Anybody pulling an enclosed trailer? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

oldtrucknut · 01-07-2004, 06:57 PM

I wanted to know how my 97 K1500 Z71 w350, would pull a 20-24 ft enclosed trailer. Probably a Haulmark, cannot afford a Featherlite. I have heard that it would work my truck to death, but I want to know what everyone thinks. I can pull an open trailer great with it now.

**GMCPaul** · 01-07-2004, 07:23 PM

We pull a 24' enclosed trailer with a 88 GMC 3/4ton 4X4 15,000mile 350ci , with Edelbrock Multi-Point fuel injection, headers, edelbrock cam, and hi-po cat with 3" exhaust and Flowmaster muffs, Automatic trans.
The truck weighs slightly over 6900lbs unloaded, and with the truck connected to our fully loaded trailer they have a combined weight of 17,000lbs plus or minus a 1000lbs depending on how much I decided to haul to a show.
Top speed flat ground with a weight distribution hitch and F rated tires is about 80-85 depending on the wind, 0-60 in about 40seconds, heavy mountain grade 40-45mph in 2nd.
Compared to 0-60 in about 8seconds, and a top speed of over 110mph unloaded grade or not.
That should give you a rough idea.
You will want a weight distribution receiver hitch without a doubt though. The Super Sunday Swap meet is this Sunday at the State fair grounds Pavilons, I buy my weight distribution receiver hitch from a dealer there for $250 which gives you a adjustable height receiver, both weight distribution bars, trailer brackets, hardware to install, and a pry bar.
GMCPaul

Blue_71 · 01-07-2004, 08:50 PM

i pull 12,000 lbs with my 89 all the time... this truck has been totaled and has 220900+ miles on a original stock 350

and just a side note, that 12000 lbs is just the weight of whats on the trailer, not adding in the trailer and the truck

jmanz69 · 01-07-2004, 08:51 PM

I towed a 20 ft enclosed trailer with my Liberty. It wasn't the best ride and when a vehicle passed I about got sucked into the side of it. But, I would suspect your truck will tow it fine. Be a trip on windy days though. No problem. Might want to look into a tranny cooler though if you don't have the towing package already on the truck.
My 98 Z-71 towed the same trailer like it wasn't even back there. I had my 69 chevy truck in the back too.

**old Rusty C10** · 01-07-2004, 08:51 PM

should be fine as long as ya dont overload the trailer too much and take it out of overdrive when you use the trailer

Earl Junior · 01-07-2004, 09:02 PM

No problem!

I used to tow a 22 foot enclosed four-place snowmobile trailer with my Dad's '89 GMC 1500. It had a 350, four speed, and 3.73:1 gears. Trailer was 3500+- pounds, and four fully loaded sleds added another 2600 pounds, plus maybe one in the bed which is another 600 pounds or so. I'd say I had close to 7000 pounds on a regular hitch doing 65 over Snoqualmie Pass.

fast14 · 01-07-2004, 09:10 PM

Yeah you should be okay. I see 24 foot enclosed racecar trailers being pulled with less than what your truck is!! LOL You may get you a sway control just to improve the handling.

oldtrucknut · 01-07-2004, 09:51 PM

Thanks a lot guys. I have 373's, tow package, weight dist. hitch, so it sounds like I am good to go! Now all I have to do is convince myself that I should spend $4500 on a trailer.

jmanz69 · 01-07-2004, 10:38 PM

It would be better if you gave the trailer to me. I would let you use it anytime you want. I'll give it a very nice home. I really want an enclosed trailer, but my wife won't let me spend $4500 on a trailer I will use only a couple times a year.

oldtrucknut · 01-07-2004, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jmanz69
It would be better if you gave the trailer to me. I would let you use it anytime you want. I'll give it a very nice home. I really want an enclosed trailer, but my wife won't let me spend $4500 on a trailer I will use only a couple times a year.

Man, you must be smoking crack! Haha, just kidding. I got an even better idea... You can make payments for a few years on the trailer out of your money so you wife won't find out, then I can keep the trailer at my place. I would take nice care of it, might even keep it inside. It's a win-win situation- we both get a trailer and your wife doesn't cut your nuts off.

*Gee_Emm* · 01-08-2004, 12:27 AM

My Dad pulls a 20 ft enclosed with a 99 Denali with a 5.7 Use an equalizer hitch for sure and be careful not to overload and take care in postitioning the weight inside the trailer.

