towing with a 1/2 ton? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cstm68 · 12-28-2008, 07:54 PM

i have an 01 z71 1500 LT with a 5.3L vortec, is it a bad idea to tow a trailer with my 68 swb on it? i have a heavy duty aftermarked reciver if that makes any difference,

if i do tow with it it would be mostly highway driving once or twice a year?

LowBow · 12-28-2008, 08:52 PM

Is it the one in your sig with 6" of lift and 35's? The only thing I would check would be to make sure all your fluids are o.k., make sure you have a trans cooler, and maybe look into a programmer that you can set up for towing. I have an 03 z71 that I just towed my '72 with. No problems there, but it was only an hour drive.

71swb4x4 · 12-28-2008, 09:11 PM

Trailer brakes are an absolute must.
I would make sure you have a tranny cooler too, otherwise you should be good to go.

LowBow · 12-28-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

Trailer brakes are an absolute must.

I never think about stuff like that! I never have to deal with snow or mountains.

71swb4x4 · 12-28-2008, 09:58 PM

It's not a snow or mountains thing. Sure, you can get a 1/2 ton stopped while pulling a car trailer with a full-size truck on it, but not it sure isn't stopping as well as it stops unloaded.
Imagine you are close to home, and a kid runs out in front of your truck. You want it to stop like you aren't pulling a trailer, which it can only do if it has properly operating trailer brakes.
Another situation, which has come up a couple times on this message board, is when you are minding your own business going down a hill and all of a sudden your trailer decides it's going to pass you. This isn't a deal where your trailer is coming all the way around, yet. Your trailer starts swaying back and forth because it is building up momentum that you can't decrease if the trailer doesn't have brakes. Your only option is to hit the gas and stay in front of it.

Trailer brakes just make good sense when towing. It's cheap to add to most new vehicles. If you are trailer shopping you can get a trailer with hydraulic brakes which don't need any controls in the tow vehicle.

cstm68 · 12-28-2008, 10:39 PM

yes it is the one with the 6'' lift and 35s,
the trailer has hydraulic brakes, but i was thinking about setting the truck up to use electric trailer brakes too, i am also adding ride right air bags in the rear,

since the truck has a 6'' lift do i need a drop hitch? 4'' or 6''? how far should the ball be from the ground? i thought it was 18'' but i cant remember?

**truckdude239** · 12-28-2008, 11:33 PM

low enough the tailor sets evenly

71swb4x4 · 12-29-2008, 10:41 AM

I have heard that the standard height is 15" from the ground, but like David says it should be whatever it takes to make the trailer level.

12-28-2008, 07:54 PM	#1
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	towing with a 1/2 ton? i have an 01 z71 1500 LT with a 5.3L vortec, is it a bad idea to tow a trailer with my 68 swb on it? i have a heavy duty aftermarked reciver if that makes any difference, if i do tow with it it would be mostly highway driving once or twice a year? __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

12-28-2008, 08:52 PM	#2
LowBow Self Made Hundredaire Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Fl Posts: 173	Re: towing with a 1/2 ton? Is it the one in your sig with 6" of lift and 35's? The only thing I would check would be to make sure all your fluids are o.k., make sure you have a trans cooler, and maybe look into a programmer that you can set up for towing. I have an 03 z71 that I just towed my '72 with. No problems there, but it was only an hour drive.

12-28-2008, 09:11 PM	#3
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: towing with a 1/2 ton? Trailer brakes are an absolute must. I would make sure you have a tranny cooler too, otherwise you should be good to go. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

12-28-2008, 09:58 PM	#5
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: towing with a 1/2 ton? It's not a snow or mountains thing. Sure, you can get a 1/2 ton stopped while pulling a car trailer with a full-size truck on it, but not it sure isn't stopping as well as it stops unloaded. Imagine you are close to home, and a kid runs out in front of your truck. You want it to stop like you aren't pulling a trailer, which it can only do if it has properly operating trailer brakes. Another situation, which has come up a couple times on this message board, is when you are minding your own business going down a hill and all of a sudden your trailer decides it's going to pass you. This isn't a deal where your trailer is coming all the way around, yet. Your trailer starts swaying back and forth because it is building up momentum that you can't decrease if the trailer doesn't have brakes. Your only option is to hit the gas and stay in front of it. Trailer brakes just make good sense when towing. It's cheap to add to most new vehicles. If you are trailer shopping you can get a trailer with hydraulic brakes which don't need any controls in the tow vehicle. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

12-28-2008, 10:39 PM	#6
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	Re: towing with a 1/2 ton? yes it is the one with the 6'' lift and 35s, the trailer has hydraulic brakes, but i was thinking about setting the truck up to use electric trailer brakes too, i am also adding ride right air bags in the rear, since the truck has a 6'' lift do i need a drop hitch? 4'' or 6''? how far should the ball be from the ground? i thought it was 18'' but i cant remember? __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

12-28-2008, 11:33 PM	#7
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: towing with a 1/2 ton? low enough the tailor sets evenly __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

12-29-2008, 10:41 AM	#8
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: towing with a 1/2 ton? I have heard that the standard height is 15" from the ground, but like David says it should be whatever it takes to make the trailer level. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.



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