trailer load

[lawyerbob]

so now that I'm paranoid about having a trailer that's not going to kill my truck, I put together a spreadsheet of the estimated cargo weight:

Item Weight Car 925 8 wheels and tires (rains and spares)
250 generator 100 tool chest 300 spares and junk 150 canopy and chairs 75



TOTAL 1800
I can get a 16' X 7' with an empty weight of about 2,450 and a GVWR of 7,000. My truck has a towing capacity of 5,000. with my number above I'd be at about 4,250 with room to spare for a pit bike at some point.

Do the numbers look reasonable to you?

Thanks

[Purple Frog]

300# of tools to work on a FST at the track?

Seriously, to cut weight and save the back, years ago I went through the drill of building a small tool box with only the tools needed for the race car. No reason to be hauling wrenches that only fit the JD combine out in the field.

Otherwise your plan sounds about right.

Most critical is that you load the trailer so that you don't exceed the tongue weight allowance for your tow vehicle. The tow will go much better, and you won't be endangering the rear tires of the tow vehicle. Usually that means everything can not be loaded in the nose of the trailer.

[john f]

Make sure to weigh your tongue (trailer that is) and set to 10-15% of total trailer weight. If too light trailer sway is end result. Also make sure that when loaded the trailer is level. Most trailers today use the rubber torsion axles for a lower profile but the do not equalize the load between axles like the older leaf spring set-up. You would be shocked at how fast you can overload an axle by not running the trailer level. Just my $0.02.

john f

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailertowtips.aspx

[lawyerbob]

300# of tools to work on a FST at the track?

Seriously, to cut weight and save the back, years ago I went through the drill of building a small tool box with only the tools needed for the race car. No reason to be hauling wrenches that only fit the JD combine out in the field.

Otherwise your plan sounds about right.

Most critical is that you load the trailer so that you don't exceed the tongue weight allowance for your tow vehicle. The tow will go much better, and you won't be endangering the rear tires of the tow vehicle. Usually that means everything can not be loaded in the nose of the trailer.

thanks Frog. Honestly I have no idea what the tool chest weights, but I know I can't lift it! lol Probably a good idea to really look at what I take along and decide what's important and what's not.

[lawyerbob]

Make sure to weigh your tongue (trailer that is) and set to 10-15% of total trailer weight. If too light trailer sway is end result. Also make sure that when loaded the trailer is level. Most trailers today use the rubber torsion axles for a lower profile but the do not equalize the load between axles like the older leaf spring set-up. You would be shocked at how fast you can overload an axle by not running the trailer level. Just my $0.02.

john f

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailertowtips.aspx

Thanks John - the one I'm looking at is a leaf spring, but I understand your comments. I do need to get more scientific and precise about loading.

[PCalhoun]

First off, I highly recommend an upgrade to Torsion style independent axles. They provide both a smoother ride, as well as proving more durable than spring axles.

Second, call Tom Mueller at Mueller Sales & Service in Random Lake. He is the race & cargo trailer expert in WI and will shoot your straight on any of your questions. He can be reached at 920.994.4358.

[sracing]

If the truck is an automatic trans and no factory installed trailer pulling kit on it, I would add a transmission cooler. They are cheap, easy to install and will keep BOTH the engine and trans cooler.

[lawyerbob]

If the truck is an automatic trans and no factory installed trailer pulling kit on it, I would add a transmission cooler. They are cheap, easy to install and will keep BOTH the engine and trans cooler.

Yes, I think that's probably a prudent investment as well - have to look into those.

Bob