billy bee
Newbie
This is a great thread with lots of good info. I have a 1996 ECSB (Z71) with 3:73 gears, 4x4, and 265/75-16 tires. It tows quite well. We tow a 7500# GVWR enclosed trailer (8'4" wide x 7' tall x 20' long) to races around CA. The trailer weight is 3580# empty and the race car weighs 2200#. With spares packed into the trailer, I am sure we ring the bell at 7000#, although I have never weighed the trailer once we have loaded it for a race weekend. Truck pulls the trailer just fine. We use a W/D hitch and always tow in 3rd. Of course we have a good Tekonsha brake controller, and the trailer has brakes on both axles.
There are just a few things I'd add to the discussion:
After reding this thread, I am going to upgrade my trans cooler. Excellent tip and link to good write-up.
Thanks,
bb
There are just a few things I'd add to the discussion:
- Speed--we keep the speed around 60. CA speed limit for trucks with trailers is 55. I get passed by everything on the road, but I feel safe. As somebody already mentioned, we are turning about 2500 rpms.
- Tires--I have Load Range E tires on my truck. I keep them inflated to 50 psi. Tires stay (relatively) cool even when towing on hot days. I really think having good tires has made a big difference.
- Headwinds--my truck feels log a dog when towing into a headwind. When driving into a headwind, which we often do when driving north on I-5, I drop it down to 55. It's feels sooooo sloooow, but the 5 mph difference seems to make the truck struggle less. The enclosed trailer feels like we're dragging a parachute.
- Adjusting the W/D hitch--the temptation is to overdo it. I measure the ride height and adjust the W/D bars to keep things level.
- Mirrors--for towing a big travel trailer or a an enclosed trailer like ours, Cipa mirror extensions make a huge difference. I can keep an eye on the trailer tires and, of course, they help with cornering and lane changes.
After reding this thread, I am going to upgrade my trans cooler. Excellent tip and link to good write-up.
Thanks,
bb
