Will the 1500 be good enough

[monaleasa]

I am considering buying a 1997 GMC 4x4 1500 short box diesel pickup truck. The reason I need a truck is to pull a horse trailer. Most times I only pull a 2 horse gooseneck but every now and tehn I pull a 4 horse ... I am conserned if this truck will be heavy enough or should I get something else.

Thanks, Monaleasa

[a5150nut]

Well the giddy up part will be fine. But it's the stopping and weight capasity that will get you in trouble. Whats the weight of the trailer and horses?

[christophersond]

I believe your main problem will be with the pin weight of a horse trailer. Unlike a 5th wheel, the axles on a horse trailer are usually positioned way to the rear of the trailer. Load a couple of horses ahead of those axles, and the pin weight goes off the chart. The load could also lighten up the front end of the truck to the point where the handling may be a little squirrely, and/or unsafe in an emergency braking situation. I don't know what kind of a tow vehicle you currently have, but it appears you should be shopping for a 1 ton dually.:D

[Inspector]

The 1500 doesn't have the gearing,suspension or frame for what you want to do. You need a 1 ton with aux cooling for the trans and engine. The 1500 will pull it but not for long and not safely.
Denny