New to Towing - Basic Questions

[Jljordann922]

My buddy asked if I can tow his trailer for spray foam business....I told him basically as long as he shows me the basics since I need to start learning to tow things for myself anyway.

He said I just need to get 2 5/16 tow ball for his trailer. I have the Class IV hitch on my 2018 Express ... I know it has 8000 towing capacity and his trailer weight is around 6000lbs.

I do have my truck leveled with Bils at 2.8 in the front with NO rear spacer. Will a standard tow ball like the following get me by?

Anything else I should expect or problems to look out for?

Thanks for the help.

 

[MADDOG]

You may experience some sag at the rear depending on load distribution and final tongue weight. You might ask him what the tongue weight is.

Also ask him if he has a weight distribution hitch and anti-way provisions on the trailer. Most don't but it's good to know.

Anything approaching 15% of the 6K gross trailer weight (900#) means it's tongue heavy and will definitely make the rear lower than the front. If so, I'd recommend some airbags be added to your truck.

 

[Jljordann922]

You may experience some sag at the rear depending on load distribution and final tongue weight. You might ask him what the tongue weight is.

Also ask him if he has a weight distribution hitch and anti-way provisions on the trailer. Most don't but it's good to know.

Anything approaching 15% of the 6K gross trailer weight (900#) means it's tongue heavy and will definitely make the rear lower than the front. If so, I'd recommend some airbags be added to your truck.

Good info thank you...I will ask about the tongue weight....if say he doesnt have the WDH or anti sway, and the tongue is slightly over the 15% mark, I understand it may sag, but does it do anything detrimental to the truck itself. The towing would be infrequent and maybe 10-20 miles at a time around NYC.

 

[MADDOG]

It all depends on how much sag you get, what the tongue weight is and how well loaded the trailer is. 15% of 6K pounds in 900 pounds on the hitch. You may have a Class III or Class IV hitch. Both will handle that load but you are very close to capacity with that tongue weight on a Class III.

If it's tongue heavy and you get a lot of sag, braking and steering could be compromised some as the front wheels will be "light" on the road. Most of your braking force, and all of your steering operation, are at the front wheels so just be conscious of that.

As far as suspension and drivetrain, the truck can handle that load with no problem.

 

[22hemi13]

Quick tip. The more sag the slower you need to go. If you’re squatting good don’t get in a hurry. Easiest is to hook up first if you can. See what she does. Then figure out if you need. Bag on a 1500 will make one heck of a difference. They seem to squat just looking at them.

 

[Jljordann922]

Ok that all makes a lot of sense....I will certainly see how it looks after hooking and definitely will take my time while driving....I believe she is a class iv hitch according to the build sheet

 

[Cardhu]

as noted above if your tongue weight is 15% of 6K, that 750 lb hitch is underrated. Have a look for a used weight distribution hitch or go to something that is rated above the 900lbs tongue weight.

With 2.8" up front your headlights will be pointed at the sky without heavier springs or air bags. There are many options available to make towing more enjoyable and not much agreement on which way to go. Heavier rear springs were my choice given my climate.

99% chance your receiver is the class IV if it came on truck new. crawl underneath and look for sticker or stamp.

 

[silver surfer]

Another thing to look at is insurance. You're towing someone else's commercial trailer. Is your insurance covering his trailer, or is his business insurance covering your truck?

 

[hunterdan]

You'll need to figure out how much of a drop hitch you'll need. They aren't a one size fits all. Trailer should sit level when hitched up. Far too often I'll guys driving around with a standard 2" drop hitch pulling a trailer so tongue high the back end is almost dragging on the pavement.

 

[hunterdan]

Oops, double post

 

[22hemi13]

You'll need to figure out how much of a drop hitch you'll need. They aren't a one size fits all. Trailer should sit level when hitched up. Far too often I'll guys driving around with a standard 2" drop hitch pulling a trailer so tongue high the back end is almost dragging on the pavement.

GUILTY And then I sold off that little 5x10 trailer. Granted it never had anything heavy on it anyways. But man it bugged me cause she’d just bounce around. I like my heavy trailers lol

 

[GsRAM]

GUILTY And then I sold off that little 5x10 trailer. Granted it never had anything heavy on it anyways. But man it bugged me cause she’d just bounce around. I like my heavy trailers lol

Lol. The little ones do bounce around a lot that's for sure. Even My 6'4"x12 does when empty....but not as bad as a 5x8.

