How much weight can a 1/2 ton pull?

[Fraser Beatty]

Just wondering how much weight an 85 1/2 ton can SAFELY pull using a.) a standard trailer hitch and b.) a fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch. Thanks.

[Fraser Beatty]

Forgot to mention it has a 350 engine, 700r4 tranny, everything is stock

[84lwb]

being a half ton truck i don't think you can pull a gooseneck or fifth wheel cause they would be to heavy,and it would depend on hitch weight as to how much it will tow with standard hitch.I would say somewhere between 4-5000 pounds maybe?

[kcackler]

My 77 half ton has heavy duty springs in it, and we frequently pulled a fifth wheel trailer with it when I was growing up.

Now, not sure exactly how safe that was, but...It did pull it up and down the mountains without ever having a problem.

[78 Chevyrado]

Here's the chart out of my 1978 owners manual. it should make a good guideline. Though be aware trucks can only tow at the top of their range if they have the heavy-duty components.

[OrangeAnimal]

I wouldn't go more than 4000 lbs. With a tongue weight of about 250. As far as gooseneck i wouldn't do it. You have to figure the weight of the trailer is easily 1200lbs. So you will not be able to put as much on it.

Let's face it the 1/2 truck frames aren't the strongest and the brakes (if stock) are not enough.

[79gmcc15]

on my GMC it says "Trailering Special, 11,000 G.C.W" FWIW

[cochino12]

More than it will stop

[79gmcc15]

Originally Posted by cochino12

More than it will stop

My truck? ya at its current state. but I think, the trailering special did ues stiffer/beefed up suspension. kinda like the heavy half or the big ten did. iirc

[cochino12]

Originally Posted by 79gmcc15

My truck? ya at its current state. but I think, the trailering special did ues stiffer/beefed up suspension. kinda like the heavy half or the big ten did. iirc

I mean 1/2 tons in general, stopping a trailer in a hurry is far more important than being able to go 55 mph+ uphill. I wasnt directing my comment toward anyone in particular, I saw the thread title and thought about people I see that are waaaay overloaded. You know the guys that are towing a dump trailer with a compact SUV and one of these



http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...f/image001.jpg

[88 Dippy]

i have no idea what my truck can pull.

all i know is it is sitting a 87 3/4 ton frame. has a GM12 bolt rear with 4.10 and has a danan 44 front has single shocks and 3 leaf front and 6 or 7 leaf rear. the hitch is not rusted but the sticker was painted over when the truck was

truck sits as high as my works 3/4 ton 98 GMC we have and 89 3/4 ton dodge. sits higher then all the 1/2 tons i have parked next to. and i know it does not have spring blocks (also if it did i would remove them don't trust the things)

[79gmcc15]

Originally Posted by cochino12

I mean 1/2 tons in general, stopping a trailer in a hurry is far more important than being able to go 55 mph+ uphill. I wasnt directing my comment toward anyone in particular, I saw the thread title and thought about people I see that are waaaay overloaded. You know the guys that are towing a dump trailer with a compact SUV and one of these

oh, np. but yeah thoese people are STUPID! plane and simple.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by 79gmcc15

on my GMC it says "Trailering Special, 11,000 G.C.W" FWIW

(GCW) Gross Combined Weight.....as in you have to subtract the weight of the truck itself from this number to get it's actual capacity.

[D13]

It will PULL anything with wheels (I just pulled 9000# of C65 with my 1/2 ton diesel - with the 2000# rating shown above!).

The issue is STOPPING. We used to pull heavy wagons (think 15000#) around the farm with half tons, but with no tongue weight. It really makes you plan because the trailer will push you donw any hill. On the road, the limit is the ability to brake and control. trailer brakes help but you stil have to be able to control the load. Anyone seen a lifted K-5 tow a big camper trailer on a windy day?

next issue is the tongue load and your frame/suspension capability. If you want to flat bed and use a frame hitch 8k half ton 10K 3/4, with weight distribution hitches. Goosenecks 3/4 is ok for light ones, really need a 1 ton.

