Iwas wondering if i could pull a 3 horse slant (with just two horses until i get the money to upgrade truck) with living quarters. Nothing extravegant, just AC maybe fridge, tv, toilet, generator (So i could use the heat during the night on weekends... lol (wow, maybe that is extravegant. :) )

I currently have a 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab with the 5.3 Liter motor and factory tow package. I would be getting a gooseneck

I have emailed people with listings about trailers in Cali i see and like, but, they never reply...

What do you all think?

Thanks in advance, and happy holidays to all of you and your loved one!

 - jason

The 1500 is too small to use safely. As far as a 2500, my 05 Dodge 2500 has a towing capacity of 12750 lbs, so it would be fine. The diff between my 2500 and a 3500 is 2 leaf springs and 1000 lbs. Just be sure to buy VERY good tires with a high load rating.

Cowby

Jasondt2001,

Something you may want to consider is the thought on the generator. There has been several threads about there use at campgrounds. Some campgrounds restrict there use and many of them are very loud. You may want to check out the different models and consider the noise level of each before ending up with something that keeps you and all your neighbors up all night. Just something else to think about!

                                     ,Ardly

You know that's a really good thought about the generator question.

What my goal/plan is...my wife is going on a three day event camping/trail ride. I want her to be comfortable at nights because it will be COLD. Everything else is set up for her - cooking, coffee... all i want for her to have it the heating coil on at night.
Someone i talked to mentioned that a battery should be just fine for three nights without even breaking a sweat. I find that hard to believe....

Any opinions on getting a battery setup, using it for the three nights? Will it last?

I could always charge it when i get home, i just want her to have a great time rather than dread the night times. LOL

12 60# bales for 2 horses for a WEEK?  i believe i would trade those 2 in for more fuel efficent models.

Jason ... are you speaking about the max trailer rating and the payload rating of your truck?

Pulling a GN trailer requires the truck to be able to carry weight of the hitch as well as handling the total loaded weight of the trailer.  Most 1500 trucks can't handle the hitch weight of a LQ GN trailer.  Even the "Mighty" one ton will squat under the hitch weight of a decked out 12' LQ 4 horse.

Jason ... I appreciate your note.  As in everything else in the world, there is no freebie in the towing world either.

You've posted some good info on your truck.  GCWR: 13000 Lbs means total weight of the loaded trailer and the loaded truck.  The max trailer weight of 7400 lbs sounds good,  BUT I would interpret the numbers to mean that the base truck weighs 5600 lbs.  You need to add the weight of all the options the truck has and any cargo besides the driver and a full tank of fuel.  A couple of hay bales in the back, two passengers, the GN hitch itself, Easy to get to a thousand pounds.  Now your max trailer is only 6400 lbs.  two (1000 lb) horses...  4400 trailer

But you'll want a couple of saddles & tack. forget the a/c and generator.  No beer either ! That 3 horse LQ trailer is more than 4400 pounds even filled with helium

Having the short bed gives you a bunch of room in the cab. but takes away the bed length... right?  The hitch extenders come in two flavors.  Mounted on the truck or mounted on the trailer.  Be aware that the truck mounted flavors also move the hitch applied force backward.  This could be a problem in that your rear axle becomes overloaded.  This isn't such a big issue with heavier trucks, but you're on the edge.

The 3.42 final drive ratio is great for mileage.  If you're going to the hills, prepare to buy a tranny.  The lugging will burn it up or the engine will wind its heart out.

You might ask the dealership to confirm my GCWR interpretation .  What ever, it's Your decision as it's your money.

I can vouch for that. My rear axle weight with an empty trailer and full fresh water tank is 7,000 lbs. I will be at my limit when all loaded up. A 1500 will be on the bump stops of the axle for sure.

Exactly what I had to do.  I didn't make out to bad.  Try to catch a used truck with about 20,000 miles on it. It won't hurt so bad.  Either get a GM/Chevy Duramax or a Dodge with the Cummins. Better get up on it because all of the new emissions stuff is coming quick. I would suggest you do your research online before you jump into a diesel. 

Dodge site: http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/

Duramax site: ?

