Towing Question

[Mossyoakglock]

I'm going to pick up about 4300# worth of stone this weekend. I'm gonna be using a tandem axle trailer, either 16' or 18'. I have an 08 CrewCab 5.3 w/ the 4-speed auto. I shouldn't have any trouble with that trailer and weight should I? If they load it on the trailer right I should be able to tow that no problem. I have a 21' boat that I tow and it's not a problem, but I thought I'd ask.

[robot225]

Shouldn't be any problem at all.

[snarkee]

no

[ss502gmc]

I'm going to pick up about 4300# worth of stone this weekend. I'm gonna be using a tandem axle trailer, either 16' or 18'. I have an 08 CrewCab 5.3 w/ the 4-speed auto. I shouldn't have any trouble with that trailer and weight should I? If they load it on the trailer right I should be able to tow that no problem. I have a 21' boat that I tow and it's not a problem, but I thought I'd ask.

You should be perfectly fine as ive hauled an 8000lb bobcat with my 94 k1500 ecsb with 300,000 miles and i had no problems, just make sure your hitch and ball are rated for atleast 5 or 6000lbs

[Mossyoakglock]

Thanks guys. I figured I would be ok, just wanted to make sure. One thing I wish I had was the factory brake controller and I wish you could put that one in instead of an aftermarket one.

[Brad0Walker]

I'm sure you know this but just make sure they load the weight on the trailer as close to the axles as possible and not all on the front end. I've had people try to load stuff on the front of the trailer instead of over the axles. If its too much weight all on the front it will squat your truck and could even break the hitch. But if loaded right, you will have no problem.

[jwstewar]

You said you wished you had the factory brake controller, you do have the after market controller installed don't you? If you don't, 3 tons would be too much for the truck w/o trailer brakes.

[MarkD]

Good advice above. You could pull it without trailer brakes (I have a heavy trailer without brakes), but you would have to be VERY careful. It would be easy to overdrive your brakes and even cook your rotors.

 

This sounds like a rare occasion, and probably not a long trip. Am I right?

[Outbacker]

Your tow rating should be around 7000-8000 pounds, but do not quote me on that. Either way you are fine with 4300 pounds. Just make sure that you are connected properly (cross the chains and ensure lights are working on the trailer), and ideally you should have a brake controller. There are a lot of excellent after market brake controllers such as the Tekonsha Prodigy. Take it easy, give lot of room when towing and you should be fine.

[Mossyoakglock]

Yea, this is a fairly rare occasion and a pretty short trip. I'm not new to towing, but all the trailers I usually tow are boat trailers with surge brakes, not electric ones. That's why I don't have a brake controller. And if I tow with any other trailers, the trips are pretty short, just to get mulch and things like that and not very heavy. If I can find a box on ebay or something for a good price, I might do that just to have it and for peace of mind when I tow with this particular trailer again. Thanks for all the tips and advice. I didn't think I would have any trouble, but it's not a bad idea to just make sure. Better safe than sorry.

[Ranger]

I would not worry about that at all, I tow 5-6,000 lbs regularly and have no problems stopping or going. I do balance out my loads as best I can and I very rarely squat my truck with a trailer unless it's really heavy (like a big stack of drywall).