Towing Plans

[XJoshua]

Need to learn about towing. Its not my first time, but it will be my first time solo(without my gramps) and in a vehicle thats not mine.

Tow Vehicle Specs:
2004 Chevy TB
Tow Package(no aux tranny cooler, will be adding one)
Straight Six
Automatic
All Disc Brakes
4000lbs Payload Hitch
7600 Distributed Payload Hitch

Trailer Spec(Sorry for crappy specs on this, but havent asked if I can borrow it yet):
Twin Axle 15" Rims, probally 215/70R
Wood floor, beams are 8x4"

Im just woundering if these combinations will work when towing one vehicle of 3200lbs to and a 3100lbs from a 1740mile round trip. Vehicle payload will be ruffly 840lbs(4 teenagers, and some luggage). Not many miles on the TB about 45,000miles by the time I do this trip. Will have new brakes on it.

Will be doing this trip in May 2008 from Pueblo, CO to Las Vegas, NV taking I-70 and I-15.

I hope I provided enough info. I got confussed reading the TB forums towing capacity math. So I figured Id go to the more rugged group of peeps who are probally more informed.

 

[RedHeep]

What's a TB?

 

[XJoshua]

Trail Blazer...

 

[RedHeep]

Here's a page that might help. It talks specifically about towing a camper, but you get the jist of it.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14401632/gotomsg/14405060.cfm

Basically, you have a GCVWR of 10,000 lbs (the maximum the vehicle and what you're towing can weigh, plus anything loaded in the vehicle) for a Trailblazer.

You're probably going to end up with about 1000 lbs of gear/people in the blazer, so with gas and all probably weight around 5700-6000 lbs. That leaves 4000 lbs to play with.

If a one car trailer weighs 1500 lbs (just guessing here) and you put a 3200 lbs vehicle on it, you're only towing 4700 lbs, which is 1000 lbs less than your maximum rated towing capacity, but puts you over what your GCVWR is.

Long story short, you could probably make that trip, but you're really pushing that combination to do it safely.

At the very least you should consider trailer brakes and a lot of money for gas.

 

[XJoshua]

Alright I have real numbers on the Cars.
Cressida - 3150lbs
Supra - 3070lbs

Crunch the numbers later tonight and i should be more on the safe side. Looks like Im going to be using the hazards and 1st gear down the mountains.

Wish the trailer did have brakes wouldnt make me feel better driving.

 

[scottmcneal]

Don't get pulled over.... You can kill someone with this set up... You need to have brakes on this size load

 

[XJoshua]

If all else fails Ill see if my gramps will let me borrow his 06 Ram 2500 Mega Cab and his shorty 5th wheel. I feel safe towing with that thing anyday. Power, crappy highway milage, turbo brake, luxury for 6 and a nice sound system to keep me awake.

Damn now I want a diesel. Who wants to trade a Stroked Jeep for a 2500 Cummins?...

Ekk just did the math. With everything subtracted from the GCVWR Im looking at about 295lbs left with the Cressida on the trailer, slight bit lighter with the Supra on it. So about 300.

I guess the next choice is U-Haul which was the first plan, and Im pretty damn sure my gramps isnt going to let his Dodge out of his sight.

So what are some options to consider? Single axle trailer and just deal with the swaying? Car dolly(means I need to disconnect the driveshaft) and deal with swaying?

Go north deal with lots of mountain passes, or go south and deal with wind and one mountain pass.

Anyone have a non stuborn room mate I can borrow. Mine thinks Chevys are the shit and can tow any weight since his daddy used his to move his boat across town.

 

[jeep4play2000]

If you are really able to borrow a diesel to tow with, that is definately the way to go. That TB is NOT set up to tow what you want to tow without axle brakes. You're putting yourself and more importantly others in danger by towing with that TB.
You asked what other options you have. Either borrow the deisel or find a trailer with trailer brakes and add a trailer brake controller to the TB.
Mark

 

[RedHeep]

IMHO, I wouldn't tow with it. Not even on a trailer with brakes on both axles.

You're setting yourself up for a lot of things, tranny overheat, bad braking, instability. That car trailer is going to throw that little blazer around the highway.

For 500 bucks you could have it shipped to you. It'll cost you that in gas anyway.