I am looking to buy a goose neck car hauler , and am wondering how my 01 GMC Pickup would pull it. I intend to be under the ratings, and not using it very much at all. I need to get a trailer , and am not in a position to but a new diesel yet. It would be a 8x20 GN Rated for 10500. I plan on getting some air bags in back , and already use trailer breaks, but am wondering if this could be done on a once and awhile basis. Dont want to get another trailer after this for a bit so am investigating my option. I have seen a guy on pirate do it but still am looking into it.
It depends on what the trailer weighs and what you are going to haul and what it weighs. If it's rated for 10,500, and you have it loaded to that, then no it's a bad idea. If that trailer weighs say 3200 or so, that leaves you with say 3,500lbs or so that you could tow fairly safe. You say you don't plan on using it much, but almost more importantly where and when are you going to use it? People forget how drastic of a difference there is when you are towing on flat ground in sunny 75* weather, compared to mountain passes with snow and ice. If this is a summer time thing and/or low elevation, then you might get away with 8K or so behind you, pending safe weather. Again, the trailer you choose has a huge factor wether it will work or not. I've got an 8x20 GN, but it's way too heavy for a 1/2 ton. But, mine has three axles and is overbuilt for 18+K. If mine was a tandem axle with less steel in the construction, I'd consider pulling it with a 1/2ton.
I am in the Midwest not much hills or that around here. And like once a month , Not planning on using it in severe weather. Truck is 01 5.3L 4L60E , 4x4
10,500lbs is fine on a half ton as long as you have a v8. dont get in a hurry and manage the transmission shifting(if you dont have tow/haul) and you will be fine. in fact a small gooseneck carhauler is better for a half ton than a bumperpull carhauler because of stability. no worries waytogo
Yeah I don't like bumper pulls much at all. I have a truck now , and want a diesel soon, just figure that I buy a small goose now , and get a diesel later . I figure for now the small trailer will hold me over fr awhile. Thanks for the advice guys . And yes it has Tow/Haul.
I would disagree that you will be alright with the trailer full at 10,500lbs, it's too much weight for your truck, goose neck or not. V8 or not isn't the big deal, it's that you just don't have the brakes to handle that kind of weight and it will put a lot of wear on your drivetrain.
i would somewhat agree with you if he was towing regularly or in the hills, but that doesnt sound like the case. he already understands he needs a bit bigger pickup for a permanent solution. with good trailer brakes and common sense 10,500 is nothing. im from western nebraska, the land of flat. ive put 8 ton of hay behind an old 78 heavy half ton 2wd with a 350 and never had any stopping issues. with a properly loaded trailer and good brakes its fine. now if someone was to start up a hot shot business with halftons and gn trailers that were loaded all the time, well...youd have a point. anyways, gn/5th wheel capabilities of his particular pickup are 10,200lbs. i know, i had one in the chevy form. :stir:
It will work for a while. Like RJF said power wont be your issue, stopping and handleing will be. Get brakes on both axles of the trailer and a good brake control like a prodigy. Air bags will be a must on the back of the truck. I pulled 12,500lbs on a bumper pull with my wifes tahoe a couple of weeks ago and going was fine as was stopping due to the trailer having brakes on both axles and the trailer not being overloaded (it was rated at 15,400). I also had a WD hitch to help with the stability factor. However I would not go farther then the 10miles that I did go and I would not do this on a regular basis. My point is that trucks can pull more than they are rated for (mine is rated for 7500lbs) as long as you take precautions to enhance the safety of the tow rig and trailer.
Yeah My next truck is Gonna be a F350 Crew Cab. I want to buy 1 trailer for now and not need another later. That is my issue. I was definitely Planning airbags , and Already have a break controller. Also me personally I only like towing trailers with dual breaking axles. I hate no brake Trailers.
Place I will be wheelin is 40 mins from here. And I have a 1/2 Ton already. I want a trailer that I can use , but no bumper pull.
Just do it. I would. Use your head and dont plan on doing 80 up the big hills (if there are any in Indiana I wouldnt know where). Like you said you are only looking to tow about 7-8k which is within your trucks ability. Plus even if you did load it to 10k that would be like pulling 18k with a 1 ton dually which alot of these guys (myself included) have done many times with no problems. Have fun and USE YOUR HEAD!waytogo
I had a 2000 5.3 1500 chevy and I towed an enclosed 7x14 race trailer weighing in around 6k about 12,000 miles last year and it was putting stress on my truck. I was doing everything properly as far as the tranny and such was concerned. I also hooked up to some 10,000+ lbs loads a few times but it isn't something you really want to do frequently. Neither did the truck. We haul gooseneck and bumper pull hay trailers around the neighborhood between farms with my old 79 k10 and Dad's 86 K10 and they get the job done. I really, really prefer to do it with my dodge 3500 in all the above cases but since you are planning to get a new truck in the future it can be done. Just keep the regular maintenance up to par and you should be fine.
