2500 box trailer limits

[Mark31]

Folks, I was going to help a friend move from Charlotte NC to Logan, Utah around the end of April. I had understood the box trailer we were to use was a 20 footer, but now learn that it is 24 ft. I feel like 20 ft with my sig truck might be enough, with maybe even parking if it got rough, especially with the winds that can come up that time of year and winds off of 18 wheelers. I'm thinking maybe he might need a "dooly". What do you think? I have no desire to be a statistic! Mark

 

[jgillott]

How heavy do you expect it to be? Is it a #7000 or #10000 GVW trailer?

I don't want to talk you in to or out of making that trip. Only you can decide what you are comfortable with. But, I have pulled a similar trailer to that one many times without issue using a regualar old Reese Dual Cam WD hitch. Would a DRW truck be more stable in the wind, abslolutely. But it certainly can be done with a 2500.

 

[NIsaacs]

I agree with jg, should not be a problem at all. I would consider a 24' travel trailer on the small side, not much different. The main thing is to load it correctly, heavy stuff over the axles and keep in mind hitch weight.

Nick

 

[Mark31]

Nick and jg, thank you much for your comments. I had ruled out the trip just on account of the length. I know especially during the changing of seasons out there, winds can be TUUFFF! If you two think it is doable, I will check into the particulars of the trailer. If old torsion axles haven't worn the inside of the tires, or the spring suspension bolts, bushings, shackles, and dividers are good, brakes good, and wiring and lights are ok, bearings serviced, tires that pass my extremely critical eye, I might see how it does on an empty pull. I would need to find someone that KNOWS and UNDERSTANDS hitches to get me up to speed on them before committing! Goosenecks have me spoiled! Can you think of anything else to check to make sure it is "race ready"? Thanks again! Mark

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I towed my 24' box trailer with a 2500 like yours, weight up to 8k.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I pulled my 30' long 8.5' tall enclosed with a 3/4 ton thousands of miles in Montana and Dakota winds. Not as stable as my Dually but certainly not bad. That was without a sway bar or w/d hitch. It is a 14k gvw trailer though so I have pretty stout tires on it. I used to have a 20' 7k trailer that would sway if you drove over a gopher mound or happened to sneeze on the steering wheel. WITH a sway bar! The biggest difference is in the tires and the sidewall flex that will cause the most sway. Make sure every tire on truck and trailer is inflated to the max rating on the side of the tire (not what Dodge recommends in the manual). You should be just fine.

 

[Mark31]

Powder Ex, I pulled my tractor with loader and heavy rear blade on my gooseneck (23.5k combined) to Columbia, MS. after Katrina. My rig never hinted a wiggle. I was following a 2500 Chevy pulling a 22-24 ft box that must have been rigged like your 7 k trailer. It "skeered" (2 steps beyond scared) me something awful when a truck passed or even going around a curve that changed the way air went around the trailer. I would have grave yard died if I had been in it! I wasn't unhappy when we got separated. So, I guess that has as much to do with me being leery of 20+ ft boxes pulled by SRW trucks as any one thing. Thanks for your good advice! Mark

 

[Powder Extreme]

Good luck and be safe!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I'll add my 2 cents here. Mark - I've seen stuff like you mentioned (swaying). The one time I was able to verify they didn't load the trailer correctly - incorrect tongue weight.

I've pulled a bunch of different trailers. All of them I make sure are loaded correctly. I've never had a problem - even in wind (slow down in the wind).

Since this sounds like a "bumper pull" trailer just remember the basics.
- don't overload the trailer! Just because it fits in the trailer doesn't mean it will be safe.
- make sure tongue weight is 10-15% of the trailer weight.
- make sure things can not slide around inside the trailer.
- get good tow mirrors so you can see around the sides of the trailer.
- make sure you have a GOOD brake controller installed (maxbrake comes to mind).
- all mechanical parts must be up to snuff (brakes, bearings, tires, etc).
- Don't exceed the hitch capacity.

For trailer weight - easy - go to truck scales (feed store, quarry, truck stop, etc).

tongue weight - I use one of these. http://www.sherline.com/lm.htm If I remember right it was about $120. You can also use a bathroom scale and create a fulcrum and calculate tongue weight.

Hope this helps.
Dan

 

[Wygate]

I moved a 35' bumper pull camper that was 9500lbs and very tall from OR coast to northern MI last June w/ my SIG truck sw 3500
Kept speed down and did all maintance myself, even pulled a wheel to check bearing at rest stop b/c I thought I felt "something"!
Drove back to OR for the next trip/ pull, 20' enclosed in the 13000lbs range (2 7k torsion axles)

Equalizer for both trips, felt comfortable enough doing the first pull with family in truck w/ me.
My 2 cents