Community Forums

TravisNuwa81 · 07-25-2014, 05:15 PM

Hey all. Ive got a 25' aerolite that the dry hitch weight is 250. Gross weight is 4650. I need to replace the springs in this little truck if I buy it. Can I tow my camper with this? Thanks

L.C.Gray · 07-25-2014, 06:02 PM

Just waiting and watching for the arrival of weight police on this one...

DonDee · 07-25-2014, 07:50 PM

"It depends on the transmission and rear axle ratio; in my model year 2000 2wd A/T w/ a 3.42 differential axle ratio, I can pull 6400 lbs. A 4x4 is a little less at 6200lbs. I have noticed from year to year the sales brochure charts can vary 200 lbs for the exact same set up - not sure why this is. "

TravisNuwa81 · 07-25-2014, 08:49 PM

From what ive read its got the 3.42 and its an automatic. I need to replace the rear leaf springs so id add the extra leaf. Adds 1000# payload which im not claiming to make it safe or right. Just seeing if anyone else has towed similarly. Thanks!

SeabeckS · 07-25-2014, 09:02 PM

So, adding a leaf spring to each side increases your axle and tire ratings too?

Grandpere · 07-25-2014, 09:03 PM

This sounds like an accident waiting to happen, especially when the trailer get to whipping around because of side winds. It will walk that pickup all around, I would not do it.

And BTW, adding extra leaf springs will not increase the carrying capacity of your truck, there are the tires, axles, brakes, etc. that all figure into what can be safely carried or towed.

Mekanic · 07-25-2014, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpere

1 This sounds like an accident waiting to happen, especially when the trailer get to whipping around because of side winds. It will walk that pickup all around, I would not do it.

2 And BTW, adding extra leaf springs will not increase the carrying capacity of your truck, there are the tires, axles, brakes, etc. that all figure into what can be safely carried or towed.

1 I'm not going to paint as a dire picture as Grandpere. But to me it seem like the tongue weight is too low for stability. Usually 10% is the minimum for good stability. which in this case you are looking for 465 lbs at the hitch ball.

About 15 years ago I built a Cargo trailer out of a LWB S-10 Frame and bed.
It will (it has) hauled 2000 lbs of limestone a few times. Its was of course close to its axle limits since it went 2900 across the scales the few times I've loaded it like that much.

2 Yes and NO. Each of the items You listed on the vehicle have a limit. By installing another leaf (which might have been a OEM option) The vehicle will be inherently more stable since it may keep more weight from transferring from the Front axle to the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

What can be safely towed depends on speed and conditions.

TravisNuwa81 · 07-25-2014, 11:21 PM

Im not one to endanger myself or family. Ive got a superduty for long hauls but for our favorite campground which is 30 milrs away I figured a smaller pickup would be nice. Factory leaf packs where 3 leafs. There was a "heavy duty" option which contains 4. Tongue weight can easily be solved by adding cargo upfront. Stopping will be my next obstacle. A break controller is a no brainer. Load E tires will be used. Axels im not sure about. This is why I use this site. More than one person to say no, and vice versa. I wont argue a topic I dont know about. But, ive taken into consideration the remedies to make it plausible. My campers " dry weight" with options is 3700ish pounds. Total loaded is not to exceed 4650. I dont travel with water and very few supplies. I greatly appreciate all of the feed back. Thanks all!

caissiel · 07-25-2014, 11:53 PM

I was very comfortable towing a 5600 lbs 5th wheel with a 2.9L Ranger. Only 460 lbs pin weight.
But for a TT I feel that hitch weight needs to be higher. I was always watching the trailer wheel location. Not to pull the truck sideways.

Kurmudgeon · 07-26-2014, 04:40 AM

I do a LOT of towing with an S-10 with a 4.3 and a 3.42 axle. I don't care what GM SAYS it will tow, even a 3000 pound load is marginal. I can't imagine what it would be like towing 6000+ or even 4650. With even 1500 pounds in tow my fuel economy drops drastically, and it struggles on uphill grades. I'll confess that a lot of my towing involves 6 and 7 percent grades, but even lesser hills are unpleasant.

You could probably get away with it for a while before something fails, but you won't be happy with the performance. Your transmission will be the thing to suffer the most. When I have a real load to tow, I use my pickup. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

Another thing that caught my eye is your 250# hitch weight on a trailer that weighs nearly 5000#. That will likely lead to serious stability problems. You should have a hitch weight at least twice that, which could be an issue with an S-10.