Towing a car
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 177
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From: South Carolina
Towing a car
What size receiver, ball and ball mount would I need to drag around a 3800 lb car and 1800 lb tandem axel trailer? All I have now on my 86 150 is a bumper hitch. This is a short term set up. I need to drag my car to different body shops locally in my area for paint job esitmites. Any information, including prices, brand names, best pieces for the money is greatly appreciated.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 71
From: Elk River, MN
I would recommend installing a frame mounted hitch and brake controller. Determine the ball size for the trailer you are using ( 2" or 2 5/16"). Measure the distance from the ground to where the ball goes into the trailer to determine how much drop you need in the draw bar where you will be installing the ball.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 177
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From: South Carolina
I do apreciate the info, it'll come in handy when I do set up my truck to tow. But fortunitly, I was talking to a friend after I posted here about this issue. He said, use my truck. He's picking up a used Honda, with the price of gas and all. So it'll be sitting, When I'm ready I can use/keep it for a few weeks at a time. It usually towes a 6000lb boat, and he said it doesn't even breath hard doing it. It's all set up, with trailer brakes, Class 4 hitch, complete. I told him I'd compensate him, he just laughed and said the price of gas will kill me enough(it's a Dodge). Don't worry about it.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 26
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Originally Posted by MSC
I do apreciate the info, it'll come in handy when I do set up my truck to tow. But fortunitly, I was talking to a friend after I posted here about this issue. He said, use my truck. He's picking up a used Honda, with the price of gas and all. So it'll be sitting, When I'm ready I can use/keep it for a few weeks at a time. It usually towes a 6000lb boat, and he said it doesn't even breath hard doing it. It's all set up, with trailer brakes, Class 4 hitch, complete. I told him I'd compensate him, he just laughed and said the price of gas will kill me enough(it's a Dodge). Don't worry about it.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 177
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From: South Carolina
Will my bumper hitch drag a tandem axel car trailer empty(about 1800lbs)? It'll be much easier to do it this way, just to get the trailer to my house. That way it'll be here when I need it. I can get my buddies truck at work, but the traiter is an hour away. Don't worry, I'm not a chance taker, if I can tow it this way, I only want to tow it here empty.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
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From: Northern Va
Originally Posted by MSC
Will my bumper hitch drag a tandem axel car trailer empty(about 1800lbs)? It'll be much easier to do it this way, just to get the trailer to my house. That way it'll be here when I need it. I can get my buddies truck at work, but the traiter is an hour away. Don't worry, I'm not a chance taker, if I can tow it this way, I only want to tow it here empty.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 177
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From: South Carolina
I need brakes over 3000lbs. So am I reading it correct, that for an empty trailer @ 1800lbs I wouldn't need brakes?
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
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Originally Posted by MSC
I need brakes over 3000lbs. So am I reading it correct, that for an empty trailer @ 1800lbs I wouldn't need brakes?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Alaska
Brake requirements are based on gross weight, your bumper pull should handle the unloaded 1800 lb trailer with ease even without brakes but if it is rated over 3000 lb gross, brakes are required even if unloaded.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by MSC
Will my bumper hitch drag a tandem axel car trailer empty(about 1800lbs)? It'll be much easier to do it this way, just to get the trailer to my house. That way it'll be here when I need it. I can get my buddies truck at work, but the traiter is an hour away. Don't worry, I'm not a chance taker, if I can tow it this way, I only want to tow it here empty.
Look under the truck and see how little the bumper is fastened with.
John
