Can 1/2 ton truck pull car trailer?

[pokey64]

If everything works out we'll be picking up a 69 Camaro this weekend. Winter is in full effect and we'll need to trailer it home. :crying:

I have an 07 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab short box. I can borrow a 22' Cargo Mate enclosed car trailer. It's about a 4 hour drive under normal driving conditions. I expect it to take longer with a loaded trailer and possible snow covered roads...

Does anyone have input on if this truck can handle this type of load?

Thanks for any input!

[thetoystore]

yea man i pull my trailer with my 5.2 ex cab dodge dekota all day. now ass for snow and what not i dont know thats up to you. but i've also pulled my 21 foot cobra fishing boat on a 6 hour trip with the dodge.

[wmhjr]

My old truck - '00 Silverado LT extended cab 4x4 w/5.3 Vortec V8 was not up to the task of pulling my 24 foot Classic enclosed trailer. Suspension wasn't heavy enough and the 5.3 just didn't have the torque. With the sway control bars on, on dry roads, without hills, and obviously electric brakes, it's OK.

[pokey64]

Thanks guys.

I'm going to check into having it transported as well. I might have an option to borrow a heavier truck that I'm looking into.

[JLM]

Towed my '69 Firebird home using an 05 Sierra 1500. It wasn't bad, but I don't know if you'd want to long haul it.

[68sixspeed]

22ft with weight dist bars on the hitch will be ok as long as you are not crossing the rockies, will you downshift on hills, yes. but a 22 isn't bad. In the late 90's I use to tow a 26' haulmark with a 1/2 ton and it was ok except in the pocanos or when an 18 wheeler came by at 10-15mph faster. Hopefully the truck has 3.73 gears though, 3.42's might not be that much fun with an enclosed.

[2ndgenhunter]

I tow with my 07 5.3/4wd all the time. It'll be fine as long as you are not in a hurry.

[class67]

I've towed my Camaro on an 18' over the sierra's a couple times and a boat many times with my 05 crew cab Chevy....you have no worries!

[John Wright]

What kind of tongue weight does that trailer have?
You might can get by with weight distribution bars(sized accordingly). I pulled a 30' camping trailer with my 85' Chevy 4x4 shortbed....but that was a handful when I got passed up by a string of tractor trailers. I ended up purchasing a long wheelbase truck and it made a huge difference in the white knuckle effect of being passed by tractor trailers on the Interstate. The best truck that I've owned is my current truck, a 04' 1T 3500 Silverado 4WD crewcab....that baby hauls the mail and you hardly feel the effects of having the trailer back there.

Oh, be sure to use the electric brakes, they will help you more than you can ever imagine, but be careful not to lock the wheels on snow.

[wmhjr]

I agree about the weight distribution bars/sway bars and electric brakes. If you have both of those, you might struggle a bit with power but it'll just mean you'll suck up a ton of fuel and go slower.

With my 24' if I did not hook up the distribution/sway bars, it was unsafe - period. The rear end of the truck dropped WAY too far. Front steering got too light and there was too much tongue weight. Mine was a Z71 4x4 LT, 2000 model year, with trailer package and 5.3 motor. With the distribution/sway bars it was generally safe, but real uncomfortable here in SW PA. We've got hills, but not the rockies. You need trailer brakes no matter what, and in the snow, surge brakes are useless. I would not haul anything of value where there might be snow or ice without electric trailer brakes.

[JEFFTATE]

Most 1/2 ton trucks have a towing weight of about 5000 lbs.
And a tonque weight of 500lbs.
If the weight of the trailer (with the Camaro on it ) is going to be over 5000 lbs , I wouldn't push it too hard.
And electric trailer brakes is a must !!!

[Steve1968LS2]

My 2008 GMC 1500 Sierra crew cab pulls an open trailer with my Camaro on it like it's not even there.. even up hill.

Typically I run weight distribution since the factory hitch is only good up to 6,000 lbs.

I pulled a 24-foot enclosed trailer once for a combined load of around 8,000 lbs and the truck struggled to get it done.

Again, if you're towing over 5,000 with the factory hitch be sure to use weight distribution and make sure you have a trailer brakes.

[dropit69]

i have both a open and 24' haulmark..my titan is a half ton and pulls the open like nothing ..but man get that 24 footer hooked up and you know it..i suggest sway bars and electric brakes for sure..

[toxicz28]

I towed a '71 K20 lwb on an excavator trailer with my 1500 avalanche. No problems, but electric brakes helped alot.

