New Trailer ????

[MyBig4d]

I am looking into getting this Trailer and this hitch to haul my 95 F150, bobcat, and a small farm tractor (not at the same time) as well as many other things but the 150 mostly. My main question is would it be worth converting my truck to a dualy or just leave it SRW?? I am also concerned about the gross weight and how my truck will pull this. I know this is a "newb" question but I have only pulled bumper pulls in the past. Any ideas, advice and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Will

[SmokeyWren]

[ QUOTE ]
My main question is would it be worth converting my truck to a dualy or just leave it SRW??

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Nobody makes a conversion kit that will raise your GVWR or rear GAWR, so the available Dooley conversions are just for looks.

With barnyard engineering, if you want to increase your rear axle capacity, the best way is to replace the entire rear axle and diff and hubs with one from a DRW. And probably the bed too, so you'll have the Dooley rear fenders.

[ QUOTE ]
I am also concerned about the gross weight and how my truck will pull this.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you have a 4.10 rear end, then you'll probably have enough power except for mountain climbing. If you plan to climb many mountains, then you may want to hot-rod the engine with a towing chip or programmer in the tow mode.

If you have a 3.55 rear end, then you're going to struggle with that load.

That trailer has a 24,999 GVWR, with two 10,000-pound axles. That means the trailer manufacturer expects you to have 20 percent of the trailer's gross weight on the gooseneck ball. That's a fair guess - most gooseneck trailers have around 20 to 24 percent hitch weight.

Your F-350 SRW has a GVWR of 9,200 pounds. So you won't be able to load the trailer anywhere near the 5,000 pounds max hitch weight without severly overloading the tow vehicle.

Your F-350 SRW has a GCWR of only 16,000 pounds if you have the 3.55 rear end. Or a "tow rating" of less than 10,000 pounds. If you have the 4.10 rear end, then you have a GCwR of 20,000 pounds, or less than 14,000 pounds available for trailer gross weight. Either way, you don't have enough truck to tow a trailer that grosses over 20,000 pounds.

Either you bought way more trailer than you need, or else you have way too light of a tow vehicle. If you haul only one BobCat or one pickup or one small farm tractor at a time, then you won't be loading the trailer anywhere near its capacity. So you may be okay with your current tow vehicle.

[redneckdiesel]

My question is why get a trailer that heavy duty. Don't get me wrong, that is an awesome trailer but unless you have a 18,000 pound tractor or want to haul all three at a time that trailer is overkill for what you need. I would get a gooseneck with tandem axle non dually and a 14k GVWR like this one. http://www.bigtextrailers.com/spec/14gn.html
If you shop around you will be able to get one for less than $5000 so you would save money and weight on the truck.
It would haul close to 10,000 pounds which would suffice your hauling needs while not overloading your truck. It weighs probably 1000 pounds less than the tandem dually trailer and has 4 less tires so cheaper replacement. Again, just my 2 cents and what I would do in your situation.

[ljthawk]

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Nobody makes a conversion kit that will raise your GVWR or rear GAWR, so the available Dooley conversions are just for looks.

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For stability? For increased tire load rating above that of a SRW?

I'm not sure what axles come in the '97 trucks, but here is some information on axle unit (complete housing, bearings, gears, hubs, etc) ratings from Visteon

http://www.visteon.com/products/auto...media/axle.pdf

L.J.

[Kanman]

Thats a hell of a nice trailer (the Big Tex will run ya more) but I think that eBay trailer is over kill BIG Time for what your needing. Don't forget to check out PJ's (shudders) trailers too. You could probably drop down a little more and get tandem axles above the deck. Something like this Equip Tilt Pretty snazzy lil trailer, even if it is a PJ. <holds nose> LOOK ma NO RAMPS!!! I would have them add on a few items for sure. Like dual drop legs and extra D rings or stake pockets.

Kinda funny how 3/4 of the trailer manufs. in the US are all within 100 miles of Paris Tx.

