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04-16-2005, 04:15 PM | #1 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 20,021
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towing with our trucks question
i know with a burb or a long wheelbase truck towing isnt usually a problem as far as trailer length. what about a short box truck...how long a trailer can you safely tow with them be it, utility, boat, or car trailer. does the short wheelbase make them a little squirrely?
Last edited by CG; 04-16-2005 at 04:16 PM. |
04-16-2005, 11:15 PM | #2 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 20,021
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ttt...anyone? curious if you can pull and 18ft car trailer safely.
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04-16-2005, 11:25 PM | #3 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,448
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I pulled an 18 foot trailer with a lwb truck with no motor or tranny on it and had no problems.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
04-19-2005, 02:19 AM | #4 |
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Well it wasn't much but my 104" wheel base Blazer towed this 4'x8' Uhaul no problem.
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04-19-2005, 10:43 AM | #5 |
A classic GM kinda guy
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 296
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The length of the vehicle does not matter in towing that much; its the load capacity of the suspension and axles that matters. Where the length matters in towing is in how the vehicle reacts to bumps in the road, and in manuvering, especially in backing. A shorter vehicle does help when backing trailers, as the shorter wheelbase is quicker to react to input from the driver.
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04-19-2005, 01:14 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
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I towed a Blazer on a standard size car trailer behind my SWB 4x4. I hit one patch of road that was really bumpy and I couldn't go faster than 35 mph, it sucked huge. It was a horrible road though, Crew70 lives on it, no idea how he deals with it everyday.
Other than that it isn't terrible, but I would rather pull with a larger vehicle.
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04-19-2005, 02:22 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Plymouth, MA
Posts: 891
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I hope you can. I just bought an 18ft H&H MX trailer, I plan to pull with my 2wd 71 GMC SWB.
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04-19-2005, 08:03 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
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I've pulled several vehicles w/the heaviest being a swb truck (my 74) on an 18ft car trailer w/my 68 swb that's equipped w/disc brakes, a 6cyl/3spd, & 3.73's. A bigger engine would work better but my old 6 got the job done.
Would I want to haul that combo around daily? No. Did it get the job done w/o drama? No prob. Just be 100% sure you have fully functioning electric trailer brakes. When there's more weight w/the trailer/cargo combined than your tow vehicle, the stock brakes won't do squat.
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04-20-2005, 01:40 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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04-20-2005, 05:54 PM | #10 |
Left Foot Functioning
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Duncan, OK
Posts: 350
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I bought my 16ft flatbed to pull behind a 4x4 Blazer (cuz it was a Blazer - no bed). I pulled it thousands of miles hauling everything from household goods to trucks. As others have said, trailer brakes are not an option - they are a must.
The other thing that is really important to watch on SWB pull vehicles is your tongue weight. A LWB is pretty forgiving, since there is more leverage to keep the front wheels weighed down. SWB's can get really squirrely if downforce on the hitch lightens the front end too much. But, the other extreme won't work either (having the tongue pulling up on the hitch). You need tongue weight to keep the trailer tracking straight. If my hitch is rated at 500 lbs tongue weight, I shoot for 300-500 lbs. So your options are to either use a weight distributing hitch (best choice) or very carefully load your trailer. On mine, for instance, we backed cars & trucks on so the engine weight was not on the tongue. Helped balance the whole trailer/cargo distribution front/rear. Set up right, you will have no problems at all. SSOW
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04-20-2005, 07:52 PM | #11 |
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Location: Paradise TX USA
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I towed a complete 71 GMC LWB on a 18 ft trailer with my 69 LWB.
Other than the fact that I had no trailer brakes and the original 4 wheel drum brakes that came on my 69 leave a lot to be desired, I had no problems
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04-20-2005, 09:33 PM | #12 |
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Location: Kansas
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my experience is only with a lowered 71 LWB & 18' car hauler, as noted above, trailer brakes are mandatory. The best thing I ever did was put air assist air bags on the rear. Towed like a dream after that. Everyone I have talked to that installed air bags feel the same.
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04-21-2005, 07:17 AM | #13 |
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it also matters where the axle(s) is (are) on the trailer. closer makes for easier turning.
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04-21-2005, 08:43 AM | #14 |
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Here is the trailer I just ordered.
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1972 Blazer body...need to get a thread started for the rest of the story |
04-21-2005, 08:51 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
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Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 790
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no problems with my swb. look at the avitar pic.
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04-21-2005, 01:10 PM | #16 |
Registered User
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Location: SOMERSET KY.
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I TOWED A 75 FULL SIZE CHEVY PICKUP WITH A 78 BLAZER ON A CAR DOLLY. IT WAS THE WORST 35 MILES I'VE EVER DRIVEN. IF YOU HAVE THE PROPER EQIPTMENT (I DIDN'T) YOU'LL PROBABLY BE OK. ONE OF THE 71 SHORT FLEETS THAT I BOUGHT HAD A 5th WHEEL HOOKUP IN THE BED. HOW CRAZY DOES THAT SEEM??? JOHN
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