Posted 2006-08-22 9:47 AM (#47121) Subject: truck questions
Member
Posts: 31
Location: Nashville, TN
I have decided to get a nice bumper pull two horse trailer with a tack room. The ones that I am looking for are approximately 2500-3000lbs. What size truck (minimum) would I need to safely pull this a 850 lb Arabian and about 300 lbs of gear. I know that I will have to look at the specifics of each but can anyone give me a ball park of where to start for each of the major big truck manufacturers. Also, do I have to go Diesel?
So what truck would work for
Ford:
Chevy;
GMC:
And does anyone know if the 2007 Tundra would handle this?
Another and final question is I am thinking of going with a used truck. Are trucks with rebuilt transmissions OK and how many miles are too many miles on used trucks?
Posted 2006-08-22 10:45 AM (#47124 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Member
Posts: 46
Location: Corvallis, OR
All of the full size pickup trucks come in 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and 1 ton varieties.
Ford has the F-150, F-250, and F-350
GMC and Chevy..... along with Dodge all have the 1500, 2500, and 3500 series.
You could probably get away with hauling safely with a 1/2 ton truck (smallest of the full size), and no, you don't need to go diesel, cause 1/2 ton trucks don't come in the diesel variety.
PLEASE, whatever you do, just don't get a Jeep cherokee or a Dodge durango type vehicle. I see so many people driving those things around with horse trailers, and it is just unsafe.
Toyota has come out with the tundra, and I'm not familiar with that type of truck, but I have heard that the transmission isn't designed to take the abuse that a towing vehicle will put on it, but I dont know if that was true, or if they have fixed the problem. If you plan on someday getting a bigger horse trailer, you should get a bigger truck now.
Just take a look at towing capacities from the various trucks. At horse shows you see the big three: Dodge, Ford, and Chev/GMC. I don't think I have ever seen a Tundra at a horse show before.
Take into concideration if this is going to be strictly a towing vehicle, or your everyday ride
Posted 2006-08-22 11:37 AM (#47126 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Regular
Posts: 59
Location: Colorado
I think it would be helpful to know how often and how far you will be towing?
I think any of the "1/2 ton" models from Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, or Dodge with the appropriate tow package will be rated above your intended load. Most trucks in this class will be rated to tow 7,000-9,500 pounds.
With that said, for not much more money you could move to a "3/4" ton class of truck that would give you even more towing capacity and most likely a better "feel" behind the wheel. Personally If I was going to be towing your setup with any regularity, I would opt for a 3/4 ton. If it was only for occasional hauls over fairly short distances and it was my daily driver, I would be fine with a properly equipped 1/2 ton. You certainly don't NEED diesel. Diesels are great for towing and in places like here in CO The extra pulling power is very very nice on the mountains, but for only very occasional towing usage a diesel probably won't make financial sense.
Tundras have been around since 2000, They are coming out with a complete redesign in 07. This will be a larger truck with a higher towing capacity. I don't know yet if it will come in both a 1/2 and 3/4 ton variety, but I do know its going to have higher ratings than the current model. I actually own a 05 Tundra. I tow with it a fair bit, but not usually horses, mine has a tow rating of 6,900lbs. I tow a 4,500lb boat with it, it does fine with the boat but if I needed to tow that weight every day over long distances I would probably want a larger truck. I see Tundras towing 2h trailers with some regularity, but It doesn't surprise me you won't see many at shows and the like, because those people probably tow a lot and opt for larger (mainly 3/4ton+) trucks. Again, I think it comes back to your intended usage.
Posted 2006-08-22 12:25 PM (#47127 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Member
Posts: 31
Location: Nashville, TN
Thanks,
The intended use would be to get to friend's houses about 45-60 minutes away or to rides no more than 5 hours away. My husband and I are trying to decide if we should buy a truck for everyday use or buy a truck just for pulling purposes. I am leaning toward the latter given today's fuel prices. That is why I wanted to go with used but reliable.
Hope this helps everyone understand what my needs are.
Posted 2006-08-22 12:40 PM (#47129 - in reply to #47127) Subject: RE: truck questions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR
Originally written by majoras on 2006-08-22 12:25 PM
Thanks,
The intended use would be to get to friend's houses about 45-60 minutes away or to rides no more than 5 hours away. My husband and I are trying to decide if we should buy a truck for everyday use or buy a truck just for pulling purposes. I am leaning toward the latter given today's fuel prices. That is why I wanted to go with used but reliable.
Hope this helps everyone understand what my needs are.
