OK...Deckover or Lowboy

[bncsauve]

Sorry for changing the subject. (I guess that happened already anyway). But, Does anyone know if you can buy
the Ford brake controller that is being installed on new F250s as an aftermarket to install on an F250 that didn't come with one?

 

[jimmysisson]

Pretty sure the Mass rules for a single vehicle are for 18000 and under you can use your Class 4. Not sure about trailers, but our 3/4 ton pickups and one 1/2 ton pull a 10,000 GVW trailer legally. The 3/4s have 8500-9100 GVWs.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

FaC,
I'll check on the Class A, Non CDL. I drive by the DMV office 4 times a day just have not had time to stop.

I hope to go look at a 14k GVWR goose with hinged dove tail next week. There is a dealer close to you right on I40 in Mocksville that had some on order and should be in stock now. Can't remember the name, something like Trailers USA or something. They have a RV place next to them. Do you know the place? Had any dealings?

 

[Louisiana_John]

I have both trailers a 24' bumper pull low deck 14,000 GVW and a 24' duel tandem gooseneck. I use both. I have a steel deck on my bumper pull. I make it real nice to load stuff and unload with FEL or back dragging with FEL. I also use to do a lot for just hauling the tractor no ramps needed just drop FEL and drive up. It is also easy to use with hitch on box blade. The duel tandem works great for long hauls, dozer, fork lift loading and heavy hauling. I am soon going to put a gooseneck hitch on my bumper pull. I have a new 3500 Dodge that should be here anyway. With my old Dodge 2500 I will have 2 trucks that can pull a gooseneck. That way when a friend or my father needs the trailer they can use the truck too. I never liked them pulling the 24' bumper pull with a 1/2-ton truck. I have also ordered a J and I Ranch Hand steel bead for my 2500. It will be ready Jan 15th. I am looking forward to that toll with a fuel tank added no more cans or drums.
John

 

[tjkadar]

Bob,

I believe that Tekonsha helped design the brake controller on the new Ford Trucks. Still, I don't believe the 'OEM' controller is as good as the Tekonsha Prodigy. Tekonsha had to keep a few things for themselves. Instead of looking for a retrofit, you would probably be able to get a better and cheaper controller with the Tekonsha Prodigy. It might not look as factory, but it will do the job.

Again, I'm going off of memory here and I could be wrong. If so, I'm sure someone will be able to jump in here and correct me.

Regards,

Tim

 

[GeneD14]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( . Still, I don't believe the 'OEM' controller is as good as the Tekonsha Prodigy.
)</font>

The Prodigy is a good controller. With all due respect the Ford Tow Command is linked into the trucks ABS system so the truck and trailer do a better job of functioning as one. It is also covered by the trucks 3/36,000 warranty. Here is a direct quote from the Ford website:

"The available integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) is integrated with the anti-lock brake system and synchronizes the vehicle and trailer brakes for seamless braking while towing even the heaviest loads. It’s also factory-installed, so there are no extra holes in the dash, no clumsy boxes at your knees and no aftermarket worries."

Please explain how the Prodigy is "better"

 

[FaC]

Hunterridgefarm,

I know where you are talking about - I think at one time they were a Featherlite dealer. I have been by there many times but the only dealing that I have had with them was when I bought my Pop-Up GN hitch. I thought that the price was fair and the floor staff were ok. It was just a walk in and buy for the hitch so I don't know what the trailer sales staff is like...

FWIW - Frank

 

[tjkadar]

Gene,

After refreshing my memory, it looks like you are right. Tekonsha did help design the brake system, however the system is more along the line of the BrakeSmart controller then a more standard electric brake controller. It looks like it might be difficult to retrofit a truck as you need to swap out the master cylinder, wiring, controller, dash and a few other odds and ends. Probably cost around $1,000 to do a retrofit.

As with any new device a few people have been having some minor issues (not enough voltage to lock up the wheels at 0 mph in order to disengage a 5th wheel, warning bell dinging at odd times, etc.) with the brake controller, but on the whole most folks love them.

And remember, just because the controller is integrated with the truck's ABS does not give your trailer ABS.

