Can 1/2 ton truck pull car trailer?

[pokey64]

If everything works out we'll be picking up a 69 Camaro this weekend. Winter is in full effect and we'll need to trailer it home. :(

I have an 07 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab short box. I can borrow a 22' Cargo Mate enclosed car trailer. It's about a 4 hour drive under normal driving conditions. I expect it to take longer with a loaded trailer and possible snow covered roads...

Does anyone have input on if this truck can handle this type of load?

Thanks for any input!

[Vegas69]

I went through all that when I bought my Tundra. I wanted a Chevy or GMC but most of the 1500's have the 4.8 or 5.3 and don't tow squat. It will probably do it but unless it's got the 6.0 it's not made for it.

[camcojb]

I think you're fine. Obviously a diesel or larger truck could tow it even easier, but I've seen tons of small block half tons tow enclosed car trailers without problems.

Jody

[Aschle]

Make sure you have trailer brakes !!! Getting it moving won't be an issue, without brakes, stopping would be an issue:_paranoid



Jason

[MtotheIKEo]

It would tow it fine in the dry, I have no experience with towing in the snow though. My brother towed his Chevy II on a pretty heavy flatbed trailer to Tahoe and back with his 06 Crew Cab 1500, he has a 5.3 and airbags in the back to help with the load.

[pokey64]

Thanks guys.

It's got the 5.3.

Umm Yea, trailer brakes might be a good thing.

I'm going to check into having it transported as well given the fun of winter. There's 8-12" forcasted in the next two days...

[rwhite692]

Apart from the trailer simply having brakes, you need a trailer brake controller in the tow vehicle in order to operate them. Don't tow that, without a functioning trailer brake controller and make sure you try a couple of hard stops in an isolated area to make sure they are working.

[Rick Dorion]

I tow a horse trailer with a K1500. Trailer has electric brakes and I also have the sway control and brake controller. It's adequate but not great. If you haven't towed a bit I'd make other arrangements. Doesn't sound like your weather is conducive to a learning curve.

[RECOVERY ROOM]

I would not do it.

[MaxHarvard]

I towed my '68 on a trailer with my V6 S10 a few years back... it didn't have trailer brakes.

Also, only did it once. But it worked! :)

[monza]

As all ready stated .... trailer brakes for sure and it will be under powered but for one trip no big deal. Might even get away without trailer brakes, depends on the roads your driving. Just be mellow.

[camaro2nv]

Ive pulled a couple cars with my Dodge hemi. No problem at all.

[WSSix]

I use a 4.8 silverado extended cab with the towing package to tow an all steel open trailer with cars weighing 3300 or so. It does just fine but could use a bigger engine.

I would not do it in this instance though. Mainly because it sounds like you are not experienced at towing. If that's the case, have it transported. If not, sorry I got that impression.

[BritishGreen68]

why not just borrow a truck from someone you know? Like the guy who owns the trailer? Or rent one?

[E.rodz]

you got no worries I had to tow my 81chevy pu in an inclosed trailer 24' from MN.to indy for a photo shoot.the only reason I did not drive as it was not even dry yet and had no time to work out any bugs yet.I have a 2001 silverado with a 5.3 I thought it would be much worse but no problem.just listen to everyone else and make sure you have a brake controler an trailer brakes.ps. my truck that I was towing weighed 5'700 so you got no worries this was a 10 hr drive through hilly wisc.long uphill on ramps suck though.use the tow haul button on you stearing colum.

[GregWeld]

I once owned a 6.0 Denali (GMC Suburban)... I took an EMPTY steel flat bed trailer to California. FLOORED it wouldn't make 35 mph up the grapevine. But it did make it. What it would have done with another 3500 lbs who knows... but when I got home - that 'truck' went bye bye.

You're asking about towing in the snow... I'd say forget it.

[Josh69]

I'm in MN, and I've towed crap my whole life working on farms growing up, and half my life towing a snowmobile trailer into the eye of the storm given the opportunity! I have a '97 K1500 with a 5.7..the old one with less power than the 5.3L. Mine is a 'heavy half' though with the 3/4 ton running gear and axles. I also run 33" A/T's with good tread. Assuming your tires have alot of tread left, at this altitude you have enough power to do the job, also assuming you're in the midwest near me with the storm coming. I pull a steel trailer with the Bird on it with no problems. You don't need a brake controller unless the trailer has electric brakes. I think you'll find that ALL rentals and MOST steel utility trailers have hydraulic surge breaks.

