Posted by packrat on Saturday, August 11, 2001 at 0:50AM :
In Reply to: Trailering & towing posted by K.Meek on Friday, August 10, 2001 at 6:31PM :
100% agreement with previois postings, dual axle, brakes, and traler rated above what you plan to tow..
a fifth wheel trailer is the way to go if it is an option, it will pull much more predictably and stabily than a reciever pull.
If you go with a reciever pull ( i suspect you already know not to "bumper tow" ) I'd recommend load distributing bars and sway control bar.
I've been towing with an '85 suburban 3/4 ton ,454, 14 bolt full floater limmited slip rear.. Suspension is too soft to my liking, aftermarket front and rear sway bars, and rear overload springs help, but the darn'd GMC is still "squishy".
Stuff i've been hauling is mostly 1.5 and 2 ton W series Dodges. These weigh a bit more than your tuck, have a higher center of gravity, and have a greater wind effect than what you plan to pull..
Towing a 3/4 ton you should be ok with a 7000 lb "utility" type trailer. you will want to move as much of the load as possible "on to the truck" ,, 10 to 20 percent is what i have read as recomended. 20 % would be 1400 lb on your reciever, bit much to hang on the reciever of most trucks,kinda picks the front end up and makes handling squirly, never a good thing when towing.. Load distributinmg bars can "level" the load on your truck, put more of the load on the front axle, make handling more predictable. The set i use are rated for 1200 lb toung weight,, they help a lot!..
The sway control bar is kind of a shock absorber between the truck and the trailer. If towing a heavy load behind a "squishy" truck, the load can start to sway from side to side ( bad thing) , this can be caused by road conditions, semi's passing, poor weight distribution ,, the sway control bar will if properly adjusted disipate much of this sway, helping you mantain control....
above is more than likely "overkill" if you are towing behind a Cummins or a powerstroke,, but might help if you are towing behind a 1/2 ton standard cab.
towing your 3/4 ton should not be a problem, but be safe!
mike
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