Posted 2006-05-16 8:08 PM (#41808) Subject: could i get by with a 1/2ton?
Member
Posts: 26 Location: santa barbara, ca
my old truck is dead ( antique one ton duelly). I have a 2H BP Logan slant, weighs 3680# unloaded. we do have some hills around here, and ocasionally i would go over a pretty steep grade. i would like 4wd. i ususally only haul one small horse, but would like to have the option to haul two. i've always felt a 3/4 ton is safest, but now am not sure if i can afford one. SO many folks around here haul with 1/2 tons and seem to do fine...i have had so many many problems with my old truck that i am tempted to buy a new Chevy 1/2 ton, contractors model with tow package and 4wd, rather than buy a used 3/4 ton..... if i buy thru the dealer, it comes with 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. To purchase the extended warranty on a used truck would be $1800-2000. i only use it for hauling, i put 4000 miles on my other one in close to two years....any advice?
Posted 2006-05-16 8:25 PM (#41809 - in reply to #41808) Subject: RE: could i get by with a 1/2ton?
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
i would say go for it. i towed about the same trailer (w/ 2 horses)with the trailblazer (which is more like a 3/8 ton)in my sig for a few years before the 3/4 ton came into the picture. didnt go into the mountains but the motor never broke a sweat through the rolling hills down here. i also wouldnt worry about "feeling" safer in the 3/4 ton, whats the difference? 1000#? i would rather be lighter myself, better mpg and should stop quicker. did i mention the 2500hd diesel gets the same mpg as the trailbazer did loaded and empty?..................my wife still looks at me funny when i get back from the gas station, glad i didnt find the 8.1 liter i was looking for, i might have been in big trouble at home.
Posted 2006-05-17 1:36 PM (#41836 - in reply to #41831) Subject: Make sure it has a ...
Member
Posts: 26 Location: Alabama
heavy duty rear end. I pulled with a '99 F150 that came with a factury towing package until last fall. When we would hit a bump, the tongue of the trailer would drag even when the trailer was empty. I never had that problem towing with any other vehicle. Going up the hills in North Alabama, it sounded like it was going to blow up before we reached the top. We would start out going 70 at the bottom of the hill & be at around 35 - 40 at the top. It would also feel like it was "sucked in" to passing 18 wheelers.
I upgraded to a K2500 in October & have to look back to see if the trailer is still there. 18 wheeler can pass right by & I can't even feel it in the wheel.
Posted 2006-05-17 3:49 PM (#41842 - in reply to #41836) Subject: RE: Make sure it has a ...
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
Originally written by afkatrina on 2006-05-17 1:36 PM
heavy duty rear end. I pulled with a '99 F150 that came with a factury towing package until last fall. When we would hit a bump, the tongue of the trailer would drag even when the trailer was empty. I never had that problem towing with any other vehicle. Going up the hills in North Alabama, it sounded like it was going to blow up before we reached the top. We would start out going 70 at the bottom of the hill & be at around 35 - 40 at the top. It would also feel like it was "sucked in" to passing 18 wheelers.
I upgraded to a K2500 in October & have to look back to see if the trailer is still there. 18 wheeler can pass right by & I can't even feel it in the wheel.
Brenda
I would suppose that lack of power was due to engine size, transmission, and gear ratios --not a 1/2 or 3/4 ton issue. How much power you have going up a hill has nothing to do with truck size, 4x4, towing package, etc.
Posted 2006-05-21 3:23 PM (#42049 - in reply to #41808) Subject: RE: could i get by with a 1/2ton?
New User
Posts: 4
You should be fine with a half ton. I wouldn't recommend it for cross country hauling but neither would I recommend a BP trailer for that. I have a 6x14 heavy steel stock trailer that I pull with a 2005 Chevy 1/2 ton. It is the work truck model, automatic with limited slip differential and tow package. It pulls great.
could i get by with a 1/2ton?
