Re: [RC] dodge 1500 towing a 3 horse trailer - Karla Watson
I recently took a F-150
(1/2 ton) with a small camper and lite 2 horse trailer with one horse to a ride
up and over a mountain. I was within my limits for towing but just barely. I was
with my family and it was a white knuckle truck ride. Mostly the downhills were
hairy. Even though the 150 had a beefed up suspension, overweight bars and a
larger engine (5.8), it was not fun. So I went out the next week and bought a
new truck, a F-350 crew cab with the V-10 fully loaded. Then I went to another
ride and what a difference! I forgot I was towing! The downhills are where I
noticed it the most. The trailer was not pushing the truck down the hill. Very
stable now. Consider how hard it is to brake all that you are towing. Yes, much
better to have more truck than you need than barely enough. But sadly I
have BIG truck payments now.....
be sure to check the rated towing capacity of your truck and the weight
of your trailer. this info is listed on the data plate located on your trailer
and the truck owners manual. get help from your truck dealer if you need
to. if you exceed the the towing capacity of your truck, you are
inviting trouble. excessive engine wear, excessive break wear and
possibly brake failure to name a few things. just because you can hook
to it and pull it down the road does not mean that you should. it is
very important to match or exceed the truck towing capacity with the gross
weight of the trailer. ed
