Towing Question??

[gilbertmsg]

Ok, pictures as requested. My good friend can take the rubbing that he will get from these photos. We have the Chevy strapped down with 3500 lb tie downs on each wheel. On the front, a 10,000 lb strap, in the rear chains from the bump stops to the trailer. Going to make a test run, then check our work. Going Tuesday to Maryland for new tranny (194 miles). I will update later. Any comments or advice concerning the way we have the truck loaded would be appreciated. How bout that Dodge!!!:thumbsup:

 

[sandman2234]

That trailer appears to be able to handle the load, HOWEVER, I am not sure you have enough weight on the rear of that Dodge. My thoughts are move the truck another couple of inches forward to put a little more weight on the back of the Dodge, as you need to reduce the weight on the trailer so that you don't get a nice ticket for overweight.
Both Maryland and Virginia are sticklers for overweight loads when it comes to semi trucks, so I would assume that IF they stopped you, or you have to cross a set of scales, then they wouldn't cut you any more slack than a rig. It might be a smart move to go ahead and stick it on a set of scales at a truck stop for a weight. $10 for a scale isn't going to make or break a trip like this, and will sure give you piece of mind.
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

Another thing, take the bypass around Richmond, even though it is further, the road is flatter and last time I was on it, smoother, which makes a lot of difference in the pounding a tire takes. Every time you hit a bump, the weight transfers from one axle to the other. I might slow that speed from 60 mph to 55 and leave it there. The sound of a tire blowing is often referred to being similar to a shotgun blast, but the sound of of it tearing up a fender makes the owner cuss louder than the tire blowing. The second tire is even worse, but if you have two spares, it transfers the cussing to the third tire that blows.
Yes I took a forklift for a ride on a two axle trailer and lost 3 tires in the process. That isn't any fun at all, believe me.
David from jax

If you come up I-85, don't take the bypass, as that is too far out of the way. (Never mind, I just saw where you were from and realized that was just off the bypass, so take the bypass...)
Used to hit the Food Lion Dist. center there alot, but it's been a while

 

[Dmace]

Looks good! Great looking RAM!
I agree that the Chevy could be moved forward for more tongue weight on the truck but it looks pretty darn good as it sits.

 

[gilbertmsg]

Thanks for the comments, that is about as far forward as we can go and still get the straps on the tires or have any pull from the front of the trailer with the larger strap. Planned route is US 460 to 295N, then take US 301 into Maryland. I plan on leaving early in the am when the temps are cooler and keeping speed at 55 or below. As far as I know of there are no scales along route. Never stopped for scales with trailer and my tractor.

Eddie

 

[groundcover]

That looks pretty darn good ! I pulled my F350 7.3 on my 20' with my 2500 Cummins , didn't go far but sure knew it was back there ! Sure wouldn't want to go 200 miles. Then again I had a real truck on the trailer ! :laughing:
That should get them going Diamond !

 

[sandman2234]

I know some people swear by them, but I have never liked using a strap on a tire. Seen too many of them slip off, but way too many have made the trip with no problems for me to argue that point. However, since you really need more tongue weight, in hopes to spare the tires a little, I would go with another tie down method. There are holes in the frame on most vehicles that car hauler's use to secure a vehicle. Find those rear of the front wheels and use them. Gotta be able to tie it down anywhere it will sit. Good luck with it, let us know how it goes.
David from jax

 

[LD1]

I personally dont like tying down to the frame of the vehichle. IMO it puts too much pre-load on the suspension of the vehichle.

I perfer to tie down to axles/tires. That way, the vehichles suspension is free. It makes the vehichle take less abuse when going over bumps and all.

Yes, I know that the trailer has springs too, but this is the way I was taught to tie things down, and at the time, the reasons made good sense, I just cant remember all of them now.

 

[sandman2234]

Securing to the frame might be one of those "tractor trailer" deals due to the cars having a minimum overhead when stuck up under each other on the trailer. Not sure, just a thought, but frame or suspension/axle to me is a lot better than the strap around the tires, as the strap around the tires is the one I see with the most problems. The O/P could do axles hookups from the rear on the front axle which would allow him to move the towed vehicle a couple inches further, which he may or may not need. However, to me it just looks like the truck could stand a little more weight, and having had a lot of experience with traveling with too heavy of loads on these types of trailers, I can see that the truck will stand a little more weight and we all agree that the trailer needs to shed some weight.
David from jax

 

[ajmbonaire]

I read this thread with great interest and thought I would share an experience. I pull a 30 ft. gooseneck with three 6000 lb axles and 10 ply tires with a Ford 350 dually. I recently had a blowout hauling 5000 lbs. No apparant reason, good highway and new tires properly inflated. The next week blew another tire on the same trailer with no load. The tires were inflated properly, the manufacture date was 2010 and was travelling at the speed limit on both occassions. Can't figure out why. Any ideas?