Beefing up half-ton for gooseneck

[Crash101]

Dufster:

You saw the picture of the trailer. Although it didn't show the rear it appears to show a long distance from the wheels to the pin (perhaps 80%?). This is what was mentioned as the load.
"two horses (2400lbs combined), two foals, passengers and cargo".
If those horses are placed forward of the axles as probably will be, is it difficult to imagine 35% or more on the front pin?
Sorry for being so negative here, I had some questions about my Quick Bite coupler and had just read of some accident reports on their website ref. QuickBiteCouplers.com / New Revolutionary Trailer Coupler makes Trailer Towing Safe, Secure, Easierfuseaction=browse&pageid=37 when I came across this original question.
According to most of who have actually weighed a 4 wheel drive 06 Dodge truck the payload is around a thousand pounds, plus or minus. Motor Trend quoted 1040 pounds ref. 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 - 2006 Truck of the Year Testing & Review - Truck Trend
As Builder (one of the contributors to this forum that I have much respect) has said, I will not say anything more about this. Pulling and towing recreational loads are a privilege, and one of which should be done with knowledge of the loads and respect of the limitations. We owe nothing less to the others we share that road with.

 

[Renze]

I have towed car trailers with a 3800lb car on them when I was younger, with no brakes on the trailer. I didn't know any better and got some bad advice also. I got away with it, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

Boy oh boy, in Holland you could end up in jail for that... Here, anything over 750 kg must have brakes (both axles) and under 25% overload is a misdemeanor even though you are ordered to unload at the spot. And over 25% is prosecuted as a CRIME !!

I think the risk of accidents is less on wide straight USA roads than in the crowded Dutch roads, but i still wouldnt take that risk in either country...

 

[Negligence]

Thanks for the input everyone. After a lot of thinking about what was said here, I decided to purchase a second truck that is capable of doing what I need it to do. I hope to have something in the next two weeks, then I'll be trading my Ram in. Looking at a few local F-350's and F-250's between 2000-2005.

Again, I appreciate the responses here. I feel confident the Ram 1500 would have done the job, but I feel safe knowing a 3/4 or 1 ton will do it safely, within limits, and with extra to spare.

 

[Builder]

Thanks for the input everyone. After a lot of thinking about what was said here, I decided to purchase a second truck that is capable of doing what I need it to do. I hope to have something in the next two weeks, then I'll be trading my Ram in. Looking at a few local F-350's and F-250's between 2000-2005.

Again, I appreciate the responses here. I feel confident the Ram 1500 would have done the job, but I feel safe knowing a 3/4 or 1 ton will do it safely, within limits, and with extra to spare.

I think you made a very, very wise choice.

If you wouldn't mind me adding this: You'll get a lot of advice on the internet about sizes, brands, styles, levels of safety, licensing, etc. I would not suggest a brand, but suggest a 1-ton, preferrably a dually.

A 1-ton costs no more than a 3/4 ton, but offers more available tongue weight than a 3/4.

A 1-ton dually will cost a bit more, but will offer a more stable platform than a 1-ton SRW.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good choice, you will be happy you did. Like Builder said I can suggest a brand but I will not either. A 1 ton SRW is a lot more truck than a 3/4 ton and cost no more to buy or operate and if you want to go all out get a dually 1 ton.

Chris

 

[Brahmus]

A 1 ton SRW is a lot more truck than a 3/4 ton and cost no more to buy or operate and if you want to go all out get a dually 1 ton.

Chris

I've never owned either, but I have friends that do. And I'll agree that the dually is the towing machine but..... it seems that duallys usually have a lower rear end ratio and do not get as good of fuel mileage. Something to consider depending on how much you'll travel without a trailer behind it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've never owned either, but I have friends that do. And I'll agree that the dually is the towing machine but..... it seems that duallys usually have a lower rear end ratio and do not get as good of fuel mileage. Something to consider depending on how much you'll travel without a trailer behind it.

I personally do not like Duallys for the simple reason will not fit in my garage, hard to park at the mall, get tore up on my narrow roads with limbs, tough to drive in the snow, ect. The do make the best tow rigs though.

Chris

 

[Builder]

I've never owned either, but I have friends that do. And I'll agree that the dually is the towing machine but..... it seems that duallys usually have a lower rear end ratio and do not get as good of fuel mileage. Something to consider depending on how much you'll travel without a trailer behind it.

It's the "cost" of the convenience & stability.

More stable platform=bigger truck with lower fuel mileage & more difficult to park.

I'm just happy the general public is now going to be safer without another overloaded 1/2 ton on the road.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

I'm just happy the general public is now going to be safer without another overloaded 1/2 ton on the road.

On my way to work this morning I saw what looked like a Fountain or Baja, one of those fancy graphics-laden poker run boats, at least 36 ft long, on a tri-axle trailer being towed by a FORD EXPLORER!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

On my way to work this morning I saw what looked like a Fountain or Baja, one of those fancy graphics-laden poker run boats, at least 36 ft long, on a tri-axle trailer being towed by a FORD EXPLORER!!

Not that towing with a Explorer is the right thing to do but those boats are extremely light. One of my customers has a 32' Nordic with a 502 pumping 850HP and the boat rides on a tri axle trailer. Boat weighs only 4,200# with half fuel and the trailer is another 2,400#. Very light for a boat that big. Still should be behind a half ton. He tows his with a F-150 4x4 all over the place form Canada to Texas and everywhere in between from his home in Central Indiana.


Chris