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Re: [RC] Truck - my experience - Cheryl AnnHello, I have the Dakota, and... I am searching high and low for my 'truck folder', in which I have all the info regarding my truck and horse trailer weight, ratings, etc. At this point, I'm beginning to fear that it is in my spare room closet, and that is one door I just *ain't* opening anytime soon (:>0). Suffice to say that for the amount and terrain type of horsetrailering I do, I am pretty satisfied w/ my little Dak. I bought it new in 2003. It is a Quad Cab, V8 w/ a 5'3" box. I took it and the trailer, both empty, except for a full fuel tank, down to the truck scales, to get the combined weight. I've already had both my horses on the scales so I know what they weigh. My truck is rated for 5900lbs. towing, I don't remember the carrying capacity, but I do have that figure somewhere. I have a 6000lb. receiver on it w/ a 7000lb. ball. My trailer puts a tongue weight of 150lbs. on the receiver. I don't have a WD hitch or anti-sway. My trailer is a 1969 2-horse Shoop. It weighs 2600lbs, and does not have a dressing room. When I go day camping or on a ride, this is how my 'stuff' all breaks down: 2600lbs. trailer empty. 1050lbs. war mare Kit (gelding Bobby, if I take him, is 980). 60lbs. hay. = 3710lbs. behind the hitch. In the truck bed I carry: 220lbs. water. 10lbs. horse feed, apples, etc. Varies. 35lbs. tack (treeless saddle, sidepull, halters, pads, etc.). 50lbs. truck tent, bed mat and carpet, table, chairs. 50lbs. miscellaneous (clothing, food. etc.) an estimate, here. 20lbs. miscellaneous camping equipment. 145lbs. me. 150lbs. fuel (24 gal. tank, someone told me that gasoline weighs 6lbs. per gal). = 680lbs. I only haul one horse w/ my Dak. I don't have any major mountain passes to climb or descend, and my trailer has Surge brakes. I like my setup because it is small and easy to maneuver as far as truck/trailer combos go. And the Dak is a tough little truck and can pull pretty well. It can also stop the whole mess very well. I don't haul but a couple times per year, and I prefer a midsize truck over a fullsize as a daily driver. One thing I don't like is the cab height is shorter, and I like being able to look in the rear view mirror and see two ears through the front trailer window. Can't do that in the Dak. Hauling the whole thing, I get an average of 11-12mpg. Were I hauling over mountain terrain, or more than one horse or a larger trailer, I'd probably get a larger truck, but I don't need it the way things are right now. I have plans for a Brenderup sometime in the future. Hope this helps... Cheryl Ann in WNY Horse Kids Kit & Bobby =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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