Truck hauling

[Calsun]

What is usually overlooked is the ability to pass a slow moving farm tractor or a rig pulling a set of doubles up a grade and do so safely. Also overlooked is emergency handling and how far the truck and trailer will go before it comes to a complete stop. I had a 1998 Chevy 3/4 ton that was rated to tow far more than its brakes could manage in an emergency. I do not want to be in serious trouble if my trailer brakes fail or are simply not up to the task - been there and it was scary and best avoided.

So often the engine is mentioned but the gear ratio is ignored Most 1/2 ton trucks ship with 3.21 gears to provide the best EPA fuel economy numbers and yet for towing one should have 3.55 or lower gears on the truck.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Thanks for the replies. My 4x4 crew cab colorado has the v6/305 hp/269 ft.lbs.Torque with the towing package. I tow my single axle 4000 lb. Gross weight boat with no problem. I know hauling things in windy conditions and higher inclines on campers make a differance was the reason I was asking for personal experiences. I think from all the information I have gathered I think I will be fine hauling a camper of around 5,000 lbs. or less Gross and looking at one with curved front, so should cut wind resistance some.Towing capacity is 7,000. Lbs. Combined combination weight is 12,000. Thanks again !

Aero dynamic has no effect when it comes to frontal area. The frontal area changes the amount of power required to pull that 7000 lbs. I have had cars that would tow 3000 lbs with a 4cyl engine, and the manufactures limited frontal area of the trailer to lets say a pop-up. With that I could pull a trailer that had an aero dynamic design and get 3 mpg better gas mileage for same weight, indicating that the shape of the back of the rig was more important than the front. And for the record I think tow capacity on small trucks is about the boat market.

 

["EZ"]

Well, I would say it's not a slam dunk either way. Last year we tried sticking with the Colorado after upsizing our trailer to a 2007 Komfort 212T, just under 22 feet long and 4600 unloaded. Loaded for a trip, the scales measured 10,600 for the total rig, which is 88% of max (same max as yours). But my 2019 Colorado V-6 gasoline was 2WD, not 4WD, plus if you carry just a bit more gear in the bed, your total might hit 11,000. That's 92% of your max rating for the rig. Some folks advise limiting the total to around 80% or less.

We took this rig on one 500 mile trip and found the power and engine braking to be adequate. I drive 55 and my wife 60. Fuel economy for the trip was 13.5, mostly flat with a 3,000 foot climb at the end. That's about 2 better than what I got with my Silverado (my current TV) for the same trip this year, although to be fair, the Silverado is 4WD, which probably accounts for 1 mpg in any comparison with a 2WD.

The thing that pushed me to upgrade was instability in cross winds and when being passed by trucks on the freeway. We love the 13-year old Komfort, but it is very boxy. On the other hand, I subsequently found out that I was making a mistake in setting up my WDH (a Curt TruTrack) which reduced the effectiveness of its sway control features. (I was mislead by the original printed instructions for the Curt, which have since been corrected.)

This year I decided to upgrade to a 2020 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 liter V-8, 8-speed, 4WD, max rig rating of 15,000. I think the 2019 and later Silverado weighs less than prior model years; in any case, mine weighs only about 600 pounds more than the 2019 Colorado. I expect the total rig to come in at 75% of max rig rather than 88%, when carrying fresh water. When I've got high and twisty mountain passes to cross, I don't carry fresh water. That gives 72% of max rig vs. 85% with the Colorado. I'm looking forward to having a bigger margin on our next trip, which crosses the Sierra multiple times, especially given the engine braking of the 5.3 L.

Bottom line, I would say give it a try, but keep an open mind. Partly it depends on how fast you want to go and what terrain you need to deal with, so your experience might be different from mine.

Best wishes.

You are the exception driving your Colorado at 55 MPH. Most people tow about 70-75 MPH. So, if you're going that slow AND you think it's unstable in a crosswind than you are proving my point. It's not enough truck to tow much other than a couple Sea Doos or a small boat or a motorcycle. It's not enough truck to even think about pulling a big camper and all your wife's junk with.

I was exaggerating with some of my examples and someone took exception to it. But you've all seen the guys that brag about how big their trailer is and how small their truck is and they've been doing it this way for 20 years with no problems...............lol. They are in every RV Forum you read. Never fails.

 

[LSG]

Your probably right about driving a travel trailer at a speed thats safe. I recall running 80 MPH cruise on coming into Wyoming being passed by several trucks dragging trailers one in particular he comes by me like I was parked hes got a large camper one that hangs over feet with one of those chain supported trailer hitches hauling a boat thats at least 24 feet long. I’m struggling to keep my wifes Crosstrek in the lane with the wind gusts and this nut case flys by me I expected to see carnage coming around every corner. So theres that. I tow a lot and I tow heavy stuff I like to get there.

Thinks to know The tow capacity 2WD v 4WD diesel v gas has quite a bit of difference. I think the 4WD diesel is rated at 7700 pounds and its got a 1500 to 1600 pound payload rating. not that I think its right for a 7700 pound trailer. I can tell you I put three full 55 gallon drums of oil in the bed every now and then and its
Actually better than in any half ton truck out there.

