M1009 towing capacity question

[Ordak]

I have done a little research and I am still a little confused on towing capacity on an m1009. I am looking to haul a small utility trailer with a lawnmower and/or a sport quad (maybe 3000lbs max). I am I able to haul it legally?

 

[porkysplace]

With the stock M1009 hitch the max Towed Load Allowance 3000 lbs. this is due to the design of the hitch and it's rating.
If you upgrade to a Reese or Draw-Tight or similar receiver type hitch you can increase the towing capacity.

The specs above are from Olive-Drab.
http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m1009.php

 

[Hal O'Peridol]

I towed a large pop up camper a few times without problems.

 

[joshuak]

According to the TM-10 a stock M1009 is rated for towing 1200 lbs with 100 lbs tongue weight. As mentioned before, upgrading your receiver hitch will allow you to tow more weight safely.

 

[Dark Night]

And this has what, exactly, to do with "Body work and paint"?

 

[Ordak]

And this has what, exactly, to do with "Body work and paint"?

well I was originally going to post about but I found the answer and forgot to change topic title but it is fixed now

 

[ODFever]

First off, welcome to Steel Soldiers!!!

I have towed 4500 lbs for 300+ miles at 55 MPH with my M1009 using a Class III hitch. I don't feel comfortable towing much more than 5000 lbs, even with my Tekonsha trailer brake controller.

This thread has pictures of my hitch setup. It is bead welded and bolted to the frame of my truck.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?93401-M1009-Towing/page2 post #11.

For your situation, I would recommend the following:
- Replace the shocks if you haven't done so already.
- Find a reputable shop that can install a Class III hitch.
- Install a trailer brake controller.
- Make sure all of your steering components are in proper working order. Please read through my thread. http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?125140-M1009-Tie-Rod-End-Replacement-Project
- PM all of your brakes and bearings.
- Read through other threads http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?123199-CUCV-Helpful-Threads

 

[Barrman]

As pointed out above, the hitch limits the M1009 to just a little bitty trailer. The civilian K5 with the J code engine and a proper hitch was rated up to 12,000 total combined load if you had the correct combination of gears, engine and transmission. Subtract the K5 and you are left with around 6,000 pounds max trailer. Like others, I have pulled some heavy stuff with my M1009. I would recommend against it because the short wheel base is not the most stable with a trailer.

 

[Ordak]

Alright thank you, I have already gone through the brakes and they are good. I do plan on replacing the shocks because they are pretty bad. I do have a few other things to get buttoned up before I tow anything. I need to get a new transmission pan (larger with 1.5 extra capacity) because someone "fixed it" with a caulking. I will most likely install the hitch myself because I have done it on my other 2 trucks using grade 8 bolts.

 

[86m1028]

Also suggest a trans cooler.
The 400 is a tough trans but with those gears you will be making a lot of heat.

 

[ODFever]

I agree, 86m1028. I knew I was forgetting something in my list but couldn't put my finger on it. My truck has a huge transmission cooler. Transmission fluid runs straight to it and bypasses the radiator.

 

[Ordak]

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/bmm-70268
that is the cooler I plan on putting in. I did replace the original lines but it still seems to run fairly hot so it will be worth while investment.

 

[Dark Night]

well I was originally going to post about but I found the answer and forgot to change topic title but it is fixed now

Great... now my post looks like the miscellaneous ramblings of an idgit... So... nothing new here.

 

[AECS]

I put a hitch on mine, and new shocks and bushings (and a trans cooler). Towed a 2001 Hyundai Elantra with 150 pounds in it trunk, along with 1000 pounds in the back of the 1009, made the trip from Fresno CA to San Diego, then on to Memphis TN along the 10. The hills were painfully slow, especially with 33 in tires.

Towed at 55 or 60 the whole way, had to jam the brakes once or twice and it was stable, though of course stopping distance was stretched.

I am sure that some will chastise me for going over the limits, but only you can make the call on what you are comfortable with.

 

[2deuce]

I think the military rated it for off road limits. The problem I had was more weight behind pushing me around from behind at speeds over 45. The hitch never gave me any problem, but I was gentle with it.

 

[NVRENUFF]

I put a hitch on mine, and new shocks and bushings (and a trans cooler). Towed a 2001 Hyundai Elantra with 150 pounds in it trunk, along with 1000 pounds in the back of the 1009, made the trip from Fresno CA to San Diego, then on to Memphis TN along the 10. The hills were painfully slow, especially with 33 in tires.

Towed at 55 or 60 the whole way, had to jam the brakes once or twice and it was stable, though of course stopping distance was stretched.

I am sure that some will chastise me for going over the limits, but only you can make the call on what you are comfortable with.

thas a nice lengthy trip through some pretty decent grades. I've pulled my 13' Passat TDI on a metal 24' car hauler, total weight @6,000lbs. Seemed to pull it pretty easily but stopping and downhill grades left something to be desired without trailer brakes. Cruised 60mph like a champ and never went over 200*, although with the fuel turned up as much as it is I'm fairly surprised it ran that cool.

 

[dougco1]

I have done a little research and I am still a little confused on towing capacity on an m1009. I am looking to haul a small utility trailer with a lawnmower and/or a sport quad (maybe 3000lbs max). I am I able to haul it legally?

You'll do just fine with that size load behind your M1009. Make sure your load is balanced and you have some weight on the tongue, don't do anything stupid like take it on the interstate at 70 mph while speed plowing or tailgating. Watch your hills in Pa. and don't pull it around in real rough terrain while 4 wheeling. You'll find that while towing with a properly balanced/loaded trailer that the M1009 handles like a dream.

 

[cucvrus]

dougco1 I hope that guy has that trip all complete. He posted that question in August. WOW. I would hate to think he is still trying to transverse Pennsylvania. I could have drove my Kubota across the state by now. Peace man. Happy Holidays. Wait for it.What is the hitch rating of this hook=up?

 

[dougco1]

dougco1 I hope that guy has that trip all complete. He posted that question in August. WOW. I would hate to think he is still trying to transverse Pennsylvania. I could have drove my Kubota across the state by now. Peace man. Happy Holidays. Wait for it.View attachment 655703What is the hitch rating of this hook=up?

I think he may have tried the same route as the Grinch, that's why we haven't heard back from him since August.

 

[Ordak]

My apologies for not getting back sooner. I put a CURT hitch on (left original pintle hitch on for stock look), shocks, trans cooler, Trans & Engine temp gauges, exhaust, and a few other odds and ends. I hauled my m101a1 for about 5 hours on trip to my hunting grounds and back and it handled very well. I averaged around 65mph on the highways and there was no trouble. The transmission temperature never got above 190F even during a few long hill climb (about 28F outside temp). I will need to invest in some sound deadening material after I redo the floor boards because when I am climbing a hill it just screams with the dual super 44s on.