can I tow? need advice...

[cfan10]

Wondering if I can tow a suburban on my half ton swb 305 not sure on trans. Mom said it is a bad idea. But is it possible? Any advice is great. texas to atlanta.
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[3r!c84]

what kind of trailer?

[Altec]

The question is never starting, it is stopping. Are the brakes on it in proper working order, and the same question for the trailer brakes, and controller.

Those things in order, you could make it happen... It is going to be a scary trip though, and you are going to want to go slow, and make sure you have plenty of room for trouble. Towing with a SWB in general isn't good, let alone a half ton. Hauling one of the heaviest of the C/K lines isn't in your favor either...

I am inclined to agree with your Mother that it is a bad idea, but it is possible given good brakes, a properly balanced load, and a slow cautious driver.

Now, is it legal? No...

[old Rusty C10]

if you have a class three or four hitch and trailer brakes it will be ok as long as you dont play daytona 500 out there

[wyattglock]

If the burb is driveable and has a hitch, why not tow the empty trailer there with your truck. Then swap them and tow yours back with the burb. It definitely wouldnt have any problems doing that.

[lilpoindexter]

Make sure you have a camera, and post the pics here afterward.

[crisco]

I am almost in the same boat, but reversed.
I am towing a 71 blazer from NY to Colorado with an 87 suburban.
I recently put the blazer on the trailer (trailer=2300lbs blazer=5100lbs) and towed it to storage. It towed great, I am sure the long wheel base helped alot, but stopping was an ENTIRELY different matter. I would NOT want to be in any sort of panic stop situation.

SO yes, I am hooking up the trailer brakes for the trip.

I personally would not tow with a short wheel base 1/2 ton unless your going to do 55 or less the whole trip.

I had a trailer that weighed alot more than the tow vehicle get out of hand once and it was scary. Never again.

[dammitmitchell]

you really need to know these things before towing.
Truck doing the tow. doe it have
tralier brakes? what hitch ?

what trailer are you going to tow? are you going to pull on a dolly?
dont chain pull a burb.. it'll turn out realllllyyy bad for you.

how far are you going to pull? hightway? in town? etc..
a 305 motor 1/2 ton can safely pull a burb .. but only with trailer brakes.

if it's in town dude it's way worth having someone with a tow rig do it for you

[bmchevy1979]

Originally Posted by crisco

I personally would not tow with a short wheel base 1/2 ton unless your going to do 55 or less the whole trip.

I had a trailer that weighed alot more than the tow vehicle get out of hand once and it was scary. Never again.

I totally agree and definitely make sure you have working trailer brakes my cousin totaled his 71 k10 swb hauling my grandpa's 10,000lb backhoe trailer trying to slow down because it started to get out of control he didn't have a trailer brakes hooked up and jack knifed it doing 50mph it ripped the hitch from the frame trailer came around and hit front of truck and still had enough momentum to take out a box for traffic signals

[cfan10]

trans is slipping on the sub, trailer will be a uhaul. Thanks.
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[wyattglock]

That sucks about the burb's trans. If you have a friend that has a crew cab or long wheelbase truck that is willing to let you buy his gas and food for the trip, go with that. It would be good if it was a 2500, but a newer 1500 will still do ok. The U-haul probably has surge brakes, so expect the trailer to push the tow vehicle when you are trying to stop at highway speeds. Good luck with getting the burb!

[spudz]

if the towing truck has an overdrive trans. BE sure to keep it in 3rd NOT overdrive. If its a 3speed you will be fine. take the driveshaft out of the suburban too.

[Altec]

Originally Posted by cfan10

trans is slipping on the sub, trailer will be a uhaul. Thanks.
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How is that gonna work? Gonna tell uhaul you are using a bigger tow rig then you are?

[Mr. 250r]

just throwing this out there alot of people make the mistake of putting the truck on the trailer wrong which causes the bad sway back and forth which is very hard to stop, but even with trailer brakes if you load the truck wrong your still gonna get that sway i've been in the situation almost lost my old suburban we towed a stock 91 sub 3/4 4wd with a stock 98 silverado 4wd 1/2t short bed

[jimbonice]

I've owned 1/2 tons, 3/4 tons and 1 tons. There's a reason the factory makes 'em bigger for towing. Unless you have experience in towing heavy weight, I think mom is right.

[donut]

edit

[donut]

Originally Posted by cfan10

trans is slipping on the sub, trailer will be a uhaul. Thanks.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by Altec

How is that gonna work? Gonna tell uhaul you are using a bigger tow rig then you are?

x2, I tried to get a trailer from U-haul. My K-20 couldn't haul my Trailblazer, or vice-versa. I ended up with a transport company for the k-20. it was road legal and driveable, so no problems. It arrived about a week after I did, just meet the truck somewhere to make the exchange.
If you can drive the burb a few miles this may be an option.

[rayfinseats]

I personally towed a Prius 500 miles at 70 with another Prius. I used a 2 wheel dolly and I couldn't believe how well it towed. DO NOT try it on gravel. The rear car tends to slide the back of the front car.

[dammitmitchell]

Originally Posted by cfan10

trans is slipping on the sub, trailer will be a uhaul. Thanks.
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good luck getting them to rent to you. they said my 3/4 ton wasnt rated to tow a datsun