Building a tow rig is very similar to building a trail rig, as the goals of strength, reliability, and power are high atop the list. Whether you have a 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-ton tow mule, the basics of beefing up a tow rig are all similar throughout.
One of the most common mistakes we hear about it is people towing way over their truck's suggest weight rating. Sure, you might be able to pull it, but are those light-duty brakes enough to stop you in a pinch? Towing more than your truck is rated to handle is no different than running 54-inch tires on a 1/4-ton axles-you're asking for trouble.
While many late-model trucks tow great from the factory, there are a few tips and tricks that make towing easier on you and your truck. So before you make your next tow, check out this list of basic must-have add-ons and tips.
Diesel Deal
Though many of the late-model 1/2-ton trucks are rated to tow 10,000 pounds, we strongly suggest looking into a 3/4- or 1-ton diesel if you foresee a lot of heavy towing in your future. The added torque of the diesel will make pulling easier, and the beefier full-float rear axles are designed for the heavier loads.
Though modern diesel trucks are super plush and more refined than the early '90s rattle boxes, they are also more expensive. If you are working on a budget but still need a reliable tow rig, we suggest looking at the mid- to late-'90s Dodge Rams equipped with the Cummins diesel engine. The early inline-six models are equipped with mechanically injected 12-vavle style, while the later trucks ('97-'02) have a bit more modern 24-vavle design. Both Cummins engines are easy to pull extra power out of and have great performance aftermarket support.
This is not to say that the early Ford and Chevy diesels are bad. We're simply partial to the torque of the inline Cummins versus the earlier diesel offerings from Ford and GM, and we're not huge fans of GM's independent front suspension since towing off road is part of our regiment.
Picking the right hitch and...
Picking the right hitch and load rating is extremely important. Assuming that your truck is equipped with a Class III/IV 2-inch receiver (most common), a wide variety of aftermarket hitches is available. An adjustable twin-ball aluminum unit (shown) is a great option for those towing a variety of trailers at different heights. Rated for 1,500 pounds tongue weight and 10,000 pounds trailer weight, it is plenty strong for your average car trailer. If you're not switching between trailers and are planning on hauling over 10K or have a heavy trailer, then we suggest looking into a solid steel hitch that offers a higher weight rating.
Never let the front end of...
Never let the front end of your truck point skyward when you are towing, as it compromises the safety and handing of the vehicle. When the front end is elevated it causes the front suspension to unload, which creates poor steering and braking. An easy and affordable fix to your nose-high problem is installing a set of airbags over the rear axle. The airbags will allow you to adjust the rear height of your truck and relieve some of the stress and load on your leaf springs. The bags also aid in sway control.
An electronic brake controller...
An electronic brake controller is a must-have for running trailer brakes. The controller powers the electric brakes and controls how much force is applied by way of electrical current. This particular unit from Prodigy is a progressive controller that adjusts for speed and brake sensitivity. A progressive controller takes the guesswork out of dialing in your electronic brakes and, once you have the initial settings dialed in, works trouble-free. A brake controller is not only a great way to save your tow rigs brakes, but if the trailer gets loose or out of control it is a great failsafe to get the trailer back in check.
A secure load is a safe load....
A secure load is a safe load. You can never have too many straps holding something in place. We've had great luck with Mac's Custom Tie-Downs kits to secure everything from our heavy monster mudders to our light side-by-sides. The Mac kits are available in a variety of standard and custom sizes, lengths, and load ratings so you can secure whatever you like.
Towing creates more strain...
Towing creates more strain on your truck, and the added friction creates more heat. Increasing the oil cooling capacity by adding larger coolers and covers can save your truck's drivetrain. Another trick is to run a synthetic blend of oil because typically synthetic oils have a higher breakdown temperature, which allows them to last longer and hold up against the high temps better.
No matter what type of puller...
No matter what type of puller you have, a nice set of gauges is worth the extra change. While we understand that you might not want a barrage of units staring at you going down the road, we suggest having at least a transmission temperature gauge. Keeping track of your transmission's temp by way of a little gauge is cheap insurance. Excessively high temperatures will kill a transmission faster that anything. For those of you equipped with a diesel, an EGT (exhaust gas temperature) is also a great investment that will let you know when things are getting a little too hot.