Towing question

rick lester · 02-18-2009, 04:46 AM

I bought a 88 suburban 1/2 ton 2wd 350 with blown head gaskets and now I'm thinking of getting an enclosed trailer instead of an open. I was talking with Scott Helms today, said another racer tows a 28 foot enclosed with 350 3/4 suburban. I'm looking at a 20 to 24 footer, but would I be better off with a 350 3/4 burb or a 454 1/2 with airbag add-ons. Air bags for towing not for showing. I do know that I can swap in a 454 with factory tbi, just need correct injectors and chip for computer. I do know of a complete 454 with trans at a junk yard still in the 3/4 chassis. I think I would be ok with 454 1/2 with bags, but I want to hear any opinions, just as I got with G.C. towing question. See I listen. STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

sst1988 · 02-18-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick lester

I bought a 88 suburban 1/2 ton 2wd 350 with blown head gaskets and now I'm thinking of getting an enclosed trailer instead of an open. I was talking with Scott Helms today, said another racer tows a 28 foot enclosed with 350 3/4 suburban. I'm looking at a 20 to 24 footer, but would I be better off with a 350 3/4 burb or a 454 1/2 with airbag add-ons. Air bags for towing not for showing. I do know that I can swap in a 454 with factory tbi, just need correct injectors and chip for computer. I do know of a complete 454 with trans at a junk yard still in the 3/4 chassis. I think I would be ok with 454 1/2 with bags, but I want to hear any opinions, just as I got with G.C. towing question. See I listen. STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

I had a 84 3/4 suburban and tow a 28 foot inclosed and a 350 in it tow good but did not stop to good needed a lot of room to stop.

rick lester · 02-18-2009, 08:21 AM

Thats what I forgot, BRAKES!!!!! I have seen those wheel things (not correct name) that hook between truck and trailer that help with the extra load of a trailer on motorhomes. Do they have braking system? I am asuming they are a great addition in towing, and to a certian extent worth looking into. I would think if they had a brake system on them they would help out. Probably wouldn't be that hard to design and build my own with brakes. Did your trailer have brakes on all 4 wheels? I have seen some with only 2 wheel brakes, Did your burb have hydroboost or standard brakes? Hydroboost brakes are much better, that I do know. I bought burb for 400 bucks so even if I add better brakes and suspension I really wouldn't be hurting myself. Anybody else, please? STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

Myron Piatek · 02-18-2009, 12:14 PM

The trailer tongue wheels do not have a brake on them. It's just for extra load support.
When looking at trailers I always like to go heavier duty than what would be "adequate". That's why when I ordered my 26' Pace, I got it with 6,000lb axles and the bigger (12x2 ?) brakes. Not only will the brakes help stop better, the 16" tires will last longer than any of the 15" tires.

Brakes on all the axles on enclosed car trailers are mandatory in most, if not all, states. It might also include open trailers now. But it would be careless to not have them on all axles anyway. Electric brakes are the norm.

Philip Saran · 02-18-2009, 12:35 PM

Buy a tow vehicle with enough brakes and motor to pull and stop.

The tow dolley only is ment to control hitch weight for towing.

The last thing you would want is NOT to be able to stop while
towing your race car.

I admitt to owning a truck that is a bit overkill for my towing,
2004 F350 diesiel 4 dr, 4x4, long bed and I tow a open car trailer
with 4 wheel brakes and a BB Duster, also tow a 7500# 25 foot
travel trailer with 4 wheel brakes. BUT it does get 15 MPG towing.

Ken Haase · 02-18-2009, 02:51 PM

Rick, a 3/4T would be world's better than a 1/2T, and should be considered the minimum. I know Florida is very flat, so a 350 would probably get you by. But, I'd be very concerned about that cheesy 8.5 rearend with it's C-clips, axles riding on roller brgs, and smaller brakes. The TH350 trans doesn't inspire much confidence either. All this would be less of a concern with a lighter open trailer, but you're going to want that enclosed, and most likely are going to buy one. You're definitely going to know that trailer is back there when using a 1/2 ton tow rig.

Just my $.02. Adjusted for inflation that would be about 7.9 cents
Ken

Doug Domm · 02-18-2009, 04:00 PM

Folk's this has been talked about before on this forum and I believe at that time there was an overwhelming response to say you can never have enough truck on the motivating end of a trailer. Think about stability and driver fatique from lack of it. Brakes, which we all know you might need sometime. Cooling, who wants to be precariously perched on the side of the road blowing off a little steam with traffic wizzing by mere inches away. I can go on at nausium about this but the bottom line is your 1/2 may pull that darned thing but is it safe? The answer H--- No. Doug

bobby · 02-22-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Saran

Buy a tow vehicle with enough brakes and motor to pull and stop.

The tow dolley only is ment to control hitch weight for towing.

The last thing you would want is NOT to be able to stop while
towing your race car.

I admitt to owning a truck that is a bit overkill for my towing,
2004 F350 diesiel 4 dr, 4x4, long bed and I tow a open car trailer
with 4 wheel brakes and a BB Duster, also tow a 7500# 25 foot
travel trailer with 4 wheel brakes. BUT it does get 15 MPG towing.

You CANNOT overkill on a tow vehicle. I have a C4500 Kodiak. But we do have a 48' enclosed with 2 cars. But you outta see it when I take the 20' Glastron to the lake to go water skiing. It's like "What boat"?

big blue galaxie · 02-22-2009, 11:45 AM

Been driving trucks for a long time, and while the initial cost is cheap for what you have, you are going to spend a ton of money and time getting the vehicle safe. It's always cheaper to start with a 1 ton chassis with a blown engine than to upgrade a half ton. You should cut your losses and get a proper foundation to start with. If you are going to pull a big enclosed trailer, you need a turbodiesel. I don't know if this guy sold it yet, but there is a Suburban on racingjunk.com that has the 1 ton chassis, dually wheels and a Cummins w/auto for 4500.00 down in Texas.