 

[thatguy]

I work for the Virginia DMV and when I bought my Dodge 2500 (mfg gw of 8,600 lbs), I asked the guys that write the overweight tickets what would be best weight to register my truck for my situation (occasionally hauling compact tractor on tandem axle trailer and popup camper). They said go for 7,500 lbs (which is the highest rating on a 'passenger car' tag), otherwise I was going to have to register the truck with a combined weight which covered the truck AND loaded trailer. As long as each was under the registered weight I would be OK..

At 7,500 lbs if I was stopped, they would weigh the truck and trailer separately (not as a 'combined'unit). They normally do not bother with the smaller vehicles, but you never know.

Just what I was told..

Brian

 

[QRTRHRS]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I work for the Virginia DMV and when I bought my Dodge 2500 (mfg gw of 8,600 lbs), I asked the guys that write the overweight tickets what would be best weight to register my truck for my situation (occasionally hauling compact tractor on tandem axle trailer and popup camper). They said go for 7,500 lbs (which is the highest rating on a 'passenger car' tag), otherwise I was going to have to register the truck with a combined weight which covered the truck AND loaded trailer. As long as each was under the registered weight I would be OK..

At 7,500 lbs if I was stopped, they would weigh the truck and trailer separately (not as a 'combined'unit). They normally do not bother with the smaller vehicles, but you never know.

Just what I was told..

Brian )</font>Ever weighed your truck empty? Been awhile since I hung out on the TDR (vehicle weight is a common topic), but if you have the Cummins engine, you may not have much leeway on the truck.

 

[VA_Joe]

I live in VA and never understood the logic of these arbitrary weight ratings. All non-commercial 3/4 and 1 ton pickups are titled and registered at this 7,500 pound limit vice their true GVWR/GCWR.

With this logic - my 2500HD can only carry 1,000 or so pounds of cargo (not even enough to make a dent in the leaf springs) vice the cargo carrying capacity that it was designed for (given that I have never been stopped for a random weight check - my guess is that everyone knows and accepts this for the lie that it is).

Please note - I don't blame the DMV for this - the problem is that these weight limits were, sometime in the past, arbitrarily chosen and codified into law without much thought of the impact of changing technology (better suspension, brakes, and etc.) on safety.

BTW - ever notice that the titled 7,500 pound limit is also a requirement for receiving VA's personal property tax reduction? The lie continues.

Joe

 

[dmccarty]

NC had some laws that had not kept up with the times regarding truck weights. My F350 it has a GVW of 9,900 pounds.

The law at the time said the vehicles up to 6,500 pounds could get a regular registration.

Over 6,500 pounds it required a Commercial registration.

But to be commercial the vehicle had to be used to make money.

Since my truck was not used to make money it was not Commercial. Since it was over 6,500 pounds it could not have a regular tag.

Therefore I needed no tag.

DMV did not follow this logic and I ended up with a Commercial tag. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Now they have a weighted tag to fit my situation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(

DMV did not follow this logic and I ended up with a Commercial tag. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Now they have a weighted tag to fit my situation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan )</font>

DMV<--------------------------------------------------->logic

East<---------------------------------------------------->West

Black<--------------------------------------------------->White

Up<------------------------------------------------------->down

Now you get the idea?

 

[dmccarty]

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[thatguy]

With only me in the truck, all the extra stuff i carry and full of fuel it weighs close about 6,950 lbs. I realize not much capacity there, but my chances of getting stopped are prettty slim I suspect unless im obviously loaded to the gills..

I also kept the passenger car tags because otherwise I dont get a reduced rate for personal property tax. I cant remember for sure, but right now i only pay tax on something like 30% of the first $20,000 value... Commercial trucks (ie truck tags) have to pay 100% of the tax, even if not commercial use

I had to practically beg my dad to raise the gross weight on his dodge dually to the 7500, the dealership registered it at about 6500 lbs.. The DMV LEO's love to give tickets to ppl that are overweight just on their empty weight, but luckily dad never got stopped.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Back to the deckover goose.

Go to NH Buying/pricing forum and look at the photo of the gooseneck with the foldover ramps in "TC 40DA Arrives in WKY".

I am looking at the same set-up at www.gatormade.com. However would the fold over ramps not be a problem if the bushhog was futher back on the deck?

I like the looks of this type gooseneck, the middle part of the dovetail is hinged and the fold-over ramps make the deck fully flat. But if your bushhog was closer to the back would you not have a problem folding the ramps over? Or is there something I am not seeing?