Is it possible to lift a tow rig and still use it for towing a gooseneck trailor. Looking to maybe buy a new Chevy and would like to lift it to fit 35in tires. Would this be possible and how do you think it would work?? Thanks for all the info!!
For tires that size, I would assume you would only need 4-6" of lift. If you shop around for the right gooseneck, it should work fine with a truck that height. Adjustable airbags would be a worthwhile investment I think if you plan to tow with a lifted rig though.
Technically, it is possible with the right trailer and hitch assembly. They even make goose necks specifically for lifted trucks and trailers with "lifts" in the suspension. However, you will suffer some undesirable effects when towing. Whether these are an issue is, in part, a matter of preference and also varies depending on load. More lift means higher CoG, more body sway, and accompanying reduction in control. Not much you can do for the CoG, but you can help the body sway with anti-sway bars, stiffer springs, and other suspension tweaks. Taller tires also generally mean taller side walls which also usually lead to less control due to flex, perhaps lower tow ratings, heat issues, gearing issues, etc. I for one would not lift a tow vehicle at all because I want the absolute maximum control possible when towing. I do run 33" tires with totally stock spec suspension just to lower the highway rpms (running 75-85 on stock 30"(ish) tires was just too high for the DMax) and give a bit more clearance as well as having better proportions (the stock tires look like a skate board). But that's absolutely as far as I would want to go.
Who says you cant tow lifted? Its not too easy to see the truck, but its lifted 9" with 41" Michelins. (Max load per tire of 4450 lbs.) Granted it towed damn stable at 20k GCWR due to the tires mostly, but it does have swaybars front and rear. Its all about using common sense when towing, not going over 65 and being alert.
I've never said you "can't" tow lifted, just that there are some significant costs involved. Costs that make no sense to me in a dedicated tow vehicle that really has no need of the lift and tires other than looks. For instance, it would make no sense at all for me to lift my 2500HD since it would bring a whole host of "down sides" and provide no benefit other than looks because it already does everything "off road" I need the way it sits. Now if it happens to be a multi-purpose vehicle that happens to need to tow once in a while, everything changes. It's all about intended uses and what a person values most.
On the very front of the trailer is a 60's vintage ATV called a Coot. Its articulates in the middle of the 2 body sections, and floats in water. Locked diffs, and full time 4wd with 4 wheel steering. It was a pretty fun little animal, but I traded it and that tractor hanging off the back of the trailer for a Unimog (definitely a better deal for me ) The object after the Coot, that the tractor is sitting on is a 5000 lbs rockhammer for a Komatsu PC220 excavator. Hauled that load from Chicago to NY, 1000 miles, no problem. Here are a few pics of the Coot.
My dodge is lifted 5" with 35s and tows pretty well. Have pulled a couple different bumper pulls with total weight of trailer and cargo around 7-8,000 lbs. I have also pulled a gooseneck converted enclosed sled trailer no prob but it has alot of clearance. A girl in town has a dodge with the same lift and tire size and she mutalated her tailgate with her gooseneck horse trailer when she went though a gully.
