I have a 05 gmc 1/2 ton with a 5.3, I would really like to pick up a 22-24 ft inclosed trailer but wonder how it would tow with the truck or if i really should settle for an open trailer ? I have a 25 ft travel trailer with 2 slides that i have towed with the truck and it weighs 7100 dry so I think that a gear change in the truck would help but want some input

I towed a 20-foot enclosed with a swb 1/2 ton 2wd GMC for about a year. On dry roads, its was doable, but on wet roads it was an accident waiting to happen. I also didn't realize how tense I was driving it until I got the dually. Now I arrive at the track without being worn out already. Maybe a 4x4 long bed 1/2 ton would handle it decently, but I'll never tow that much weight again with a 1/2 ton 2wd. For my next truck, I don't think I'll even consider a 3/4 ton. Its a ton dually or nothing for me.

My neighbor pulls I think a 22 ft maybe 20 ft enclosed with his late model 1/2 ton suburban. It seems to do pretty good but you can tell it's really heavy for it. Needs a load leveling hitch, maybe some air bags and more HP - that's pulling flat land too. In hilly country it would really have a tough time.

I have to agree with Craig a open trailer would be a better choice for a 1/2 ton truck. I've used my Dad's 3/4 ton late model 4x4 to pull my 24' enclosed before and it did good, but it's no where near as stable as with the big Dodge dually and it really worked the engine to pull it.

Here's what we use. The back-ends not done on the truck in this picture. It's not a 1/2 ton, but you don't even realize the trailers back there. Can pass 3 cars going up hill running 70mph with two cars in the trailer, full of water in the living quarters, and the quad on the truck.

My brother in law was telling me about how cheap some of those used tractors are. Sure makes for a heavy duty pull rig. What kind of mileage you get in a rig like that? I like that big LQ Trailer, that's sweet. You ever tried to pull it with a dually? I've heard they are tough to get in and out of places.

The tractor ia a 2001 and cost right around $12000. we pulled out the front drive axle and built a back end for it. I think we get right around 9 mpg, but i'm not sure. WE had the trailer pulled home from Indiana for us by a guy with a one ton, and he said he had a heck of time pulling it. Theres 8000kg of tongue weight on it. Thats right around 17500 pounds, so it may be heavy for a one ton, but i guess it's do-able. My only concern would be braking and pulling power. It is tough to get in and out, but my dad's driven tow truck his whole life, so he's used to it. If you want a truck that turns quick, get a peterbilt.

I pulled a 4000 pound truck on an open car trailer for a year with a half ton 4x4 chevy truck with a 5.3. It would do it but it was hard on it. I couldnt keep up with my buddies 1 ton on the highway going to the track. I upgraded to a 3/4 ton duramax diesel and would never go back. A safe tow truck is a must for me.

I would love to get a durmax but its a money thing, I really dont need to spend the money since i can do everything elese with the 1/2 ton. I have a load leveling hitch and air bags, the truck only has 3.23 hears so I am thinging that a 4.11 gear swap would help since I wanted 3.73 but since went to about a 1 1/2 taller tire. Not really sure how much the gear would help. I am looking to buy a bit older class c motor home in a year or so
and wonder if that would tow a 24 enclosed ? A guy at the shop tows his enclosed with a motor home but it only has a sand rail and bikes so it not as heavy

Kinda apples & oranges, but I towed for several years up & down the west coast with a 1973 Blazer, pulling an open trailer with a 3100 lb car on it (and the whole back of the Blazer filled with tools and spares). I had heavy add-a-leafs on the Blazer (front & rear) which lifted it ~2.5", and it also had double shocks (Rancho RS-5000) which helped the stability. A friend with a stock-suspension SWB 1/2-ton 4x4 Chevy towed a similar weight trailer initially, and his was much less stable. He eventually switched to an enclosed trailer, and the weight dist hitch and anti-sway bar helped.

I've actually towed my 33' tag trailer around town with 1 car in it with that same Blazer (with no trailer brakes connected). It was a bit of a handful

Regards,
Michael Pliska

Towing an open trailer with a 1/2 ton isn't a problem. I did that for years with a swb 4.3L Chevy. No brakes on my open trailer and it wasn't a problem to stop.

But an enclosed with MUCH heavier and you tend to take more stuff with you when you've got the storage space.

I use a Chevy 2002 gas 1/2 ton with air bags. It pulls my 20 enclosed trailer no ploblem. But if your going on a long trip be prepaired to get bad miles per gallon. Go for something with better areo in the front.

I tow a 24ft enclosed trailer that weighs 4600lbs by itself and car that weighs 3600lbs with a 2007 extended cab 4 wheel drive 1/2 ton chevy silverado with a 5.3 it tows great. I do have the load lever bars and a sway bar that help a lot. CHEVY POWER!!!!!!

I'd venture a bet that if you hooked up to that same trailer with a ton dually with a diesel you'd be very surprised at the difference! Those new engines Chevy has are a lot better than the ol' SBC in the power department. My old suburban really struggles just pulling my enclosed empty...

I tow a 24 ft enclosed with my 2500 hd with the 6.0liter with 4.10 gears. the trailer weighs 8600 lbs. fully loaded ready for a race. I use to tow the same trailer with a 93 chevy 1500 with a 350ci. The 1500 would tow it but it wasn't comfortable. I also went through a couple trannys in the 1/2 ton. The 2500hd is geared better for towing and does a great job of it. I know that I could pull a 30 footer if I wanted but I think that the weight and size of what I have is matched beautifully. I really didn't like towing with my 1500.

I belive you live in So Cal ? If so how does it tow to vegas and bakersfield ?

Do you guys think I should put a 3.73 or 4.11 in the truck the tires are about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches taller than stock ?
Do you guys think that the gear will help my crusing speed by being in the toqure more ? When I towed my travel trailer with everything loaded I think I was near 7600 to 7800 and could not go much more than 55 mph without really getting on the gas and would downshift. Was hoping the gear change would allow a me to maybe cruise better by being the power band better