BajaNomad

How much trailer can I tow with 1/2 ton>

mojo_norte - 7-31-2008 at 08:51 AM

I am looking to buy a 1962 Airstream 28 foot trailer for my lot near Los Barilles. Tow vehicle would be a 87 Ford LB 4X4 4 speed. Probably have 400 ponds of other gear. I'm guessing the trailer weighs 3800 #'s. Yes ? No? recommendations?

After you load yur personal goods ---

beercan - 7-31-2008 at 08:56 AM

your total weight will probably be closer to double that estimate.
Short haul with proper hitch may work. Long haul with that old truck , may not !

Bruce R Leech - 7-31-2008 at 09:14 AM

you should be just fine if your truck is in good shape. you should use a equalizing hitch to keep your tung wait to about 400 lbs. I pull 11,000 lbs with my 95 F150. cyl. 5 speed, and not short trips.

Hook - 7-31-2008 at 09:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte
I am looking to buy a 1962 Airstream 28 foot trailer for my lot near Los Barilles. Tow vehicle would be a 87 Ford LB 4X4 4 speed. Probably have 400 ponds of other gear. I'm guessing the trailer weighs 3800 #'s. Yes ? No? recommendations?


Call the owner and ask what it weighs. Then add your gear to that amount. Then look at your driver's side door jamb and see what the truck weighs (your unladen weight). It's probably on the vehicle registration, too. Then find your CGVWR (combined gross vehicular weight rating) and subtract the unladen weight plus your gear from the CGVWR and see if the trailer's weight is under that.

This is the letter of the law way of determining this; the one that insurance companies and police agencies would use to determine if you are legal.

Outside of the letter of the law, much will depend on your rear springs, shocks, what engine you have and weight rating of your tires. DEFINITELY GET A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING HITCH. I buy most everything thru etrailer.com. XLNT site, XLNT service and as cheap as anywhere.

Diver - 7-31-2008 at 09:51 AM

I have seen it done many times but these tips will make the ride easier;

1. You will need working trailer brakes and controller.
2. Brake BEFORE curves and accelerate through them so the trailer doesn't push your light truck; especially downhill.
4. The trailer weight will be a lot in relation to the truck. If you need to take evasive action, flat tire, etc. things may get scary. Load the truck with much of your gear to increase it's weight as a tow vehicle and add air bags to the rear to level the load and stop truck sway.

Bob and Susan - 7-31-2008 at 10:51 AM

your weakest link will be the tires...

you WILL need brakes for the santa rosalia grade...

i can't belive that an old airstream only weigs 3800#

has any wood cabinets been added...lots of extra weight
these things were built different in 1962

the 1987 truck is 21 years old...

"WHEN" you break down you're screwed

old trailer...old truck

Bruce R Leech - 7-31-2008 at 11:00 AM

the transmission and differentials you have in that truck are bullet proof and will handle twice what you want to do. the only place you fall short are the brakes. you will need to check them and replace the pads and shoes more often as well as trailer brakes. your springs also wont be a problem, on my truck with 500 lbs of tung wait the equalizer hitch adjusts about 250 lbs. to the front so my truck drops about 2 inches but stays level and handles grate.

what engine do you have in your truck? all will work but more torque is best.
my 300 CID in line 6 has a lot of torque at low rpm the 302 v8 has the least.

Bruce R Leech - 7-31-2008 at 11:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
your weakest link will be the tires...

you WILL need brakes for the santa rosalia grade...

i can't belive that an old airstream only weigs 3800#

has any wood cabinets been added...lots of extra weight
these things were built different in 1962

the 1987 truck is 21 years old...


"WHEN" you break down you're screwed

old trailer...old truck



Ford was still building trucks back then. and any ranch mechanics in Baja can repair that truck you are the one that will have to ship your truck north on a flat bed when it gets ill Bob:lol: I love your new truck Bob but the reason I don't get one is repairs down here:light:

Bob and Susan - 7-31-2008 at 01:11 PM

yea...you are correct

when i break i'll need the flatbed

i already have a plan for the flatbed...
mayoral trucking here in mulege

the ONLY thing is newer trucks break down less than a 21 year old "beast"

...it's all about the parts here...

mojo_norte - 7-31-2008 at 01:25 PM

Truck has a 302. I'm the 2nd owner and trust it mechanically.
GVWR is 6250 pounds

Dear Mojo

tortuga - 7-31-2008 at 03:15 PM

We tow our 24' Mallard trailer 4,000 + lbs with our half ton GMC with out any trouble. I am in agreement with others about equilizer hitch. Highway one is rolly (up and down) in many spots. It is nice to have the extra control these hitchs give you.
Happy towing, Tortuga

one more thought

tortuga - 7-31-2008 at 03:22 PM

how are the wheel bearings? don't know if you thought about that, but good to have checked.
Saludos, Tortuga

Twp cents worth

thebajarunner - 7-31-2008 at 04:49 PM

I would be concerned about the transmission,
make sure it has a trans cooler and that this cooler does not block off the radiator flow.