I don't know what your experience level is, but the only way the trailer is going to get away from you is under heavy braking or hard cornering on glare ice. Go slow and steady, keep it at 55-60mph in the right lane and give yourself a football field to stop on icy roads and you'll be fine. You have 4x4, so most hills shouldn't be an issue. Just realize that you aren't in a drag race and people will probably be up your ass but just ignore them.

Do whatever you're comfortable with. If you're gonna white knuckle it the whole way, consider the alternatives. Lastly, don't overcorrect. When I'm pulling a load, I pretend I'm driving a boat. Try to just keep it between the bouys (lines) and don't be afraid of a little sway. ;) I'd rather hit a pole than flip a trailer trying to avoid the inevitable. I once drove a loaded triple axle gooseneck with 3 4x4 tractors on it through the ditch and onto the incoming lane of a freeway to avoid rear-ending 30 cars in a pile-up. I was thanked by the Troopers since they were just happy I was able to avoid killing anyone. You gotta know when to hold em, and know when to fold em...as they say.

[Vegas69]

And there you have it, flip a coin. :rofl:

[70rs]

The truck is not enough to do it in a safe manner. And if you are lacking experience it only adds to the problems that can happen. Be safe, look into transport or at least a bigger truck. I have the same truck (2000 model)and have been towing boats, horses and cars forever and I would not try your trip with my current truck. With my old 3/4 ton sure. But not the half ton.

[street3285]

I wouldn't even worry about it. You might be a little slow up the grades, but the 1/2 tons can tow that car and trailer fine. As everybody said, just make sure to have trailer brakes.

I towed a 9,000 pound toyhauler trailer many times with my F150 I used to have. It had the 5.4L with 35's.

[almcbri]

It will pull it just fine. My brother had a enclosed car hauler that was a lead sled and we used it to move 4 hours w/ my 03' Z71. The 5.3 is kinda doggy in the hills but we stayed at 65-70 the whole way.

I have even towed my Dads crew cab duramax on an open car trailer doing 65 the whole way w/ my 03'. We took it to a dealer over an hour away and had zero problems.

Just take your time and you will be fine.

[camaro2nv]

I once owned a 6.0 Denali (GMC Suburban)... I took an EMPTY steel flat bed trailer to California. FLOORED it wouldn't make 35 mph up the grapevine. But it did make it. What it would have done with another 3500 lbs who knows... but when I got home - that 'truck' went bye bye.

You're asking about towing in the snow... I'd say forget it.
Something wasnt right. I pulled a trailer with a G35 on it with a 03 Escalade with no problem up the grapevine.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Can it be done...sure...should it be done.... thats the question.

One time trip, take it easy and cautious and you should be fine.

If the question was whether you should use that vehicle as a primary tow truck and multiple occassions, I would say "not the best choice"

I towed my '69 all the way to LA and back with my wife's 2000 Tahoe that had 150k miles on it....no tow package except the trailer hitch and trailer brakes.... did just fine...slow over the grapevine but did 55-65 MPH easy

[pokey64]

Thanks for all the info!

I'm definitely leaning towards the conservative side.

The trailer has electric brakes. I checked some more options today. I have an 02 F350 4x4 diesel with a trailer brake controller I can use. I may even have an open aluminum car trailer.

The car has nice paint. Do you guys suggest covering the vehicle when using an open trailer with Winter conditions? (ice, rocks, Iowa road salt) What's the best thing to use?

I'm also going to look into transporting. It's a 260 mile one way trip. Anyone have an idea of typical rates?

[awr68]

I would only use an enclose trailer if you care about the paint...especialy this time of year and those conditions...the paint WILL get chipped!

You should call some pros....just might be worth the money....however 260 miles isn't that bad so the price might not be bad at all! I tow often and the thought of heading out in the snow doesn't excite me the least...especially in a borrowed truck.

You need to factor in your time, fuel, and safety.

[MarkM66]

It'd pull it with no problem.