OP- with a 6,000 trailer your 1500 needs a weight distribution hitch at minimum, if your going on the highway, then sway control and electric brakes. If your truck does not have the factory trailer brake control, add one or install a good quality aftermarket one like the prodigy P3. Towing stuff is hard on trucks. I hope your being compensated by your friend. Good luck

 

[Jljordann922]

Ok well I went ahead with it earlier than expected since he was in a pinch and I was off....He didnt have the weight distribution hitch or anti sway bars (which I will look into getting myself) .... but then again it's 95% city driving going no more than 25-30mph so not sure how much of an effect that has. Only time I had to get on the Hwy was to get over the bridge from S.I to BK. And during that it was traffic anyway and just crossed with my hazards.

As for driving the vehicle for the first time towing, I definitely had to push the gas a lot heavier to get it going, but other than going slow and steady the vehicle seemed fine to drive.

The Trailer definitely put the ass of my truck down pretty low, but as a reminder I had leveled the truck so I had eliminated the stock rake. If I do this more often I may look into something for the rear whether it be bags or heavier springs. Would a spacer suffice? Driving while nose up didn't really seem too much different from my normal driving.

Anyway I posted a few pictures so any experts out there can tell me how "bad" or "acceptable" the set up is.

Like I said, this is first time, so the more advice the better. And thanks for all the advice I've already received.

As for insurance, good point. I'll need to talk to him about that for any future jobs. And yeah the compensation is good for the few miles and time it's currently taking me.

 

[Jljordann922]

Checked with insurance as well just now....Said as long as it's attached to my vehicle it's covered, whether it's a commercial trailer or not.

 

[MADDOG]

I personally would not run with that much sag. Any significant bump, even at lower speed, could bottom out the suspension.

A spacer would help but it won't level the truck. You'll be better off with an air bag setup.

Or, better yet, tell your buddy to get his own truck!

 

[Jljordann922]

I personally would not run with that much sag. Any significant bump, even at lower speed, could bottom out the suspension.

A spacer would help but it won't level the truck. You'll be better off with an air bag setup.

Or, better yet, tell your buddy to get his own truck!

Yeah I'm going to see how often of a recurrence this will be....was looking into a spacer anyway...bags definitely if I do this often....Lol yeah I know I found out his license is suspended which is why he pays a decent amount to do this for him

 

[MADDOG]

I'd shy away from spacers to avoid bottoming out on them.

 

[GsRAM]

Checked with insurance as well just now....Said as long as it's attached to my vehicle it's covered, whether it's a commercial trailer or not.

Understand the trailer would be covered for liability only, not physical damage. Ie Collison damage to the trailer would not be covered. If you hit someone with the trailer the other parties damage would be paid for by your insurance. I'm very surprised there's not a business exclusion or something.

Yes way too much sag. You need wdh or air bags or possibly both. If you don't want to do bags, maybe just try a cheap harbor freight wdh and set that up properly (search threads here by verndiesel) and see how it is. May be good enough with just wdh? Won't know till you try it.

Good luck

 

[crash68]

You need wdh or air bags or possibly both. If you don't want to do bags, maybe just try a cheap harbor freight wdh and set that up properly (search threads here by verndiesel) and see how it is. May be good enough with just wdh?

^^^^ this
Here's a link to one of Vern's post:
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/looking-at-the-numbers.123099/

 

[Cardhu]

Its low as predicted. WDH and try a set of bags or springs. Tuff Truck springs are what i went with.
https://tuftruck.com/products-results/?part_make=7&part_model=117&part_year=68

https://tuftruck.com/products/ttc-1211/

1211 put you up 0.5 inch from stock unloaded. much less sag than your seeing loaded. You most definitely are hitting your bump stops at times. The 1223 will be too much unless your towing fulltime. the 1223V's are good but will be shorter than stock unloaded. I wouldn't even look at the 1210s.

on spacers:
If you put in a spacer, you just over compressing your springs before it hits the bump stop and they will be sagged permanently in no time. does nothing for the ability to handle the load. It may put your headlights more level but it won't be for long.

Hitch first and put some weight back on your steer axle.