Wagon Towing

[Southern_Pride]

My sisters 86 extended cab short bed weighed 5600 on the scales. Brakes are much bigger. 11 rear drums and slightly bigger caliper pistons and rotors. And on the stock brakes mine work awesome after changing them and going to new rotors and ceramic front pads.

[JD's Toy]

Just some updates of what i've had behind the wagon recently.

1984 Tercel 4x4. Weighs nothing.
1967 390 Mustang (believe I have the year correct, not 100%).

FYI, i can hold 60 mph all day with either of these rigs on the trailer even on long uphill grades.

The mustang was heavier obviously. With the trailer we figure it was probably right at about 4500 lbs. Only have pictures of the mustang, but that's okay, it's sexier anyhow.

I did get my blazer weighed. It weighs 5200 lbs loaded with gear. That puts it at about 6700 lbs with the trailer.

[JD's Toy]

Also - I do run a weight distributing hitch and have electric brakes on all 4 wheels of the trailer.

[1987cp]

Got pics of the hitch?


Speaking of towing, when you go to the U-Haul website and say you want to tow this with that ... depending on your selections, it comes up with a readout that says "Your XXXXX is not heavy enough to tow a YYYYY" and refuses to let you reserve a car trailer or tow dolly. It says that even when the proposed tow vehicle is quite a bit heavier than what's being towed. What's the deal with that?

Finally of course, the most obvious question - what brand/model of hitch are you using, and how do we find out whether it would also fit sedans?

[JD's Toy]

This is a link to the weight distributing hitch:

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD3~49570.htm

As for the receiver itself, it is a Putnam hitch and it's rated at 8000 lbs with weight distributing hitch. Fits both a Sedan and Wagon!

[1987cp]

Oh, I see, it's a hitch accessory that's designed to be used with an existing Class III or IV hitch.

I'll have to go start my own thread so I can ask dozens of inane trailering questions without further hijackings!

[gabegt90]

nice I assume you smashed the tounge in to the rear bumper lol

[gadget73]

Weight distributing hitches are really nice. They make for a much nicer towing experience, especially when coupled with properly working trailer brakes.

[johnunit]

That's one clean wagon, I'm liking the rims too.


Also sounds like you have a couple nice things to town with it.

[JD's Toy]

Appreciate the comments. Mustang isn't mine unfortunately, just moving it for a buddy. Really surprised at how well it's towing right now, although I do need to retard the timing a bit due to some pinging under load. And the guy I lent my timing light to went on vacation! no fair...

[gadget73]

Could always cheat. Make a mark where it is now, and tweak it by ear until it stops pinging. If you screw it up, just put it back to where it currently is.

[1987cp]

FYI, those values are way over what these can tow safely. Even properly set up, 5000 is max. And I emphasize, safely. Just be careful and a cop sees ya and it's ticket time...

Why's this? Do states typically have enforced laws pertaining to who can tow what with what?

[P72Ford]

FYI, those values are way over what these can tow safely. Even properly set up, 5000 is max. And I emphasize, safely. Just be careful and a cop sees ya and it's ticket time...

I would strongly agree with this.

Why's this? Do states typically have enforced laws pertaining to who can tow what with what?

GCVWR. If its over 26,000, you need a class A license to drive it (not that the OP is anywhere near that). In CT a bunch of landcapers and such got busted for towing 10,000+ lb GVWR trailers, with 450/550 Ford trucks, because the GCVWR was over 26,000. A friend of mine had the manufacturer restamp the weight card on his trailer to make him legal again.

Michael, have you ever towed anything? 5000 is alot of weight to tow with a car. If the trailer is properly loaded, and the driver is comfortable (which I'm sure the OP is), then it isn't an issue. But, with improper loading, one can easily have too much (or too little) tongue weight. Its not cool when the front (or worse yet, rear) wheels of your tow vehicle come off the ground because the load on the trailer is positioned wrong.

[1987cp]

I'm not challenging whether towing a bunch of weight can be dangerous - as mentioned in a previous post, I didn't have a particularly great time 7 years ago towing a little 6x12 U-Haul jobbie. It was actually with future towing in mind that I bought my air shocks - and of course, it turns out I've not yet towed anything with them.

Is the risk of tow vehicle wheels coming off the ground the reason for Uhaul.com being anal about what they want you towing with what?

I've never heard of the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating. Is it normally advertised near the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating? Or is it something defined by your local governing body?

And OP, I presume, means Operator?

Also, not that I would advocate doing something grossly illegal with trailers, but how would a given cop know you don't have a fancy driver's license unless he either pulls you over for a moving violation or randomly stops you to be nosy?


.... and I'm still not clear on whether governing bodies dictate what you're allowed to tow with what ....

[P72Ford]

Is the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating normally advertised near the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?

And OP, I presume, means Operator?

Maybe.

Original Poster.