I think I didnt clearly state two things in my first response one was the 7200 pound ( 29 foot bunkhouse) 34 overall length travel trailer I felt was ok at 55 but not stable enough above 60 to 70 MPH was to much for the truck. So no I wouldnt tow a 7000 plus pound travel trailer with it. I also should have stated I have towed a 6000 pound 24 foot travel trailer with it as well and I felt it handled this load very well. Not ok or marginally well but very well. Keep in mind I have air bags and a an Andersen hitch. Which I do recommend for this truck.

For my uses its better than load leaving hitches. I also tow two different 7000 pound trailers with this truck they are not travel trailers and have a much lowere center of gravity and are short in comparison to a travel trailer with the same weights So there characteristic are very different. It handles them very well. The Dump trailers in motion a lot and We’re constantly weighing in at 7000 pounds on the trailer I like it over my 1 ton dually for a few reasons one of which is getting it positioned right in tight spaces is great the other is my fuel mileage between the two I probably save $20 on fuel for those trips and there often enough to add up through out the year. Not a huge factor but it plays into it.

So my beliefs with many hours of towing different weights and trailers with a Canyon Diesel is a 6000 pound or less travel trailer with a load leveling and stabilizing hitch or combination of air bags and a stabilizing sway control hitch will be more than adequate. Will it be enough if you have a blow out doing 85 MPH on a dangerous corner as traffic comes to a stop when a herd of buffalo jumped out on the road four cars in front of you i dont know. I state this because I popped a tire coming through road construction in Utah and on the same trip I watched cars shooting off the road as a herd of Buffalo jumped out on the road in Yellowstone. Its probably good those cars left the road because the freed up enough room for all the cars behind me to stop without anyone hitting me You can rig up a truck that is more than youll ever need for almost anything and then almost anything can still happen. But it is my believe it will drag 6000 pounds of travel trailer safely with the right hitch and a driver with half a brain.

 

["EZ"]

Your probably right about driving a travel trailer at a speed thats safe. I recall running 80 MPH cruise on coming into Wyoming being passed by several trucks dragging trailers one in particular he comes by me like I was parked hes got a large camper one that hangs over feet with one of those chain supported trailer hitches hauling a boat thats at least 24 feet long. I’m struggling to keep my wifes Crosstrek in the lane with the wind gusts and this nut case flys by me I expected to see carnage coming around every corner. So theres that. I tow a lot and I tow heavy stuff I like to get there.

Thinks to know The tow capacity 2WD v 4WD diesel v gas has quite a bit of difference. I think the 4WD diesel is rated at 7700 pounds and its got a 1500 to 1600 pound payload rating. not that I think its right for a 7700 pound trailer. I can tell you I put three full 55 gallon drums of oil in the bed every now and then and its
Actually better than in any half ton truck out there.

I think I didnt clearly state two things in my first response one was the 7200 pound ( 29 foot bunkhouse) 34 overall length travel trailer I felt was ok at 55 but not stable enough above 60 to 70 MPH was to much for the truck. So no I wouldnt tow a 7000 plus pound travel trailer with it. I also should have stated I have towed a 6000 pound 24 foot travel trailer with it as well and I felt it handled this load very well. Not ok or marginally well but very well. Keep in mind I have air bags and a an Andersen hitch. Which I do recommend for this truck.

For my uses its better than load leaving hitches. I also tow two different 7000 pound trailers with this truck they are not travel trailers and have a much lowere center of gravity and are short in comparison to a travel trailer with the same weights So there characteristic are very different. It handles them very well. The Dump trailers in motion a lot and We’re constantly weighing in at 7000 pounds on the trailer I like it over my 1 ton dually for a few reasons one of which is getting it positioned right in tight spaces is great the other is my fuel mileage between the two I probably save $20 on fuel for those trips and there often enough to add up through out the year. Not a huge factor but it plays into it.

So my beliefs with many hours of towing different weights and trailers with a Canyon Diesel is a 6000 pound or less travel trailer with a load leveling and stabilizing hitch or combination of air bags and a stabilizing sway control hitch will be more than adequate. Will it be enough if you have a blow out doing 85 MPH on a dangerous corner as traffic comes to a stop when a herd of buffalo jumped out on the road four cars in front of you i dont know. I state this because I popped a tire coming through road construction in Utah and on the same trip I watched cars shooting off the road as a herd of Buffalo jumped out on the road in Yellowstone. Its probably good those cars left the road because the freed up enough room for all the cars behind me to stop without anyone hitting me You can rig up a truck that is more than youll ever need for almost anything and then almost anything can still happen. But it is my believe it will drag 6000 pounds of travel trailer safely with the right hitch and a driver with half a brain.

Buffalo, huh? That made me laugh. But you're right, it's those unexpected things that happen that you are suddenly wishing for a bigger truck with bigger brakes than the one you're currently seated in when it happens.