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pulling a trailer 5x8

2 messages,  Last post on Mar 29, 2008 at 4:26 PM

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#1 of 2 pulling a trailer 5x8 by theguy Mar 26, 2008 (3:27 pm)
I have a 2005 uplander extended model with a 3500lbs class 2 hitch. I do not have the trany cooler i am looking to haul a 5x8 enclosed trailer all weight included is about 1800lbs or less across canada with 2 people in the van should i be worried or is it a safe weight. The van is rated for 3500lbs. Any input would be great even mpg would be greatly appreciated. Forgot to include no brakes on the trailer. Replies to this message: spike99 (Mar 29, 2008 4:26 pm)
#2 of 2 Re: pulling a trailer 5x8 [theguy] by spike99 Mar 29, 2008 (4:26 pm)
Replying to: theguy (Mar 26, 2008 3:27 pm) .    For trailering beind your mini-van (assuming all is within in MAX weight limits), here's a few recommendations to keep in mind.   - To me, any trailer above 1,500 lbs must have its own onboard brakes. Especially when the vehicle is loaded and its factory brake design are a concern as well. If a remember correctly, the 2005 and early 2006 brakes on the Uplander are the "older / weaker design". The newer 2006+ models have the better brake designs. With this in mind, the attached trailer needs its own onboard (full electric or surge) brakes. Especially when doing hills and panic stops. Note: The Ontario Canada law states any trailer above 3,000 lbs needs its own brakes. To me, any trailer over 1,500 lbs (especially being pulled behind a mini-van) is MAX non-brake trailer size. If wondering, I installed full electric brakes on my 6x10 trailer on 3,500 lbs axle. Comparing its braking distance before and after trailer brake upgrade is "no contest". My vehicle and attached trailer can stop in 1/2 its pervious road distance. If you can, do get brakes installed on your 5x8 attached trailer. Having trailer brakes is well worth it.   - Many GM vans have rear suspensions built for "passenger comfort" and less for internal cargo and/or towing support ability. In other words, their factory suspension is on the "too soft for hauling or towing" scale. For my Safari van, I installed Timbrens in the rear. Timbren SES units are like air bags without compressed air inside them. Thus, no worry about leaking air or need to adjust their air lbs. Timbrens SES rubber inserts (that insert within the rear coils on the Uplander van) do NOT change its unloaded ride comfort. And under rear compression conditions, the SES product has a compression increase ability. More compressed, the better they work. For more details on Timbren SES units for Uplander van, surf: http://www.timbren.com/timbren-application-guides/application-pdfs/GMRAZT.pdf For me, I'd buy the Timbren product again. "Install them and leave them" upgrades. Especially if you feel the rear suspension in your Uplander already has too soft of factory comfort.   - Install a tranny cooler. Once installed, its good for the life of the vehicle. My tranny mechanic recommends the install of an AUX (extra) tranny cooler in any van that's used for more then 4 people, only internal cargo as well as for towing. The LPD (Low Pressure Drop) AUX tranny cooler design is the best.   - Also install a tranny temp guage. This electric wire guage can be installed (spliced) into the vehicle's existing system. Self install or you can get your local mechanic to install this guage. A tranny oil temp "guage" is much better then the factory "too late" dummy late. Too late because when the factory RED light comes on, the damage is done (too late to do anything about it). For an inexpensive tranny temp guage a few folks are pleased with, surf: http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=2&Product_- - - Code=13009&Category_Code=temperature&Product_Count=0 http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_C- - - ode=TC&Product_Code=801000&Category_Code=MCOOL http://www.tciauto.com/Products/TechInfo/trans_life_expectancy.asp Note: A guage is "real time". If you see the tranny oil temp climbing higher, you can change driving conditions, change roads or pull over - and let its oil cool down. The "too late" dummy light doesn't allow this "real time" control ability.   - For sharp cornering or pulling heavy weight trailers, one might upgrade their existing "P" tires as well. "P" is for Passenger tires and when used for towing, the vehicle rolls on sharp corners. The LT (Light Truck) tires have more side wall layers and can take cornering much better. And, can take the up/down road bumps much better as well. Not too sure if you need LT tires (for your trailering needs) but if doing lots of towing, upgrading to LT tires might be worth it. Especially if you feel your current "P" tires are too mushy on the sharp corners.   - Many say the factory GM "shocks" are made for low to medium cargo and non-towing conditions as well. If you are towing heavy trailers or find its connected trailer &/or loaded rear cargo area makes your Uplander's tail "too mushy", upgrading to much better shocks are worth it as well. Many like the Rancho 5000, Rancho 9000 and Blinstien brand of shocks for towing. A little stiffy ride when NOT towing but for cargo and towing conditions, heavy duty shocks "firm up" the vehicle's up/down movements. If wondering, i upgraded the shocks on my Safari van.   - Weight Distribution System. If the existing hitch on your Uplander and your 5x8 trailer can accept a WDS, I'd buy one. The WDS bars are sized on the fully loaded weight of its attached trailer. From a white board perspective, one can use Bars = 15% of the trailer's max weight (including weight of the trailer). In reality, its always best to "load your trailer" as if towing, get its tonque weighed at a legal road scale and buy the WBS bars that are sized for its "real" tonque weight. And yes, WDS (with properly sized and adjusted bars) do work great with Timbren SES units. For towing my prevous 18.5 ft TT behind my van, I use both Timbren SES and a "used" WDS system. Both upgrades "before towing" are well worth it. For more info about WDS systems, visit your regional trailering places. Especially RV / TT towing places. They have many different designs and brands of WDS systems.   - If your trailer (including outer fenders) is wider then 80", the trailer must have center lights. These center lights are also called Identification lights. For a picture of light placement, surf section III within: http://www.easternmarine.com/em_showroom/tech_info/light_tech.html Note: If you don't like people tail gating your trailer (especially at night time), install a large reflective tape across the back of your trailer. I did this to my 6x10 utility trailer and now, previous tail-gaters "keep their distance".   - If the 5x8 trailer hasn't been towing for a while, do replace its seals and re-grease its wheel bearings. If uncomfortable with this tasik, many RV/Trailer and auto sh

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