mryooneek

Hi, I have a 2001 ram 1500 318 2wd with a factory towing pakage and am
going to pull a U haul 8 ft. trailer with some furniture from cincinnati
to mishawaka indiana, about 250 miles. Besides double checking the tire
pressures, tranny fluid,and coolant, and keeping it out of overdrive
climbing any upgrades, any other tips for a newbie at pulling a trailer?
when I'm on flat terrian can I keep it in overdrive? I also need a
receiver, I heard of a weight distribution type, is this necessary for a
small trailer like this? Thanks in advance!
1971 dodge challenger
1978 chrysler le baron
1989 rusty t-bird sport
2001 dodge ram 1500 slt
1989 dodge ram slt(spare)

denny

Practice turning with the trailer in a deserted parking lot so you can get a
feel on how you have to turn. Maybe even practice backing it up in case you
have to on the road. Don't speed. Slow down if you get in a cross wind. Get
a set of towing mirrors to hang on your regular mirrors. Keep in mind your
stopping distances are going to longer, even if this small trailer has brakes.


A standard class 3 hitch should be sufficient for this. Good luck. Denny

mac davis

assuming that an 8' uhaul isn't going to have trailer brakes, be aware
that your stopping distance is going to be longer and you'll feel the
trailer "push" when stopping or slowing.... allow more distance and
time for stopping and plan things a few more car lengths ahead than
normal..

A ball on the bumper should haul that trailer fine, and if the trailer
is in decent shape and hitched correctly, you'll only know that it's
there when stopping and starting.... you'll feel the load when you're
leaving a stop sign, merging on to the free way, etc., so allow more
time to get up to speed..

For 250 miles, I'd drive it stock and use OD if the tranny isn't doing
a lot of up & down shifting (hunting)...

Try to have as much warning of hills ahead as possible... build up
speed before going uphill to make the grade easier on you and the
truck... slow down before cresting a hill and going down, you'll save
your brakes... YMMV


Mac

bob

You're not hauling a great deal of weight, or an exceptionally
difficult trailer. So don't worry a whole lot about it. The truck will
tow that just fine; that's what it was built for. Just hook it up and go.
Your turning radius will be a little bit larger, so don't cut those
right turns too tight.
Practice backing up in an empty parking lot. First straight, then
in the turns. Use only the mirors, don't try looking out the back
window. It takes a little practice, but quickly becomes easy.

Yes, you can. But you'll most likely find it's a little better to
keep it in 3rd. It will run easier, because the engine gets up in to
it's power band a little better, and fuel mileage won't change much (it
will still ****). Remember that every time it down shifts under a load,
it puts a little more strain/wear on the trans.
It's only 250 miles or so. Don't sweat it.

--
..boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1983 GMC Jimmy - Mountain Beater
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project

jigger

And please, don't try to drive at regular hiway speeds... slow it down and
arrive alive... If it starts to feel like it isn't there, and you think you
can drive like always, get out, smack your head and remember you DO have a
trailer on, and while it shouldn't scsare you, you should respect it, Mark.

mryooneek

Thanks for all the responses, people. Appreciate it!

nosey

Be sure to load the front of the trailer heavier than the back to reduce
swaying at highway speed. You need at least 10% of the total loaded weight
of the trailer on the tongue.

.bob

Somebody told me a good trick for this (I believe it was here on
this board). Anyway, when the tongue drops two inches, your load
balance is just about right.

--
..boB
'01 Dakota Quad Cab, 5.9/Auto/4x4
'97 H-D FXDWG - Turbocharged!
'84 GMC Jimmy - Mountain Beater
'65 427SC Cobra FFR Replica - Project
'66 Mustang Coup - Daily Driver

mopar440

I must be doing something wrong, even with the 28 foot enclosed car trailer
loaded, the tongue doesn't drop 2 inches when I hook it up to the dually?
What's wrong?????

Politics, the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from
the rich.

miles

You have too big of a truck. Get a 1/2 ton so it will drop 2".