Re: Towing questions

["Doug Mitchell" <dougm@domain.elided>]

>I have a '88 GMC Suburban (the wifes) and need to tow a '78 Scout II I just
>bought 168 mile out of the mountains.
>Here are the problems / Questions I have U-haul will let me tow it if I tell
>them its a 2 X 4 cab top (under the 4000lb limit) but my 3/4 ton 454 Suburban
>(with full tow package) has a 4000 max trailer weight hitch on it. would I be
>insain to try this??? I could also have AAA  tow it off the mountain and get
>a uhaul to pull it home.
>BTW the hitch says 4000lb max trailer / 9500 max with load leveling. So whats
>the difference????


I can answer this question.  I used a half-ton '94 Suburban to tow my Scout from
San Fran to Salt Lake.  U-Haul would not rent me a tow dolly (the one the front
wheels go on) because it exceeded the weight maximum for the 'Burb to tow a
Scout.  They also wouldn't rent the car hauler.  I rented a tow bar.  Trailers
are MUCH better!

The difference in the tow rating is that you can tow 4000 lbs dead weight
without weight distributing bars.  This requires a special hitch that has bars
on it that run from near the ball to the tongue of the trailer.  The hitch
slides into your receiver like a regular draw bar with just a ball on it.  They
run a couple of hundred dollars.  The bars transfer some of the weight from the
trailer tongue and rear wheels of the Burban to the front of the Burban.  They
work great; I highly recommend Equalizer brand (the fat, ugly square bars) over
the Reese type (the one with the slim bars and chains).  The chain type is
easier to hitch, but the Equalizer type is far and away better at sway control.
I towed a 7000 lb trailer with my Scout and its 5000 lb receiver hitch.
...towed over 300 miles, including through 9000 ft mountain passes and 9% grade.
No problems except on the freeway where I was driving 55, and semi trucks would
pass at 80+ and about blow me off the road.  So I bought a Suburban for next
time.  I think a 3/4 ton Suburban would easily handle the tow you're
contemplating without weight-distributing bars.  I know mine would.  (1991
V2500)

To use U-Haul's equipment, just tell them you're towing a Geo or something.
...or just rent the tow bar.

Doug