I think a little more is always a little better. If I buy something that I think is "right sized" for my current use, then a short time later, I "have" to have the next bigger thing. Lack of control on my part, I suppose. I suggest that you consider looking at a used 3/4 ton for a tow only situation. Something 3 or 4 years old to make it more affordable. I stick with Chevy, Ford, or Dodge. Diesel will give you better milage, but the cost will be higher than a gas. Also, a diesel that has 30,000/50,000 miles on it is likely to still be a very reliable truck when compared to a gas truck w/ the same mileage. (personal choice, not based on any fact finding mission, please don't hurt me)
Posted 2006-08-22 2:50 PM (#47136 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Oregon
Hi Amy, I have to agree with Betty. I got back into horses 3 years ago, when my husband decided he wanted to ride. I thought this would be a passing fancy with him, but we opted for the 3/4 ton diesel anyway. I'm sure glad we did. We are now the proud owners of a LQ 2 hr trailswest and we've been camping and riding almost every weekend. The price of diesel is killing us, but we would have been looking to trade in the gas 3/4 ton when we went for the LQ trailer. I recommend you purchase the most towing capability you can afford! Best of Luck to ya. Colleen
Posted 2006-08-22 3:07 PM (#47138 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Expert
Posts: 2689
Anything from a Durango on up.
There is nothing inherently "unsafe" about MY Durango as a tow vehicle.
Perhaps the poster who thinks so could elaborate ?
i.e. WHY is a Durango or Cherokee "unsafe" as a tow vehicle ?
Posted 2006-08-22 3:08 PM (#47139 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671
Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Words of wisdom....
Had a 2 wd ford F250,got stuck alot,got a 4x4 f250 instead of a 4x4 F350 (talked out of it by dealer) pulled alot of miles,Got a bigger trailer,needed a bigger truck.Got a F350 CC 4x4 very happy.
Posted 2006-08-22 3:11 PM (#47140 - in reply to #47139) Subject: RE: truck questions
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by SLICKRNSNOT on 2006-08-22 3:08 PM
Words of wisdom....
Had a 2 wd ford F250,got stuck alot,got a 4x4 f250 instead of a 4x4 F350 (talked out of it by dealer) pulled alot of miles,Got a bigger trailer,needed a bigger truck.Got a F350 CC 4x4 very happy.
Next step, get an even bigger trailer.
Next step after that, get an M2.
Then,,, why bother, just go to the 53ft large economy size.
and on and on...
Isn't this only supposed to happen to people with sail boats ?
Posted 2006-08-22 3:41 PM (#47143 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Member
Posts: 46
Location: Corvallis, OR
I used Durango and Cherokee as examples because I have seen a lot of them hauling way too much weight in the past...
But here comes the "bigger is better"
In all actuality you SHOULD have a vehicle that weighs more than your trailer. Its just physics. Car weighing less than trailer isn't going to stop said trailer if the trailer breaks go out.... And it can/will happen at some point in time. When I first bought a 2 horse sundowner, it had the 5 prong plug, which I had to use a 7 prong adapter (that I got from the dealership) to plug into my 3/4 ton Powerstroke. Well I didn't notice it until I was headed down a STEEP hill that the adapter was no better than a pile of bull puckey, and it had fallen off, so no power to the trailer breaks.
A fully loaded 2 horse aluminum trailer weighs a lot more than you think when the breaks go out. The truck handled it fine, but I couldn't help but think what would have been the scenerio if I were in a smaller vehicle.
Needless to say the next day i went back to the dealership, and they changed the 5 prong to a 7 prong, free of charge.
Posted 2006-08-22 3:47 PM (#47145 - in reply to #47143) Subject: RE: truck questions
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Posts: 1416
Location: sc
Originally written by nabsolute on 2006-08-22 4:41 PM
In all actuality you SHOULD have a vehicle that weighs more than your trailer. Its just physics. Car weighing less than trailer isn't going to stop said trailer if the trailer breaks go out.... And it can/will happen at some point in time.
where do these guys come from??? boy im sure glad i got my 6700# diesel to pull my 6000# trailer, wait how did i pull it with the trailblazer then? and what in the world would i use as a truck if i get a really big LQ? oh thats right, the class 7 tractor i drive at work comes in a little over 12000#............
Posted 2006-08-22 4:36 PM (#47154 - in reply to #47138) Subject: RE: truck questions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366
Location: Albany, Oregon
Originally written by Reg on 2006-08-22 1:07 PM
Anything from a Durango on up. There is nothing inherently "unsafe" about MY Durango as a tow vehicle. Perhaps the poster who thinks so could elaborate ? i.e. WHY is a Durango or Cherokee "unsafe" as a tow vehicle ?
Yea...Our ....opps My wifes first Durango had a 4.3L and a tow rating of 6500#'s...She towed over the Willamette Pass several times....no problem. She went and got a new "05" Durango with a HEMI....and a 8,000# + tow limit. They both behaved well. I tested them both before I sent her down the road with them and felt no ill handling problems with either. So......I would recomend a Durango or equivilant for this application....It is in the tow rating....I see duallys that are overloaded and are unsafe, if they have to make a quick decision look out!.... It doesn't mean duallys are unsafe.
