Mods to Safely Upgrade Towing Capacity?

SAMSAR · 03-17-2008, 12:00 PM

Assume for a moment that money isn't the issue...

My wife has fixated on a specific Travel Trailer she likes and I'm trying to see if there is a way I can safely tow it without buying a new truck. I would buy a 250/350 type truck but am having a hard time justifying it for only a dozen towing days a year and would be overkill any other time.

My 2007 CC came with every option I could select and has been fine for the snowmobiles/motorcycles but now I'm starting to push the limits of the truck.

The TT we are considering is the 2008 Jayco Jay Flight G2 32BHDS. Sorry, I'm not able to post a URL for you as I have too few posts on record. Here are the key stats though:

Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs.) 9,750
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs.) 7,855
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs.) 1,895
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs.) 920
Exterior Length 35' 6"
Exterior Height with A/C 13' 4"
Fresh Water Capacity (gals.) includes water heater 46
Gray Wastewater Capacity (gals.) 32.5
Toilet/Black Wastewater Capacity (gals.) 32.5

In the cab would be 2 adults/kids/dogs. I don't have to bring firewood with me while towing and can drain the tanks before I tow. We live in the northeast so while mountains exist, we're not talking the Rockies.

In reading through previous posts, I've identified the following possibilities to safely increase towing capacity:

Prodigy Brake Controller
Equilizer Trailer Hitch
Firestone Airbags
Stillen Front/Rear Swaybars

AEM Bruteforce Cold Air Intake
Magnaflow Muffler
2 Degree Timing Advance

Tires: ?
Brakes: ?
Rotors: ?
Shocks: ?
Anything Else?

By doing these things and anything else you recommend:

What capacity would I gain by reinforcing the truck.
What will I not be able to solve for?

Thanks!

Paul

**bbomar** · 03-17-2008, 12:04 PM

My first question is, do you have the big tow package on your truck?

SAMSAR · 03-17-2008, 12:08 PM

Yes, I have Big Tow and 4x4 Off Road options.

**bbomar** · 03-17-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMSAR

Yes, I have Big Tow and 4x4 Off Road options.

Then your max capacity is 9500lbs.

If you exceed that, then you are risking alot!!

Your family!!

I wouldn't try to tow anything over capacity.

I have seen bad things happen to those who have.

Good Luck.

helomech · 03-17-2008, 12:13 PM

Looks to me that you would be real close to the max, but you should be fine. A brake controller is a must.

SAMSAR · 03-17-2008, 12:25 PM

Thanks bbomar.

Yes, I understand the stock capacity limitations are with my truck and I certainly don't want to put my family in harm's way. That's been pretty well covered here in my research and I don't want you guys to have to cover it again.

My question is really about what I can do to make my current truck stronger than stock and thereby increase the capacity. Let me try this...

What is the difference between a 150 and a 250 class truck?
How do I go about creating a "new" class of truck called a "200"?

Again, I appreciate everyone's thoughts and perspectives here.

I am also open to other mod recommendations that are "better" than the specific ones I've listed from my research?

Paul

helomech · 03-17-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMSAR

Thanks bbomar.

Yes, I understand the stock capacity limitations are with my truck and I certainly don't want to put my family in harm's way. That's been pretty well covered here in my research and I don't want you guys to have to cover it again.

My question is really about what I can do to make my current truck stronger than stock and thereby increase the capacity. Let me try this...

What is the difference between a 150 and a 250 class truck?
How do I go about creating a "new" class of truck called a "200"?

Again, I appreciate everyone's thoughts and perspectives here.

I am also open to other mod recommendations that are "better" than the specific ones I've listed from my research?

Paul

There is no way to legally make your truck able to haul more than the rated capacity. You can add the equilizer hitch, air bags, and sway bars to make it safer. But if anything ever happened and you were over weight things could get ugly in court real quick.

**bbomar** · 03-17-2008, 12:41 PM

I really don't think you should try and mod your truck to increase capacity.

The design of the truck, is what it is, and again playing around with it's towing capabilities would more than likely put you and yours in harms way.

But, do what you will and Good Luck.

**walleeme** · 03-17-2008, 12:46 PM

Several years ago my dad beefed up a 1/2 ton GM 4x4 to pull his 32 foot fifth wheel. In hindsight, he wished he had just bought the 2500. Even with all his mods, the truck wasn't as good as it should have been, used in that capacity.

**DeadRiver** · 03-17-2008, 12:57 PM

I think if you do this and have an accident your Insurance might claim "Mulligans"

Derwud · 03-17-2008, 01:12 PM

The weight won't be your biggest problem, the length is... 35 feet is ALOT of trailer for the Titan...

If you are still going to do it anyway.

Tires: LT not the P crap that comes with the Titan,
brakes: upgrade to the 08 brakes or aftermarket larger brakes.
shocks: Call PRG and get at least the Bilstien replacements.

Bullwinkle · 03-17-2008, 02:28 PM

Factory tow ratings aside, if I had to tow that much weight, I would install helper air bags, a weight distribution hitch, the appropriate load rated tires, a class V (5) receiver, and get a 10k lb ball & ball mount.

Engine mods will give you more power, but that's not the issue you're dealing with. The issue is in what weight the driveline, axles, frame, and receiver will handle.

SAMSAR · 03-17-2008, 02:49 PM

Derwud,

Can you provide commentary on why 35 feet (weight aside) is a lot of trailer for our truck? What is the logic on length being impactful and is there some sort of a "formula" to determine an ideal length for a specific truck. I'm remembering my sailing days where knowing hull length would help determine max speed.

Thanks for the Shocks brand PRG/Bilstein, Any specific suggestions for the brakes or tires? Will I be able to reuse my Offroad stock rims?

Bullwinkle,

I'm guessing this gets to the heart of the matter for why I can't safely tow at this level and that these areas are not really resolvable ie, receiver, frame, axles, driveline. These are areas I probably can't reasonably address. Just curious though, what is the max a Class IV hitch can pull?

Thanks,

Paul

xterraintx · 03-17-2008, 02:55 PM

Myself and other pull fifth wheels and some are close to the 9500.

A 5th wheel pulls alot easier and in my opinion handles the weight a lot better. That said my truck has firestone airbags, BT and so on. Pulling the weight is not the issue hauling the weight can be handled. It's just that our trucks are not heavy enough. With the right conditions my truck can be pushed around by my trailer. I also think emergancy stopping could be trouble too... not distance but how the trailer mahe react.

I am definitley going with a 3/4 ton next... hope the Titan beefs up!

TitanLou · 03-17-2008, 02:59 PM

Not trying to be a smartazz, but have you ever towed before? I tow a 27'TT and it sways when semi trucks pass me or high crosswinds exist. Even with a good anti-sway bar it's almost impossible to stop the swaying. If I were going to tow something 35' I would probably go with a 1 ton dually just so I would have a stable platform.