Well i took the plunge. ....
I sound like I had teeth pulled - LOL I bought the absolute truck of my dreams. Oh my goodness i was missing so much. Don't get me wrong, that little 1500 was a GREEEEEEEEEEAT truck that i really loved. And then comes the Duramax. Wowwwwwwwww.

Well it's a 2007 Sierra Crew Cab Dually w/ everything. I had no idea what kind of power these things have. I bought it with 4 miles on the odometer so i am not yet able to put it all the way to the floor. So far with 100 miles my MPG is 15.8 so i'm excited to see what it will wind up with later in it's young life.

I did however go to pass someone today on 101. In my old truck, you stayed off their rear bumper (because tailgaters SUCK) and mashed the pedal while staying in the same lane until the speed is acceptable to switch lanes and safely pass. 
Well.... This truck hauls ASSSSSS!!!!!!!! So i go to pass this little car, we're doing 55 mph in a 65 zone. I start to accelerate and wait for the truck to gain speed. To my suprise the speed was INSTANT and i VERY quickly climbed up this poor commuter's rear end. What a shock, oh man and the NOISE!!!!!!!! WHAT DIESEL???????????

Get it on the freeway or get a steady speed in town, and honest to goodness boys and girls this truck can't be heard. It's quieter than my old sierra gasser. Sitting at a stoplight idling with the cab closed up makes you thank goodness you have a tach because you'd think the truck stalled. When you give it gas it does get louder than my old sierra but not by much at all - and it's a good loud... ESPECIALLY the turbo whistle.

Ok, I'm just THRILLED and wanted to let all my new friends from the board know how thankful I am to each and everyone of you for helping in this decision. :)

Jason .. Best part of your GM truck is the Allison tranny.

You've chosen well.  Enjoy it.

Next time yer in Indiana, stop in and let me take a looksy!  Congrats and I'm sure that we are all glad that y'all will be a little safer out there on the roads!  Sometimes folks think that us "stupid cowboys" think that we need big trucks just to drive up to the cafe for coffee and stuff like that, we should get cars and save fuel,... but they don't realize that it's just like construction work, mechanics, and tons of other specialized proffessions... Gotta Have The Right Tool For The Job!! --'least to do it safely ;~)--

talk to y'all later...

We have a 1500 series that we used to pull a 3 horse Ponderosa with a 2 ft short wall. It wasn't long after we got the trailer that we had to upgrade the truck or stay home. Even if you don't have any accidents you'll probably end up tearing your truck up. Might as well bite the bullet and get your truck too.

Merry Christmas To All Of You.

Aren't the new trucks grand?  I came from a '91 F-350 diesel with aftermarket turbo.  It barely pulled my trailer at posted interstate speed limit and would not do that on the slightest of hills.

I ordered my '06 Ram 3500/Cummins/6-spd from a dealer in MO, and driving it back to SC was a THRILL especially in the hills.  Speed gain was almost instantaneous in the hills coming through TN on I-40.  I passed lots of sporty cars, even had a go with one of them, and the steeper the hill the faster the truck accelerated.  Just unbelievable the power these new diesels make!  With 10,000+ pounds in tow, the truck just hums along.

Enjoy your truck and trailer.  We're hoping to upgrade our trailer to LQ after the truck is paid off.

Mike

You bet you broken bit, if i'm ever that way you'll have company for sure!! :)
I now know what you mean about the correct tool for the job - I felt like going to a gun fight with a box knife in my old situation. Now I feel like going to a gun fight carrying an uzi... Ok enough gun analogies - it's the holidays and that's depressing talk. LOL Yeah I'm a California boy and up to a couple months ago i was guilty of that mindset "what in the world would you  need a truck that big for? it's just a HORSE...." haha, boy oh boy was i wrong!!

Merry Christmas to you too Horse Crazy - And to everyone else as well :) May god bless each and everyone of you.

Racesar - You're not kidding about the new trucks, I haven't been able to tow anything yet though.... Just around town is a blast!! Tonight I had a powerstroke (not brand bashing just stating) try to pass me from behind while merging on a onramp - THAT didn't happen :) hahaha. I'm having too much fun!! Now i just need someone to teach me how to safely pull a trailer and the rules of the road while pulling precious cargo.