Pulling an enclosed "v nosed" 4 place - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Cdndairyman · 02-09-2007, 07:45 AM

Hey guys just wondering how a 2006 1/2 ton GMC Z71 with the 4.8 litre motor and a 3.73 gear will pull a large trailer like that. It is my buddies bosses trailer and he has a 3/4 ton Duramax to pull it with. We are going about 850km. There will be 4 sleds plus cargo in the trailer as well. Will we have trouble? I can get an 02' Z71 with the 5.3 litre and 3.73 gear but it doesn't have the electric brake hookup. Just wondering if anyone has seen or done this scenario.

Thanks in advance

Cdndairyman · 02-09-2007, 07:48 AM

here is a link to a trailer that is quite similar

The Aluminum Trailer Company - Details

kccats · 02-09-2007, 09:05 AM

You won't be able to use overdrive and your milage will be about 5-6 mpg.!!! But if you take your time you could get it up to 50 mph or so, The electric brake is worth the extra hp!

grouly925 · 02-09-2007, 09:48 AM

On new trucks like this they include the hookups for the electric brake, and they should be fairly similar. I agree that even if you can't get an electric brake hookup, that you will at least want to use the 5.3L pickup over the 4.8. You could just buy a brake hookup for the 5.3L truck and then take it back when you got home from the trip. As long as you keep the packaging, no one will know the difference. Even if you have to keep it, a brake controller is a lot cheaper than a blown up 4.8. I have a 2003 2500 HD with the 6.0 and 4.10 gears and it only gets about 8 mpg pulling a loaded 4 place so get ready to spend a weeks pay pulling the trailer around. Good luck!

BC_Dan · 02-09-2007, 10:13 AM

Buy the brake controller and use the truck with the bigger engine. On my 2002 Chevy, installing the controller was as simple as plugging it in and screwing the two screws into existing holes in the dash. You will compromise safety big time by not having brakes on the trailer (and in some places, it's a traffic violation) and the smaller engine will be running hard to keep the speed up so you don't get run over by the big trucks.

If you borrow someone else's vehicle and buy'em a brake controller, they will probably be pretty happy and appreciate your thoughtfulness!

tamacat · 02-09-2007, 11:39 AM

Depends on the wait of the trailer.My K 1500 Z71 Has a max trailer wt. of 6800 lbs.Thats the TOTAL wt of the trailer WITH the load.

Cdndairyman · 02-09-2007, 11:51 AM

The 02' is the farm truck (dad's truck) so I think we are just going to put the electric brake hookup on it if we decide to use it. I won't pull a trailer that big without the proper brake setup. Just plain stupid!! Too bad we couldn't get my buddies bosses duramax! That would be a sweet deal. How heavy do you think that trailer is? The guy with the 06' with the 4.8 pulls a 27' bumper pull camper all the time and has no trouble. I figure we will have about 2500lbs +/- of cargo in the trailer. The 02' sounds quite similar to tamacat's truck so hopefully we don't go over the weight limitations!

freakshow12 · 02-09-2007, 04:33 PM

I used to have a 98 F150 with the 4.6 and 3.73's and it would not pull it without hugely working. the 5.4 i had after was no problem and my hemi is awesome for it. if that dont work we use out new 6.0 or our cummins

kccats · 02-09-2007, 07:05 PM

Let us know what your mpg is with and without the trailer. But what I was getting at is by all means use the truck with the brakes, thats more important than the HP!

Spark · 02-09-2007, 07:35 PM

I've got an '02 Dakota with a 4.7 and 3.70's. Towing a two place open is a bear. Doesn't have a tow package(trans cooler,tow gearing in trans, etc.).Right about not being able to use overdrive except goin' down hill and even grades(very even

). I've managed doing the speed limit plus for the 500 mile trip to camp, getting 11 mpg. Engine's runnin' at 3 grand @ 68 mph without OD. Can't help but think I'm losing normal life expectancy, especially the trans. I know I shouldn't be pushing it that much but the trip's a long haul when you only have a few days to play. Brother-in-law's got a Yukon with the 5.3/tow package and it runs like there's nothin' behind it and gets 17 mpg. From what little I've experienced, there's no substitute for cubic inches. I just couldn't imagine pullin' a trailer and that weight with something similar. Would have to have the brake assist for sure.

Cdndairyman · 02-10-2007, 07:41 AM

Well I guess the 4.8 in the 06' is rated at 285hp with 295ft/lbs torque compared to the 02' with the 5.3 at 285hp and 335 ft/lbs torque. I know that its the torque that makes ya pull so we have decided to put the electric brake package on the 02' if we use the trailer. I not too concerned about using it, its a Z71 so it has the heavy duty tranny and tranny cooler in it. Just have to take my time and get there safely! The 02' gets over 20mpg without a trailer and got about 17mpg pulling a 14' trailer with 3 quads on it and the 5' high end gate on it as well (dumb idea but it wasn't my trip!) I am expecting somewhere between 10 and 12mpg on this trip. I will let ya know if we take it, what the mileage was and how it handled the trailer. Thanks for the responses guys!

Cdndairyman · 02-10-2007, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakshow12

I used to have a 98 F150 with the 4.6 and 3.73's and it would not pull it without hugely working. the 5.4 i had after was no problem and my hemi is awesome for it. if that dont work we use out new 6.0 or our cummins

What year was the truck with the 5.4?? It should be comparable to the 02' cause they beefed them up to 300hp from 260hp when the new bodystyle came out.

Rider X · 02-10-2007, 12:22 PM

I pull my 27' enclosed aluminum trailer with a Chevy 6.0 liter engine and get about 8 miles to the gallon.