Towing horse trailer with 2000 1500 issues

[bobuddy]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to get some input from the Chevy experts in regards to my truck and possibly settle a difference of opinion between me and my SO.....:rolleyes:.

The truck is a 1500LS extended cab, 4x4, long bed (I believe is 4.10) with 5.3L engine - year is 2000. It has 160K miles on it with a rebuilt transmission 2 years ago. We have put almost $9K into the truck so far mechanically (this truck was given to me) - a new class 5 hitch also installed. I believe this truck is rated to tow 8K lbs.

I have a Trail -et bumper pull 2 horse trailer - weight is 3800lbs and tow 1-2 horses - 1200 lbs for one horse and 1400 lbs for the other. I have a P3 brake controller installed.

The issue I am having is I can REALLY feel the trailer behind the truck - it seems that every movement the horses make is felt - I can feel the truck move back and forth, side to side. The hitch is a WD - but I need to take the trailer to the shop to have it installed to the sides of the tongue of the trailer - so not fully set up yet. The truck also seems to struggle with the weight of the trailer - going up and down hills.

Is there anything I can do for the truck to make this a more tow worthy vehicle - more power? I am of the opinion that I should not feel the trailer and movement this much - my SO feels that feeling the trailer behind the truck is a "good thing".

I have been looking to move up to a 2500HD or SRW 3500 if I can find one - diesel if I can afford one. My SO says this truck is good enough.

If everyone feels that this truck is okay to tow this weight - is there anything else I can do (besides fully hook up the WD part of the hitch) to increase the power/stability?

Thanks!

[ToyHauler]

its too much to "not feel it", if you got alot of hills you might as well just get a 3/4, although the 1/2 will should pull that fine as you got the same mileage as alot of people do with that trans. the gears are more likely 3.42 or 3.73's mostly you only see 4.10's on the 6.0l's if your going to keep the truck you could consider some good aftermarket shocks, gears to 4.10, tune, bigger trans cooler etc..

GQ1 -- AXLE REAR, STD RATIO
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION)

HC4 -- AXLE REAR, 4.56 RATIO

[kcb37]

Go to a 3/4 ton.
You may be well withing your weight rating. However if you feel the truck move that much you do not have enought suspension. With the horse(s) being able to move they shift weight and alot. Not something any manufacturer figured on. (go figure)
Basically even with the power to pull the trailer the suspension just dosen't like it.
A 3/4 gas or diesel will not care. 6.0 you will feel it, but should do just fine, your mileage will go down also an 8.1 but your power will be there reagardless with an 8.1
If you could get a Dmax, your power and mileage will be there. Unloaded you should do great with mileage, loaded it's going down, but should do better then any gas. Unless you have drivability issues. In my opinion the best way to go pulling.
I can tell you this, weather your truck is rated for it or not. Don't be like all the people now that think they have a truck that can do anything. A 1/2 ton is just that a 1/2 ton and not really rated for alot. Kinda like the muscle car wars we are now in the towing wars. Don't get caught up in it thinking you can pull whatever you want. To much truck is a good thing. To little is just stupid.

[bowtieguy101]

Your truck is a half ton. Very limited for towing, if you can feel it that much, You need to upgrade to a truck more suited for hauling your trailer.

[bobuddy]

Thanks for your replies.

As for towing - I have towed boats, campers and other trailers before - with no issues. The live weight of the horses is so different and I have a death grip on the steering wheel the whole time. Like I mentioned, my SO seems to think that feeling the trailer is a good thing - but I completely disagree - that if I am feeling it that much, the truck is struggling and my stability is compromised. I rarely go over 50mph anyways - mostly stick to the back roads and stay around 35mph. We are in KY - so lots of hills.

I am going to start shopping around to look at the diesel 3/4 ton - do they let you hook up the trailer to drive it around? That would sell the truck for me - if I could drive it in actual situations rather than driving it around town without the trailer.

[kcb37]

They may or may not, going to depend on the dealer.
The problem you will have is finding a truck with a controler if your going to go used. Didn't start putting them in factory until 07 new body (could be wrong though) Used more then likely I would think it would have one, unless the PO wanted to keep it. Could find one that somebody just had to have a diesel and never touched a trailer too.
Only thing I will add is if your white knuckle you need a bigger truck. Not a fun drive.

[454Cowgirl]

As I am owned by 3 horses. I know how you feel. But in your situation a 2-horse BP on a 1500 should be more than fine. Used to pull a steel 2 horse slant BP with large tack room with a 1993 GMC 1500 ECSB with a 305 with 300,000 miles on it with no issue at all got 12-13 mpg pulling.
Personally I don't care for BP trailers for the sheer reason of you feel every ounce of movement of the horse. I just hope your not exceeding 55-60 mph. Anything faster with a BP horse trailer is beyond unsafe. Get sway bars installed on your truck not just a WD system.

