Towing Newbie: Need Advice

[Fabman]

You're in Commiefornia, they probably require a 3/4 ton truck so the can levy a higher tax on it.

Probably....this was about 13/14 years ago or so, but two separate occasions they denied me, so I finally just bought an enclosed trailer.
Maybe it was just that one store but two different employees said the same thing about a year apart. No car trailers without a 3/4 ton truck.

 

[OX1]

Probably....this was about 13/14 years ago or so, but two separate occasions they denied me, so I finally just bought an enclosed trailer.
Maybe it was just that one store but two different employees said the same thing about a year apart. No car trailers without a 3/4 ton truck.

Today's 1/2 tons are the same (more or less) as 13/14 year old 3/4 tons. That makes more sense, if that long ago.

 

[Bouncing Soul]

You're in Commiefornia, they probably require a 3/4 ton truck so the can levy a higher tax on it.

Funny enough- they have to registered as commercial vehicles due to GVWR in CA.

When I bought my 2002 Duramax I told them they messed up the paperwork

 

[Bouncing Soul]

You're in Commiefornia, they probably require a 3/4 ton truck so the can levy a higher tax on it.

Funny enough- they have to registered as commercial vehicles due to GVWR in CA.

When I bought my 2002 Duramax I told them they messed up the paperwork

 

[Bouncing Soul]

You're in Commiefornia, they probably require a 3/4 ton truck so the can levy a higher tax on it.

Funny enough- they have to registered as commercial vehicles due to GVWR in CA.

When I bought my 2002 Duramax I told them they messed up the paperwork

 

[DonPatr0L]

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[DonPatr0L]

@Ewheels sharing my fast bullet notes for you. I have a 2020 F150 same spec as yours with max tow.

*When truck is cold, bump up all tire pressures to the max cold psi. Same for trailer tires.
*My two cents is you should get your own trailer if you're going to do it a lot. Having a trailer that you trust is huge.
*Get a weight distribution hitch. For me, I got the weigh safe hitch. Optimizing the weight distribution actually makes a huge difference with the F150. Less critical for bigger trucks.
*Get a set of sumo springs to help with squat. The 1,000lb ones are sufficient if you have a weight distribution hitch or you do a lot of daily driving. If it's meant to be your work for you truck, 1,500 would be better.
*Driving, don't go over 65. Would even say be comfortable driving at 55 or 60 in the right lane. Driving a heavy trailer takes practice to feel it back there. Also be cognizant of leaving sufficient distance to stop!
*For your brake controller, you want to set it to where at a dead stop the spot where it will slightly drag when leaving a stop. I think mine is set to 4 out of 10

 

[DonPatr0L]

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[DonPatr0L]

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[Ewheels]

For those curious, first attempt at towing was a success. No issues with Uhaul trailer or the truck. Pulled up the grape vine with ease. It was very nice to end the last session of the day and simply load the car onto the trailer and go rather than letting the car cool down to swap tires out.

 

[GAR944]

For those curious, first attempt at towing was a success. No issues with Uhaul trailer or the truck. Pulled up the grape vine with ease. It was very nice to end the last session of the day and simply load the car onto the trailer and go rather than letting the car cool down to swap tires out.

View attachment 100374

As much as we love our track cars, its so nice to get into a comfy SUV/UTE (Truck for you northerners) with all the creature comforts and have a relaxing drive home. The contrast between the two makes you realise how uncivilised a good track car becomes. Wouldn't have it any other way though.
Glad the first one went so well, gives you confidence for future events. Nothing like a tank slapper with the trailer to wake you up. Didn't have the weight quite far enough forward, never got it wrong again.

 

[Ewheels]

As much as we love our track cars, its so nice to get into a comfy SUV/UTE (Truck for you northerners) with all the creature comforts and have a relaxing drive home. The contrast between the two makes you realise how uncivilised a good track car becomes. Wouldn't have it any other way though.
Glad the first one went so well, gives you confidence for future events. Nothing like a tank slapper with the trailer to wake you up. Didn't have the weight quite far enough forward, never got it wrong again.

Agreed on the comfort of a truck on the drive home. I can only go for about an hour in my Sparco seat before things start hurting.

 

[byronj]

@Ewheels just a suggestion. If your going to use a u-haul I would get a personal set of straps. Those u-haul over tiures straps get a lot of abuse and are always questionable.

 

[Ewheels]

@Ewheels just a suggestion. If your going to use a u-haul I would get a personal set of straps. Those u-haul over tiures straps get a lot of abuse and are always questionable.

I did. Got some Mac straps that were on the car as well. Used the Uhaul ones in addition because why not.

 

[Vettel-ish]

Echo everyone on Mac straps. You dont have to spend a crazy amount of money on a trailer. This legend was like 6K.

 

[Fabman]

Mac straps for me too....

 

[5.2 liters of democracy]

For those curious, first attempt at towing was a success. No issues with Uhaul trailer or the truck. Pulled up the grape vine with ease. It was very nice to end the last session of the day and simply load the car onto the trailer and go rather than letting the car cool down to swap tires out.

View attachment 100374

The grape vine is such an amusing drive because so many people need to cut in front of the guy with the trailer just to drive the same speed or even slower. But hey, they go in front of the trailer to save themselves time right?!

 

[Bouncing Soul]

The Grapevine was exciting in the 80’s- lots of cars weren’t up to it.

 

[byronj]

The Grapevine was exciting in the 80’s- lots of cars weren’t up to it.

Oh remember all of the cars overheating!

 

[JP X]

For those curious, first attempt at towing was a success. No issues with Uhaul trailer or the truck. Pulled up the grape vine with ease. It was very nice to end the last session of the day and simply load the car onto the trailer and go rather than letting the car cool down to swap tires out.

View attachment 100374

In-N-Out!!!!!!!!