Hey guys, still have my 98 1500 Ext 4x4 5.2 Auto. She has an amazing 203k on the clock and the only real issue is the ABS/Brake light 4w ABS.

Anyway, I am going to a track rental soon and am wondering if I dare tow my 2000lb trailer and 3000lb Drag car to the track. It is about a 75 mile trip one way. Truck always performs well but the most I have towed is a 20 foot bow rider and trailer.

Would you try towing 5000lbs with my old beast?

Thanks

 

Take it slow and easy and you should be fine.

 

Haha, have no choice. Slow is the only way this truck goes!

I think I am going to give it a shot, I will just leave an hour earlier than normal.

 

It should pull that fine. Does the trailer have its own braking system?

 

Trailer has brakes and brake away.

Truck has factory tow package so I installed a brake controller. Just have to set it correctly for the load.

 

exactly right slow and easy because main thing you should be worrying about is that stock tranny with 203k

 

Mine only had 165k on it and I towed a 2400 lb high top enclosed trailer to TN then loaded it up and towed it back to FL with no problems. You'll be fine. Might want to put a bigger trans cooler on it. Make sure you leave the o/d off.

 

5000lbs? You could pull it in reverse the whole way! Lol you should not have a problem. I've towed 7000lbs further than that with the same truck with no problems. Keep your o/d off. If you plan to tow more in the future, IDE invest in a tranny temp gauge, a deeper tranny pan and a tranny cooler.

 

I don't recommend it, but I towed a 14k mobile home over a 7 mile, 5-7% grade mountain in July of last year. It was in the 105°F range, and the whole trip was 37 miles. As mentioned OD off and don't go too fast and you'll be ok.

 

Well the abs and brake light is most likely one of 3 things. The speed sensor on top of the rear diff needs replace(around $40)(disconnect the negative battery cable while installing new sensor) or you have a pin hole in the brake line going to the rear next to the gas tank, or a WC might be leaking. Cost? priceless if the brakes fail.

Couple other things actually, could possibly be ABS control module(no big deal, just no abs). And have you checked the fuse?