[Steve1968LS2]

Oh yea.. and the stock side view mirrors will suck with the enclosed trailer.. trust me on this. lol

[David Pozzi]

Figure on a loaded trailer weight of 8,500. My 22' all aluminum trailer with a few tools and lola T70 weighs 7,000. A Camaro would add 1500 lbs.

Typical tongue weight is 10% of total trailer weight, in this case I have 900 lbs because of the front mounted roll around tool box. An equalizer hitch is mandatory, even when we tow with our Dodge 3500. The longer the tow vehicle wheelbase is, the more stable it will tow, even if it's a half ton.
David

[John Wright]

A Camaro would add 3500 lbs.

The longer the tow vehicle wheelbase is, the more stable it will tow, even if it's a half ton.
David
I fixed the camaro estimate for ya David....LOL...and I also agree with your last statement about the longer wheelbase making a big difference.

[wmhjr]

I fixed the camaro estimate for ya David....LOL...and I also agree with your last statement about the longer wheelbase making a big difference.

I think he meant that the camaro estimate would add 1500 pounds to the weight of the Lola. That's probably pretty close considering the Lola probably weighs around 1700-1900 pounds.

[gearheads78]

For years I towed with 1/2 tons and got by fine but 2 trucks ago I went to 3/4 ton and will never go back. Current truck is 3/4 ton Cummins and I will never go back to gas.

[Boatmark]

I agree with the above, once you go 3/4 you will never go back. That said, I am in the boat biz and spend a lot of time with trailers.

My 1/2 ton 5.3 Avalanche tows boats up to 26ft/8k just fine, just not fast. Our 20' car (box) trailer full to the roof with a show display is doable, but not desireable. The killer with a half ton small block truck and a box trailer is aerodynamics. Pulling that brick wall kills it. The boats are aero so they are not so bad. Open car trailer with my Corvette is just fine cross country.

If this is a one shot deal why not rent a u-haul open trailer. That with a Camaro will tow just fine.

[Steve1968LS2]

I didn't like the 2500 because to get it in a crew cab you HAD to get the long bed.. to big of a PITA to park sometimes.

Now the 1500 with teh MAX package is better than the 5.3L

[David Pozzi]

What I meant was a Camaro is 1500 lbs heavier than the Lola which is 1800 to 1900 depending on how much fuel is in it. The darn thing can hold 50 gallons!!! I've towed my Featherlite with my Yukon SUV with Lola in it, but I wouldn't want to go out of state with it, I can feel the weight pushing me around, and sure don't feel like speeding with that behind me. It would be impossible without the equalizer hitch. Open trailer is a breeze.

[toxicz28]

If this is a one shot deal why not rent a u-haul open trailer. That with a Camaro will tow just fine.

If you do that, get a local rental instead of a 1 way. You're looking at a $200 difference easily.

[street3285]

I didn't like the 2500 because to get it in a crew cab you HAD to get the long bed.. to big of a PITA to park sometimes.

No you don't.
I have a crew-cab 2500HD with a shortbed.

[arden_dean]

If everything works out we'll be picking up a 69 Camaro this weekend. Winter is in full effect and we'll need to trailer it home. :crying:

I have an 07 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab short box. I can borrow a 22' Cargo Mate enclosed car trailer. It's about a 4 hour drive under normal driving conditions. I expect it to take longer with a loaded trailer and possible snow covered roads...

Does anyone have input on if this truck can handle this type of load?

Thanks for any input!


The towing is 8000lbs for the 5.3 engine and 14000lbs for the big engine. The key is the hitch. allot of hitches are 5000lbs. I pull my travel trailer with mine all the time, 7500lbs loaded. Use a load transfer hitch,trailer brakes and a sway controller. Also, a transmission coolers a good idea. I pull with an 06 Avalanche.

[PT Sportwagon]

I towed my sportwagon home last valentines day. with my 95 1/2 ton Suburban. I ran into snow on the last part of the trip. being I had poor tires I just used 4x4 and had no problems. You should be fine.

Tim

[6'9"Witha69]

The Crew Cab 1500s require the short box (69.3" long).
The Crew Cab 2500s allow the Standard and Long box (78.7" and 97.8" respectively). So yes, the HD is at least 9.4" longer. Not that bad. 28.5", yes, that is a noticeable difference.

[1962nova]

I have pulled my Nova on a Uhaul open trailer many times with out any issues with my 09' GMC Sierra CC, 5.3, 6 speed auto/HD cooling package. Ran great and didn't even know it was there. Even went through some steep and windy grades without any issues.

