Posted by bdk on February 24, 1999 at 10:38:16:
In Reply to: weight for towing a power wagon posted by Ray S. on February 23, 1999 at 18:21:26:
Don't forget that the GVW includes the trailer!
I trailered my WC-54 Ambulance about 25 miles using my Ford Ranger 4 X 4 pickup with the 4.0 liter engine. I don't recommend it! I used only surface streets, and limited speed to about 40 mph. My trailer is of good quality, with good brakes, and is in excellent mechanical condition. It was windy that day, and anything over 45 brought about some exciting trailer sway. I took great care in trying to get the proper tongue load, but clearly my pickup was overloaded!
It was also pretty hard to get moving when starting out on any incline at all. I would have been much better off with an automatic trans!
The Ambulance fit on the trailer with about an inch to spare on either side. Since it didn't run, we had to winch it on (by hand), which caused us many blisters and a couple of hours.
If I had to do it again, I would still do it the same way- but if I was going any distance or over 40 mph, I would rent/borrow/steal a larger towing vehicle with the 10k GVW trailer. I just don't think that ANY equipment really works well at it's limit!
Good luck!