I'm considering selling my 2002 1/2ton ECSB for a 3/4ton because I'm getting a bigger trailer. I haven't got the trailer yet so I don't know how well the 1/2ton is going to pull it. The trailer be around 6000+lbs loaded and wet. Does anybody know what the differances are between the brakes on those two trucks? I'm not worried about making it go, but making it stop going down a hill has me a bit concerned. Blowing up my 4L60e and 10bolt rear end worries me a bit too.

Kevin

 

What kind of brakes does the trailer have? That will make a huge difference. I tow a boat with my truck, I'll have to check the GVW on it but it's a 22 foot wakeboarding boat, so I'm sure it's gotta be somewhere close to 6000, and haven't had any problems with stopping or my tranny, although I did have it built and I have a pair of coolers on it. The trailer brakes are awesome. Is your tranny stock?

 

A 1/2 ton should be able to handle a 6Klb trailer, you'll want a weight distributing hitch and electric brakes, with electric brakes it should stop almost the same as when you have nothing behind you. Your weak link will be the tranny, a good cooler and a switch to synthetic fluids wouldn't hurt. The HD brakes are huge and are hydro assisted, plus you get a 4L80, 14 bolt 4.10 (w/ 6.0L) full floating rear and the bigger frame. Mile for mile an HD will tow with less effort and less strain on the parts, but empty you pay for all that HD stuff in gas milage and ride quality. Your right on the edge of needing a heavier truck but I think your OK, what gears do you have? If you got 3.73's and a tow package and are otherwise stock (no big tires) I think you will be fine.

What kind of trailer are you towing? I'm guessing travel trailer/Toy Hauler since you remarked that it is 6k "wet", you may need some helper bags on the rear of a 1500 even with a weight distributing hitch.

FWIW - I am towing a 8K+lb (wet) travel trailer and even with the HD I would never not have the weight distributing hitch or electric brakes. They are a must.

Another thought if your worried about tranny's and rear ends is a regular (non HD) 2500 or a 1500HD, they both get the 4L80 and larger rear ends, but are a little better mannered when empty.

 

I've got 3.73's with the tow pakg. Stock trans tweeked with HP tuners for fast shifts. I'm adding B&M's biggest trans cooler this weekend. What oil should I run in the trans? Should I do a corvette servo or anything?

Weight distributing hitch- I've looked into this a bit and it scares me. When a long truck and trailer peak out at the top of a hill, the truck is starting on the down side of the hill while the trailer is still on the up side. That's got to do interesting things to the rear of my frame and the front of the trailers frame. Am I missing something, I really don't know much about the weight distributing hitches. How much difference is this going to make?

Trailer is going to be a 21-23ft toy hauler with all the options. With both my quads on there it may get up to 7000lbs. It will have electric brakes but I don't know how good they are.

Kevin

 

TransmissionFluid: Mobil or really any full synthetic, they can take the heat a lot better.

Weight distributing hitches: are great, I highly recomend it. They can be a little intimidating looking at first, but once you hook it up a couple times it really is just as easy as regular hitch. On my trailer it is the difference between my trucks front end sticking up in the air with hardly any weight on the front tires or sitting level as if nothing was even behind it. These trailers usually carry their water and in your case probably fuel up front and the tongue weight can get really heavy, you need a weight distributing hitch over 5,000 lbs trailer weight and 600lb tongue weight anyway, in order to be in compliance with your trucks ratings. Plus they allow you to put sway control on them too which is great. I have had no problems with mine cresting hills or tight turns (the bars are connected the tralier with chains and are designed to move in those types of situations), but I usually pull the bars off when I get where I am going and have to make tight turns to get into my camp spot. I would be surprised if the trailer doesn't come with one. Mine required it and was included in the price along with the electric brakes.

Electric brakes: They are very powerfull, if I don't have them adjusted just right the trailer will actually tug on the truck with the slightest tap of the break. When adjusted correctly I can hardly tell the trailer is back there.

Like I said at the weight your describing you are right on the edge of needing something bigger, your biggest downfalls are going to be the 4L60e and probably your rear suspension (may need bags or helpers). Any trailer dealership will be able to tell you your limits for sure, I see alot of 1/2 tons running around here with trailers in your size range.