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Thread: cheap tow rig? 5.3?
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01-31-2018, 09:06 PM #11Lurker
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Yes I will probably be over the towing capacity, but I dont drive like an idiot and have hualed stuff WAY over the "capacity" before (I used to be a truck driver too)
I have actually hauled about 13,000lbs (6,000lb equipment trailer and 7,000 lb tractor)with my dads old silverado with a 5.3 but it was on a goosekneck trailer with massive brakes, and it was only for about 100 miles round trip 2 times.
Obviously couldnt use overdrive and hills required 2nd gear lol But it also had 3.73 gears and 33" tires
But I plan on taking longer trips 400-500 miles one way, about 3 or 4 times a year other than that it will be close to the house. So hopefully with no more than 9000lbs it would do ok...
I have also been reading good things about the nissan Armada towing, although the indipendant rear suspension kinda scares me.
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01-31-2018, 09:22 PM #12"The Rock"
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Im by no means a towing expert but my caddy handled this 24' enclosed with the ta inside it no issues and we made sure it wasnt over weight (i believe the caddy could do 12k)...
Trans never got hot...stock gears with 22" rims, the 6.0 pulled like a champ even lowered with an adjustable hitch, although fuel mileage sucked, and the trk with awd kept very stable even with no anti sway bars used... and that was for nearly 900miles one way... same on the way back.
Sent from my SM-G955U using TapatalkLast edited by popo8; 01-31-2018 at 09:24 PM.
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02-01-2018, 07:14 AM #13VIP Member
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FYI. DOT has started cracking down on the light duty pickups. If it looks overloaded and you pass a DOT stop they will more than likely pull you over. Another thing to remember is braking. 3/4 tons have a heavier braking system. Yes a 1/2 ton may tow it but will it stop it in an emergency? I always say it’s not my driving that scares me, it’s everyone else’s driving that scares me. I live in PA and we would go the Bristol race every year. Take Interstate 81 down, can’t tell you how many close calls we’ve had because of idiots. I’ve never been dead stopped so many times on an interstate than that damn 81. Cruising along at 65 and next thing you know you’re slamming on your brakes and coming to dead stop. People cutting you off, everybody riding ass trying to push people out of their way and it’s nothing but bumper to bumper traffic. Now my trailer and gear is about 10k lbs and I tow with a 3/4 diesel. It’s always been the stopping when you need to for me. If your sticking to the 1/2 ton or an SUV I would recommend a weight distribution hitch, air bags on the back of the vehicle, and the best brakes money can buy. Don’t forget good tires. And remember DOT is cracking down. Be safe out there!
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02-01-2018, 08:10 AM #14
What about grabbing a 3/4 ton srw truck with a blown motor/trans and dropping in a junkyard 6.0/80e? If you get parts cheap enough you may get your budget of 5k.
Stopping is a big thing and if you start to wag the tail and that 5.3 doesn't have the oomph to straighten it back out, well, you will make a great viral video.
Another thing to perhaps look at, getting a lighter trailer? Or, just be damn sure the trailer brakes work 100% and your controller is set on the sensitive side with the oh shit button close at hand.Correlation does not imply causation.
Una salus victis nullam sperare salutem
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02-02-2018, 10:11 AM #15Lurker
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I really just dont want to buy a long heavy truck and have it sitting in the yard 10 months out of the year because noone wants to drive it.
Also I can sell my wifes current ride and raise my budget quite a bit on the tow vehicle as long as its something she can still daily.
The escalade/denali should be OK the Armada looks to be nice, im starting to think a 5.3 tahoe/suburban might be a little weak without a gear change but could still make it work.
Also the trailer has great brakes and will VERY rarely see the interstate, I already purchased a Weight distribution hitch with sway control.
Never seen DOT pull over a camper/Rv in the south but that doesnt mean it wont happen!
Max combined weight for escalade/denali is 14,000 lbs
Max combined weight for armada is 15,000lbs
Im pretty sure I would be under that on either one but it would be VERY close.
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02-04-2018, 07:51 PM #16Lurker
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Borrowed my brothers 2004 escalade and hooked it up.
I must say, it pulled it extremely well for a short wheelbase, I hooked the Weight distribution hitch and sway control up took it up to 70 on the highway and it's windy today and did great.
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02-04-2018, 07:56 PM #17Lurker
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Also pulled a few hills and was able to maintain speed much better than I thought I would, that lq9 is stout!
I did keep it in 3rd but this this geared so tall you have to.
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02-04-2018, 08:29 PM #18"The Rock"
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1996 Camaro Z28: RIP 09/25/2016
1994 Trans Am GT: SOLD 05/2017
1985/1996GS clone: SOLD
1996 Impala SS H/C, LT, with true dual exhaust, 4.10s, lowered, with CPT trans, many cosmetic mods, and a whole lot more to come...
2002 Caddilac EscaladeL CAI, lowered, 6.0 , AWD..
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02-05-2018, 07:14 AM #19Lurker
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I just dropped it down to 3rd, I tried 4th but it would stay in, I'm sure if I would have been going faster it would have on the flat areas but crushing around 65-70 was between 2700-3000rpm with very light throttle. 4th would drop down to around 1900 or so and would loose speed if I hot any kinda hill. It's a whore out truck and the trans was not very happy on the 2-3 shift (flaring up about 300 rpm before engaging) so I was being easy on it.
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02-05-2018, 07:43 AM #20"The Rock"
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Our BIG MOMENT @ the 2012 LTXshootout
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=521756391174175
1996 Camaro Z28: RIP 09/25/2016
1994 Trans Am GT: SOLD 05/2017
1985/1996GS clone: SOLD
1996 Impala SS H/C, LT, with true dual exhaust, 4.10s, lowered, with CPT trans, many cosmetic mods, and a whole lot more to come...
2002 Caddilac EscaladeL CAI, lowered, 6.0 , AWD..
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