Another thing is how far and what speed. I'll drive a gross overload 2 miles of back road but never on the highway or a busy main road.

[Fraser Beatty]

Thanks for the help guys! I probably should have mentioned the objective was to judge if our 1/2 ton could pull an 18 foot car trailer with load. I was thinking somewhere around 4000-5000 lbs. gross towing weight would be the limit, but wasn't sure. Thanks again!

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by Fraser Beatty

Thanks for the help guys! I probably should have mentioned the objective was to judge if our 1/2 ton could pull an 18 foot car trailer with load. I was thinking somewhere around 4000-5000 lbs. gross towing weight would be the limit, but wasn't sure. Thanks again!

Shouldn't be a problem. I've hauled a car trailer with my '94 1/2 LWB for the past 2 years with no problems. 305/4L60E (700R4)/3.42 gears. She is a slouch with a load, but will do it.

I pulled a junk Dodge van, loaded with scrap over the scale & it weighed like 5500lbs without the trailer. So probably about 7k total, which is the GVW on the trailer anyway. Regular hitch - not w.dist.

Like everyone says - stopping is the problem.Trailer brakes are a must on 1 axle @ min. on both axles is best. Make sure the brakes on your truck are all in good condition and the rears adjusted properly (Check for leaking wheel cyls or axle seals that will compromise your stopping power)

Weight distributing hitches will help alot if you plan on towing heavier loads.

Don't tow in overdrive as stated above. You will fry that 700 very quickly. I'll tow an empty car trailer in OD with the 4L60 only cause it shifts electronically and has been rebuilt. I don't use OD with a load though.

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by arkracing

I pulled a junk Dodge van, loaded with scrap over the scale & it weighed like 5500lbs without the trailer. So probably about 7k total, which is the GVW on the trailer anyway. Regular hitch - not w.dist.

Not that I recommend doing it, but I found a picture

[slimneverdies]

What about a 4000lbs tow with re8 bags and a frame notch? Im still speaking of a C10.

[BIG10]

That setup shouldn't be a problem as long as you have working trailer brakes. Get a good tranny cooler and try to keep the 700r4 in 3rd gear while towing that much weight.

[thirdstreettito]

My K10 so far has pulled about 3000lbs with no trouble. It will be tested soon with a Blazer on a trailer, oops, you weren't supposed to know that...

[74 C-30]

my dad used to haul a gooseneck with his K-10 back in the early 80s. he had some beefy springs that were basically 3/4 ton springs. he had a 350 with a th350. never had an issue with a loaded 18ft flatbed. you just have to drive slower and be a defensive driver

[Fraser Beatty]

Thanks for all the help guys. At this point it looks like the load will be around 5800lbs give or take...the vehicle goin on the trailer is estimated at 4000lbs and the trailer weighs around 1800lbs (it's a big ol heavy built 18 foot car trailer). Since I will be doin this haul frequently, it looks like I'll be upgrading to a 73-87 3/4 ton or 1 ton to be a tow vehicle. Now I just have to find one in good enough shape and for a reasonable price

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by Fraser Beatty

Thanks for all the help guys. At this point it looks like the load will be around 5800lbs give or take...the vehicle goin on the trailer is estimated at 4000lbs and the trailer weighs around 1800lbs (it's a big ol heavy built 18 foot car trailer). Since I will be doin this haul frequently, it looks like I'll be upgrading to a 73-87 3/4 ton or 1 ton to be a tow vehicle. Now I just have to find one in good enough shape and for a reasonable price

Why not just swap a 3/4ton front & rear end into the 1/2ton? Is the truck a shortbed or longbed?

[Fraser Beatty]

Truck is a longbed. By the time I find and buy front and rear ends, figure out how to swap em in, and factor labour and all that in, it'll probably be cheaper and easier to find an old 3/4 ton or 1 ton. Even if I get another truck we'll be keeping the 1/2 ton. The truck is my Dad's, it's in very good condition, and we are hoping to keep it as original as possible.

[nekkidhillbilly]

most 1/2 tons now pull about 7500 lbs