4500/5500 series Gmc/Chevy

rback33 · Dec 28, 2006

I agree with most of the other replies. Check your trailer breaks and controller setup. I have a Prodigy by Tekonsha in my 03 Dodge and it is AWESOME. I can dial in the setting for each trailer I have on, and can adjust for loaded VS empty. I can stop my 3 horse slant (huge dressing room) on a dime with that thing... and barely jostle the horses. I highly recommend it. PM me if you want... I drove that pickup today and can get the info out of it if I need to.

DavesTractor · Dec 28, 2006

rback33 said:
I agree with most of the other replies. Check your trailer breaks and controller setup. I have a Prodigy by Tekonsha in my 03 Dodge and it is AWESOME. I can dial in the setting for each trailer I have on, and can adjust for loaded VS empty. I can stop my 3 horse slant (huge dressing room) on a dime with that thing... and barely jostle the horses. I highly recommend it. PM me if you want... I drove that pickup today and can get the info out of it if I need to.

I pull a lot with my 20,000# GVWR gooseneck and my 2006 Dodge dually and it stops well with the Prodigy controller, even loaded heavy. The controller makes a huge difference. Of course an air brake system would be even better, perhaps the next step up will be an FL60 or similar.

Robbie Hegwood · Dec 28, 2006

Thanks rback33, I will see what the shop comes up with and see what controllers they carry. It's funny you hauling horses and the controller. The shop I deal with is sundowner of Georgia, they are a horse trailer sales place, they are who installed my goose hitch and did an outstanding job, so I trust there work and knowledge. You have to know what your doing hauling horses, precious cargo! I also will look at freightliners for I could probably find better price on them used versus a 4500 of F650. Robbie

burnetma · Dec 28, 2006

Robbie Hegwood said:
.
Now you are absolutely correct about F-650 and up. They are bad boys. I was originally looking at a F-650 with a 300 H.P. cat, air brakes and a hauler body, and a crew cab. But at 65,000$ I could buy 3 trucks like I did for that, It is hard to justify that much difference. I'll keep my eyes out and maybe i can find a good deal on a medium duty of some sort. Robbie

Robbie,

Check out Trucks For Sale at Truck Paper: Freightliner, International Trucks, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Mack trucks, dump trucks, dump trailers, used trailers for sale.. I think that you will find an F650 at a reasonable price. That is the direction that I am leaning now. I am in a different position than you. I have a tired single rear wheel F250 that is rated at only 20k GCVW and no trailer. So I think I will go F650 dump with a conventional equipment trailer. From what I have read, the F650 is available in two configurations: <26k GVW hydraulic brake (non-CDL) and >26k GVW air brake (CDL required). Since I do not have my CDL, I am leaning towards the <26k GVW model. I think it might have tax implications also.

Any opinions or further education from all readers is appreciated.

Mark

Robbie Hegwood · Dec 28, 2006

Hey Mark. I have looked on that site and they do have alot of trucks. Know on to the CDL question, I reopened a can of worms on the 10k trailer thread. According to the rules qouted you will have to{should because of enforcement] get a CDL because of the weight involved. I have one and I'm glad I do to avoid some of the aggrevation of the "do you really need one" issue. If I were you I would go with the air brakes equiped truck and get your CDL's, It will be alittle work to take the test and all but it's not that bad. I liked your idea of dump truck and tag along trailer, I think it's the most versital setup. You will have plenty of reserve capacity to haul bigger/more equipment. You could even consider a trailer with air brakes and you would have very controllable setup. I hope my trailer brake adjustment helps so I can plan additional purchases on my time frame. Robbie

Robbie Hegwood · Dec 28, 2006

Hey Mark, PM me on where your at with your demos. Robbie

AlanB · Dec 29, 2006

I was about to say Prodigy as I was reading, and I will just echo what others have said above. Before you say that your brakes "don't work" make sure they are working at their optimum.

I have had several controllers, and for ease of setup and flexibility, the Prodigy is great. I have been getting them from southwestwheel for about $125. I really like them

I believe either redneck or redline has some air brake conversion kits for the 1 ton several of the 1 ton units I have looked at used had the remenants of these systems in them. I think they were hotshot units, I believe a lot of the hotshot guys are running those systems if that is the way you want to go.

rback33 · Dec 29, 2006

Robbie Hegwood said:
Thanks rback33, I will see what the shop comes up with and see what controllers they carry. It's funny you hauling horses and the controller. The shop I deal with is sundowner of Georgia, they are a horse trailer sales place, they are who installed my goose hitch and did an outstanding job, so I trust there work and knowledge. You have to know what your doing hauling horses, precious cargo! I also will look at freightliners for I could probably find better price on them used versus a 4500 of F650. Robbie

I am trying to remember, but did I read somewhere that you had the B & W turnover ball? That's what I have in my Dodge and love it too. Was a bit tough to pull out and turn over the first few times... till I got the paint knocked off the corners. It's really easy to do now. Again though.. u can't go wrong with the prodigy controller. They installed it at the same time as the turnover ball, knowing I wanted the best options they had. This was done at a Dodge dealer that is thought so highly of that ranchers drive halfway across the state to deal there.

Robbie Hegwood · Dec 29, 2006

My hitch ia a B & W and I love mine. They shop did an outstanding job on install. They mounted it a couple inches forward of the rear axle which really helps the ride. I don't know if that's normal install procedure? I have only had experience with 5th wheel hitches in the past and know they are mounted directly over the rear axle. I will be looking for the prodigy controller when i go next week to have brakes adjusted. My shop feels that will solve 90% of my concerns but said he will test my controller and go from there.

rutwad · Dec 30, 2006

Hey Robbie, I'm not sure how much weight your grossing, but it sound like your trailer brakes need help (adjustment or new controller).

I do my pulling with a 1-ton truck also and can stop supprisingly quick.

And the dump truck and equipment trailer is the route I wish I had went, but I got a truck for pulling and a daily driver instead.

What is the class "B" cdl? Is that for air brakes? I am going to take the test next week or so and will be going for a class "A" CDL for comination truck/trailer.