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| Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254852] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 14:03  |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
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Any guidelines on towing a 20ft trailer with a GMC? The load I'm carrying isn't much (1300# or so) but any hints on driving something that long?
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254866 is a reply to message #254852] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 15:20  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Luvn737s wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 12:03Any guidelines on towing a 20ft trailer with a GMC? The load I'm carrying isn't much (1300# or so) but any hints on driving something that long?
My trailer is close to 20' including the tongue. My GMC tows it without issue with a 2300# Jeep on it:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p51795-2013-sand-dune-trip.html
I shoot for about 300# of tongue weight, which is a bit under the recommended 10%, but I have never had an issue towing it at 65 mph. Just keep an eye on the rear view mirror when passing someone and give yourself plenty of space to change lanes. You will have to take turns wider than normal as well, but not as bad as you might think.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254880 is a reply to message #254852] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 17:23 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
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I would think the turns would have to be extremely wide. If you were driving a semi with the pivot about 15 feet behind, you have to use the entire lane to make a 90 deg turn and stay in the lane. When the pivot is 23 feet behind you and the trailer is 20 feet long, how do you do make a 90 degree turn without clipping the opposing traffic lane? Practice practice I suppose.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254900 is a reply to message #254880] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 20:03 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Luvn737s wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 15:23I would think the turns would have to be extremely wide. If you were driving a semi with the pivot about 15 feet behind, you have to use the entire lane to make a 90 deg turn and stay in the lane. When the pivot is 23 feet behind you and the trailer is 20 feet long, how do you do make a 90 degree turn without clipping the opposing traffic lane? Practice practice I suppose.
Randy,
A semi or a fifth wheel is a totally different towing experience than a bumper pull trailer. The fifth wheel type will follow you much closer to your turning radius. Remember, when you swing a turn in your GMC, the rear end swings out the opposite direction somewhat. You definitely need to be aware of the trailer following you at a tighter radius than your rear wheels, just like the rear wheels of the coach are turning at a tighter radius than the front wheels. The closer the trailer axles are to your bumper, the less of this effect you will have.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254903 is a reply to message #254852] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 20:27 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Luvn737s wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 13:03Any guidelines on towing a 20ft trailer with a GMC? The load I'm carrying isn't much (1300# or so) but any hints on driving something that long?
Load heavy to the front.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254917 is a reply to message #254914] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 22:12 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Luvn737s wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 19:40The trailer dry weight is 2200#. So loaded I will be at about 4000#.
I haven't had my trailer loaded, but I estimate the weight at about 3,800 - 4,000 lbs loaded.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254919 is a reply to message #254917] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 22:15 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Carl S. wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 20:12Luvn737s wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 19:40The trailer dry weight is 2200#. So loaded I will be at about 4000#.
I haven't had my trailer loaded, but I estimate the weight at about 3,800 - 4,000 lbs loaded.
Oops  That should read weighed, loaded. That's what happens when I try to watch TV and post to the net at the same time.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254920 is a reply to message #254919] |
Wed, 09 July 2014 22:41 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Carl S. wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 21:15Carl S. wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 20:12Luvn737s wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 19:40The trailer dry weight is 2200#. So loaded I will be at about 4000#.
I haven't had my trailer loaded, but I estimate the weight at about 3,800 - 4,000 lbs loaded.
Oops That should read weighed, loaded. That's what happens when I try to watch TV and post to the net at the same time.
I'm really impressed with all of the replies since they all reflect good trailering practices. What I struggle with daily is that most people don't know what the trailer weighs, what the load is, and what the tongue weight is. Most people don't have the facilities to get or weigh any of that. I usually say "load heavy on the front" as a general statement to give folks the best chance for a safe tow--but even that has its' pitfalls.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254948 is a reply to message #254920] |
Thu, 10 July 2014 09:36 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Bob de Kruyff wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 20:41Carl S. wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 21:15Carl S. wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 20:12Luvn737s wrote on Wed, 09 July 2014 19:40The trailer dry weight is 2200#. So loaded I will be at about 4000#.
I haven't had my trailer loaded, but I estimate the weight at about 3,800 - 4,000 lbs loaded.
Oops That should read weighed, loaded. That's what happens when I try to watch TV and post to the net at the same time.
I'm really impressed with all of the replies since they all reflect good trailering practices. What I struggle with daily is that most people don't know what the trailer weighs, what the load is, and what the tongue weight is. Most people don't have the facilities to get or weigh any of that. I usually say "load heavy on the front" as a general statement to give folks the best chance for a safe tow--but even that has its' pitfalls.
Here's an article on how to determine trailer tongue weight with a bathroom scale. In my case, I estimated the weight of my trailer at 1,500 lbs. The Jeep weighs about 2,300 lbs, totaling 3,800. I weighed my tongue weight using the below method, knowing it was not going to be 100% accurate. But, it was good enough for my purposes. I did set the weight a little lighter than the standard recommendation of 15% in order to not cantilever too much weight off of my front tires. It has worked very well for me on my annual trip to the sand dunes (260 miles one way) for the past five years.
http://hildstrom.com/projects/tonguescale/index.html
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
[Updated on: Thu, 10 July 2014 14:52] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254951 is a reply to message #254852] |
Thu, 10 July 2014 10:37 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
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I'm thinking if the trailer is heavily loaded besides brakes you would need an equalizing hitch and anti sway equipment to be safe?
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254975 is a reply to message #254951] |
Thu, 10 July 2014 14:49 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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roy1 wrote on Thu, 10 July 2014 08:37I'm thinking if the trailer is heavily loaded besides brakes you would need an equalizing hitch and anti sway equipment to be safe?
I'm sure an equalizer hitch and sway equipment wouldn't hurt, but for 4,000 - 5,000 I don't think it would be necessary. The coach has enough weight and wheelbase to handle the trailer just fine. Brakes, on the other hand, are mandatory. I installed an electric break controller as one of the first things I did to my coach, along with a through the bumper receiver hitch and a transmission cooler. Those were the basics. The 3.70 limited slip final drive came later. There is a blue wire in the harness for an electric brake controller if you can find it up front, if not run a new one of at least 14 gauge.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #254993 is a reply to message #254852] |
Thu, 10 July 2014 17:59 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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I'll agree with Carl on the sway control. However, I LOVE my equalizing hitch. And it has some anti-sway components without the 'can't back up' hassle. Used to get blown over the road by passing semis but no so after the equalizing hitch. Plus it lifted the back of the truck up to almost level.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Towing a flatbed trailer [message #255004 is a reply to message #254993] |
Thu, 10 July 2014 18:49 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Thu, 10 July 2014 16:59I'll agree with Carl on the sway control. However, I LOVE my equalizing hitch. And it has some anti-sway components without the 'can't back up' hassle. Used to get blown over the road by passing semis but no so after the equalizing hitch. Plus it lifted the back of the truck up to almost level.
Equalizing hitches are a whole different animal. Most hitches (if they are certified) have both a weight carrying rating and an equalizing rating. By design, equalizing hitches have some friction that can help sway stability, but primarily they transfer weight from the rear of the tow vehicle so that you don't exceed rear axle weight rating.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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) capacity many, many miles on a variety of trucks...never on a GMC motor home though.