Mods to Safely Upgrade Towing Capacity? - Page 2

SAMSAR · 03-17-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanLou

Not trying to be a smartazz, but have you ever towed before?

Yes, but not something this big with the Titan before. My past towing experience includes Class A RV with Enclosed Trailer (Rental), Titan with Enclosed Trailer (Mine), 250 with 28' TT (Buddy's) and, then there's the stuff from the Army (Uncle Sam)... I certainly understand what you are saying regarding sway. You should see what happens with a 39' Class A w/my trailer when a semi passes. It's scary the first time it happens but you learn to "lean" into it. After 3 weeks of touring around the country, I was a pro with the beast.

Again, this Titan/TT option is a totally new scenario and I was just exploring what's possible.

I've personally been leaning towards the Pilgrim Cirrus Ultralite 29CQBC myself because of it's toy hauling option. Weight doesn't appear to be the problem there (8560 GVWR) but I'm holding off until I hear Derwud's length analysis thoughts as this trailer is 33' long.

Cheers!

Paul

bestatchess · 03-17-2008, 04:47 PM

Heavy duty trucks have full floating rear axles.

http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/0112...les/index.html

Exocet · 03-17-2008, 05:55 PM

When loaded, your tongue weight will probably be over 1000 lbs. First, that would exceed the capabilities of the factory hitch. Second, with that, passengers, and cargo, you will likely be over your GVWR. I'm only towing a 5000 lb trailer with a 500 lb hitch weight, and I'm concerned about exceeding the GVWR. The GVWR is 7200 lbs on the 08 models. It's less in prior years.

SAMSAR · 03-17-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Heavy duty trucks have full floating rear axles.

Thanks for the article bestatchess. That was very interesting and helpful in understanding the differences. There look some other great articles there that I will dig into tonight too.

SAMSAR · 03-17-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMSAR

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.

I think I may have found what I was looking for in my formula... Via another posting on the board, I came across a website called rvtowingtips.com and it had several great articles called:

How long of a trailer?
Hitches
What can I tow?

These were great articles that I found helped me understand the logic/science behind it all.

I remain interested in anyone's thoughts about what LT tires I would want to put on my Offroad rims as well as better brake upgrades.

kronos2 · 03-17-2008, 07:01 PM

im sure if u look a lil bit u could find a 250,2500 used for maybe 5 grand. if all u need it for is towing a few days out of the year, it seems to me that it would be the safest way to go. IMHO i would never take the chance with my dogs, let alone my kids and wife. lol

Derwud · 03-17-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMSAR

I think I may have found what I was looking for in my formula... Via another posting on the board, I came across a website called rvtowingtips.com and it had several great articles called:

How long of a trailer?
Hitches
What can I tow?

These were great articles that I found helped me understand the logic/science behind it all.

I remain interested in anyone's thoughts about what LT tires I would want to put on my Offroad rims as well as better brake upgrades.

If you plan on going off road, and All terrain tire. If not, a All-Season Highway tire would be best. Something with stiff sidewall..

As for the brakes and wheels, you will need to find out what brakes you want and get the wheels to fit.

I know there are some people here that are towing 31 footers, but I still think that is still to much trailer for a non Long Bed Titan..

**loufish** · 03-17-2008, 09:13 PM

This has gone on for 2 pages now...So, if I tell the OP that his trailer is too long and too heavy, anyone want to guess how many replies it takes before he says he's going to do it anyway?
2?...3 replies?

Oh well, let me do my thing....now where was I?...I remember...
A 35 foot trailer is very risky to tow...there is no magical NASA formula, but where the trailer gets that long for a mere 1/2 ton truck, the tail starts wagging the dog...
And your weights are wrong, add 500 lbs to the empty weight of that trailer, 200 of it on the tongue...and that's before you load a single pound into it...

If my sarcasm bites, it's because there have been several guys here towing much more then they should, they get it explained why, and in the end they still wind up doing it...

IT'S A HALF TON TRUCK...THERE'S A REASON THEY MAKE 3/4 TON AND BIGGER TRUCKS...

Titan-ization · 03-17-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMSAR

I think I may have found what I was looking for in my formula... Via another posting on the board, I came across a website called rvtowingtips.com and it had several great articles called:

How long of a trailer?
Hitches
What can I tow?

These were great articles that I found helped me understand the logic/science behind it all.

I remain interested in anyone's thoughts about what LT tires I would want to put on my Offroad rims as well as better brake upgrades.

As far as tires go, I might suggest the Lemans A/T, they are made by Firestone. They have a 6 ply and a 10 ply format for these tires, go with the 10 ply. I had some on my dodge ram a few years back and loved them, they had stiff side walls for towing, so you didn't get that swaying motion when the weight from the TT shifted in turns. They handled very well and are (or were) quite inexpensive, ended up getting all four mounted, balanced, road hazard warranty, out the door for about $475. Not a bad deal, check your local firestone dealership to see if these are still an option. Like i said, i loved em on and off road.

Derwud · 03-17-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

This has gone on for 2 pages now...So, if I tell the OP that his trailer is too long and too heavy, anyone want to guess how many replies it takes before he says he's going to do it anyway?
2?...3 replies?

Oh well, let me do my thing....now where was I?...I remember...
A 35 foot trailer is very risky to tow...there is no magical NASA formula, but where the trailer gets that long for a mere 1/2 ton truck, the tail starts wagging the dog...
And your weights are wrong, add 500 lbs to the empty weight of that trailer, 200 of it on the tongue...and that's before you load a single pound into it...

If my sarcasm bites, it's because there have been several guys here towing much more then they should, they get it explained why, and in the end they still wind up doing it...

IT'S A HALF TON TRUCK...THERE'S A REASON THEY MAKE 3/4 TON AND BIGGER TRUCKS...

So are you telling me to give up my dreams of a WW Full Throttle +5 with my Titan...

Honestly, 26 feet is the Upper most limit I woud go... My 23 footer can be a handfull coming through the AV during a WIND event... I would hate to see what a 33 footer would do...

**loufish** · 03-17-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

My 23 footer can be a handfull coming through the AV during a WIND event... I would hate to see what a 33 footer would do...

Amen brother!
We've had to stop and get off the 14 to wait out the wind before...not fun.

MuskyHunter · 03-17-2008, 10:32 PM

Maybe this video will illustrate the point of overloading

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0

kronos2 · 03-17-2008, 11:52 PM

lol i love that video

SAMSAR · 03-18-2008, 07:14 AM

Thanks Everyone for your patience in helping me to understand the logic behind my questions.

The issue wasn't that I wanted to risk my family but that I wanted to see if there was a way to eliminate that risk and if I couldn't, then what were the reasons. My final conclusion is not to "do it anyway" but, in fact to cash out on the Titan and go buy something bigger.

Along the way, you have helped me to understand exactly what I will need going forward which is different than what I originally thought the Titian could provide.

Paul

eurohazard · 03-18-2008, 11:08 PM

Here is a "guide" to help with wheelbase and trailer length:

http://www.rvtowingtips.com/how-long.htm

It's not law or anything, but it's a good guideline to follow.

If it were me, and that TT was the one my wife insisted upon getting, I would buy a 250/2500 truck. But if you really love your Titan, like someone else already mentioned, you can get a used (high miles) truck just for towing. But then again.....I'd probably just convince my wife that that trailer is just too damn much, then buy something easier for a Titan!