We lost a tranny in our "sort of stock" Ford pickup in the 1976 500.

Also, jack up the trailer, grab the hanging wheel/tire with both hands, like a steering wheel, give it a good shake/rocking motion. If it has play in it, then get the bearings changed.

Bruce R Leech - 7-31-2008 at 04:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by thebajarunner
I would be concerned about the transmission,
make sure it has a trans cooler and that this cooler does not block off the radiator flow.

We lost a tranny in our "sort of stock" Ford pickup in the 1976 500.

Also, jack up the trailer, grab the hanging wheel/tire with both hands, like a steering wheel, give it a good shake/rocking motion. If it has play in it, then get the bearings changed.


he sed he had a 4 speed man trains.

Bruce R Leech - 7-31-2008 at 04:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
yea...you are correct

when i break i'll need the flatbed

i already have a plan for the flatbed...
mayoral trucking here in mulege

the ONLY thing is newer trucks break down less than a 21 year old "beast"

...it's all about the parts here...


if you have a old beast that is in prefect condition then you are in good shape, I would trust my truck to get me there over a brand new one. it is all in how you take care of them.

went right by that, too many 4's

thebajarunner - 7-31-2008 at 05:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
Quote:
Originally posted by thebajarunner
I would be concerned about the transmission,
make sure it has a trans cooler and that this cooler does not block off the radiator flow.

We lost a tranny in our "sort of stock" Ford pickup in the 1976 500.

Also, jack up the trailer, grab the hanging wheel/tire with both hands, like a steering wheel, give it a good shake/rocking motion. If it has play in it, then get the bearings changed.


he sed he had a 4 speed man trains.


Well, to be totally picky he did not say 'man' but I think we can make that assumption.
Comments on the trailer axle still stand...

Diver - 7-31-2008 at 05:37 PM

Then check your clutch before you go and be good to it on the trip !
Have fun !!

Wiles - 7-31-2008 at 06:06 PM

If they could..............you can.

airstreams (Small).jpg - 44kB

Skeet/Loreto - 7-31-2008 at 06:08 PM

Bruce: How many miles do you have on that Truck? Will you sell it? If How much?

I had a Ford 150 6 Cylinder 4 wd 5 Speed Tranny that Virginia and I were Rear-ended in our last trip up from Loreto.

It is a good puller as well as the 87, I pulled several different Trailers to Loreto, including 1 34 Footer. 217 Wellcraft Fish Boat, a 21 FT Lobster Boat all the way from Flordia.

Tee me what kind of a Truck you will take for your 150, I will buy it Deliver it and Granatee it

Let me Know

Skeet

Bruce R Leech - 7-31-2008 at 09:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Bruce: How many miles do you have on that Truck? Will you sell it? If How much?

I had a Ford 150 6 Cylinder 4 wd 5 Speed Tranny that Virginia and I were Rear-ended in our last trip up from Loreto.

It is a good puller as well as the 87, I pulled several different Trailers to Loreto, including 1 34 Footer. 217 Wellcraft Fish Boat, a 21 FT Lobster Boat all the way from Flordia.

Tee me what kind of a Truck you will take for your 150, I will buy it Deliver it and Granatee it

Let me Know

Skeet


thanks for the Offer Skeet but I would not trade that truck for 10 brand new ones. I hunted for five years to find it and made it better than new. they call that engine the gasoline Diesel because you drive it like one. lots of torque for little gas. Best gas engine ever built and the rest of the truck can handel it.

just hunt around and you will find a good clean low mileage one. min has 95,000 on it and it is ready for 200,000 more at least and getting 24 miles per gallon.

if you find one I will tell you how to set it up.

Skeet/Loreto - 8-1-2008 at 03:28 AM

Bruce: I bought mine in Red Bluff Calif. for $10,500 put 58,000 Miles from Sequim Washington, St. Pete Fla. to Loreto both on Hwy 1 and across the Ferry and across Mexico from Matzlan to Laredo.

That is the Best truck I have ever Driven~!

We where bringing our last load of good when we moved from Loreto to Lake Havasu when a "Nut" pulling a Boat came over the hill just north of Parker and rear ended us. Insurance Company paid $12,800 for a Total/

The Nut and his Girl friend had been smoking DOPE while they worked on their boat about an hour prior to hitting us.

O Well. Thats Life. we suffered only minor Hurts.

I will find another one ,it is for Alvaro in Loreto. The 68 Chey I took to him is finally worn out.
I have an 02 250 Supercab Diesel 7.3 which is a dream, got it with 25,000 now have 84,000 will keep it til 250,00{if I last that Long}.

