I have a 2000 1/2 Ton Chevy silv. ext. cab short box as a secondary truck, my primary truck is a 3/4 ton.  I have just purchased a Litehoss 5 horse slant load - over all length of 30'.  If I wanted to pull this trailer with my 1/2 ton (2-horse max over the trailer axles) could I do it? The trailer weights 6300 lbs + 2 horses at 1200 lbs / 5.3L eng. 3.73 axle ratio. The question is can my 1/2-ton pull this trailer safely.

By the numbers you would be ok barely. I never have liked "barely". I generally don't worry about the fuel or power issue but the braking is really something to look at. Could you, sure. Should you, only you can decide. If I had another truck available the decision would be pretty easy.

Just an opinion, take it for what it's worth.    CS 

The only way I would do it is if your 1/2 ton is a 4 wheel drive with a towing package.  Then you will still need air bags or extra springs.

From what I've seen at horse shows, the 1/2 ton chevys seem to squat a whole lot when they have a trailer on. 

I do know a farmer that will haul 10,000lbs+ of tobacco on a gooseneck behind his F150s.  F150s seem to handle the loads better than 1500s though.  I think Chevy opted for ride comfort on the 1/2 tons as their first priority.

-Phillip 

I plan on using my 3/4 tom for long trips - the problem is that I work out of town allot and the gal would like to be tow the trailer in question to the local riding areas.  They are 10 to 20 miles one way with no steep inclines along the way - (country roads).  She drives very slow while pulling trailers 35 to 45 miles  per hour.  Her plan is to do this 1 to 2 times per week in the summer.  I plan on using the 3/4 ton when-ever possible but for her, she wants to be able tow the trailer to and we don't want to purchase another 3/4 ton pick-up.  But we would like to have 2 trucks equipped to pull safely.  All of the charts are a little confusing on what you can and can not do!!

Thanks for all your help and all of the info.

I pulled my trailer for 3 years and never had to replace the tranny, and the truck still runs/pulls great.  I did add the extra springs and go from the 20inch tires that came with the truck to some 17inch tires. 

Just weigh the truck, the trailer, then the truck and trailer.  They people at the scales will tell you how to get the different axle weights. 

I'm not sure you would be with in the vehicle capacities to do that unless you know a accurate pin weight.  My 1/2 ton used to pull a 3-horse slant is within spec trailer (4.5k and 2 horses)but with 5-horse I would think you would be over. But if you could change the pin weight by different loading technique and can get the wieght low enought then you should be okay. BTW I am getting approx 10-12 mpg pulling unloaded I get 18-20

Kevin

Morty,

 Can you find the max. tow rarting in the owners manual?

 I had a 99 with tow package and it had the same gears and motor as yours. I'm pretty sure the max. tow rating was only 7500lbs. Your trailer with horses and tack etc.... sounds like it will be close to 9000lbs.

As others have said, Even if you are below the max tow rating you will almost certainly be above the maximum GVWR of the truck. I know my truck had max payload of roughly 1,700 pounds. This includes EVERYTHING in the truck. Driver, fastfood wrappers, trailer pin weight, everything. Your trailer pin weight alone will be very close (or over) that.

I suspect it will pull it, and going slow on back roads it may be okay, but you are approaching (if not exceeding) the rated  limits of the truck.

  -Flush