towing 12-13,000 lbs

[jklingel]

I have an '07 Chevy 3500, 4x4 crew w/ 6.6 turbo diesel and Allison tranny. I am about to buy a 10,000 loader, plus 3,000 lb trailer, and am concerned about towing it, esp up the Alcan from Seattle. Some folks at dieselstop recommended I get a Hensley Arrow for towing this much weight, ($3K) or risk disaster. I was also warned that GM is having trouble w/ stock receiver hitches breaking. Do I need a Hensley, or is a good anti-sway bar and weight distrib system enough? (I may upgrade the stock receiver hitch, if advisable. No sense in pushing it to the limit.) Thanks for any opinions/experience. john

[stelmadl]

I did a quick look at the specs and it looks like you can pull a 14.5k # fifth wheel trailer...properly equipped....alittle less if it's a "regular" trailer. If you have the dually, you can pull a few hundred pounds, more! Personally, I would not spend $3000 bucks for added insurance. I assume you're paying for auto insurance, already...that would include the loader and trailer.

[jklingel]

I just looked at my stock receiver hitch again, and was reminded of why I thought of replacing it. Despite being rated 7500/12000 lb, it has a serious wimp factor, and is toast. EOS. I will get a heavy Reese in there ASAP, and anti-sway, load distrib, etc. 14K GVW trailers weigh from 3-4,500 lbs , so I am sure my truck will be maxed out, esp if I don't go the gooseneck route, which I'd like to avoid. john

[stelmadl]

John:
I'm confused. Are you saying you have a stock hitch that came with the truck? Being a one ton truck, I would assume you have a class V reciever (or higher rating) that came with/ attached to the truck. You typically have to buy the hitch separate....because the manufacturer does not know how you plan to use the truck. Hitches come in all different sizes and ratings. It's the hitch that can be bought with the option of sway bar attachments and slots for the weight distributing bars. Am I missing something?

[jklingel]

.... if I spelled that correctly. Up here, I/we call the thing attached to the truck frame a _receiver_ hitch, whereas places like Reese list it as a "hitch" sometimes, and a "receiver hitch" other places on their web site. (Unless I am confused...) The thing that has a removable ball on it is the stinger, which some call a ball mount. The hitch that came on/under my '07 Chevy is what is rather wimping looking, to me. There just is not much metal there. As for stingers, I have various ones, from 2' square tubing to solid 2" bar. It is interesting talking to various people about towing, as it seems the lingo is not 100% universal. I hope I am clear now. Hope...

[mudseeker]

may have some type of tow package from the dealer. nowadays you can even get a "tow package" on the little SUV's running around. i have heard of some of these newer factory hitches failing recently.

[jklingel]

Originally Posted by mudseeker

...a "tow package" on the little SUV's running around. i have heard of some of these newer factory hitches failing recently.

That is what a guy on the dieselstop forum told me; he has seen a few pics of Chevy hitches broken on the Chevy forum. No idea which forum. At any rate, this ****** of mine is toast and a Class 5 Tow Beast will go in (recommended by one of the local trailer builders. Will get it at 6 Robblee's). j