Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[goeduck]

I never thought of modifying a bottle jack with a gauge... Interesting!
I split the difference between a bathroom scale and the integrated scale / hitch by using a small hydraulic scale made by Sherline.

I was going to do something similar with the loader on one of my tractors but quickly realized I could approximate the weight by how the loader was responding.

 

[Renze]

I was going to do something similar with the loader on one of my tractors but quickly realized I could approximate the weight by how the loader was responding.

Sort of the same as approximating the weight by how much the suspension is squatting.

 

[WinterDeere]

I was going to do something similar with the loader on one of my tractors but quickly realized I could approximate the weight by how the loader was responding.

It would be a challenge with the loader, unless you always checked pressure at the same height, since the force to lift ratio changes with height. It’s usually highest near the ground, and drops as height increases, the way most loader cylinders are arranged on the frame.

 

[orezok]

I built my jack scale about 15 years ago. Bought a hydraulic jack at a garage sale for $2 and repurposed the gauge I used to adjust my hydraulic pressure on my loader. Probably spent less than $20.

 

[WinterDeere]

Is the ".7" your force/pressure multiplier?

Not sure if they'd be willing to make one-offs, but: Custom Dials & Private Labeling - Kodiak Controls

 

[goeduck]

Sort of the same as approximating the weight by how much the suspension is squatting.

No, the liabilities and consequences are nowhere near the same. Being on the road with an out-of-control trailer due to improper tongue weight is not equivalent to knowing the load you are picking up on your loader in your barn. Maybe some on here have never seen an out-of-control trailer and pickup cross traffic lanes and collide with other vehicles at freeway speeds. Something one never forgets.

 

[Renze]

No, the liabilities and consequences are nowhere near the same.

I was under the impression that the loader response was used to estimate hitch load. Which seems a complicated method to me.

Maybe some on here have never seen an out-of-control trailer and pickup cross traffic lanes and collide with other vehicles at freeway speeds. Something one never forgets.

Been there, done that. Borrowed a 4 meter trailer (it was just refurbished they said: it turned out it was just painted, but it soon turned out that brakes and lights didnt work), loaded 5.5 meter planks over the headgate. Headgate collapsed and folded back close to the police station in town, putting the load behind the center. I tightened the ratchet straps and drove off pretending nothing happened, hoping to not draw attention to the junk trailer and get a ticket or worse, confiscation of a borrowed trailer.

Out of town, the tail wagged the dog and i upended the trailer against a tree, my cars towball embedded into an oak tree, it needed a tug to free it. The radio was thrown out of the anti theft sled and was on the rear seats.

Since then i dont borrow trailers, and i do not lend mine. Not everyone has the same standards when it comes to trailers.

That being said, we have 5 to 10% towball load in Europe with our mid axle trailers. In North America the axles are not 2 to 4 inches behind the center of the trailer, but 2 to 3 foot, giving 10 to 20% drawbar load, giving far greater safety margins for keeping your center of gravity in front of the center of the tandem.

If your hitch load is that critical in vehicle stability, i suggest some inflatable airbags to stiffen up the rear suspension. We used to order a Firestone AiRide kit for gray import half ton GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra. It makes a day and night difference in handling.

 

[orezok]

Is the ".7" your force/pressure multiplier?

Not sure if they'd be willing to make one-offs, but: Custom Dials & Private Labeling - Kodiak Controls

Yup

 

[Too many Kubotas]

That being said, we have 5 to 10% towball load in Europe with our mid axle trailers. In North America the axles are not 2 to 4 inches behind the center of the trailer, but 2 to 3 foot, giving 10 to 20% drawbar load, giving far greater safety margins for keeping your center of gravity in front of the center of the tandem.

That "forced" tongue weight can be good or bad, I think.

I prefer having the trailer axles farther forward than on a typical flatbed, giving me the option to place the load in the correct spot instead of ending up with excessive weight on the tow vehicle.

That's one reason I really liked this trailer. That and it's very low weight, of course.

I've had a trailer built with the axles 18 inches forward, which was quite helpful, but after starting to buy hydraulic dovetails the problem solved itself - the axles have to be farther forward on those.

 

[dstig1]

Cool cars!