Towing Question Bob Cat And 1500 Truck

slayer305 · March 3, 2009

I have a 2000 1500 z71 5.3l auto. and I am looking at renting a bob cat, trencher attachment and the trailer. According to the guy at the rental place everything comes in around 8000-9000lbs and I "should" be ok towing it. It will be about 25 miles to and from. My truck has the 7 pin trailer harness but I do not have a actual brake controller. My question is will I be safe pulling this starting and stopping and the distance? I have pulled a 9000lb load with a 2005 4x4 5.4l auto f150 before and no brake controller before with no real problems but was only 5 miles both ways and was kinda hard to stop. What do you guys think and have you done this before?

VR021302 · March 3, 2009

I would def invest in a brake controler, and should be ok. Whats the capacity of ur truck?

slayer305 · March 3, 2009

I would def invest in a brake controler, and should be ok. Whats the capacity of ur truck?

I'm not exactly sure what "GM" rated this year as far as towing capacity. As far as state license I have farm plates so Im good to 26,000lbs. No way in hell the truck could budge that but I guess its there if I need it. LOL!

BuckFeverZ · March 3, 2009

I pulled a Bob Cat with my '07 last year about 45 miles w/o a brake controller. I had 2 buckets and a auger attachment on the trailer as well. Truck pulled it fine, just hairy stopping even though I didn't go above 45mph.

killterrorists · March 3, 2009

Get a brake controller they aren't very expensive.

I have hauled that weight before and the factory brakes make stopping a bit scary especially on hills.

VR021302 · March 3, 2009

I pulled a Bob Cat with my '07 last year about 45 miles w/o a brake controller. I had 2 buckets and a auger attachment on the trailer as well. Truck pulled it fine, just hairy stopping even though I didn't go above 45mph.

Thats the reason i say brake controller

DofD · March 3, 2009

It's worth it to get a brake controller. If something did happen on the trip to or from the insurance companies would probably have a field day with you for towing a load without the proper equipment. And then you'd have it if you ever needed it again.

Hawkeye23 · March 3, 2009

get the brake controller and you should be fine. i'd bet money your pretty over loaded either way, but that wouldnt stop me either.

66nova · March 3, 2009

Could you be ok and will it do it? Yeah.

Should you or is it a smart decision to pull it without a brake controller. NO

It's too cheap and easy to chance it. Plus you have it the next time you want to pull anything.

VR021302 · March 3, 2009

Just out of curiosity, any particular brand of controller better than the others, or just personal preference? For the OP and my own info.

BuckFeverZ · March 3, 2009

I have a Prodigy.

66nova · March 3, 2009

I have a Prodigy.

Prodigy gets my vote.

MarkD · March 3, 2009

I have a Tekonsha prodigy as well.

I would go ahead and buy one and tie it into the project cost of renting the skid steer.

Without a brake controller, you will overdrive your brakes, heat them up until they fade and possibly warp your rotors... if you use your brakes much while towing that load.

I pulled about 9k pounds on a trailer without brakes and while driving ULTRa conservatively, almost had the trailer push me into someone that slammed on brakes.