I'm looking at buying a truck and trailer soon, but would like to have an idea of what the trailer is gonna weigh (ball-park is fine) to help determine what I'm gonna need in the way of a truck. Gonna need either a 20 or 24 foot enclosed trailer, so if I could get estimates on those that would be great. No need to mention aluminum trailers, out of my range. Thanks
Average weight?
- Thread starter rx7chris
- Start date
So if I over compensated and said 3k that would be safe numbers to work with? I'd prefer a diesel 250/2500 but there's a lot of questions on reliability of the 6.0PS and the DM seems to be a little higher used. If I can find a clean 7.3 I'm probablly gonna get it. Any opinion on the 2500 gas? 6.0 I think.
JoshS
New member
The previous-generation ('00-'06) GM 2500 gassers could be had either with a 6.0 or an 8.1. Both are great engines, but of course the big one is desireable for an enclosed trailer, at the expense of fuel mileage. I have one in an '04 Suburban 2500 and absolutely love towing with it, love this truck, and this is after towing for years with a Duramax.
Not sure what you meant by 3K up there. These trailers will almost always be around 4K but of course vary depending on equipment included (like cabinets, racks, winches, etc, etc.)
We have a 28' Pace, it has some extras (cabinets etc) and weighs 5000 empty. With tools, tires, spares and 1 car it's at 10,000 (its max weight). We sometimes carry a second car and are at 12,000. Tow with a E350 7.3 diesel. Does well. We recently traded the F150 for a new F250 with the V 10 and 4.30 gears, we expect to be able to tow with it as well.
I can't imagine an enclosed with car and usual tools and spares being less than 7000. Get enough truck!
I can't imagine an enclosed with car and usual tools and spares being less than 7000. Get enough truck!
Looks like the new 2500 is rated at 13,000. So with a 20-24ft trailer (about 4k lbs guesstimate), the car (3k lbs), maybe another 1k to 1.5k for misc. I should be just fine right? I think I'd rather go with the gas motor just because I know next to nothing about diesel (meaning paying someone to fix it). Anything I'm missing?
JoshS
New member
That's probably 13K for a gooseneck/5th-wheel, but in any case, it'll do great.
lateapex911
Super Moderator
I tow a 22' enclosed with a 2100 pound car, a 6'tall tool box stack, 4 sets wheels, cabinets, etc with a GMC Sierra 1500 with the 6.0. There's a way you can get the tow rating to 10K. I got around the 1500 part with air bags, that way I don't have to drive an oversprung truck around all the time. Mine is the "All Terrain" package that comes with Rancho shocks, uprated springs and some other stuff. Engine is making about 400/400 (Just a bit less).
The other option was the Tundra, which is an awesome truck. While they are both 1500s, a 1500 today is much more truck than a 1500 was a years back.
Another thing to remember is a good brake controller. Some trucks now come with one, but the prodigy unit I have is sooo good, I think I'd skip the factory one unless I found it was an Prodigy equivalent.
The other option was the Tundra, which is an awesome truck. While they are both 1500s, a 1500 today is much more truck than a 1500 was a years back.
Another thing to remember is a good brake controller. Some trucks now come with one, but the prodigy unit I have is sooo good, I think I'd skip the factory one unless I found it was an Prodigy equivalent.
spnkzss
New member
I have a '20 foot with the same truck. Mine is loaded pretty good and it goes up hill like a champ. I'm sure I'm close to that 10k mark.
What bags did you go with? I've been seriously thinking about them for awhile. '08 Z71 MAX