Another tip, in the winter he puts on over 200 miles every weekend, his gas mileage sucked, then he added a throttle body spacer vortex thingy and he significantly increased his gas mileage when towing the trailer, like what he saved in two trips paid for the thing

01-07-2004, 06:57 PM	#1
oldtrucknut 67-72 truck surgeon Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 155	Anybody pulling an enclosed trailer? I wanted to know how my 97 K1500 Z71 w350, would pull a 20-24 ft enclosed trailer. Probably a Haulmark, cannot afford a Featherlite. I have heard that it would work my truck to death, but I want to know what everyone thinks. I can pull an open trailer great with it now. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 1993 Toyota Camry LE 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 diesel 2008 Dodge Charger Super Bee 1953 International R182

01-07-2004, 07:23 PM	#2
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,718	We pull a 24' enclosed trailer with a 88 GMC 3/4ton 4X4 15,000mile 350ci , with Edelbrock Multi-Point fuel injection, headers, edelbrock cam, and hi-po cat with 3" exhaust and Flowmaster muffs, Automatic trans. The truck weighs slightly over 6900lbs unloaded, and with the truck connected to our fully loaded trailer they have a combined weight of 17,000lbs plus or minus a 1000lbs depending on how much I decided to haul to a show. Top speed flat ground with a weight distribution hitch and F rated tires is about 80-85 depending on the wind, 0-60 in about 40seconds, heavy mountain grade 40-45mph in 2nd. Compared to 0-60 in about 8seconds, and a top speed of over 110mph unloaded grade or not. That should give you a rough idea. You will want a weight distribution receiver hitch without a doubt though. The Super Sunday Swap meet is this Sunday at the State fair grounds Pavilons, I buy my weight distribution receiver hitch from a dealer there for $250 which gives you a adjustable height receiver, both weight distribution bars, trailer brackets, hardware to install, and a pry bar. GMCPaul __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM

01-07-2004, 08:51 PM	#5
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	should be fine as long as ya dont overload the trailer too much and take it out of overdrive when you use the trailer __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-07-2004, 09:02 PM	#6
Earl Junior Cadillac power Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North Idaho Posts: 296	No problem! I used to tow a 22 foot enclosed four-place snowmobile trailer with my Dad's '89 GMC 1500. It had a 350, four speed, and 3.73:1 gears. Trailer was 3500+- pounds, and four fully loaded sleds added another 2600 pounds, plus maybe one in the bed which is another 600 pounds or so. I'd say I had close to 7000 pounds on a regular hitch doing 65 over Snoqualmie Pass. __________________ Just for the record, if I'm down to my last potato, I'm not sharing it with a guy who wants to kill me so he can get a better supply of virgins in paradise. That lesson is a little thing I call Economics 101, infidel style. --Scott Adams author of Dilbert

01-07-2004, 09:10 PM	#7
fast14 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 117	Yeah you should be okay. I see 24 foot enclosed racecar trailers being pulled with less than what your truck is!! LOL You may get you a sway control just to improve the handling. __________________ Just a little crazy 1970 chevy full size half ton, soon to be one ton running gear, 350 turbo, 205 case, 355c.i.

01-07-2004, 08:51 PM	#4
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	I towed a 20 ft enclosed trailer with my Liberty. It wasn't the best ride and when a vehicle passed I about got sucked into the side of it. But, I would suspect your truck will tow it fine. Be a trip on windy days though. No problem. Might want to look into a tranny cooler though if you don't have the towing package already on the truck. My 98 Z-71 towed the same trailer like it wasn't even back there. I had my 69 chevy truck in the back too.

01-07-2004, 09:51 PM	#8
oldtrucknut 67-72 truck surgeon Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 155	Thanks a lot guys. I have 373's, tow package, weight dist. hitch, so it sounds like I am good to go! Now all I have to do is convince myself that I should spend $4500 on a trailer. __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 1993 Toyota Camry LE 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 diesel 2008 Dodge Charger Super Bee 1953 International R182

01-07-2004, 10:38 PM	#9
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	It would be better if you gave the trailer to me. I would let you use it anytime you want. I'll give it a very nice home. I really want an enclosed trailer, but my wife won't let me spend $4500 on a trailer I will use only a couple times a year.

01-08-2004, 12:27 AM	#11
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	My Dad pulls a 20 ft enclosed with a 99 Denali with a 5.7 Use an equalizer hitch for sure and be careful not to overload and take care in postitioning the weight inside the trailer. Another tip, in the winter he puts on over 200 miles every weekend, his gas mileage sucked, then he added a throttle body spacer vortex thingy and he significantly increased his gas mileage when towing the trailer, like what he saved in two trips paid for the thing



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