Cam · 02-22-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick lester

Thats what I forgot, BRAKES!!!!! I have seen those wheel things (not correct name) that hook between truck and trailer that help with the extra load of a trailer on motorhomes. Do they have braking system? I am asuming they are a great addition in towing, and to a certian extent worth looking into. I would think if they had a brake system on them they would help out. Probably wouldn't be that hard to design and build my own with brakes. Did your trailer have brakes on all 4 wheels? I have seen some with only 2 wheel brakes, Did your burb have hydroboost or standard brakes? Hydroboost brakes are much better, that I do know. I bought burb for 400 bucks so even if I add better brakes and suspension I really wouldn't be hurting myself. Anybody else, please? STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

I thnk you are referring to the Trailer Toad?
Does anyone here have one? iIve never seen a toad live but they look decent online. The do seem pretty pricey though, about the same price as an open trailer.

02-18-2009, 04:46 AM	#1
rick lester Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Littlestown PA Posts: 163 Likes: 9 Liked 4 Times in 1 Post	Towing question I bought a 88 suburban 1/2 ton 2wd 350 with blown head gaskets and now I'm thinking of getting an enclosed trailer instead of an open. I was talking with Scott Helms today, said another racer tows a 28 foot enclosed with 350 3/4 suburban. I'm looking at a 20 to 24 footer, but would I be better off with a 350 3/4 burb or a 454 1/2 with airbag add-ons. Air bags for towing not for showing. I do know that I can swap in a 454 with factory tbi, just need correct injectors and chip for computer. I do know of a complete 454 with trans at a junk yard still in the 3/4 chassis. I think I would be ok with 454 1/2 with bags, but I want to hear any opinions, just as I got with G.C. towing question. See I listen. STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

02-18-2009, 08:21 AM	#3
rick lester Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Littlestown PA Posts: 163 Likes: 9 Liked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Towing question Thats what I forgot, BRAKES!!!!! I have seen those wheel things (not correct name) that hook between truck and trailer that help with the extra load of a trailer on motorhomes. Do they have braking system? I am asuming they are a great addition in towing, and to a certian extent worth looking into. I would think if they had a brake system on them they would help out. Probably wouldn't be that hard to design and build my own with brakes. Did your trailer have brakes on all 4 wheels? I have seen some with only 2 wheel brakes, Did your burb have hydroboost or standard brakes? Hydroboost brakes are much better, that I do know. I bought burb for 400 bucks so even if I add better brakes and suspension I really wouldn't be hurting myself. Anybody else, please? STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

02-18-2009, 12:14 PM	#4
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Towing question The trailer tongue wheels do not have a brake on them. It's just for extra load support. When looking at trailers I always like to go heavier duty than what would be "adequate". That's why when I ordered my 26' Pace, I got it with 6,000lb axles and the bigger (12x2 ?) brakes. Not only will the brakes help stop better, the 16" tires will last longer than any of the 15" tires. Brakes on all the axles on enclosed car trailers are mandatory in most, if not all, states. It might also include open trailers now. But it would be careless to not have them on all axles anyway. Electric brakes are the norm. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

02-18-2009, 12:35 PM	#5
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 727 Likes: 160 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Towing question Buy a tow vehicle with enough brakes and motor to pull and stop. The tow dolley only is ment to control hitch weight for towing. The last thing you would want is NOT to be able to stop while towing your race car. I admitt to owning a truck that is a bit overkill for my towing, 2004 F350 diesiel 4 dr, 4x4, long bed and I tow a open car trailer with 4 wheel brakes and a BB Duster, also tow a 7500# 25 foot travel trailer with 4 wheel brakes. BUT it does get 15 MPG towing. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

02-18-2009, 02:51 PM	#6
Ken Haase Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 233 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Towing question Rick, a 3/4T would be world's better than a 1/2T, and should be considered the minimum. I know Florida is very flat, so a 350 would probably get you by. But, I'd be very concerned about that cheesy 8.5 rearend with it's C-clips, axles riding on roller brgs, and smaller brakes. The TH350 trans doesn't inspire much confidence either. All this would be less of a concern with a lighter open trailer, but you're going to want that enclosed, and most likely are going to buy one. You're definitely going to know that trailer is back there when using a 1/2 ton tow rig. Just my $.02. Adjusted for inflation that would be about 7.9 cents Ken

02-18-2009, 04:00 PM	#7
Doug Domm Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: canada Posts: 250 Likes: 28 Liked 84 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Towing question Folk's this has been talked about before on this forum and I believe at that time there was an overwhelming response to say you can never have enough truck on the motivating end of a trailer. Think about stability and driver fatique from lack of it. Brakes, which we all know you might need sometime. Cooling, who wants to be precariously perched on the side of the road blowing off a little steam with traffic wizzing by mere inches away. I can go on at nausium about this but the bottom line is your 1/2 may pull that darned thing but is it safe? The answer H--- No. Doug

02-22-2009, 11:45 AM	#9
big blue galaxie Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 36 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Towing question Been driving trucks for a long time, and while the initial cost is cheap for what you have, you are going to spend a ton of money and time getting the vehicle safe. It's always cheaper to start with a 1 ton chassis with a blown engine than to upgrade a half ton. You should cut your losses and get a proper foundation to start with. If you are going to pull a big enclosed trailer, you need a turbodiesel. I don't know if this guy sold it yet, but there is a Suburban on racingjunk.com that has the 1 ton chassis, dually wheels and a Cummins w/auto for 4500.00 down in Texas.