'03 Sierra 1500 towing 24' Enclosed trailer
05-10-2012, 09:24 PM
#1
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'03 Sierra 1500 towing 24' Enclosed trailer
As the title states I am going to be towing a 24' Enclosed trailer which will roughly weigh 5,000 lb (I will have a car inside the trailor.)
I will be using a truck very similar to mine with the following stats:
2005 Sierra 1500
Towing Package
3.23 gears
5.3
Stock suspension
Does anyone have any experience with towing anything similar?
Most likely will be towing twice a month on the interstate for roughly an hour travel time.
Thanks in advance
I will be using a truck very similar to mine with the following stats:
2005 Sierra 1500
Towing Package
3.23 gears
5.3
Stock suspension
Does anyone have any experience with towing anything similar?
Most likely will be towing twice a month on the interstate for roughly an hour travel time.
Thanks in advance
05-10-2012, 09:54 PM
#2
WIth that gear ratio you will absolutely want to run it in 3rd the whole time.
Does the trailer have brakes?
What type of brakes?
Do you have a trailer brake controller?
Do you have a load distributing hitch?
I definitely recommend getting some load range E tires too. The stiffer sidewall really helps with trailer sway. If youre going to tow that often Id reocmmend helper bags, and some adjustable rear shocks like rancho rs9000xl series to help out with the extra tongue weight.
Does the trailer have brakes?
What type of brakes?
Do you have a trailer brake controller?
Do you have a load distributing hitch?
I definitely recommend getting some load range E tires too. The stiffer sidewall really helps with trailer sway. If youre going to tow that often Id reocmmend helper bags, and some adjustable rear shocks like rancho rs9000xl series to help out with the extra tongue weight.
05-10-2012, 09:59 PM
#3
WIth that gear ratio you will absolutely want to run it in 3rd the whole time.
Does the trailer have brakes?
What type of brakes?
Do you have a trailer brake controller?
Do you have a load distributing hitch?
I definitely recommend getting some load range E tires too. The stiffer sidewall really helps with trailer sway. If youre going to tow that often Id reocmmend helper bags, and some adjustable rear shocks like rancho rs9000xl series to help out with the extra tongue weight.
Does the trailer have brakes?
What type of brakes?
Do you have a trailer brake controller?
Do you have a load distributing hitch?
I definitely recommend getting some load range E tires too. The stiffer sidewall really helps with trailer sway. If youre going to tow that often Id reocmmend helper bags, and some adjustable rear shocks like rancho rs9000xl series to help out with the extra tongue weight.
05-10-2012, 10:06 PM
#4
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WIth that gear ratio you will absolutely want to run it in 3rd the whole time.
Does the trailer have brakes?YES
What type of brakes? Electric
Do you have a trailer brake controller?YES
Do you have a load distributing hitch?YES
I definitely recommend getting some load range E tires too. The stiffer sidewall really helps with trailer sway. If youre going to tow that often Id reocmmend helper bags, and some adjustable rear shocks like rancho rs9000xl series to help out with the extra tongue weight.
Does the trailer have brakes?YES
What type of brakes? Electric
Do you have a trailer brake controller?YES
Do you have a load distributing hitch?YES
I definitely recommend getting some load range E tires too. The stiffer sidewall really helps with trailer sway. If youre going to tow that often Id reocmmend helper bags, and some adjustable rear shocks like rancho rs9000xl series to help out with the extra tongue weight.
Would you feel safe enough to take the truck and trailer out without the bags and adjustable shocks?
05-11-2012, 08:25 AM
#5
Yes you will be fine, they would efinitely help though. The main things is the load distributing hitch and having electric trailer brakes. Does the LD hitch have a sway controller too? If so you're golden, enclosed trailers have a lot of sail area and can be a handful in a crosswind. Hopefully your trailer brake controller has manual lever where you can engage the trailer brakes without using the tow vehicle. If the trailer starts walking just reach down and grab the lever and drive through the swaying and it will straighten out on you.
I'd also recommend some tow mirrors or the extensions that go on the stock mirrors. If its a full width enclosed trailer you won't be able to see around you without whipping the wheel to get the trailer to sway some to see behind you.
Sounds like you're pretty well set up, the other suggestions would be pretty nice and make a noticeable difference. I just bought a new truck and will be doing a thread on prepping a vehicle for heavy towing.
I'd also recommend some tow mirrors or the extensions that go on the stock mirrors. If its a full width enclosed trailer you won't be able to see around you without whipping the wheel to get the trailer to sway some to see behind you.
Sounds like you're pretty well set up, the other suggestions would be pretty nice and make a noticeable difference. I just bought a new truck and will be doing a thread on prepping a vehicle for heavy towing.
05-11-2012, 07:55 PM
#6
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Yes you will be fine, they would efinitely help though. The main things is the load distributing hitch and having electric trailer brakes. Does the LD hitch have a sway controller too? If so you're golden, enclosed trailers have a lot of sail area and can be a handful in a crosswind. Hopefully your trailer brake controller has manual lever where you can engage the trailer brakes without using the tow vehicle. If the trailer starts walking just reach down and grab the lever and drive through the swaying and it will straighten out on you.
I'd also recommend some tow mirrors or the extensions that go on the stock mirrors. If its a full width enclosed trailer you won't be able to see around you without whipping the wheel to get the trailer to sway some to see behind you.
Sounds like you're pretty well set up, the other suggestions would be pretty nice and make a noticeable difference. I just bought a new truck and will be doing a thread on prepping a vehicle for heavy towing.
I'd also recommend some tow mirrors or the extensions that go on the stock mirrors. If its a full width enclosed trailer you won't be able to see around you without whipping the wheel to get the trailer to sway some to see behind you.
Sounds like you're pretty well set up, the other suggestions would be pretty nice and make a noticeable difference. I just bought a new truck and will be doing a thread on prepping a vehicle for heavy towing.
05-12-2012, 12:36 AM
#7
Are you going to tow that with a RCSB? If so, that short wheelbase, and light weight, and gearing/power is gonna suck. You'll be underpowered, and it's gonna push and pull you all over the place.
Just the extra weight & wheelbase of a ECSB or CCSB makes a HUGE improvement.
Just the extra weight & wheelbase of a ECSB or CCSB makes a HUGE improvement.
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05-12-2012, 10:19 AM
#9
Are you going to tow that with a RCSB? If so, that short wheelbase, and light weight, and gearing/power is gonna suck. You'll be underpowered, and it's gonna push and pull you all over the place.
Just the extra weight & wheelbase of a ECSB or CCSB makes a HUGE improvement.
Just the extra weight & wheelbase of a ECSB or CCSB makes a HUGE improvement.
Towing anything over 2000 pounds sucks bad with my rcsb, it can be done but handling is compromised to the point of being dangerous if you're not on top of things all the time.
