How much can I pull

[CaptainBly]

I have a 2008 Chevy crew cab short box, 5.3L, 3.73 gear. I'm looking to pull something that has a total weight of 7560 lbs and 1190 lbs of tongue wieght. I think I can pull it but not totally sure. Any advice would be great.

[Ryan_V]

That should be within your ratings for your truck. Depending on what it is, you might want weight distribution. It would help if you said what you were pulling...camper, dump trailer...etc.

[CaptainBly]

A 650 bushel grain cart. I'd end up pulling it about 120 miles. it's also a Z-71

[BobT]

I'd be checking the tongue weight rating a little more closely. I don't know of too many hitches, except 5th wheel, that will support that much load.

[Ufatz]

Talk to your dealer. Read your manual. Discuss what type hitch you plan to use. That is a little "iffy" sounding to me. I see the potential for trouble.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Is your truck a 1500? Or 2500? If it's a 1500, you're going to beat your truck. A 2500 you'll be okay.

[Scott K]

The tongue wait seems a little high, and I think it may be over the rating of the hitch it self. I am sure any 3/4 or bigger wouldnt have a problem with pulling it, or stopping it. My concern would be the hitch with the high tongue weight.

[solbes]

The weight should be okay, but I agree with others that the tongue weight is more of a concern. That much weight leveraged out on the rear of the truck might make handling and braking an issue. Weight distributing hitch would solve it, but I doubt you're going to hook one up for a one time haul.

Do you have any buddies with a 3/4 or 1 ton that you can swap trucks with? Easiest and safest solution.

[Ryan_V]

Where are you going to/from?? I could possibly help you out. I see you're from SD, but if the load is closer to me (central MN) let me know and we can talk. [email protected]

I didn't notice the tounge weight before, that does seem pretty steep for that weight of trailer on a 1/2 ton. Generally the tounge weight should be about 10% of the total weight.

[CaptainBly]

The grain cart dealer didn't recommend it, he said that if I was only going 5-10 miles it would probably fine. He said that some guys have done it and it really squats a half ton truck. I just called the guy I was going to bring it home for and he came and got it with a 3/4 ton and was fine. Thanks for the info.

[BobT]

I've seen more twisted bumpers and bent up rearends from people overloading their hitches.

A class III hitch, which is typically what most of us have with the 2" receiver, is only rated for a maximum 500# tongue weight and 5,000# load weight. The truck size doesn't matter. The trailer that is being described here exceeds both of those ratings. Even a class IV hitch, which has a 12,000# load rating and 1,200# tongue weight rating is not adequate for the load described. The only way to safely haul that load with a pickup truck is to use a 5th wheel or gooseneck.