Hey guys,

I have a lawn service business, and am looking to upgrade my trailer to a 8.5 wide by 20 ft long trailer. The trailer i am looking at getting can be seen here:

http://www.trailersusa.com/Trailers/...a-cargo-i86468

I know that its a car hauler, but im looking to get one, multipurpose trailer. This way i can use it for my lawn business, camping, off roading, and towing my ol mans race car to the track, or wherever.

Do you think my 1500 sport 4x4 would be able to handle this trailer? And on top of that, i have two mowers, whip, edger, and a backback blower. so add on another 1200-1500 pounds or so that will be in the trailer. I dont want to go overboard, but i do need to upgrade trailers, and this car hauler is stronger, and cheaper than a smaller enclosed utility trailer.

So let me know what you think... I was debating putting on a set of air bags just to be safe, but no need if it still wont handle it.

Thanks guys!

 

Your truck is limmited by weight, not by length.

Does the trailer have brakes? If so, what kind (electric or surge)?

How much cargo weight do you plan to tow?

With that info we can better help you out.

 

I would say no because it's too long. It's not the weight, it's the bulk/length in this case and you will feel it. That trailer will push against your truck, been there done that with empty horse trailers that size. I trailer them in the feilds to load horses but rarely on the road and only empty when I do. The sheer tongue weight because of the distance beteen the wheels and your hitch will play a major factor. It's gonna squat, then you add air bags but you still have too much tongue weight. A utility trailer is different than a camper trailer and to carry a car in that thing you would have to be carried toward the rear. Don't beleive me try it when you go look at the trailer. Tell them you want to test the towing length (not weight) capabilities of your truck to see if can handle it. If they want a sale they will do it. EDIT: Btw...I own a Feb 2011 18' car hauler, a 16' utility trailer, and a 14X5 with two 3500 lb axles and 3' sides to haul 5 to 7000 lbs of construction debree. Word of caution, if your going to use your 1500 truck like a 2500 truck then you dress it like a 2500 truck with E or at least D rated tires. The sidewalls of C rated tires will flex like they were water balloons when turning and cornering. That especially includes 55 mph winding roads and highways where it's the most critical.

 

I agree if you are using it for multiple purposes, then a 2500 would be much better suited to work like that. Hate to say it but the 1500 aren't made to tow a 20 footer. Simply the fact that it is so long is that you are going to tend to stuff it and not mind the weight as closely as you should. Don't know about your state but in ours if you are running it as a commercial business trailer the State Cops can stop you and examine the truck. If they find it wanting in brakes or suspension you can get a ticket for insufficient equipment.
If you need a 20 footer you might need to look at an aluminum enclosed. You might get by with that, but it is gonna be big $$$.

http://www.fthr.com/bumper-pull-car-...8-car-trailer/

That trailer is a V nose so that is a plus if you buy it. Remember. Tongue
weight is all in how you load the trailer.

BTW I had a race car and 20 foot enclosed before I bought my 1500. Sold the trailer and car so didn't need the gas guzzler any more...or the rough ride....

 

I do not agree with both of you guys, not to the full extent anyways...I would say if you can get a 20ft trailer with an equalizer hitch you should be set to go...Yes I would also put a set of bags in, just because you will be doing it everyday. AND make sure you have a brake controller...
This whole length matters thing is not what you will be looking at, THAT IS if you have an equalizer hitch. The hitch is designed to equal that tongue load over a MUCH larger area. Thats why all the holiday trailers have them, the long ones anyways. I would NEVER pull anything over 16ft without that hitch, it provides the weight distribution and helps with sway control. One of the better things ever invented! I pull a 30ft holiday trailer with my 1500 and don't have a problem, it would suck without an equalizer hitch tho, I would feel unsafe then.

As for the trailer "pushing" the truck because its too long? Why do we invent electronic brakes? If those brakes are adjusted properly and your controller is set to the right output, you should NEVER have a force acting on your truck when your braking. The factory has to maintain its specs on providing enough brake power to handle the FULL capacity of the trailer, which in this case is 14000lbs (including the trailer) Judging by what you say you are hauling you will NEVER get that close!

As far as bags go if you buy a decent set of bags, you should be able to lift that rear end right up to perfect height, and with an equalizer hitch, you will be just fine. Things will ride much better, many guys by "cheap" quick install bags and there is a reason they are cheap.
Yes you will also still have to worry about loading, you still will want to keep the weight to the rear end more IF you can, but not to far over the axles otherwise you will get sway.
Yes also see if you can get a set of load rated tires, it will also help your case quite a bit.

But as I can see it right now, with what you have told us you do have a long trailer, but I cant see you hauling 7000lbs with what you have. (depends on the car but even then)

HOWEVER the ultimate solution is a 2500, but seeing as how you already own a fairly new truck and probably are not going to want to do a trade in. These are your options in my opinion. By time you invest in equalizer hitches, new tires, set of bags, controller if you dont have one already. It might be in your best interest to move to a 2500. You would be working your 1500, but its possible with the right equipment.

If you don't feel like putting that much strain on your 1500, 2500 is the way to go, possibly with the cummins. HOWEVER if you also use this truck for errands, it wont ride as nice as the 1500s. Its all up to you, but thats just my opinion. Depends on how much money you want to spend

 

I pull a 22' OPEN, dual axle trailer about four or five times a year with a big Kubota tractor and rough cut mower on it, about 7700 lbs. total with my 3rd Gen Hemi 1500 4x4, lifted with 35" tires and 4.56 gears. I only go about 25 miles or so each way on very rural country roads. Because I do it so infrequently, I do not have a WD hitch, but it would be a good idea. I do have bags installed though. Aside from watching the gas gauge fall like a rock, no big deal.

It's do-able, but that enclosed trailer is gonna be a HUGE wind catcher, the WD hitch is a must as are trailer brakes. Also, I've pulled with a 4th Gen 1500 with it's coil over rear - bags are a must! I've towed about my whole driving life, mostly open trailers and 11 years of bass boats for tourney fishing, but have pulled enclosed trailers time to time. Even with the WD hitch, windy days are gonna be white knuckle days - trust me!

I'm hoping you have factory 3.92s or it's gonna suck *****, also, no matter what you do, any kind of weight on that thing and look for single digit fuel economy.

 

i pull a 24 ft enclosed with my car (3000 lbs) and tools/track stuff in it. dual axle electric brakes required (law in jersey to sell a trailer that size) Weight distributing hitch required, airbags helped. obviously its a lot of weight but truck pulls it fine. i have no issues with sway or control.

i only do this occasionally when i go to the track, 15-20 days a year ... give or take. i have the 3.55's and when pulling the 3.92's would be nicer for sure.

i would say you would have no problem with a 20 footer and a few mowers etc., but if the truck is dedicated to do this day in day out full time i would consider getting a 2500 next time.

 

my opinion is the same as hammer, i think with a distribution hitch and DEFINITELY electric brakes you should be ok. Definitely a lengthy trailer but I think it can be done. that almost seems more length than what you specified. I have a 6x12 for my lawns and hauling material

 

i gotta say though, that is a decent price on a trailer like that. I remember a few years ago I wanted to just get an enclosed one for my company and hauling motorcycles and I couldnt find one for less than like 5 grand new, 3 used. I'd definitely say thats a more than fair price on a trailer like that

 

Weight distribution hitch+airbags+electric brakes should be enough. I tow my 28' camping trailer with this setup with no problems.