When I got my truck, I test drove the 2500 with the duramax and I liked it, but was complete overkill for what I needed a truck for. Towing my car local a few times a year didn't justify the cost for me.

[pokey64]

Oh yea.. and the stock side view mirrors will suck with the enclosed trailer.. trust me on this. lol

Now that you say it, that reminds me of when I used the trailer last year to move into a new house. The stock mirrors definitely sucked!

[pokey64]

Thanks for all the info! :twothumbs

I'm definitely leaning towards the conservative side.

The trailer has electric brakes. I checked some more options today. I have an 02 F350 4x4 diesel with a trailer brake controller I can use. I may even have an open aluminum car trailer.

The car has nice paint. Do you guys suggest covering the vehicle when using an open trailer with Winter conditions? (ice, rocks, Iowa road salt) What's the best thing to use?

I'm also going to look into transporting. It's a 260 mile one way trip. Anyone have an idea of typical rates?

[gearheads78]

Do not cover it. You will destoy the paint with the cover going down the road. I would get the enclosed and the 3500 if you have the access.

[LateNight72]

'01 Suburban 1500 (5.3) pulls a 4000lb+ Cadillac & 1500lb Trailer fine. :)

Covering the car will ruin the paint much faster then any potential snow/salt could. When you get it home, give it a thorough washing (top and bottom) if you use an open trailer.

Definitely try to borrow the enclosed, if you can. But, U-Haul trailers are good one time rentals. We've used them on a few occasions.

[pokey64]

Good call! If I trailer it, I'll do the enclosed trailer and F350.

[1971novaSS]

I didn't like the 2500 because to get it in a crew cab you HAD to get the long bed.. to big of a PITA to park sometimes.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/10/010-1.jpg

I think you mean 3500, 2500 are available in short bed, 3500 in chevy are only long bed, in dodge short bed are available.

i dont buy or shop ford much, so im not sure about them.

By the way i think you will be fine with your 1/2 ton, just might not be very fast. :)

[MonzaRacer]

I pull my open car trailer with just about what ever fits with my 78 C10, lowered with ART air ride, and 350/400 combo and still has stock 273 gears. Would work better with more gear and OD but it still pulls. I do want equalizer hitch though.

[dadto2jays]

When we picked up my brother in laws 69 camaro I pulled it with my tundra 5.7 and my truck did not even feel it, 75-80 mph the whole trip with an open trailer...

[John Wright]

What I meant was a Camaro is 1500 lbs heavier than the Lola which is 1800 to 1900 depending on how much fuel is in it.
LOL...my bad David, apparently I read your post waaay too fast for proper comprehension.

[Boatmark]

If you decide on the open trailer, and the weather is bad, find a local marina or boat dealer that does winter or transport shrink wrap.

Get them to sell you a roll of 6" shrink wrap tape. You can literally tape up the front of the car and this tape will come off without damage and will not leave a residue. It a very thick white polymer of some sort.

For everyone, it also is a must have in any of my tow vehicles. It solves a lot of paint damage. Prevents rope damage if you have to tie something across the paint. Tape up the nose of a car. Tape over the windows of a project that has no or non-op windows in transit to keep the inside dry. I have even taped over the entire hood opening of my Vette to transport it with the hood off.
Once you use the stuff you will find a thousand uses and never be without a roll.

[wmhjr]

If you decide on the open trailer, and the weather is bad, find a local marina or boat dealer that does winter or transport shrink wrap.

Get them to sell you a roll of 6" shrink wrap tape.

Once you use the stuff you will find a thousand uses and never be without a roll.

Has anyone used this to shrink wrap their wife? Mine was giving me hell for working on the car after 10pm last night. My shop is directly under the master bedroom, but I wasn't doing anything loud whatsoever. My earplug suggestion did not satisfy her.

[1971novaSS]

:lol: That is extremely funny, whats funnier is i was actually thinking of where i could get a roll of it for the same purpose.

[csx4766]

I tow a 20 foot wells cargo trailer with my 2001 Tundra with a 4.7 liter V8. Corssed over several mountain passes with it. A sablilizer hitch helps.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/DSC005841-1.jpg

[Boatmark]

If you want to wrap the wife, go ahead and get the actual shrink wrap. Tape the edges and heat it up . . . instant mummie! I'm thinking you could even address her, and mail off for a "vacation" that way. I warn you they don't like the part where you torch the wrap to make it shrink . . . .

In all seriousness, you can also get the wrap and do a whole car. Too expensive to wrap it just for a one shot transport, but it might be worthwhile for guys who have to store a future project etc. outside in the winter.