Towing 13000lbs With 1500

[itsmeagain5789]

I know ill get a lot of naysayers about how unsafe it is, I know. it is only 3-4 miles though. I bought a 28ft project boat, and I need to get it from the ramp and to the yard. Trailer has brakes, the whole setup will probably weigh around 13000lbs. If I take it slow, do you think my 93 1500 5.7L with 3.73's could do it without blowing the transmission to bits?

[Stevens03]

Yep... I think you can do it without harm.

[peteking]

I've towed a 10,700lb trailer full of scrap steel with my 1991 C1500 (same setup as your 1993). It was for about 8 miles, and she didn't complain too much. I think if you take it easy you'll be alright.

[MS3DALE]

Go...S L O W!

[ScottyBoy]

Go slow, and use extra safety chains to the FRAME, not just the hitch. I used to work at a seafood market in New Orleans and the boss was hauling a trailer with 14,000 lbs of oysters in his 3500 dually. He went over some train tracks and it ripped the hitch down from the frame! So even though the truck could handle that weight, the hitch obviously couldnt. (or maybe it was stressed because he had hauled that much weight quite often before it ripped off) Either way, better to be safe than sorry I'dd add some extra chains around the rear fram just in case it bends your hitch or anything, you dont want that boat getting away from you!

[cbxeric]

As long as you're not dealing with any big hills you should be fine. The boat launch is the best way to destroy a transmission (I always use 4lo).

[Wacko2007]

I towed a monster boat a few times with my old truck (07 Titan) was prob around 12,000 lbs

It was a friends boat and i moved it around a few times, back and forth to the marina, maybe 12 miles at a clip, maybe 6 times or so

Titan handled it no problem, it was all flat ground

I just took my time and was extra careful

I think you'll be fine

Take some pictures

[rodram]

... what...???? everyone here seems to think this is a good idea

 

... first you risk pulling out your transmission, then you risk killing someone if you can't stop properly.... and depending where you are, you are risking a big fine for overloading your truck

 

... rent a truck suitable for the job.. .or hire someone to move the boat for you!

[jjohns]

... what...???? everyone here seems to think this is a good idea

 

... first you risk pulling out your transmission, then you risk killing someone if you can't stop properly.... and depending where you are, you are risking a big fine for overloading your truck

 

... rent a truck suitable for the job.. .or hire someone to move the boat for you!

 

I agree. It is usually not the pulling that is the problem. I have no doubt that your truck can handle the weight. It is the stopping that will be a problem. You can overheat those breaks very quickly. How are you going to feel if you come to an intersection and clip somebody because you can't stop? It is not worth it. Find a buddy that has a truck suitable or do like Rod says. If you decide to do this anyway, go slow.

[Nytemare]

The only real difference in a 93 1500 and a 2500 is the rear diff. and the frame. Some 2500's have 12 bolts and some have 14 bolts/dana 60's. The frame/spring pack is strengthened to carry more and pull more, all the time...a short jaunt shouldn't hurt anything there on your 1500.

The towing capacity of a 1500 is 7500lbs BTW and a 2500 is 12800lbs. Same engine and trans...its the 12/14 bolt with 4.10's that makes the real difference.

 

A 3500 has the 4L80E and a 14-bolt/Dana 60 BTW and a rating of 14000lbs

 

Thing you have to watch is your tongue weight...your only good for 800-1000lbs max with a Class5 hitch on a 1500

 

 

The engine and trans is exactly the same, unless you had the optional 4l80E, and not too many came with that...and they were all 2WD.

Even the 4X4 diesels had the 4L60E back in those days. (1500's and 2500's only)

 

The only thing you really are risking is the diff...

[nbscanuck]

If the tongue weight is too much for the springs you can bend them. I've seen it done, where the springs sag after being loaded too heavy. Think about it, you are overloading your truck by 5-6000 lbs. I was following a truck and trailer (loaded with concrete forms) and when the unit went over a bump in the road it actually lifted the front wheels of the truck off the ground and he lost on the median. Jackknifed the rig and rolled over, speed was no more than 40 MPH.

 

So sure go ahead pull your boat home, just make sure your ready for potential damage to your truck, boat and other people around you.