I'm thinking about buying an enclosed car trailer to transport my car to far away shows when I might have to stay overnight and perhaps for storing the car ('67 442). I would probably buy a 24 or 22 foot trailer with a V nose. I've got a GMC Sierra 1500 with tow package. Is this enough truck to tow this size trailer safely?

 

My opinion is no, you don't have enough truck.
I feel, that when you are towing a trailer that you want a good amount of leeway between you load being hauled, and your trucks tow capacity.
Most A-bodies weigh an average of 3600- 3800 pounds. Enclosed trailers can weigh upwards of 3000 pounds (my 28' is pushing that). Add in all the stuff in the trailer like cabinets, tools, etc. and you can be pushing almost 7500- 8000 lbs.
Most 1500's have tow packages to haul 6000 to 7000 lb loads. Can you do it with a 1500? Sure you can, but how safe will you be? And how much extra stress will you put on that 1/2 ton drivetrain.
You will need to step it up to a 2500 at least.

I used to have an open trailer that I pulled with a 1500 Z71 p/u. I will occasionally haul our Cougar to a National Cougar show if it's within around 500 miles. That truck hauled it OK. I used torsion bars to spread the load and installed helper springs. It did struggle going up hill though.
When I bought my 28' enclosed I tried towing it and it just was not a safe ride.
I traded it for a 2500 4X4 Crew cab. Rear drops down 1.5 inches and it stops like the trailer is almost not there. I've got the 6.0 gas motor and I average 13mpg empty and 8 to 10 towing. On the highway I can coax 15 to 16 out of it.

 

I agree with gearhead. You need at least a 3/4 ton truck.

 

+1. You could do it, but you'd probably find it annoying, if nothing else.

No offense to 1500 p/u owners, but a 1500 is almost not really even a truck.
A 2500 or 3500 will haul most anything, but a 1500 has less towing capacity than an old 98 sedan, and is far less comfortable.

I won't say you can't do it, or that you shouldn't do it, but I would say that if you do do it, you'll probably start looking around to see if you can get a good deal on a ¾-ton or a 1-ton.

- Eric

 

based on the above, I completely agree with needing at least a 3/4 ton. gas powered would work, diesel would be better. I have a crew cab with duramax and allison and a 24' enclosed, tows outstanding.

don't even think about the 22', go with the 24'. you'd be surprised at all the other stuff you take with and that extra 2' makes a world of difference.

 

Only if your 1500 had a 6.0L in it.

 

Could it do it? Sure. But, it would be like a Sunday morning, slow, keep a quarter mile space in front of you, emergency sort of thing.

In addition to needing more power, you need more weight in the truck to assist with stopping the darn thing. Most trucks can get something moving, it's a controlled stop that's a problem.

 

That's what an electric brake controller is for. There are 1/2 tons that can pull 11000 lbs stock. If his has the proper power, gearing, cooling, and suspension it can do it. If not, he needs another truck.

 

I agree a 3/4 or a one ton truck is the way to go. I like the diesel myself. I worked at "Ford" for 34 years so Ford is the way for me. i use to have crewcab dually and it towed like a dream. Put the 10.5 camper on and hook up the open car trailer and cruse down the road.
You must have a brake controller, a half ton will be a hand full trying to stop and just towing an enclosed trailer, If it is not loaded correctly, you will be all over the road. Towing at 50 mph will make for a long *** trip.
I now have a one ton crewcab 4x4 and it tows great, not use the camper yet, but it is coming up.
So in short a 3/4 ton minimum and a brake controller.
1/2 will tow, still need a brake controller. Just be careful for the trailer will push you around when you get in a hard spot.

Good luck

Gene

 

2500 has bigger brakes, bigger trans and springs, would be much safer, I have a Suburban that I tow with and my buddy has a 1500 and mine is a 2500 the difference is amazing. Will never own a 1500 again as a tow rig.

 

I have pulled a 22' enclosed trailer with a 68 H/O inside with both a 1500 and a 2500HD Chevy. The 2500HD is a much superior vehicle to tow with. If you are looking to buy a trailer. Don't buy one with the 3500lb axles. That is the one most trailer dealers stock and when loaded with car you are at the GTW limit. You need to upgrade to the 5000lb axles and be sure you buy a spare for the trailer. Don't ask me how I know about the spare.

 

Something else about the trailer. After you buy it, go have the tires balanced. A trailer guy told me trailers never come with balanced tires. So if you do this the tires will last a lot longer and not as much of a chance of a blow out.

X2 on the 5000 axles. Gee, get an enclosed trailer with 3500 axles, put an A body Oldsmobile in it, tow it with a 1/2 ton, and you are at or above capacity before you leave for the gas station.

 

i have a half ton silverado. there are times when i haul cars with a basic car hauler and it is all that truck can do. i would definatly get a heavier duty truck.

 

We used an enclosed trailer to haul my buddies shelby cobra replica. About 2200 lbs. We made it but we couldnt go over 50mph on the highway and the 1/2 ton truck ran at 4k RPMs most of the way. Not something I'd recommend.

 

I bought a '06 Ram 2500 Cummins new. Towed '65 Cutlass with open trailer from LA to Scottsdale, Az with my 2500. Cruise control, a/c on, averaged 17.3 mpg both ways. Same car to Reno from LA via 395 to Nats in 2011, major passes, up to 9000'. Overdrive the whole time and averaged 15.8 mpg. Best ever empty 24 mpg.I say if you get a diesel, get a pre 2007. none of the smog bs to worry about.

Trailer wise, get the 24'. I'm getting ready to buy an enclosed trailer myself and with my '66 and my friend's '65 being 17' long, you won't have much room with a 22', like when tying down, putting in stuff with the car in it, etc. Go with 24' with 5200lb axles and torsion suspension. It is lower to the ground and is an independent suspension not like leaf springs.

 

Another note with Diesels, and something I was considering. The MPG's on the new ones aren't as good as the older ones due to the smog restraints put on them. If you're going to tow a lot, and can afford the extra 10K plus to purchase then get the diesel. I tow very infrequently and have a commuter to drive to work so my truck usually sits in the barn ('08 with 30K on it). With the 6.0 gas engine I average 13mpg (upward of 16 on the highway) and 8 towing.
If I got the 20+ that the older diesels got I wouldn't have even bothered with a commuter car.

 

Agreed.

My '90 GMC 3/4 ton 6.2 diesel with 280K "wouldn't pull a bum out of bed," as my grandfather would have said, but it will pull a 7,500 pound trailer just fine at 75mph, as long as you don't mind moving to the right lane when going up hill.
It gets 20mpg all day in town, 13mpg towing, and would probably run on #6 oil if you heated it up first.

- Eric