towing question

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Apr 17, 2007 | 05:57 PM

#16

jr27

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As it stands right now, I think I have about 30 days to get the thing off of his property unless he chills out about it before then. It could be a passing thing.

I have new front pads and rotors, but just earlier today whenever I would make a quick stop, the truck would favor one side over the other. I don't make many quick stops but it has been windy where I live lately and there are down limbs everywhere.

The hitch is located on my truck's bumper. There is no tongue.

Apr 17, 2007 | 06:10 PM

#17

acheda

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From: San Luis Obispo, CA

Just to be crystal clear: The trailer tongue is on the trailer and it is good for towing stability to have a long tongue. A receiver-type ball mount can be extended farther from the back of the vehicle, but this is NOT a good thing. The farther forward the pivot point of the hitch coupler is located, the better. This is why fifth-wheels are the most stable way to tow.

Your bumper hitch will not be any stronger than the bumper - some bumpers are not up to the kind of towing you are proposing.

The last thing you need is to have to panic stop with brakes that are not worn in and even. When not towing a pulling brake can make you go sideways and you might recover. When towing you will jack-knife and, without a lot of experience, you probably will not recover.

Remember that if you have a major accident you stand to lose both vehicles and more . . .

Apr 17, 2007 | 06:53 PM

#18

grafekie

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Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Simpsonville, KY

Definately... your bumper is NOT strong enough to tow that load, you need a load equalizing class III hitch.

Apr 17, 2007 | 07:02 PM

#19

jr27

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Thanks for clarifying.

I thought that a receiver-type ball mount was also called a "tongue."

I'm going to assume that my bumper, REGARDLESS of whether I'm towing either a dolley or a vehicle trailer, might not be capable of towing the load I've described.

As it stands right now, I don't plan on towing my van with my truck. I think looking into vehicle rental and trailer options, or a wrecker service, makes more sense.

Apr 17, 2007 | 07:24 PM

#20

grafekie

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From: Simpsonville, KY

Nah, that's the "draw-bar"

The tongue attaches to the ball attaches to the drawbar attaches to the reciever attaches to the frame

Apr 17, 2007 | 07:35 PM

#21

acheda

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From: San Luis Obispo, CA

Nathan,

I would agree with you on your terminology, but I learned that if you call it a draw-bar they think your are looking for a tractor part. When I asked what to call the part between the ball and the receiver, I was told it is now called a "ball mount".

I made my tongue out of a piece of 1/4" wall 3" square steel tubing and that gives me the right to call it a tongue if I want to. When I wanted to buy a ball-mount, I had to use their name.

Apr 18, 2007 | 02:40 AM

#22

CougarXR02

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The uhaul is gonna be $40 a day, the trailer another $30 (low ball numbers), at least 2 days. Thats $140. Uhaul charges 15 cents per mile last i used one, so thats $60. your up to $200. at 15 mpg thats 60 gallons of diesel, at $3.00/gallon, another $180 dollars. so Your up to $380, plus 8 hours of your drive time. $400 bucks may very well get it towed for you, and save the time of driving.

Apr 19, 2007 | 03:26 PM

#23

jr27

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I called out to UHAUL to get an idea about how much it would cost to purchase a class III 6,000 pound hitch, draw-bar, and whatever accessories might be needed and installation, and they quoted me about $215. I would have to give them 3 days notice since they don't have it in stock yet. I could install it myself if I had a strong enough drill, but I just don't feel comfortable doing it.