Re: RE: Pulling with Small Light Trucks

["Duncan Fletcher" <dfletche@gte.net>]

Well, I am not a fan of compact trucks - as Don, says check the
manufacturer's specs. But the same engine and drive train options (except
diesel) are generally available in both 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton, so the marginal
pulling of the F-150 is related to engine and gearing not the load rating. I
drive a F-150, and the brakes are more than sufficient to lock up all 4
wheels pulling a loaded 3 horse trailer. I did just that when the power to
my brake controller failed - skidded right through a red light into the
middle of an intersection with wheels locked (managed 1 pump and 2 skids) -
fortunately not into traffic. Now, the lighter brakes on the 1/2 ton will
overheat more quickly if used down a steep hill than a 3/4 ton which is a
plus for the 3/4 ton.

Duncan Fletcher
dfletche@gte.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Pollock" <donp@dcr.net>

> I really believe the smallest truck that should be used to pull even a 2
horse
> trailer is a F-150 (Ford) or equivalent weight vehicle of another
manufacture. A
> Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10 are just too light for the job.  Check the
vehicle
> weight to trailer weight in the pulling specs of the owners manual and
crunch
> out your own numbers.  It will become evident.  I have an all steel Bison
> Thoroughsport 7'2",2 horse trailer and it's about all my F-150 4 WD can do
(have
> to down-shift)to pull it on on steep hills.  The trailer has electric
breaks on
> all 4 wheels and without them it's a slow controlled drive.  Forgot to
readjust
> the trailer breaks ONCE (empty then drove to load horse) and thought I was
never
> going to stop even though I was standing on the truck breaks. Will NEVER
forget
> that. I also replace the truck breaks every Spring needed or not.  Once
again I
> think what I have is minimum for towing and anything less is dangerous as
far as
> pulling horses are concerned.  May be OK for lawnmowers.