Towing advice for newbie

Jake Pivo · July 15, 2016

Greetings all! This is my first post, but I've been reading the forum for several months, and I love it! I want to start by thanking all of you for so much fantastic information! I recently purchased a used 2004 Silverado 2500HD 4x4 with the 6.0 gas engine with 4.10 gears, and because of this forum I was able to help my mechanic diagnose my leaking transfer case problem. He had never heard of pump rub, but I printed out all of the information I found here, and he is in the process of installing the part from Merchant Automotive. So thank you all for that!

I have been a truck guy for a really long time - longer than I like to admit. I bought my first truck about 25 years ago, and I've owned at least one ever since. I've done a lot of hauling, but I have never towed anything before. And that's about to change very soon.

I was wondering what kind of advice, tips, and tricks any of you might have for a newbie? I'll take anything you have to offer. Does anybody have any preferences for types/brands of hitches? How about the balls - anything special I should look for? And of course, anything that will help me while I'm on the road, backing up, parking, etc.

My first experience will be in a couple of weeks. I am moving my in-laws from northern Ohio to the middle of Florida, and I will be renting a Uhaul trailer - I plan on getting the 6' x 12' enclosed trailer. They're not taking a lot of stuff, so I doubt that there will be anything close to a thousand pounds in the trailer. I'm planning on taking my time and taking it slow, but I'll be running up and down the mountains in WV, VA, and the Carolinas. So any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance, and thanks for all the help you've already provided. Everybody have a great day and an outstanding weekend!

Jake

Formulabruce · July 15, 2016

Welcome to the Forums and Grats on nailing that T case issue! Towing, I have one thing I feel Gm was lacking at when trucks were built ( for towing) Its the Trans cooler. The factory cooler is minimal at best. replacing is easy and I highly recommend it to extend Transmission life. Removing the grill is just clips are the headlight pins are pulled, and its right there, so easy.. Here is a replacement INSTALLED, over 100% more cooling , and under 50 bucks for the kit with some brackets and clamps. Next pic is a stock cooler

Raptordude · July 15, 2016

I like that bigger trans cooler, that would help a lot. Since you've done a lot of hauling, you probably already know this, but if you're towing something really heavy, set the transmission in 3rd gear and put it in tow/haul mode

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r1byker · July 15, 2016

Lots to consider. Here are some random thoughts that may not be covered by others. These are really basic things, so I apologize if you know them already.

1. "Top of ball height" Not all trailers, when they're sitting level, have the same "top of ball height." So whatever trailer you're towing, find that height and buy the receiver with the right "drop" so the trailer sits level. You don't want to be that guy dragging the tail end of the trailer at every driveway. Plus, it just looks wrong with the nose of the trailer way up or way down. I have a couple different receivers of different drops because I tow two different trailers.

2. Hitch ball size. You do know that there are different hitch ball sizes, right? 1 7/8", 2", and 2 5/16" are the most common. U-Haul uses 2" hitch balls.

3. Be sure to load more weight in front of the axles rather than behind them. I think U-Haul has a sign on its trailers that says that the tongue weight should be at least 10% of the overall weight of the trailer and load. Going over that isn't a problem as long as you don't exceed the weight limit on your truck. Just load heavy stuff in front and you'll be fine. This is important to prevent trailer sway, which can get so bad that it will cause a driver to lose control. It's a sad thing to see a trailer doing a pirouette in front of you.

4. Get a hitch pin receiver lock and a coupler lock. This prevents the bad guys from simply towing your trailer away by moving the receiver to their vehicle or unhooking the trailer and hooking up to their own rig.

5. The trailer wheels on a 6 x 12 will be wider than your vehicle, so always be checking your mirrors. And when turning, especially in sharp turns, be aware of "crossover," which is that your trailer will track a smaller diameter than your tow vehicle. When I was in training to drive semi's, my instructor's most common questions was, "Do you know where your trailer is?"

Okay, again, sorry if you know all this. It's stuff I wish I learned by someone telling me instead of the hard way.

Jake Pivo · July 15, 2016

All,

Thanks for all of your responses so far, I appreciate it! Forumulabruce, I have read several threads about upgrading the trans cooler, and I definitely plan on doing that. It might not happen before I go to Florida, but it's going to get done sometime this year for sure. Raptordude, yep, I know about using the tow/haul mode. And actually, my last truck didn't have the tow/haul mode, so whenever I was hauling heavy I did just what you said - I just ran it in 3rd gear. R1byker, those are all some great things to know, and no need to apologize. I did know some of it, but you answered one question I always had - I never knew why some trailers ran right down the road, and some had so much sway. Now I know! I had read that you should load the heavier stuff in front of the axels, but I didn't know that it helped prevent the sway.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all of this. I'm here to learn, and will take any suggestions you all have. I came here because I know that a lot of you have plenty of experience. And like R1byker said, I want to learn from you guys telling me rather than learning it the hard way.

Jake

onebad8.1 · July 16, 2016

That trans cooler upgrade is it only for the 6.0 or can the 8.1 be up graded also? Thank for any info

Formulabruce · July 16, 2016

That trans cooler upgrade is it only for the 6.0 or can the 8.1 be up graded also? Thank for any info

Oh yeah, I have done 2 for friends on the 8.1... well worth it

onebad8.1 · July 16, 2016

Where did you find the kit and do you have part number for it thank you

Formulabruce · July 16, 2016

Where did you find the kit and do you have part number for it thank you

I think thats a B&M cooler kit, its been in truck for 4 years but I am sure you can get a kit much bigger than stock for in that ball park

cant get a link to work on here, so go to Amazon type in B&M super cooler, found one for $79.91 but its pictured upside down from the installed position.. Works excellent! PS I took a small right angle bracket and bent it for a mount(s) could also be a slightly different size than mine ( wider and not as tall, Im not sure though)

sdeeter19555 · July 16, 2016

TruCool also makes one, I have an LPD by Long (?) that makes trucool...got it off Amazon.

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sdeeter19555 · July 16, 2016

For your trip to Florida, I wouldn't get excited about the cooler...you shouldn't be stressing anything to much with a 1500 pound trailer with 1000 pounds of cargo. Just make sure the hitch is good for the weight and that the fluids are good.

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Jake Pivo · July 18, 2016

I just wanted to thank everybody that's helped so far. I've gotten some good advice, and I've been reading a lot of threads on the "Trailers, Hitches & Towing" forum as well. If anybody has any other tips, I'm open to suggestions.

I'll let everybody know how the trip went when I come back. Have a great day!

Jake