What do you guys think about this 10k trailer?

[crbr]

$2,500 will get you a lighter frame of steel. No other way they can come out to the good. The axle ratings are the selling feature for this. Been there. I got what I paid for and not what I was needing.

Happy half-ton trailering. Not for me.

 

[wkpoor]

Here is one example from Northern. They are common now and both my Moritz dump and the BetterBuilt came with this couple standard. There is no way to not properly engage this style coupler. PLus its ideal for use behind a tractor as you don't need to get off the tractor to couple and pull away. They come as shown or for flat mount with 4 bolts. To engage simply lower onto ball....thats it. To remove pin coupling open before lowering ball or with the tracotr just set hitch lower to fall, left lever and it fall away. Best cuopler since sliced bread. And HEAVY DUTY TOO!
Buyers Heavy-Duty 2 5/16in. Cast Coupler — 5-Position Mounting Channel | Towing Couplers | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[jlrsn]

wkpoor,
Thanks for bringing the URL regarding the Buyers Heavy-Duty 2 5/16in. Cast Steel Coupler 5-Position Mounting Channel from Northern Tool to my attention. I do not mean to offend you with my following comments but from what I can see it is a very Heavy Duty Cast Steel Coupler of the same basic design and internal shortcomings of the common coupler. I'm glad that it works for you but I personally feel that a Forged 2-5/16" Bulldog Collar-Lok Ball Coupler is more foolproof and stronger for my needs. Once the Ball is locked in place by the Collar it is captive and the ball shank would break before the Coupler would open. I have to admit that I've seen some similar designed couplers to the Bulldog and there have been some problems with them.

I noticed that it was bolted in the channel using what looked like SAE Grade 5 Bolts which are probably stronger than the Coupler itself but for my piece of mind I'd be using SAE Grade 8 Bolts. I noticed that it is also available without the channel.

As an old fart I would not trust a coupling that automatically closed by itself and I personally check couplings that someone else attached.

Again, thanks for bringing your type of coupler to my attention,
Jim

 

[wkpoor]

wkpoor,
Thanks for bringing the URL regarding the Buyers Heavy-Duty 2 5/16in. Cast Steel Coupler 5-Position Mounting Channel from Northern Tool to my attention. I do not mean to offend you with my following comments but from what I can see it is a very Heavy Duty Cast Steel Coupler of the same basic design and internal shortcomings of the common coupler. I'm glad that it works for you but I personally feel that a Forged 2-5/16" Bulldog Collar-Lok Ball Coupler is more foolproof and stronger for my needs. Once the Ball is locked in place by the Collar it is captive and the ball shank would break before the Coupler would open. I have to admit that I've seen some similar designed couplers to the Bulldog and there have been some problems with them.

I noticed that it was bolted in the channel using what looked like SAE Grade 5 Bolts which are probably stronger than the Coupler itself but for my piece of mind I'd be using SAE Grade 8 Bolts. I noticed that it is also available without the channel.

As an old fart I would not trust a coupling that automatically closed by itself and I personally check couplings that someone else attached.

Again, thanks for bringing your type of coupler to my attention,
Jim

I need to clarify something about those couplers. Even though they auto engage its very easy to see as the lever raises and lowers when the coupler goes over the ball. So basically there is now way to think you are coupled when your not. I've only seen these used when tongue loads can potentially be very heavy. After I got the dump trailer I realized the benefit right away when moving it around with the tractor. After I load the trailer with the tractor I can back around, couple, and drive off without getting off the tractor. If you were to see one for real you would realize why they are used in heavy duty applications just short of pintle. And the fact that your quality trailer mfg use them standard says something too in my mind.

 

[Bama67]

$2,500 will get you a lighter frame of steel. No other way they can come out to the good. The axle ratings are the selling feature for this. Been there. I got what I paid for and not what I was needing.

Happy half-ton trailering. Not for me.

So a 1/2 ton truck with over 9,000lbs towing capacity and a 10k trailer isn't capable of hauling your 1700lb B7800???

 

[Ken45101]

So a 1/2 ton truck with over 9,000lbs towing capacity and a 10k trailer isn't capable of hauling your 1700lb B7800???

That combination would be okay. Say 2500# for the trailer, 1700# for the tractor, 4200# combined would be okay for a half ton truck with a brake controller. But the trailer is a lot more than you need for a B7800.

However, in this discussion, the OP say he needed 10 or 12K GVW for the trailer. That, in my experience, indicates too much weight for a half ton pickup. Just wait until one has to make an emergency stop or emergency maneuver with 10 or 12K attached to a half ton truck. Likely the combination would be all over the road, probably jackknifed or maybe on it's side.

 

[kenmac]

It appears there are several versions of these adjustable couplers



etrailer.com - Trailer Coupler Channel Tongue Coupler 2-5/16 Inch Ball Coupler

 

[KeithT]

All this "panic" about towing 10K with an F150 is why I stopped perusing the trailer life forums. There are some who think you need a diesel dually to tow a pop up camper. In my experience successful towing is at least 50% dependant on the driver.

Back to the original question, one additional thing to look at is how close together the steel joists are underneath. I had a friend who got a great deal on a trailer and his tractor tire went throught the deck. Ended up having extra reinforcement welded in and it was fine.

Just something to look for.

 

[Trails2004]

All this "panic" about towing 10K with an F150 is why I stopped perusing the trailer life forums.........

I think you will find the "weight police" are everywhere

You can run- But you can not hide !!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think you will find the "weight police" are everywhere

You can run- But you can not hide !!!

I think everyone worries too much.

Lets be honest here. A 2005 F-150 is more truck then a 1995 F-250. Now that F-250 may have a diesel but I am talking chassis, tranny, brakes, ect.

This is not just Ford. GM and Dodges have made tremendous strides also.. All the newer 1/2 ton trucks with the big engine and running gear can safely handle 9,000# or more.

I personally would feel safer pulling a 10,000# in my 2009 Nissan Titan than I would in my Father-N-Laws 1981 3/4 tons Chevy with its old drum brakes, and realtivly weak engine and tranny.

Chris