Phil
Trailer towing guidelines are based on the "weakest link" theory. To really
answer your question, you need to have an idea what the "weakest link" is.
The theory works like this, you can have a big engine, strong axles, but a
too small radiator. The radiator becomes the weakest link. A lot of people
think that a manual transmission vehicle should be able to pull more than an
automatic, but it turns out the clutch plate is the weakest link, and in all
cases, an automatic can out tow it's manual transmission counterpart.
Consider:
Automatic Transmission or manual.
If Automatic, is there an external fluid cooler? You can add one if that is
the weak link.
Locking diff or open?
Radiator size?
Brakes. Trailer brakes can help if this is the weak link.
Tires. Simply upgrading to a higher ply rating or higher load capacity tire
could improve this.
Engine size is rarely the reason a vehicle can't tow much, after all, you
can almost always shift down to the next lowest gear, however the engine
block's ability to dissapate heat can be the limiting factor. a 2009
Duramax diesel truck is only rated to pull 15,000 lbs because under maximum
load, the block can not shed the heat into the water jackets sufficiently to
prevent engine damage.
I pulled a car trailer holding a Midget and parts with a Ford Ranger 4x4
extended cab 4.0 automatic from Lancaster CA to Chico Ca no issues. Trailer
was equipped with trailer brakes, and I used a tongue weight scale to help
locate the car on the trailer and set the tongue weight at the recommended
amount (I think it was 150 lbs?). That truck was rated at 4500 lbs. tow
capacity.
Amazingly, a 1995 Ford F150 with a 300 six and a manual transmission was
rated to tow ZERO! The combination of a 2.8 differential and manual
transmission were the weakest links.
David Riker
----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Nase" <nases@verizon.net>
To: "net Spridgets@autox.team. Net" <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Trailer towing
> There is no factory tow package on the truck. The trailer is tandem axle
> with
> electric brakes on all 4 wheels. I plan to add a prodigy brake controller
> if
> the truck will handle the load.
>
> Phil Nase
> Quakertown, PA
> home.comcast.net/~philnasecpa/
>
> On Oct 23, 2010, at 11:15 AM, Phil Nase <nases@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> My pick up towing limit is 3500 lbs. A trailer I'm looking at is 1450
>> lbs.
>> With a Sprite and a few tools on the trailer I figure I'll be very close
>> to
>> the limit.
>> I'll be driving from Eastern PA to Elkhart Lake with it. Is this a bad
> idea,
>> assuming I really don't want to trash the truck?
>>
>> Phil Nase
>> Quakertown, PA
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