Thoughts on towing a travel trailer with an 80?

[fish78]

Hey guys,

Anyone out there towing anything bigger than a tent trailer? I've been looking at getting a light weight travel trailer, but i'm concerned about the practicalities of towing it.

I've read that the towing capacity for 80s is around 7000lbs. The GVW of the trailers i've been considering is around 2500-4000lbs dry.

Does anyone have experience towing something like this? I haven't used my 80 to tow anything before, so i'm a bit worried about buying something only to realize that towing it is an absolute pain. Am i nuts?

 

[fish78]

oh, and i've got an hdj81 with the 6 cyl turbo diesel in it.

 

[daveb1016]

towing

I tow a 5000 lb trailer in a hilly area on the way to and from hunt camp. No problems. (1hr and a half each way) I have also pulled it on a 650km trip, again, without any problems.

 

[fish78]

thanks dave

 

[KliersLC]

I pull a 19 foot Jayco hybrid with no problems, but use airbags in the rear... Little slow on the hills, but not bad at all..

 

[outfitter taco]

I pull a boat all the time (2500lbs) and my LX is around 7000lbs with all the stuff hanging off it. I've had it regeared to 4.88 which helped as I'm running 33". Having said that I'm at 4000'ft. above sea level and you have to get used to higher rpms and going slower. You've got a completely different animal beind a diesel. Your torque will come on lower and it should pull better. Take it easy and you should not have any problems. Just make sure your brakes and cooling systems are up to snuff and give her bullets!

 

[mazder]

Was thinking about the same thing, wife and I are looking @ a Milan 18ck ... Just have to install a brake controller and should be good 2 go. I guess we will see how it works out.

 

[Biaggi]

I pull a 23' Bayside Coleman popup that weighs approx 3200 not including all the gear and 5 or 6 kids. I have rear airbags, Tekonsha electric brakes and have been running 31" tires but now on 33". I had overheating last summer, but I just replaced my radiator (went with Koyo), new hoses, and T-stat. I also have the PHH/FHH Green kit that I still need to put on.

I have a camping trip on June and will test out the new radiator and tires...

It pulls fine on the highway around 70mph easily. but mountains are a bitch... 25-40 mph in the Blueridge that are really steep...

 

[1973Guppie]

I pull a tent trailer that is usually overloaded with gear, etc. with no problems, I say go for it, just don't expect to get anywhere fast, that is at least how I drive, slow and enjoy the drive....