Posted 2006-08-22 4:46 PM (#47155 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Member
Posts: 46
Location: Corvallis, OR
that is the point I was trying to make. Any vehicle will be unsafe when overloaded. I see it all the time around here. I saw a sedan towing a 2 horse once...
Posted 2006-08-22 5:02 PM (#47156 - in reply to #47143) Subject: RE: truck questions
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by nabsolute on 2006-08-22 3:41 PM
I used Durango and Cherokee as examples because I have seen a lot of them hauling way too much weight in the past...
But here comes the "bigger is better"
In all actuality you SHOULD have a vehicle that weighs more than your trailer. Its just physics. Car weighing less than trailer isn't going to stop said trailer if the trailer breaks go out.... And it can/will happen at some point in time. When I first bought a 2 horse sundowner, it had the 5 prong plug, which I had to use a 7 prong adapter (that I got from the dealership) to plug into my 3/4 ton Powerstroke. Well I didn't notice it until I was headed down a STEEP hill that the adapter was no better than a pile of bull puckey, and it had fallen off, so no power to the trailer breaks.
A fully loaded 2 horse aluminum trailer weighs a lot more than you think when the breaks go out. The truck handled it fine, but I couldn't help but think what would have been the scenerio if I were in a smaller vehicle.
Needless to say the next day i went back to the dealership, and they changed the 5 prong to a 7 prong, free of charge.
To all their own
From a distance you can TELL what their actual weight, GVxx ratings and all those are ? WOW !
Ummm, physics ? Newton didn't say anything about tow vehicles having to outweigh their trailers. Gooseneck rigs are like mini tractor/trailers (up to lo skool fysiks lessons) and I can assure you that the trailers WAY outweigh their tractors.
I don't accept that you need enough braking in the truck to allow for zero braking capability on the trailer, just check those junky adapters and plugs BEFORE you leave base, don't find out about it on a long steep down grade. More importantly, don't get into a mindset that allows you to believe that the truck can stop the trailer - it CAN, but keep that out of your mind, i.e. keep it IN your mind that the trailer brakes HAVE TO BE GOOD !
Posted 2006-08-22 5:06 PM (#47157 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Member
Posts: 46
Location: Corvallis, OR
wow....
I've just come into this fourm in the last few weeks. It has been very entertaining, but sometimes I think many of you REGulars are just out to start cat fights as oppose to just helping people out.
Posted 2006-08-22 6:18 PM (#47159 - in reply to #47157) Subject: RE: truck questions
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Posts: 1416
Location: sc
Originally written by nabsolute on 2006-08-22 6:06 PM
wow....
I've just come into this fourm in the last few weeks. It has been very entertaining, but sometimes I think many of you REGulars are just out to start cat fights as oppose to just helping people out.
i fail to see how correcting erroneous information (PLEASE, whatever you do, just don't get a Jeep cherokee or a Dodge durango type vehicle. I see so many people driving those things around with horse trailers, and it is just unsafe.) is starting cat fights. towing is complicated enough without people handing out personal opinons or observations as fact....not to mention that when pointing out what cant be done safely, when in fact it can, speaks loudly as to that indiviuals true experience.
Posted 2006-08-22 6:20 PM (#47160 - in reply to #47156) Subject: RE: truck questions
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Posts: 1416
Location: sc
Originally written by Reg on 2006-08-22 6:02 PM
More importantly, don't get into a mindset that allows you to believe that the truck can stop the trailer - it CAN, but keep that out of your mind, i.e. keep it IN your mind that the trailer brakes HAVE TO BE GOOD !
Posted 2006-08-22 6:37 PM (#47162 - in reply to #47121) Subject: RE: truck questions
Expert
Posts: 1416
Location: sc
Originally written by majoras on 2006-08-22 10:47 AM
I have decided to get a nice bumper pull two horse trailer with a tack room. The ones that I am looking for are approximately 2500-3000lbs. What size truck (minimum) would I need to safely pull this a 850 lb Arabian and about 300 lbs of gear. I know that I will have to look at the specifics of each but can anyone give me a ball park of where to start for each of the major big truck manufacturers. Also, do I have to go Diesel?
So what truck would work for
Ford:
Chevy;
GMC:
And does anyone know if the 2007 Tundra would handle this?
Another and final question is I am thinking of going with a used truck. Are trucks with rebuilt transmissions OK and how many miles are too many miles on used trucks?
Thanks,
Amy
since you appear to be only in the ~5000# loaded catagory ANY 1/2 ton would handle the trailer, a 1/2 ton set up to tow (v8, 4.1 rear, etc) would handle it easily. same for the tundra. no diesel is not necessary.
how used? 2004? 1994? there are too many variables there, everyone will have their own preferences, if you dont know what youre looking at have a good mechanic give it a look. id prefer not to be broken down with horses in tow. when shopping for my truck i set my "limits" at 4yrs old, 75K. my truck is a 3rd vehicle, and basically only tows the trailer. i am also in the same "usage" situation as you.