Too much trailer for a 2500?

[KevinLewis]

I am in the process of ordering a new racecar trailer. The one I want is a cargomate with 11' feet of living quaters. The overall is 46 1/2' and the weight rating is #18800. With all it loaded it sholud not weigh more than #14000. It is tripple axle with brakes on all axles. I do plan on installing air bags. So my question is will my truck tow it all right or do i need a peterbuilt to tow this thing?

 

[SRadke]

Will the truck handle it, yes. Will you be within the mfg GVWR, depends how much weight you put in the trailer. As with any heavy load, you can get in trouble if you don't take the proper precautions.



-Scott

 

[KevinLewis]

Its only going to be hauling a sprint car so I dont see it going over the GVWR of the truck. I will keep it below that.

 

[JL penner]

Up that high you will get a little wobbly at times. It wouldn't be that big of a deal if you are just hauling local. But if you are hauling a lot of long distance you might consider investing in a 3500 CTD or even go with a Mini-Pete, you will be a lot more compfortable and have more peace of mind. That way you can also take the trailer to it's max weight if the need arises.



That Mini-Pete might be a tad overkill, but they sure are nice to haul with. :-laf

 

[SnoKing]

So this is a goose neck trailer. What is the pin weight? Figuring your truck weighs 7500 and you add the 14000 for the trailer, you will be over the 20K combined tow rating by 1500 lbs and it will only take you 1300 lbs of pin weight to be over the GVWR of the truck. BUT, it is a Dodge/Cummins!!!! I am towing at 18,240 with a 5th wheel and at 9200 to 9400 on the truck. Hope you have the camper package on the truck.



SNOKING

 

[KevinLewis]

I don't plan on going anyplace else than the western u. s. but most of the trips will be less than 5 hours away

 

[SnoKing]

Just looking at the pictures of the trailer, I would guess you will have 3000 plus pin weight. SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

Looks like a MDT job to me! SNOKING

 

[dodgerep]

WOW. sounds great, but you really need to move up to a 1 ton and make sure your gearing ration is 4. 10. What you need to keep in mind also is that you will be adding more things to your trailer and your truck. I Sell more Dodge Trucks to guys that over load them than anything else. if you go to the dodge web site they have a towing calculator. judging from what you are saying, I am guessing you will need something you dont want. Lose the 4X4, the Quad Cab and thepassengers... . or just buy a 1 Ton 4X2 with a 4. 10

 

[KevinLewis]

Yes, it does have the camper special.

Looks like a MDT job to me! SNOKING

What's an "MDT"?



I thought I was bitting off more than i could chew. Maybe i'll just get a smaller trailer with out living quarters. As much as I would like a Pete I have yet to win the lotto.

 

[WNowlan]

I am pulling 12,500 with my truck and I would like to have some help stopping. I would recommend an exhaust brake to help. You will learn to load to help keep the weight off of the truck.



That is one nice "Toy Hauler"

 

[KevinLewis]

Exhaust brake is a definate on the list before i pick it up. The front of the car will come to the center axle, then pit kart and quad side by side in front of the car. with spare tires being farthest forward.

 

[SnoKing]

Yes, it does have the camper special.





What's an "MDT"?



I thought I was bitting off more than i could chew. Maybe i'll just get a smaller trailer with out living quarters. As much as I would like a Pete I have yet to win the lotto.

MDT= Medium duty truck. I would sure want to find out about the pin weight. Can they give you that name of someone else using a trailer like this. I assume that you have the 3:54 gears with your 6 speed. If you can handle the pin weight, you would need to 4:10 to have any sort of performance towing it. SNOKING

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you'll be fine... get that e-brake, and drive smart... I've seen 2500's w/ loaded 3 car wedges more than a few times.

 

[KevinLewis]

I thought I read it was 2100 lbs. pin weight

 

[JL penner]

Just looked at your truck profile... ... that 2" leveling kit you have may cause problems. These trucks are designed to be able to haul (stink bug look from the factory) but when you added height to the front end I think it might take away from your handeling capablilities.....

Just my 2 cents

 

[SRadke]

I've towed with low gears as well as high. Aside from the extra little the 4:10's give you on the GVRW, it doesn't make much diffrence with a 6 speed. If you need a lower gear, shift down. It's that simple. You're better off towing in direct (5th) anyhow, much easier on the transmission and makes less heat.



-Scott

 

[KevinLewis]

I've towed with low gears as well as high. Aside from the extra little the 4:10's give you on the GVRW, it doesn't make much diffrence with a 6 speed. If you need a lower gear, shift down. It's that simple. You're better off towing in direct (5th) anyhow, much easier on the transmission and makes less heat.



-Scott

I plan on using air bags to level the truck back out so I hope I can keep my leveling kit. That was my theory as far as gearing. I tow a 20' bumper pull enclosed trailer now and hardly know its back there with the 6 speed. Seems like there is a gear for every stuation.

 

[jponder]

Your truck will pull that no prob. Your year has the Dana 80 rear axle right? I have pulled a 28K dozer a hundred miles with mine.



I have a camper that puts me over 2K over GVWR. I use it as a dailey driver for the last 6 months just rambling around in a 2500 at 12K weight. You need some good heavy tires. I have ricksons.

 

[SnoKing]

I thought I read it was 2100 lbs. pin weight

That would be what they call dry pin weight. You could easily increase that quite a bit, depending on loading. What is the tare weight of the trailer? If it is around 10K, try to finger out where that 4K of weight is going to be located in the trailer. I still think you would be wise to try to talk to someone with one before you commit. The axles appear in the picture to be really towards the rear of the trailer. Loading the race car backwards would help put weight well behind the axles.



Come to think of it, what does the race car weigh? 2500, couple quads = 1000lbs, tires, tools etc. You could easily have much more than 14K GVW.



SNOKING