I'm looking at a C4500 4x2 Diesel to pull a LQ Horse Trailer (fully loaded probably around 20K pounds). Can such a vehicle safely pull this weight? What about in more extreme conditions like going in the mountains? Some say yes others say you need to go to a vehicle like that made by Freightliner? Any feedback would be appreciated.M -
Posted 2005-08-22 5:27 PM (#29491 - in reply to #29485) Subject: RE: C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by mchavez on 2005-08-22 3:07 PM
I'm looking at a C4500 4x2 Diesel to pull a LQ Horse Trailer (fully loaded probably around 20K pounds). Can such a vehicle safely pull this weight? What about in more extreme conditions like going in the mountains? Some say yes others say you need to go to a vehicle like that made by Freightliner? Any feedback would be appreciated.M -
Hi and welcome to the Forum.
My guess is YES, but the people to ask are the manufacturers.
Ahhh, WHO are the manufacturers ?
Initially GM, but it probably left there as an unfinished vehicle. The conversion company SHOULD HAVE completed the paperwork for the finished vehicle, so I'd try them.
In a different forum someone said recently that the Kodiak is good for a GCWR of 60,000 - I didn't follow up on it since I'm not really interested at the moment.
Posted 2005-08-22 11:33 PM (#29507 - in reply to #29485) Subject: RE: C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
I've been driving a C4500 for the last couple of months that Monroe sent me. I'll have the article out in a month. The one I have has a GVWR of 17,500 #'s but the combined weight rating, GCWR is only 26,000. I weighed the truck and it's 10,440 empty so this leaves less than 16,000 for the trailer. Which is less than a 3500 GM dually. So I'm concluding GM has spent more time thinking about payload on the truck than pulling trailers. Because the frame is rated 80,000 psi, it has 12 ply tires, comes with a factory exhaust brake standard, very large driveline, differential, 15 inch 4 wheel 4 piston brakes and anti-sway bars that you could use for rail road tracks. The truck I have has a class 5 reciever hitch, Link air suspension and a 8' Monroe dually bed. So if it were up to me, I'd rate the C4500 to tow 26,000 #'s and I told GM that. Waiting to hear their response. I've pulled several LQ 3 and 4 horse trailers with it and over a few Colorado mountain passes. I love the control going down the mountain. I've been driving it like a car too and can park it anywhere. It turns tighter than any full size pickup with crew cab and long bed. I'll have the article here and in 3 horse magazines. But I was impressed.
Posted 2005-08-23 9:17 AM (#29517 - in reply to #29485) Subject: RE: C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
Member
Posts: 13
Location: Clarkston, MI
I appreciate everyone's feedback. I am waiting for a quote to come back on such a new truck. Purchase is not only dependent on price but also on what I've read and this forum's feedback on the truck - it's hard for me to find one to test drive so purchase would go sight unseen. So far it sounds very positive.Thanks.M -
Posted 2005-08-23 7:42 PM (#29540 - in reply to #29517) Subject: RE: C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
If the trailer actually weighs in at 20k loaded, maybe an F550 would work. I haven't checked the numbers though. The nice thing about the 550 is that you can put a real bed on it and still have a truck.
Posted 2005-08-23 9:34 PM (#29548 - in reply to #29485) Subject: RE: C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Ozark, MO
We have been using the 5500's, both Chevy & GMC to pull our trailers. The 5500 is rated at 19,500 LB. These trucks have proven to be the best pulling trucks we have ever had, and we are very happy with them. The only drawback to the 5500 is that you have to take them to a Medium Duty Service Center for warranty work. The 4500 can be taken to any GM dealership. We still prefer the 5500 though.
Posted 2005-08-25 12:07 PM (#29599 - in reply to #29485) Subject: RE: C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
Member
Posts: 13
Location: Clarkston, MI
In response to the Ford 550 suggestion ... A person who said that I needed a Freightliner class vehicle to pull this weight (~20K) also has a Ford 550. He had the tranmission go out on the 550 pulling this class of trailer; hence he upgraded to a Freightliner. I agree it would be nice to still have a pickup as well, but also read that this is part of the reason the GM 4500 and 5500 are better than the F450 and F550 - they state that the 450 and 550 are built on pickup chasis whereas the 4500 and 5500 are built on a heavier duty more utilitarian chasis. This wasn't the exact article wording, but something to that effect. BTW: I have no brand bias; just stating what I've heard or read. Again, I really appreciate the input.
Posted 2005-08-29 9:04 AM (#29706 - in reply to #29599) Subject: RE: C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
I have a friend that had a 49' LQ and pulled it with a 550. It was the heaviest LQ I have ever seen but I don't know the exact weight. I do know that the trailer dealer near me that builds high quality horse vans and deals up scaled trailers said he has never had such a heavy GN in for work. It actually lifted his lift truck when he went to move it. My friend's 550 towed it just fine and I do know that he was legal. If you are concerned at all about the weight though, go with the Freightliner. Better safe than sorry. I've been seeing more and more mini's and tractors pulling the larger trailers. To me it is just a smart move. Sure you have an extra vehicle around that can't be taken to the mall, but we make that choice when we want to tow large.
C4500 4x2 Diesel Laredo Conversion
