CDecker0218

Question for all of you guys who tow your cars to the track. I currently have a 1994 Chevy 1500 truck with a 350 in it. I am looking at buying either a 16-18ft open car trailer or a 20ft enclosed trailer. My only concern is the weight that the 20ft would be able to pull. Have any of you used a 1500 to tow a 20ft enclosed? My integra weighs 2700lbs.

Tuner Eddy

Stick with an open one and you should be just fine. Just check the tow rating on your truck and figure out the weight of the enclosed trailer to see if your truck can tow it. I've use my 08 silverado to tow both open and enclosed trailers, but I only traveled 20 miles round trip or so. We have since purchased a dually for the shop so now we can tow anything.

UMMUHH

i have a 98 tahoe with 350 for the past 4 years towing my 18ft open trailer have no issues with it been to 20+ events from 100 to 500 miles round trip within that time. car weighs 2250! i have air shocks in the rear.

OneBadTurboCRV

I have a '99 GMC Suburban K1500 with the stock 350 Vortec (for now - 383 coming soon ) with helper springs in the rear with "E" range tires all around. It pulls my 26' Haulmark high top (7' ceiling inside) enclosed trailer with my heavy *** CRV in it (3,500 lbs IIRC) - OK. I wouldn't call it great towing but a weight distribution hitch setup is a MUST. I had to add a sway control because at speeds of over 60 mph or so passing cars / winds would unsettle the truck pretty good.

You will also want to make sure all your brakes are good and have trailer brakes as well. The 1/2 ton truck brakes from these years suck. It pulls and stops my 16' open car hauler perfectly fine though. The 26' is pushing the truck pretty good in my opinion. I don't think I would try it with a 2WD and not having that extra weight up front.

Turbo-LS

iTrader: (4)

Stick with open trailer. You could tow a smaller enclosed with a newer 1500 pickup but the old Chevys didn't have a whole heck of a lot of power. Between weight and wind resistance it will be a high rpm gas guzzling battle. I just picked up a 28ft vnose and it's a lot more to tow than my old 16 FT open trailer. I'm pulling with an 06 f350 diesel average 13.5-14 mpg towing.

JSTANOTHERHONDA

I tow an 18ft all metal trailer with my 97 1500 and it tows decent, depending on where you live, (lots of mountains here) the tow is different. My biggest complaint is up hills the stock vortec doesn't make a whole lot of power or torque. My towing trips require patients especially going up steep grades. But the truck will get the job done, make sure you have a brake controller on the truck makes a world of difference.

snobordboy

Nice timing on this, I have been starting to look at options for towing my Prelude down to the states for some races, and wasn't quite sure how my 1500 would handle it. Granted mine is newer and has the factory towing package, but I would like to add a brake controller.

For a 16 ft open trailer and ~2600 lb car, would I want to add airbags and a weight dist, hitch on there? Truck is an Ext cab 4X4 with the 5.3 Vortec and 6 spd trans btw.

Pro-SeriesFab

Pulling power isn't usually the problem, its the braking part that gets to warping discs.

IMO, until you start needing an air compressor/lights/etc you are better off saving a couple thousand and going with a used open.

I just bought a 16ft open for $900 a couple of months ago. It needed new tires (made it ~600 miles on them) but is in great shape and came with a mounted tool box effectively giving me 14' of usable space.

toddvw

i towed with a 2wd 96 1500 gmc for a while. open trailer loaded to the gills it towed great w/ airbags on the rear. 4x4 prob wouldnt need the bags but they never hurt. i also towed 2 different 24ft enclosed with the truck for some short distances. hills will suck that i can promise you. on the highway from nj to md i was able to get high teens in the mpg's with that truck. btw the truck had almost 300k on the original motor.

CDecker0218

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I will be getting a open 16-18ft for now!

SPOOLINmatt

a 20ft enclosed low end trailer is generally around 2800-3000 pounds plus wind drag

rudebwoy

iTrader: (1)

Its funny that I tow my trailer and car using a gas powered BMW 320i 2.0l with ease, at the required speeds up and down hills. but these pickup trucks can't do the same, used to own a dodge pickup and it couldn't tow to save my life. I am gonna be hurting when I get back to the US, cause will have to buy a big diesel truck.

Dark_Teg

I tow mine with a 2008 Chevy 1500 with a 5.3. The trailer has trailer brakes so stopping isn't an issue.

CDecker0218

Dark Teg, what size trailer is that?

Dark_Teg

Pretty sure its 18'

EJ1_Ex

iTrader: (1)

I use my 08 Tundra 5.7 and 18ft open diamond plate trailer. Tows pretty darn good! Get electronic brake control if you can really helps. I just got air bags for it to help with sagging.

CDecker0218

For those who use 16 ft's do you have any problems with it? I want to make sure I have enough room...

OneBadTurboCRV

Have enough room for what exactly? Are you talking Hondas? If so does this answer your question? 16' trailer (14' flat 2' dovetail) :

ekcoupeh22

iTrader: (2)

I have a 2011 sierra 1500 and have a towed a 24' enclosed with my integra and tools and a whole bunch of crap the only thing I had to do was add air bags in the rear. Pulled it fine.

sonicivic

iTrader: (1)

I use a 90 f150 straight 6 with a 5 speed for a little over 3 years now with an 18ft open trailer.
not the greatest but gets the job done

D-Rob

I'm attempting to tow my own car with a trailer to an event in the beginning of April with my Cayenne Turbo. I think it's got enough power/brakes, but I have never, ever hauled anything in my life.

Time to learn!

-=*javy*=-

I tow last year with 94 grand cherokee straight 6 no aux tranny cooler no spring helpers the jeep was saging a lot and no trailer brakes. I was careful on the highway and when slowing down was ok with a 16 foot open trailer and a 2400 pounds car. This year I have the aux tranny cooler springs and air shocks and ordering a trailer brake. I hope that help

tepid1

I was pleasantly surprised.... the Cayanne tows rather nice. Power and brakes are not a problem. Little sway and squat, but it's not bad at all.

OneBadTurboCRV

A weight distribution hitch will help with that... I always laugh at the cheap asses who won't pony up the $300-500 depending on the setup instead they have a swaying trailer and can't drive above 45 mph... Then again, I also see a lot of trailers loaded wrong causing the same issue as setting tongue weight seems to be a "lost art".

D-Rob

Great to hear. What brake controller are you using? Did yours have the OEM towing package installed?

I have the hitch installed, but haven't a clue about what brake controller to buy that won't freak out the bulb diagnostics.