Trailer came off ball?

Diamondpilot · Apr 20, 2008

I got your toys, 2006 F-350 PSD 4x4, 2004 F-250 PSD 4x4, 1999 F-350 PSD 4x4, and the grocery getter 2007 F-150 4x4. We tow loads every spring and fall with Pintle hitches upto 80,000# using everything from the F-350's to Dump trucks and even Peter Builts. You are a either blind or dumb if you think there is no wear to the drive line of anything if you are towing with a Pintle hitch. There is slop that is not there with a ball hitch or 5th wheel.

Like I said before the Pintle setup has its place but it is what it is.

Chris

HarryVanderpool · Apr 20, 2008

Have I got it right that you should load your trailer for 10% tongue weight?
That would make my trailer with tractor weight of 8800# give a tongue weight of 880#.

patrick_g · Apr 20, 2008

"I have never seen a coupler, that you cant adjust."

I have a couple bulldog type that have no adjustment. probably don't need one due to the design.

Couplers have been known to wear out so badly that a ball is not properly secured. Negative tongue weight would certainly be one way of finding that problem. I have never heard or seen a recommendation from any authority to use less than 10% tongue weight.

Pat

BigHorn · Apr 20, 2008

Diamondpilot said:
I got your toys, 2006 F-350 PSD 4x4, 2004 F-250 PSD 4x4, 1999 F-350 PSD 4x4, and the grocery getter 2007 F-150 4x4. We tow loads every spring and fall with Pintle hitches upto 80,000# using everything from the F-350's to Dump trucks and even Peter Builts. You are a either blind or dumb if you think there is no wear to the drive line of anything if you are towing with a Pintle hitch. There is slop that is not there with a ball hitch or 5th wheel.

Like I said before the Pintle setup has its place but it is what it is.

Chris

Ford = Toy.....

So I am sure you are having drive train trouble

vettemanwight · Apr 20, 2008

I had our 4 ton equipment trailer come unhooked going up a hill empty, I had already towed the trailer 20 miles. I believe I didnt make sure the coupler was locked down properly. Now every time I hook the trailer up before I crank up the jack I start cranking it down and make sure the coupler is properly latched. V

dqdave1 · Apr 20, 2008

Big Horn, Begin reading about "Dodge". Probably won't be around in a few years.

patrick_g · Apr 20, 2008

HarryVanderpool said:
Have I got it right that you should load your trailer for 10% tongue weight?
That would make my trailer with tractor weight of 8800# give a tongue weight of 880#.

Harry, 10-15% is often the recommended tongue weight.

Some references say 5-15%,

I have never seen less than 5% recommended by a credible source.

If your hitch or truck can't handle the tongue weight at 5-15% then maybe you are overloaded and or need weight distributing hitch.

Pat