Will my truck tow car? Towing tips anyone?

[andfern97]

Hi all, this may be a stupid question but I'm a towing newb (never towed anything bigger than a jon boat). I'm wondering if my '98 k1500 will tow my project car (~3500 lbs) on top of a U-Haul car hauler with hydraulic brakes (~2500 lbs) so around 6k lbs total. My truck has the 350, 3.73 gearing, and POSI rear end if that matters. Trip should be around 300 miles, so I'm trying to avoid renting a U-Haul truck to pull the trailer, but I'm also kinda nervous since I've never towed anything this heavy and the truck's old as well as the hitch being pretty rusty from 20 years in MN salt. Is this feasible or should I rent a U-Haul truck to be safe? Any tips on towing this kind of trailer much appreciated!

 

[90halfton]

Aside from the rusty questionable hitch you can do it with trailer brakes and common sense. Believe you are still legal at 6k too. Don't use od. Uhaul would be safer but not necessary. If doing it worries you maybe you shouldn't do it. Find a buddy that wants to make a road trip.

 

[andfern97]

Thanks for the reply. I'm having the truck in at a shop for some maintenance later this week I'll have them check out the receiver. So keep the tranny in 3rd? I'll probably be spinning around 2800-3000rpms or so is that not a big deal for longer trips? I don't have a brake controller but the trailer has a surge brake, which to my understanding I don't need a controller for

 

[andfern97]

I'm sure the transmission is probably the weak link in this scenario if the hitch is good to go

 

[RichLo]

yea, thats why you want to keep it in 3rd, spinning faster rpms on the highway just means less MPG and you wont burn out OD going up a small hill.

 

[Dylans95Chevy]

Pulled a uhaul car trailer with a 91 skyline from seattle to great falls, little over 700 miles, with my 95 k1500. 3rd gear, 70 mph, 8-9 mpg. Truck did great with 4l60e and 3.73s. Stock size 265/75 16 tires. Going up the passes I had to drop to 2nd and hold it to the floor to keep it at 30-40 at a little over 4500 rpms for a few miles. Total weight was around 5500 pounds.

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[Jorge6.5]

Pulled a uhaul car trailer with a 91 skyline from seattle to great falls, little over 700 miles, with my 95 k1500. 3rd gear, 70 mph, 8-9 mpg. Truck did great with 4l60e and 3.73s. Stock size 265/75 16 tires. Going up the passes I had to drop to 2nd and hold it to the floor to keep it at 30-40 at a little over 4500 rpms for a few miles. Total weight was around 5500 pounds.

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Wow. I get around that towing with my 454

 

[Biggershaft96]

Wow. I get around that towing with my 454

it takes alot more skinny pedal with a 350 lol. Not everyone is blessed with 454 powaaaa.

 

[andfern97]

Damn I wish I was pulling a skyline . We have a very similar setup, and it's mostly a flat highway ride so I think it should be alright. Thanks for the tips guys, much appreciated

 

[90halfton]

Thanks for the reply. I'm having the truck in at a shop for some maintenance later this week I'll have them check out the receiver. So keep the tranny in 3rd? I'll probably be spinning around 2800-3000rpms or so is that not a big deal for longer trips? I don't have a brake controller but the trailer has a surge brake, which to my understanding I don't need a controller for

That is correct. A sbc can spin 3k all day and it'll be much better for it than trying to lug the thing to death in an od gear.