CLASS RACER FORUM - View Single Post

Myron Piatek · 08-22-2012, 06:26 PM

Does your trailer actually weigh 10,400 lbs or that's what it's rated at with 2 5,200 lb axles?

I always try to put a a package together that is rated a good bit over the overall weight I will actually be towing at. It gives me peace-of-mind to have an extra measure of "insurance" in case of an emergency. Personally I have an '04 dodge diesel dually with a 28' Pace. Combined weight is about 20,600lbs almost evenly split. Trailer is rated for 12k. One year here on the way to a south Florida race, I got brake fade on a flat, 55mph highway when I had to stop for redlights about 4-5 times in a row going through some small, back-to-back towns & intersections. It surprised me that last time, but I stopped in time and was more cautious afterwards.

Personally, I think a 1/2 ton truck would be "borderline" with a bare-bones enclosed trailer. It's not just how well it pulls, but how well it maneuvers and stops also. Brakes and tires on the truck can take as much or more abuse than trailer counterparts. Even when I towed a heavy open trailer with a 1/2 ton, I used the highest rated tires I could. But I just tend to be over-cautious.

08-22-2012, 06:26 PM	#7
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Tow Truck 1/2 Ton? Does your trailer actually weigh 10,400 lbs or that's what it's rated at with 2 5,200 lb axles? I always try to put a a package together that is rated a good bit over the overall weight I will actually be towing at. It gives me peace-of-mind to have an extra measure of "insurance" in case of an emergency. Personally I have an '04 dodge diesel dually with a 28' Pace. Combined weight is about 20,600lbs almost evenly split. Trailer is rated for 12k. One year here on the way to a south Florida race, I got brake fade on a flat, 55mph highway when I had to stop for redlights about 4-5 times in a row going through some small, back-to-back towns & intersections. It surprised me that last time, but I stopped in time and was more cautious afterwards. Personally, I think a 1/2 ton truck would be "borderline" with a bare-bones enclosed trailer. It's not just how well it pulls, but how well it maneuvers and stops also. Brakes and tires on the truck can take as much or more abuse than trailer counterparts. Even when I towed a heavy open trailer with a 1/2 ton, I used the highest rated tires I could. But I just tend to be over-cautious.