Towing Capacity without Trailer Brakes?

[tbryanh]

I want to tow a small pickup truck with my 1989 E350 van without using a trailer or trailer brakes. Just tow bar or tow dolly.

What is the maximum amount of weight I can tow in this situation?

 

[ironworker40]

How far are you going? Highways back roads mountains? Give us some more details. How is your braking system on the van?

 

[crash-harris]

By small pickup, I'm assuming you mean Ranger-sized. You shouldn't have any problems flat towing, just keep your wits about you and leave some extra room between you and the next guy. I pulled a buddies first gen ranger on a 1800 lbs flat bed before and after its heavy utility bed removal. I did this with Bruiser (300 six cyl) and had my first run in with trailer wobble that I barely got under control after the ranger's heavy utility bed was removed. No brakes on the trailer. Othat than th3 fact that the load was top heavy on the trailer, I had not issues accelerating/braking.

 

[jwalterus]

http://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws

my old '89 ranger (iirc) ext cab v6 4wd was something like 2800 on the scales

 

[tbryanh]

I'd like to travel travel through the Rockies. I was thinking of camping in the van and going off-road with a little 4 wheel drive pickup or something similar.

 

[FarmerFrank]

I've had 10k behind my truck with no trailer brakes a few times. Drive slow, leave lots of distance and pray no one pulls out in front of you and hope the DOT isn't out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tbryanh]

I'd like to travel travel through the Rockies. I was thinking of camping in the van and going off-road with a little 4 wheel drive pickup or something similar.

I want to stay within the legal limts. That's what I'm trying to find out, what are the legal limits?

 

[madpogue]

Traffic laws, including weight/towing limits, are set by the states. You'd have to contact the DOT of each state in which you'll be traveling to get the answers you need.

If you're looking at renting, they do make tow dollies with brakes, if you have a controller.

 

[riotwarrior]

Some dollies use surge brakes so they dont actuate without weight when empty...as electric would.

If you flat tow you will need to find out how trans or tcase handles that too btw as some are not friemdly to flat tow.

Also a way to manage lighting on the towed vehicle...the park and brake lights etc....

JM7.3CW

 

[crash-harris]

I want to stay within the legal limts. That's what I'm trying to find out, what are the legal limits?

http://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws

 

[MTKirk]

I'd like to travel travel through the Rockies. I was thinking of camping in the van and going off-road with a little 4 wheel drive pickup or something similar.

In the Rockies you're going to need trailer brakes. Even on flat ground, sooner or later someone's going to do something stupid right in front of you.

 

[DaveBen]

I pulled my Jeep all over the western states and it was flat towed without brakes. The Jeep weighed about 3500 pounds. I never felt I was pushing the braking capacity of my truck. Keep a cool head when looking forward at traffic.

Dave

 

[tbryanh]

To crash-harris, this link is helpful:: http://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws

Sounds like I can tow about 3,000 lbs, about the weight of jwalterus's Ranger pickup.

Looks like this might work out. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Clb]

They make a system that hooks to the dingy( motorhome reference) to apply the towed vehicles brakes tow vehicle)when the main brakes are on just like towing a trailer.
They are pricey but so is life.

 

[crash-harris]

To crash-harris, this link is helpful:: http://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws

Sounds like I can tow about 3,000 lbs, about the weight of jwalterus's Ranger pickup.

Looks like this might work out. Thanks for all the info.

jwalterus actually posted that, I just reposted it when it looked like you missed it