Skeet/Loreto

towing

bombero - 8-1-2008 at 06:23 AM

I,ve towed quite a few big trailers down the Baja hy. I have 2000 Dodge 2500 4x4 diesel with a shift kit and special converter. However when decending long grades or steep grades with a heavy trailer, i put the pu in 4x4 low. its saves brakes, especially the dodge which are noted for lousy brakes. As previously mentioned, make sure your trailer brakes are in good working cond, all four of them.Keep ypur speed down, Its very dangerous when towing something heavier then the tow vehicle!

Bob and Susan - 8-1-2008 at 07:23 AM

does a 1962 "silver bullet" have brakes???

mojo_norte - 8-1-2008 at 10:28 AM

This is the silver bullet...

http://boulder.craigslist.org/rvs/772103167.html

For the same money I could get a newer -90's trailer- maybe I should.

But this is much cooler and probably more hurricane resistant.

Bob and Susan - 8-1-2008 at 02:14 PM

for 10k we got a three year old 26 ft trailer...

used three times

newer stuff is much nicer... you just gotta look

BajaMariposa - 8-5-2008 at 03:55 PM

Saw ya'll talking about trucks for towing. We are getting ready to sell my 2004 Chevy Colorado 4x4 and buy a used truck to tow a travel trailer down to San Felipe. The trailer will be between 25 and 28 feet. I have never owned anything bigger than a 1/2 ton truck. The used truck will only be used for towing the trailer down there, not for traveling with it and for utility use once we have moved such as hauling building materials. We have another newer economy vehicle. Any suggestions? Also I've never been fond of Fords but looking for something that's gonna last and if that's a Ford..well..lol Suggestions?

DENNIS - 8-5-2008 at 04:04 PM

Sure. I'll sell you my '93 Dodge bigass 5.9 Cummins diesel with a straight body, new paint and new BFG All Terrains. All that goes with a very recently rebuilt tranny. Just a baby with 180,000 miles.

$4000 bucks. No lower offer considered.

mtgoat666 - 8-5-2008 at 04:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaMariposa
Saw ya'll talking about trucks for towing. We are getting ready to sell my 2004 Chevy Colorado 4x4 and buy a used truck to tow a travel trailer down to San Felipe. The trailer will be between 25 and 28 feet. I have never owned anything bigger than a 1/2 ton truck. The used truck will only be used for towing the trailer down there, not for traveling with it and for utility use once we have moved such as hauling building materials. We have another newer economy vehicle. Any suggestions? Also I've never been fond of Fords but looking for something that's gonna last and if that's a Ford..well..lol Suggestions?


If you plan to only tow trailer once, rent a vehicle and save the $$.
And if you need a truck later only for occasional trips to home depot, you will find a rental truck or delivery charge is cheaper than owning another vehicle. Also, econo cars are adequate to tow trailers short distances like trips to home depot, and can trailer light loads for long distances.
Don't buy vehicles when you don't really need them -- save the $$ for trips to Tahiti (after living in San Felipe for a while, you'll want to go somewhere that is not a burning hot desert, and see an ocean that has real waves :lol:)

BajaMariposa - 8-5-2008 at 04:56 PM

LOL..If we are building our own house, I'm thinkin we made need a truck more than occassionally..but are you saying a 2007 HHR can pull a trailer to Mexicalli and back no problem..invest in a flat bed trailer maybe instead thats towable by the HHR? Maybe I can talk him into keeping my truck too..gonna need a 4x4 somewhere down the line. We are trying to down size..but it's hard! and thanx

Diver - 8-5-2008 at 05:05 PM

If the truck will stay in Baja find a '99 or older F250 with 7.3 Power Stroke and you can't go wrong !

BajaMariposa - 8-6-2008 at 08:31 AM

Thanx for the suggestion.

Bob and Susan - 8-6-2008 at 10:36 AM

'99 or older F250 with 7.3 Power Stroke will be hard to support later here in the "wild wild west"

parts parts parts

BajaWarrior - 8-6-2008 at 08:42 PM

You need a beauty like this, it even knows it's way to Baja!

[Edited on 8-7-2008 by BajaWarrior]

[Edited on 8-7-2008 by BajaWarrior]

r.SuperDutyForSale.jpg - 44kB

BajaMariposa - 8-8-2008 at 04:50 PM

If you're tryin to sell it to me, I need a lil more info please. Looks like a nice truck and why are ya sellin it?

BajaWarrior - 8-8-2008 at 06:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaMariposa
If you're tryin to sell it to me, I need a lil more info please. Looks like a nice truck and why are ya sellin it?


It is a nice truck, bought a nearly new one identical to it, we just like to swap our vehicles when they hit a certain age.

I cannot link the post that has the details (because I don't know how) but it is under "Great truck for Baja" under Today's Post page 1 or 2, or Miscelaneous/Classified.

I also have another truck advertised as "Another great truck for Baja" but it is a work truck and I doubt that would suit your needs...

Email me for further details if you like, which is listed on my profile.