Posted 2011-02-08 9:29 PM (#129950) Subject: Need help pls - truck safely tow this trailer?
Regular
Posts: 74 Location: NW
My conundrum is that my truck (while owned by the original owner) was in an accident & considered totaled. Chrysler Corp replaced/repaired it completely & it was deemed still full warranty covered. Due to this, the plate on the inside of the door is gone, so I don't have the standard numbers to use. Add to that, when they rebuilt the truck, they outfitted it w/a 1 ton axle & beefed it up. So can my truck: 2001 3/4T Dodge quad cab, Cummins engine, 6 spd manual, 4x4 with the 1T axle, SAFELY tow (I am in the mountains, don't want any "sure it can pull it", I know it can pull it, I need to know it can safely handle it in the mountains) a 3H LQ steel trailer that weighs 11,000 w/o horses. I would probably only be hauling 2 horses 99% of the time, but may have the weight made up w/other supplies, including feed, supplies & also my tack business inventory. Trailer is 28' long on the floor. I do not want a different truck, so need to know if this trailer is one to consider or not.
Posted 2011-02-08 10:56 PM (#129952 - in reply to #129950) Subject: RE: Need help pls - truck safely tow this trailer?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Rockyroad on 2011-02-08 10:29 PM
My conundrum is that my truck (while owned by the original owner) was in an accident & considered totaled. Chrysler Corp replaced/repaired it completely & it was deemed still full warranty covered. Due to this, the plate on the inside of the door is gone, so I don't have the standard numbers to use. Add to that, when they rebuilt the truck, they outfitted it w/a 1 ton axle & beefed it up. So can my truck: 2001 3/4T Dodge quad cab, Cummins engine, 6 spd manual, 4x4 with the 1T axle, SAFELY tow (I am in the mountains, don't want any "sure it can pull it", I know it can pull it, I need to know it can safely handle it in the mountains) a 3H LQ steel trailer that weighs 11,000 w/o horses. I would probably only be hauling 2 horses 99% of the time, but may have the weight made up w/other supplies, including feed, supplies & also my tack business inventory. Trailer is 28' long on the floor. I do not want a different truck, so need to know if this trailer is one to consider or not.
See previous answer...when you asked this question with slightly different wording...(What you have is still a 3/4 ton truck)
Posted 2011-02-09 3:41 PM (#130014 - in reply to #129950) Subject: RE: Need help pls - truck safely tow this trailer?
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by Rockyroad on 2011-02-08 9:29 PM
My conundrum is that my truck (while owned by the original owner) was in an accident & considered totaled. Chrysler Corp replaced/repaired it completely & it was deemed still full warranty covered. Due to this, the plate on the inside of the door is gone, so I don't have the standard numbers to use. Add to that, when they rebuilt the truck, they outfitted it w/a 1 ton axle & beefed it up. So can my truck: 2001 3/4T Dodge quad cab, Cummins engine, 6 spd manual, 4x4 with the 1T axle, SAFELY tow (I am in the mountains, don't want any "sure it can pull it", I know it can pull it, I need to know it can safely handle it in the mountains) a 3H LQ steel trailer that weighs 11,000 w/o horses. I would probably only be hauling 2 horses 99% of the time, but may have the weight made up w/other supplies, including feed, supplies & also my tack business inventory. Trailer is 28' long on the floor. I do not want a different truck, so need to know if this trailer is one to consider or not.
11-klbs without horses??? Sound like too much trailer for your truck to me. If you was around here on flat ground maybe but in the mountains......... Also need to worry about stopping it!
Posted 2011-02-09 5:58 PM (#130024 - in reply to #129950) Subject: RE: Need help pls - truck safely tow this trailer?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Take your truck and trailer and go weigh it on a scale.
One of the weakest links will be the tires. Read the load ratings off the tires.
The LT245/70/17E tires that probably came on that truck were rated for 3000 lbs per tire. So the axles should not exceed 6000 lbs load per axle. By driving across a scale one axle at a time ( with the loaded trailer hooked up), You can see if you are exceeding the rated capacity of the tires.
They used the same cummins engine in Duallys as they did in your truck, So I'm sure the engine has plenty of umph for your load. Your weak points are going to be the axle, brakes and tires. The Dodge specs for towing will show what the truck was rated to tow. And I bet a 2001 3/4 truck is not rated for a 15,000lb trailer. ( 11,000 for the trailer 3 horses @ 1200lbs each plus hay, water and tack.) A 15,000lb trailer will probably have about 25% of it's total weight on the gooseneck hitch and on the truck's axle. Thats 3750 lbs. That means your truck rear axle would have to weigh around 2250lbs empty to not overload the tires. I just don't think it will happen.
The current 2011 Dodge 2500 is rated at 13350lbs Max trailer and 2490 max payload. I'm sure teh 2001 trucks were rated lower than the current 2011 trucks.
So my best guess is that you will exceed the rated capacity of your truck with that trailer.
Posted 2011-02-09 6:53 PM (#130031 - in reply to #129950) Subject: RE: Need help pls - truck safely tow this trailer?
Regular
Posts: 74 Location: NW
Thanks for the answer. I don't have this trailer - was looking at it for possible purchase. So I guess that decides it, will keep the one I have unless I find a shorter/lighter one that has what I want.Love my truck & don't want to get rid of it, nor do I want to drive a 1T again.Thanks!
Posted 2011-02-10 7:59 AM (#130055 - in reply to #129950) Subject: RE: Need help pls - truck safely tow this trailer?
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Casar, NC
Sounds to me like you are making the right decision. I would be very concerned with stopping and the weight on your truck tires, that was mentioned earlier. If you have a web site email me your info on mohair cinches. Thanks
Need help pls - truck safely tow this trailer?
