Hauling two buggies w/ S10
 

Perhaps I should've asked this BEFORE i bought a new truck...

I just bought a 2003 S10 4x4 V6 4.3L. My primary vehicle before this was a 1995 GMC Sonoma 2WD 4-cyl 2.2L. I really like my Sonoma, so I wanted to stick with the same thing I had already, but with more features and a more powerful engine.

Anyway, my question is if I bought a cheap 8ft. trailer (go to harbor freight's website and search 90154) and put the SUNL on it, then put my Razor Vision in the bed of my truck, do you think I'd still be safe towing with the new S10? My experience with pulling trailers is limited, but I've been told before that the important thing is not going, but stopping.

I borrowed an 8ft trailer to get the SUNL with my 2.2L Sonoma, and it was able to drive okay, but struggled to go faster than 60MPH. I'd slow to 55 uphills. thats when I realized I needed a bigger truck if I planned on hauling my karts around.

anyone have any input?

The larger engine should have no trouble towing one or both of your buggies. Remember that trailer tires are not designed for over 65 mph sustained use. When choosing a trailer, get the one with the largest wheels. The hubs will not sin as fast and the bearings will last longer plug they handle better than the small-wheeled ones.

My 8x5 has 15" rims and tows like a dream even behind a VW.

The 4.3 is a stout engine, it should have no trouble. If you buy a new trailer and it has a ramp gate on the back, lose it and make you some ramps out of 5or 6ft 2x10's. The ramp gate is a huge wind drag going down the road even if it is one with the wire mesh.

The one I'm eyeballin' from harbor has 12in tires. The one size smaller that I originally thought about had 8in tires and I decided against that. Do you think 12 will be okay?

Also, good suggestion on the built-in ramp. The harbor one doesn't but that one that I borrowed did have one, and I didn't even think about removing it. Bet it would've helped...

I would get a trailer with at least 14" tires. The Harbor Freight trailer would be good around the farm or short hauls to town 55mph or below. Invest in a good trailer they will track behind at high speeds where as the cheap ones with the small tires will sway over 55mph. Don't know what your budget is but an atv trailer will run you somewhere in the area of $600.00-$700.00.

TOM

The towing limit for a 4WD V-6 s-10 is 5200 Pounds. In general you could wear out some of the parts quicker. For example the bearings, brakes, clutch and u-joints. Those might have a shorter maintenance interval if you are doing excessive towing.