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03 stampede
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2011
18:30:17
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 Subject: Towing
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Message:
I have an 03 Kota, cc with the 3.9 and 3.55 read. For now I
only have a ball on the number has the only trailer I pull is
very small.
I run my own vinyl graphics shop and decal large trailer on a
regular basis. Yesterday a client dropped off a heavy-duty
double axle enclosed trailer. Probably wasn't empty either.
Trailer was about 28' from tongue the the rear.
Obviously I would not tow this trailer any distance has it
would probably destroy my rear end and driveline but would it
be safe to hitch it up just to slowly pull it in and out of my
shop and manuver in my parking lot?
This time I used my better judgement and had a buddy with a
1500 move it for me, but this situation is likely to happen
again, just wondering if it's safe to do with my truck.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2011
10:57:18
| RE: Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
You need to know the weight of the trailer to answer this question.
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Good driver
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2011
14:46:22
| RE: Towing
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Message:
c'mon Bob.
He said 'slow in the driveway', definitely a good driver!
That should be no problem.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2011
08:52:57
| RE: Towing
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Message:
The ball-on-the-bumper is only good for 2000 lbs. If he's got double that or more, even pulling in the driveway, it might do damage.
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2011
09:39:46
| RE: Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Bob's right. Tongue weight is critical...espesially when towing from the bumper, as the bumper itself can fold if over-weighted (even at slow speeds). When they fold, it typically happens while attemting to pull or stop. The damage to expect is much the same as when someone attempts to pull a stuck vehicle from the factory bumper. As the bumper 'folds', the ends of the bumper cave into the lower corners of the bed. Unless you have a stout, non-stock bumper, you should have a Class III hitch for safe towing of any significant weight. With that you would probably be ok at parking lot speeds and on a flat surface...as long as the tongue weight doesn't over compress (bottom out) your suspension.
Easy thing to do would be to ask the owner at time of drop off the current tongue weight/ trailer weight...in the event you would need to reposition it to perform the work.
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03 stampede
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2011
01:34:25
| RE: Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for all the replies guys. I know the Bumper hitch isn't
strong enough for that trailer, I'm adding a class 3 or 4 hitch
in the future for these occasions.
Should have checked the sticker on the trailer showings it
gross weights. Might have made the discussion a little clearer.
I think the max my trucks rated for with proper hitch is 6000
lbs. I'd bet this trailer was more then this especially if full of
tools and equipment. I never opened it up to see.
So basically with the proper hitch setup I should be able to
safely move a trailer that by all rights should be moved by a
2500? I don't mean tow across town just 10 feet or so and
some aligning to get it inside the shop? Client says he
sometimes tows it with his personal chevy 1500 but had a
company f350 dually pick it up.
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2011
10:29:30
| RE: Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
"...So basically with the proper hitch setup I should be able to
safely move a trailer that by all rights should be moved by a
2500?"
Answer: Provided you don't collapse your suspension to the point the bump-stops are sitting hard on the axle...yes. You can, in fact bend springs/ axles/ frame in doing so.
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