My husband and I are looking at getting our first LQ trailer in the next 6 months, maybe sooner, and have been looking around. Really wanting to by from Dixie Horse & Mule Co, I found a Bison 3 horse with 8' LQ rated empty at 8420lbs. According to research I've done the on the truck (which is a 2001 with 6.0) should be able to handle the load although I'm getting mixed figures on the towing capacity available. Since we are already planning to add a Timbren kit and some engine adjustments (something to do with the air filter, spark plug upgrade and something else?? don't know the specifics although I'm sure the hubby explained it to me in great detail), the main concern being voiced to me now is wear on the engine if we do a lot of riding in the mountains.

What do you guys think?

Thanks for your input. Renee

Bechack - I'm getting mixed numbers on what the tow capacity is on the truck. Some say 10,500 (in which case I'd be way over) while others say 15,600.

We always drive conservatively with the horses regardless of the terrain and I've estimated our loaded weight to be 12000 or 12500 on the high side. We are doing weekend rides with rare 4 day trips. The only one we're sure to do for that long is to Benson, NC for Mule Days.

Thanks for your input. I'm really looking forward to my new trailer and with all the great things I've heard about Dixie and Don, I feel like I'm in good hands. I just hope I don't have to buy a new truck for a couple years.

What kind of mixed towing figures and who is the source?

I have a GM 2001 trailering guide(9/2001 edition) in front of me as I type.  Depending on your cab configuration and 2 or 4wd your max trailer weight is between 10.5k or 9.7 k lbs.  All require the 4.10 axle.  Your hitch weight can be up to 3,000 lbs if the weight doesn't cause the rear axle to exceed its rating. (this will depend on where you locate the hitch pin)

Only the 8.1L and Duramax are rated higher.

I think you're going to be under trucked for the Bison.

wrong.   nearly EVERY 3/4 ton srw has a higher trailer rating, given the same powertrain, as a dually.  the max trailer = gcwr - the truck weight.  since a dually weighs more, and a gcwr is set for a powertrain, that comes out of the max trailer weight.  i do like the comment about "non agressive driving" though,  guess you get to drive agressive with your dually?

 as already mentioned the 10k is for the 6.0 and the 15k is for the dmax and big block.

you may notice i said "nearly EVERY 3/4 ton srw".  ford and chevy have been that way more or less, ford typically does offers only the lower rear gear on the drw to make up the difference.  not to familiar with dodge, i have heard dodge used to be rather tight lipped about their gn/5er weight ratings.

and no i dont wonder why there arent many tractor/trailers running supersingles.  it is because supersingles never really caught on,  so when you have a blow out they are hard to find/replace causing the driver to have to buy 2 regular rims/2 regular tires to procede on.  a 20k axle does not care if it has 2 10k tires or 4 5k.  i drive big rigs for a living.

PaintPony - I actually discovered Mule Days just last year. My husband went for years growing up and we drove up for the day on Saturday (no horses) and I was in awe. I ended up spending most of the day on the back of a borrowed horse in love with the atmosphere. The horses in the McD's drive thru just amazed me. We've planned on going for 5 days this year and I am so excited.

The trailer I want is the same trailer you have. After hearing the other posts, your's confirms what I suspected and we're looking at getting a '99 or 2000 model one ton dually. We figure that truck will last us quite some time yet if we shop carefully.

Thanks all for your help. Renee