Your white knuckling because pulling large live animals is WAY WAY WAY different than a boat or any other toys. When a horse shifts it rocks the whole trailer, which in a bumper pull it is exaggerated. Even with my 3500 CCLB pulling the same trailer I felt the shifts, just not as drastic.

Big thing.... are you putting the heavier horse on the drivers side? If not you should be.

What kind of monster horses are you pulling a typical riding horse is only 1000-1200? My brother in laws 17.3 HH (5'9" at the shoulder for thoes that don't know what hands are) Tennessee Walker only weighs 1275. My sisters 15.3HH(5'2.5") Half Arabian is 1100lbs.

edited to add: Only 2 of my horses travel and they are both pure blood Arabians, the one is still a baby @ 800lbs other is 950lbs. But I have had my other horse and my friends before my other at 1325 and 1100 for hers.

[Stratosman]

yeah, you're gonna feel the horse moving whether you're in a 3500 or 1500, but of course the heavier duty truck would be better

[bobuddy]

Cowgirl - my sister has a 1400lb Cleveland Bay cross -big curvy girl at 17 h - and yes - she goes on the drivers side. My Appendix is about 1200 lbs and my Tennessee Walker is about 1200 lbs - but we only take two out at a time.

Nope, I am too chicken to go more than 50mph - I learned quickly its not about pulling - its about stopping and avoiding others on the road that cut you off. I often say that I need a driver ahead of me with those big signs that say "WIDE LOAD" and the flashing yellow lights - to get people out of my way. I am only half kidding when I say that...... :) Here in KY - we have narrow roads, hills and no shoulders - and no room for error.

I have the Equalizer hitch - which is supposed to be the weight distribution and the anti - sway but it is not fully hooked up yet. I have to get the truck and trailer to the shop to drill the holes in the trailer to hold the sway bars. I am hoping getting it fully hooked up will make a difference in the towing - should I expect a big improvement in handling?

My neighbors have a F350 with the 7.3 - I am considering asking them if I can borrow their truck just to see how much of a difference there is between my 1500 and a larger vehicle.

[someotherguy]

Here's something to consider. I've seen comments that the 1500 should be "enough" truck for the weight you're hauling. Ehhhh...

If it's not handling/braking/hauling well, you could take two paths. Attempt to repair/upgrade your 1500 until it gets marginally better, or buy more truck instead.

Which one do you honestly feel is safer for your horses, you, and the people on the road around you?

Richard

[2COR517]

Are you running good quality Load Range E ten ply rated tires? Cheap tires, or P series tires don't have much sidewall strength. Also a set of top quality shocks would be wise.

[bobuddy]

Richard - That is where I am at - how much money can we throw at this truck to make it only "marginally" better for towing. I believe it is time to start test driving the bigger trucks to see what how much difference there is between my current truck and a 3/4 ton.

Yes, we got the good tires - and we did replace the front shocks, and the back ones are next.

[ragmc]

yeah, you're gonna feel the horse moving whether you're in a 3500 or 1500, but of course the heavier duty truck would be better

This /\ We have a 3 horse trailer that we tow with my girls 05 5.3 1500 crewcab and my 99 5.3 3 door both truck do ok but are at there limits towing 2 horses. When ever we take longer trips we use our 07 f350 but with any of the 3 trucks anytime one of the horses move you definitely feel it

[Brody57]

Another thing that would help is ditch the bumper pull and go for a gooseneck trailor. The weight is more centered along your rear axle and gives you TONS more stability. You can also install helper bags in the rear also if you want to keep the truck you have now. Also like everyone else says, upgrade the truck. Ive got a 6.0L and it has no problem pulling a gooseneck with the same size and weight horses that you have.

[coreyg201]

I sometimes tow horses with my 1995 k1500, except I pull a 3-4 horse steel trailer that's about 16' long. It's definitely noticeable, but my truck has no issues pulling it. Are you pulling with a straight load or slant load? Ive always noticed that the smaller straight load (where the horses face the front) there tends to be alot of sway because they move side to side. But a slant load (where they are in the trailer at an angle) doesn't sway as bad because they can keep there balance. I'd also look at how they are loaded. Put the weight in front of the axle for less sway, but will add more bounce to the ride. It all really boils down to what your more comfortable with. I'm putting 3/4 ton springs in my truck as soon as I can get to the junkyard and get some. Hope this helps!