1/2 ton and a tractor

[saltbranch]

Recently bought a 05' Chevy 1/2 ton, auto v-6. Mainly for "wheel baro" use and daily driver. This past weekend my 1 ton was out of state and I needed to move our tractor about 12 miles from one property to another. I have already installed electric brakes, tranny cooler on the truck I hook up to our 20' 10,400 capacity trailer, weighs in around 2300lbs empty and loaded the tractor.I would estimate the weight at around 6-6500 lbs.Tractor data is showing 5200lbs without a loader. I have loader with water in tires. Anyways I was impressed with the Chevy, the springs in the rear held the weight pretty good, actually felt stable when pulling. The V-6 did very good, only got it upto 60mph, but any faster than that on the roads we were on would not be a good idea. The prodigy controller is sweet with the trailer brakes, stopped great.
Have no plans of making a 100 mile trip with this setup or anything like that, just impressed with the little v-6 and rear springs on the Chevy. Did alot better than I imagined.

 

[JohnnyW]

Seen this before and the tractor won over the transmission in the Chevy. Longer haul glad to hear you have a larger tow vehicle.

 

[saltbranch]

Seen this before and the tractor won over the transmission in the Chevy. Longer haul glad to hear you have a larger tow vehicle.

No doubt that the tranny would fall apart pulling this on a long haul, the weight and windrag would kill it for sure. I really thought it would bottom the truck out, but did not even come close. At first I was going to load it where all the weight was pretty much on the trailer...then I kept inching up untill I got on the marks I use to spot it when hauling with the 1 ton. Tied it down and hit the road, all back roads. More I druve the little truck the better I like...never thought I would like a v-6 1/2 ton after owning 1 ton diesels for yrs and yrs.

 

[creekbend]

I'm glad that everything worked out positive in regards to the Tow.

 

[ericher69]

No doubt that the tranny would fall apart pulling this on a long haul, the weight and windrag would kill it for sure. I really thought it would bottom the truck out, but did not even come close. At first I was going to load it where all the weight was pretty much on the trailer...then I kept inching up untill I got on the marks I use to spot it when hauling with the 1 ton. Tied it down and hit the road, all back roads. More I druve the little truck the better I like...never thought I would like a v-6 1/2 ton after owning 1 ton diesels for yrs and yrs.

Yeah V6 do ok for what they are if you take it easy.

You have to be realistic about intended use. Like my '06 Sierra with 4.8L

Mostly used to tow a 16' aluminum fishing boat and atv but used it a few years ago to tow a tandem dump trailer with 5000lbs in it and I swear it did better with that load then the '06 F150 I use to own 5.4L

(Not trying to start a Gm vs Ford vs dodge vs... Pissing match)

Just my personal experience

 

[Soundguy]

most of us have towed with 1/2 tones.. sometime even alot.. it's just not fun to me anymore. been in too many situations where a 1/2 ton just wasn't safe enough.. either from weight or engine or suspension.. or all 3.. weight and brakes are related many times too..


glad the haul went ok.. glad you have a heavier haul truck too.