Posted 2010-12-14 9:39 PM (#128043) Subject: First Truck - Some Questions
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
So I'm the happy owner of a 2000 Chevy 2500 6Liter V8 truck. Next step is the towing part. I will be getting a 2 horse bumper pull trailer, not sure which one yet. My truck can tow around 11,000lbs. I just need some info as to if there is a specific trailer hitch I need to get? Does it vary by the vehicle you're towing with, the trailer you're towing, etc? I've been searching the net, but getting a little confused. Also, anyone know the recommended tire pressure for this truck? It's not in the manual. All the manual says is to not run it too high or low. Heaven forbid it give an actual number. It also says to not trust the number on the tires, not that I can find that anyway.
Posted 2010-12-14 10:06 PM (#128044 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Location: KY
congrats, nice truck, get a gooseneck stock type horse trailer, more room, easier to pull (and back up!) and safer than a 2 horse bp; and you have a good truck to pull with........good luck and happy hauling........
Posted 2010-12-14 10:10 PM (#128045 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
I'd love a gooseneck, but I just overextended myself on the truck. A bumper pull that just passes inspection is all that's in my immediate future. I got that truck so I can upgrade in the future.
Posted 2010-12-14 10:24 PM (#128046 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Your tires will have a manufacturer's marking that will indicate a maximum inflation pressure. This is the most amount that you can install. Also on the tire will be a manufacturer's date code. If they are original tires, they should be exchanged. 6-7 years is a good tire life; anything longer can result in failures.
Many people inflate their tires to the maximum indicated inflation when towing. This results in less rolling resistance, which lessens the amount of heat that is produced, and lengthens the tires' life span. If you have 16" "E" range tires, the maximum inflation is 80 PSI. Don't run the tires any lower than 50 psi when running empty.
The type of hicth you will need, will be determined by the type of 2H BP trailer you are contemplating. If it is a straight load with a large dressing room, you will have a large tongue weight and may need an equalizer. If you get a slant load and an average sized DR, you probably will not need any additional aids. All the hitches will require a ball of 2 5/16".
Posted 2010-12-15 11:19 AM (#128058 - in reply to #128045) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Member
Posts: 18
I pull a goose neck stock trailer but I had a 2 horse bumper pull for many years before I got this trailer. I love my stock trailer but in some ways I miss the bumper pull. I like backing them much better than goose necks, I also like pulling the shorter bumper pulls in town better. Get a bumper pull and be happy with it, in many ways they are superier.
Posted 2010-12-21 10:02 PM (#128255 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
One more question. I only plan to use this truck for towing, so it won't have a job until spring. It's pretty freakin' cold here. How often should I drive this puppy to keep it happy? Gas isn't cheap, but I don't want to mess it up by not driving it if I should be.
Posted 2010-12-22 2:04 AM (#128256 - in reply to #128045) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by TBchick on 2010-12-14 10:10 PMI'd love a gooseneck, but I just overextended myself on the truck. A bumper pull that just passes inspection is all that's in my immediate future. I got that truck so I can upgrade in the future.
Posted 2010-12-22 11:09 AM (#128260 - in reply to #128255) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Seattle "pshaw, its not raining hardly at all!" WA
I just asked over in another thread and after ALOT of good, rather technical ;) advice, thie gist of it was that I was told that I should drive my new (to me) diesel at least 30 min every week or so to keep it happy and healthy. that shorter times would potentially cause water to get into things where water shouldnt be and that 30 min would be enough to warm it up sufficiently and keep the battery charged.
additionally, according to my owners manual, if its going to sit for more than 21 days I should disconnect the battery.
Posted 2010-12-22 12:08 PM (#128261 - in reply to #128260) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by ornerie on 2010-12-22 11:09 AM
I just asked over in another thread and after ALOT of good, rather technical ;) advice, thie gist of it was that I was told that I should drive my new (to me) diesel at least 30 min every week or so to keep it happy and healthy. that shorter times would potentially cause water to get into things where water shouldnt be and that 30 min would be enough to warm it up sufficiently and keep the battery charged.
additionally, according to my owners manual, if its going to sit for more than 21 days I should disconnect the battery.
hope that helps!
Trucks sit on sales lots longer than 21 days...and their batteries are not disconnected...
Posted 2010-12-22 2:33 PM (#128262 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
During the winter our truck can sit for over a month at a time without driving. Nothing is disconnected and everything is ready to go when I need it. It sits in an unheated garage, I don't use any heaters, and never have had a problem starting it regardless of the temperature.
Posted 2010-12-22 3:01 PM (#128263 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Our 2010 ML-350 sat for about 24 days last winter. Opened the door and the dome light wouldn't even come on.... Battery was grave yard dead... Charged it up and made sure it gets driven at least once a week, no more problems since then....
Posted 2010-12-22 10:35 PM (#128266 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
How exciting! I remember our first truck.... been many years. Sounds like you made a good choice, and glad to hear you went with the advice of a 3/4 ton.
Does the truck have any sort of hitch / receiver on it already? If so, you may only need the hitch ball mount (the square part that slides into the receiver on the truck) that the ball is mounted on. I am sure there is a standard height of horse trailer couplers (the part on the trailer that drops on to the ball) but in my opinion, you may not be able to get your hitch set up, until you see if you need much of a drop in the ball mount, to have the horse trailer sit as level as possible. I am sure you have seen trailers hitched to tall 4x4 trucks, where the horses are standing in a trailer higher in the front, going down the road like they are climbing a hill! All the need to do is have a ball mount that drops lower, so it would make the trailer travel lower. Your truck won't be that high, but just giving an example, that you kind of need to match the two.
Make sure to get a trailer that is not only safe and sound for your horse, but if you want to get a gooseneck later, one that might hold some of its value for resale.
And since you have a gas motor, not a diesel, I'd say you don't have to fire it up as much. But, since you said this is your first truck, would not hurt to drive it once and awhile to town, just to get really comfortable with handling it etc.
Hope your new truck takes you and your horse to many exciting adventures!
Posted 2010-12-26 3:52 PM (#128285 - in reply to #128043) Subject: RE: First Truck - Some Questions
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Connecticut
So far all it's got in the back is the square female part. I've got a friend who sells trailers, so he's going to take a look and see what more I need. I asked the question about how often I should be driving it, because I already had a day of dead battery. I brought it home from the dealer, it sat in my driveway for 5 days in bitter cold and was dead as dead when I went to start it. I recharged the battery, and it hasn't been a problem since.I do think I have a slow leak in one tire. I keep filling it and it keeps looking flat to me. If I ever get time, I'll get it checked out. Overall it seems like a good truck. It has lots of power, and I'm getting used to driving something of that size. (usually I drive a Honda Civic...slight size difference) I drove it today to the train station since we're having a blizzard tonight. I figure by the time I get back up there, it will be fully plowed in and I'll be able to drive the beast up and over!
First Truck - Some Questions
