4000 pounds.
At this point I want to use my truck to tow this package.
Other than trailer brakes on the 5th wheel, what can I do to increase my tow rating or make the package easier to handle? Would brakes on the boat trailer help or should it freewheel behind the 5th wheel? Bigger sway bars, chip, etc?
TIA
do you want accelerated wear on the trans and rear end?(they are not realy as strong as you think)
as far as suspension stiffer springs or air bags will help as well as brakes on both trailers.
Air bags will help level the load. Better shocks. I've heard that the Rancho 9000's are great for periodic loads, since they adjust. Bilsteins too.
Probably want to get best brake pads you can find.
Although the 1/2 tons aren't really made for this. What is the tongue weight vs the load capacity of the truck?? And the towed weight of the trailer compared to the capacity of the truck??
Wait a minute, I just re-read your post. YOu want to tow the 5th wheel and have the 5th wheel tow the boat??
That's a bad idea. Get a bigger truck. You will be a CHP magnet!
[ April 24, 2003, 07:07 AM: Message edited by: Mandelon ]
Get a bigger truck! I am no expert but I think the bumper tow needs to have its own brakes and must weigh less than the 5er. The previous posts are on the money, the rear-end and the brakes are the weakest link. My $.02
Mandelon:
Air bags will help level the load. Better shocks. I've heard that the Rancho 9000's are great for periodic loads, since they adjust. Bilsteins too.
Probably want to get best brake pads you can find.
Although the 1/2 tons aren't really made for this. What is the tongue weight vs the load capacity of the truck?? And the towed weight of the trailer compared to the capacity of the truck??
Wait a minute, I just re-read your post. YOu want to tow the 5th wheel and have the 5th wheel tow the boat??
That's a bad idea. Get a bigger truck. You will be a CHP magnet! Why would it be a CHP magnet?
That is a bad combination, the two trailers are almost double the weight of the tow vehicle, in a situation what you are pulling will overcome that little truck in no time. Even with the addons that you mention, a little bit of wind and you will be all over the road!. Your 7100lbs capacity is not what you're towing, it's the combination of all vehicles. Take a look at your manual, it'l say 7100GVW "Gross Vehicle Weight". Your two trailers are 7000lbs, what does your truck weigh?, has to be over 3000?, you're looking at least 10,000lbs, that's way over the legal capacity of your truck and DOT would have a field day with ya, not to mention expensive and unsafe. I have seen them make people drop one trailer and come back for the other one, that sucks!. You definitly need a bigger truck!. Personally, if I was to tow doubles, i wouldn't have anything but a dually. If you ever tow with one, you'd never go back to a four wheeler!..Just my .02...
[ April 24, 2003, 09:27 AM: Message edited by: GofastRacer ]
I checked into a combination like this a few years back. I stopped into the CHP office and asked some questions. As I recall, the Truck had to have a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or more in order to tow doubles. I Have a Chevy Crew Cab Dually, and it met the requirement. In addition, you are going to need a Commercial License with Doubles/Triples endorsement to pull more than 1 trailer. You may stop by your local CHP office, they were more than helpful when I went in.
Akamatsu
Ooops, forgot about the CDL, I should know better, I have all endorcements!, LOL.. Actually, you can get a CDL manual at the DMV for free and that tells all the weight requirements. I also have a Chevy crew cab dually, I wouldn't have anything else for towing!..
I have a CDL class A with doubles/triples/hazmat and tanker.
I'll double check the numbers but I believe the 7100 was towing capacity, not GVW.
I hate to get rid of my truck, I have less than 19000 miles on it but you guys are right about pulling doubles.
I think I'll look at used diesel trucks.
It's possible, but I've never seen a towing weight rating on a vehicle that didn't include the GVW??. It is a wise decision to look at a bigger truck though. Not only that but, you will be a lot more comfortable driving on a trip!. BTW, not meening to be nosey but, are you a trucker too??..
BTW, don't get rid of the one you have now, just get another one!..
[ April 24, 2003, 08:38 PM: Message edited by: GofastRacer ]
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