[j_apetersen]

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Kinda funny how 3/4 of the trailer manufs. in the US are all within 100 miles of Paris Tx.

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maybe they might know somethig about trailers hu.

[MyBig4d]

I appreciate everyones opion on this. I only want to have to buy one trailer and figured I would get the input of the experts before I shelled out my $$. As far as why such a heavy duty trailer I figured bigger is better but I guess in this case it would almost limit my load as the trailer weight would take away from what I could haul. So maybe a trailer like this in a 27+5 configuration would better suit my needs. Anyone have experince with these two trailer manufactures??

Thanks
Will

[T_Bone]

Hi Will,

<font color="blue">Here</font> In June 05, I just bought a new Legend 27'+5' x 102", 10k Dexter dual tandum oil bath, Cooper tires, 12" x 19lb I-beam, 6" torque tube, 3"channel on 16" centers, 10" channel GN frame, 6" channel side frame rail, 2-1/2" x 3/8" rub rail, 10k BullDog landing gear, 20" wide self-cleaning spring assist ramps, BullDog GN, $6400 out the door.


I'm a AWS certified weld inspector and a engineer, and from looking at a few other brands, the Legend brand beat the others hands down in welding and engineering quality, the true part that counts. The extras can always be added on at a latter time or ordered.

In my 40yrs of messing with trailers, buy only one trailer that will get the job done in your life time. Buying the wrong trailer will cost more in the long run. When I sell my other two flatbeds, I'll have $2400 in my new trailer that will carry twice the load weight if I want.

The only mistake I made on this trailer was not getting the thrid ramp, $135, as then I could have a 32ft flat deck if needed.





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[turbodave]

[ QUOTE ]
I appreciate everyones opion on this. I only want to have to buy one trailer and figured I would get the input of the experts before I shelled out my $$. As far as why such a heavy duty trailer I figured bigger is better but I guess in this case it would almost limit my load as the trailer weight would take away from what I could haul. So maybe a trailer like this in a 27+5 configuration would better suit my needs. Anyone have experince with these two trailer manufactures??

Thanks
Will

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That one's probably better suited to your needs. I'd have to agree with the others. The dual/tandem axles on the first trailer is WAY OVER kill for your needs. Tandem, yes,but not duals.

[SmokeyWren]

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So maybe a trailer like this in a 27+5 configuration would better suit my needs.

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Yes.

But do you really need the 27' + 5' length?

With the 20-footer plus the 5' dovetail, you can easily haul one truck or one tractor or one BobCat. With 32' of trailer bed available, you might be tempted to haul two at a time, which would definitely overload your tow vehicle.

If you're a farmer/stockman that might need to haul lighter but bulkier stuff such as feed or hay, then you might need the longer bed.

[T_Bone]

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... in a 27+5 configuration would better suit my needs...

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And in Will's first post he already mentioned a dooley so he's headed in that direction.

First comes the correct trailer for the job, then comes the new DRW truck for the trailer. In the end he has both that will serve him well for many years without spending more.




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[sixniner]

The second trailer you posted would be a better choice judging by your intended use(s). I also agree with the concept of buying a slightly longer trailer than you need, sooner or later you'll tow something requiring that kind of legnth. I have a 30' PJ lowboy, I'm very happy with it, powdercoated, Bulldog landing gear and coupler, torsion axles, LED lighting, etc; everything appears and feels well built(the local dealer does a good job checking everything and adding anything to ensure the trailer is set up exactly the way you want it). While looking for trailers I was told about www.terrystrailers.com A guy around here baught one, very nice rig, powdercoated, built to his exact specifications and pretty reasonable prices. As others have stated, Big Tex trailers seem to be popular, Load Trail, Elite, H&amp;H, Circle B, Donahue and Diamond C are also worth checking out

[Long0]

I am going to veer from the rest of the crowd and say go for the tandem duals. It is my opinion to buy more than you need now instead of realizing you need more later down the line.

Andy