Posted 2012-09-03 10:31 PM (#146807) Subject: Tow capacity
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Lees Summit, mo.
Looking to buy my first trailer, hopefully a GN 2 horse Slant, with dressing room. Already found great deal on a truck with 9200 pound tow capacity. Will that be enough?
Posted 2012-09-03 10:38 PM (#146808 - in reply to #146807) Subject: RE: Tow capacity
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
Help her out folks. I told her what a great resource HTW is with so many knowledgeable folks on here! ! I thought maybe we had a sticky on explaining GCWR, GAWR etc. etc.
I know this is one of the most common threads, so maybe someone can link to the basics on understanding for those first time truck / trailer buyers.
And I will add, I look at the combined weight rating, which menas what the truck can move down the road, including the weight of the truck and all it carries, and the trailer, and all it carries. Get the curb weight of the truck, and it gives you the generic weight you have to work with as far as a trailer. You do not want to run at the max of what the truck is rated, and allow for an upgrade on your trailer. Trust me, you will have so much fun going places in your own rig, you will decide you want a bit more
Posted 2012-09-04 8:27 AM (#146811 - in reply to #146807) Subject: RE: Tow capacity
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The OP didn't specify what type of trailer was being considered, BP or GN. Most issues with towing capacity isn't the pulling ability of the trucks, it's their carrying capacity.
People don't seem to recognise that trailers vary greatly in their hitch weights, whether it be a king pin or bumper type of hitch. Two horse trailers can vary in weight by tons. A dressing room, LQ, straight or slant loading, construction materials, axle placements and accessories, all will greatly vary the amount of weight the truck is carrying.
As there are many trailer companies (150 +), there are many more trailer models to consider for your purchase. Spending some diligence in researching which trailers have lighter hitch weights, will result in safe rigs, that are both compatible and capable with the lighter towing vehicles.
Because of these variances, it will be impossible to come up with a fixed set of rules. that apply to all the possible combinations of trailers and towing vehicles. What the manufacturers state in their towing recommendations, is often not usable because of the hitch weight restrictions.
Posted 2012-09-04 10:17 AM (#146814 - in reply to #146807) Subject: RE: Tow capacity
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
Are you looking at a 1/2 ton or above? and what kind of terrain will you traveling around (frequency and duration as well)At first glance you should be able to do it (unless you get a 1/2 ton with no payload: GN put 20-30% of their weight on the bed). Also with live cargo you might want to be below the max range.
Posted 2012-09-04 2:52 PM (#146821 - in reply to #146807) Subject: RE: Tow capacity
Regular
Posts: 98 Location: MD
Sounds like the 9200#'s may be a 1/2 ton.
I'll throw some numbers out there...I have a 1/2 ton hooked up to pull a 2-horse GN slant- 3800lbs empty. My tow capacity is 9800# and I had 1450# of payload. With 4x4's your factory payload weight is lower than non-4x4. I juiced my payload up to 2000# with suspension help. I would recommend a tapered nose but you don't say whether the truck is a double cab. Also, would recommend nothing less than V8 for a GN and try to stay under 4000# empty.
Posted 2012-09-04 8:01 PM (#146829 - in reply to #146821) Subject: RE: Tow capacity
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
Originally written by RidnClyde on 2012-09-04 2:52 PM
Sounds like the 9200#'s may be a 1/2 ton.
I'll throw some numbers out there...I have a 1/2 ton hooked up to pull a 2-horse GN slant- 3800lbs empty. My tow capacity is 9800# and I had 1450# of payload. With 4x4's your factory payload weight is lower than non-4x4. I juiced my payload up to 2000# with suspension help. I would recommend a tapered nose but you don't say whether the truck is a double cab. Also, would recommend nothing less than V8 for a GN and try to stay under 4000# empty.
i would just add that you can do many things to raise you payload with extra springs and what not, but almost anything won't legally change your payload capacity and that's what counts.
Posted 2012-09-05 5:55 PM (#146857 - in reply to #146807) Subject: RE: Tow capacity
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Lees Summit, mo.
Ok, doing lots of homework. Seems a Nissan Titan LE with tow capacity is close to F250 when comparing GCWR. It has the cooling capability under the hood,and more HP. It is not as large of frame (which is good because it means it will fit in my garage) but I realize that many say the larger frame matters even though it doesn't appear to show up in the tow capacity figures. Also, I heard you should get a 6.5 ft bed to help with turning radius when pulling a GN (from a trailer dealer). Anyone else hear that? Sounds like the trailer I want will be between 4-5,000 pounds empty. I have one horse and will often be on the road by myself. Expecting to two 2-6 hours 5-10 times a year and the rest are short hauls. Would prefer the Nissan and having a hard time figuring out why it won't work. I get that it is not the standard--but it is part of why I like it. The only thing I can come up with in favor of 250 is bed size and frame (which also has some drawbacks to me). THoughts???
Tow capacity
