I Need some opinions on towing a 24' enclosed car trailer with a 1/2 ton pickup. I have been looking at some trailers, and I have decided that I really don't want anything smaller than about a 24' because I want to be able to put all of my stuff inside as well. I am concerned that a trailer of this size with my 3400# car will be too much for my 1/2 ton truck. What does everyone think, should I just stay with my open trailer until I am able to upgrade trucks?
What truck, engine and gearing?
'04 F-150 with a 5.4L and 3.55 gears.
have you compared the weight of an open trailer to the enclosed?
I would think that there is not a real big difference...a few hundred pounds maybe.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by delee36 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">have you compared the weight of an open trailer to the enclosed?
I would think that there is not a real big difference...a few hundred pounds maybe.
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But I expect there would be more wind resistance with an enclosed trailer depending on the height.
I would think you'd need more hp and better gearing than what you currently have.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Al from Canada »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
But I expect there would be more wind resistance with an enclosed trailer depending on the height.
I would think you'd need more hp and better gearing than what you currently have. </td></tr></table>
good thought
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by delee36 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">have you compared the weight of an open trailer to the enclosed?
I would think that there is not a real big difference...a few hundred pounds maybe. </td></tr></table>
Well, the open flatbed that I have is all aluminum, and pretty short, so it only weighs 1300# unloaded, it's hard to find unloaded weights on trailers, but I'm guessing a 24' is around 3000 give or take a few 100#.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 62Fairlane »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I Need some opinions on towing a 24' enclosed car trailer with a 1/2 ton pickup. I have been looking at some trailers, and I have decided that I really don't want anything smaller than about a 24' because I want to be able to put all of my stuff inside as well. I am concerned that a trailer of this size with my 3400# car will be too much for my 1/2 ton truck. What does everyone think, should I just stay with my open trailer until I am able to upgrade trucks?
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Don't do it! Been there, tried doing that and ended up getting a 2500HD. It's not that a 1/2 ton won't have the HP and torque to tow, it's the weight of the truck that will get you in trouble. You need a heavy truck like a 3/4 ton to be safe. When a semi blows by you going down the interstate in a 1/2 ton you'll know what I'm talking about.
2008 Z520/Yamaha 250
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 62Fairlane »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">'04 F-150 with a 5.4L and 3.55 gears.</td></tr></table>
Not enough truck.
I haven't pulled one with a 150 but I have a 24' carhauler I pull with my Super Duty all the time and would not want any less truck to do it with. JMO.
As long as you don't have any real bad mountains to cross or anything you should be fine. My dad pulled his 67 Torino to PA (3 1/2hrs) last year with a 26' very heavy duty trailer with his 07 Dodge 1/2 ton with the Hemi. He had no problem with it at all.
Im gonna say you need a 3/4ton truck to be good. Sure a half ton will pull it but its gonna put a good load/strain on the drive train ya know. I can tell a huge difference between towing with my 1/2 ton and my 3/4ton. Its night and day.
Add an air bag kit to the rear suspension. (adjustable stiffness).
And use a sway control bar.
Your 1/2ton will handle it no problem then.
I think the new secret color is "A-Rig"..........
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SkeeterDD22 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Add an air bag kit to the rear suspension. (adjustable stiffness).
And use a sway control bar.
Your 1/2ton will handle it no problem then.</td></tr></table>
+1
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by SkeeterDD22 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Add an air bag kit to the rear suspension. (adjustable stiffness).
And use a sway control bar.
Your 1/2ton will handle it no problem then.</td></tr></table>
Still wouldn't do it with the above mentioned items. Your 1/2 ton doesn't have the braking system for a heavy enclosed trailer like that. Unless that 24 footer is a lighter duty trailer, I bet it weighs more than 3000 lbs. When dad was still alive, we were into racing and had a 24 ft. enclosed. We hauled a 3000 lb car with parts and tools. I can say that NO way would I have wanted to pull it with a half ton truck. Stick with your aluminum open trailer until you upgrade trucks. I have an 18 foot 12000 lb rated equipment trailer that weighs close to 3000lb empty. Same axles and frame set up as our 24 ft enclosed only a bit shorter. JMHO, but I would stick with what you're using now.
I dont think the brakes are so much the issue since your enclosed trailer SHOULD have brakes on both axles and having brakes on the trailer is a huge help. Im saying the suspension and drivetrain is going to suffer and also it depends on how much you tow it too. If you pull it once every couple of months than I might not worry about it but if your gona pull it alot I would look to an HD truck. Hell if the price is right Ill sell you mine! Its 10years old has 64k miles on it and gets 10mpg
I had a 24' enclosed trailer and 1/2 ton 4x4 Chevy pick up. It pulled it ok. I think your weight may be off enough....mine weighed 3800# empty. Look here for specs http://www.haulmark.com/bumper...ailer/
If you interested in selling the open aluminum trailer email me, I'm looking for one.
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by timberland »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I had a 24' enclosed trailer and 1/2 ton 4x4 Chevy pick up. It pulled it ok. I think your weight may be off enough....mine weighed 3800# empty. Look here for specs http://www.haulmark.com/bumper...ailer/
If you interested in selling the open aluminum trailer email me, I'm looking for one. </td></tr></table>
There is a big difference in a 24 foot enclosed utility vs a 24 foot enclosed car hauler. The car haulers are much heavier built. Not saying that yours was a utility, but thought it needed mentioned. A half ton truck is not built to handle the heavier trailers and weight that will be loaded on them. Brakes, suspension, drive train..... None is designed for the heavier loads.
You'd probably be surprised at the weight of all the extra crap you put in there.
I pull a 16' gooseneck stock trailer with similar loaded weight with pretty well the same truck. I wouldn't pull that kind of weight and length on a conventional hitch. Too much tail wagging the dog. Bouncing takes the weight off the front end of the truck with a bumper pull, which makes it feel like you are driving on ice. If I pulled it every week I'd have at least a 250 for it.
You have to be really careful with weight distribution in the trailer, and a longer trailer can make the rig more load sensitive since the axles are further back from the hitch.
Art Carney - Licking the mops at Porcini's since 2009.
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