[Spridgets] Trailer towing

[David Riker]

Phil
Trailer towing guidelines are based on the "weakest link" theory.  To really 
answer your question, you need to have an idea what the "weakest link" is. 
The theory works like this, you can have a big engine, strong axles, but a 
too small radiator.  The radiator becomes the weakest link.  A lot of people 
think that a manual transmission vehicle should be able to pull more than an 
automatic, but it turns out the clutch plate is the weakest link, and in all 
cases, an automatic can out tow it's manual transmission counterpart.

Consider:
Automatic Transmission or manual.
If Automatic, is there an external fluid cooler?  You can add one if that is 
the weak link.
Locking diff or open?
Radiator size?
Brakes. Trailer brakes can help if this is the weak link.
Tires.  Simply upgrading to a higher ply rating or higher load capacity tire 
could improve this.
Engine size is rarely the reason a vehicle can't tow much, after all, you 
can almost always shift down to the next lowest gear, however the engine 
block's ability to dissapate heat can be the limiting factor.  a 2009 
Duramax diesel truck is only rated to pull 15,000 lbs because under maximum 
load, the block can not shed the heat into the water jackets sufficiently to 
prevent engine damage.

I pulled a car trailer holding a Midget and parts with a Ford Ranger 4x4 
extended cab 4.0 automatic from Lancaster CA to Chico Ca no issues.  Trailer 
was equipped with trailer brakes, and I used a tongue weight scale to help 
locate the car on the trailer and set the tongue weight at the recommended 
amount (I think it was 150 lbs?).  That truck was rated at 4500 lbs. tow 
capacity.

Amazingly, a 1995 Ford F150 with a 300 six and a manual transmission was 
rated to tow ZERO!  The combination of a 2.8 differential and manual 
transmission were the weakest links.

David Riker


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil Nase" <nases at verizon.net>
To: "net Spridgets at autox.team. Net" <spridgets at autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Trailer towing


> There is no factory tow package on the truck. The trailer is tandem axle 
> with
> electric brakes on all 4 wheels. I plan to add a prodigy brake controller 
> if
> the truck will handle the load.
>
> Phil Nase
> Quakertown, PA
> home.comcast.net/~philnasecpa/
>
> On Oct 23, 2010, at 11:15 AM, Phil Nase <nases at verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> My pick up towing limit is 3500 lbs.  A trailer I'm looking at is 1450 
>> lbs.
>> With a Sprite and a few tools on the trailer I figure I'll be very close 
>> to
>> the limit.
>> I'll be driving from Eastern PA to Elkhart Lake with it. Is this a bad
> idea,
>> assuming I really don't want to trash the truck?
>>
>> Phil Nase
>> Quakertown, PA
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