What size trailer for a Ck30, loader,backhoe ?

TomKioti · May 11, 2006

Joe,

I tow with a 04' F-150 supercrew and I just got a shock. I checked out the brakes before going to Orlando and my fronts were about 60% and my rear brakes were gone. I know this is off topic but do you or any other trailering folks see this kind of rear break wear when trailering or is it a Ford thing? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

depratt_equip · May 11, 2006

does your trailer have brakes?

TomKioti · May 11, 2006

Good question,

The smaller trailer (6x12) I use has no breaks. It get's used alot, however it only hauls a Wheelhorse ( I think the greatest lawn tractor in history). The larger 20' with dual breaks get's used mabye 4 to 5 times a year. Hope that helps. And thanks in advance for the insight.

DK35vince · May 11, 2006

( I know this is off topic but do you or any other trailering folks see this kind of rear break wear when trailering or is it a Ford thing? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

Do you drive around all the time with your parking brakes still ON in the truck??
The reason I ask is I seem to be making that a fairly regular habit here lately /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Had smoke rolling off my rear wheels again just last weekend !!

TomKioti · May 11, 2006

My friend. I do all my own svc. and have for close to 30 years. I understand your ? but I can assure you. That's not the case.
Even my dealer was clueless. Thanks D I appreciate the feedback.

KiotiJohn · May 12, 2006

( I checked out the brakes before going to Orlando and my fronts were about 60% and my rear brakes were gone. )
I can't imagine it being the rears that are gone. As you know since you do all your own service, fronts usually wear out before rears. On an '04, I would expect maybe 60% rears and 40% front wear depending on miles, but no rears left? That IS weird.

John

TomKioti · May 12, 2006

John,

It is wierd. It's still under warranty so I even took it
to the dealer (reluctantly) and they asked about my
trailer habits. They really had no clue as well.
Of course breaks aren't covered under the warranty
so I had to bite the cost and put on new rears because
my inpection was due. Bummer. Breaks at 34K /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

P.S. It's relatively flat where I'm at so I don't think
it was the parking break /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I almost never use it.

Dmace · May 12, 2006

( Breaks at 34K /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

Sounds like a Ford to me... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Do you have Drums or Disc in the rear ? If it's drums you can adjust how close the shoes are to the drum. I can tell you how if you have drums. I have four wheel disc brakes on my 03 RAM 1500, I am sure your truck is prob. the same.

gravel13 · May 12, 2006

I used to have a Toyota and there was something called a load level sensor, which when the truck had a heavy load it applied more rear brake to the truck. Conversely when I lifted the truck with a lift kit without relocating the valve sensor I pretty much never had the back brakes being used. I wonder if Ford has something like this and maybe when you do your trailering it is lowering the rear of the truck enough to apply more brake force from the back brakes? Maybe that is why the dealer asked about your trailering? Let us know if and when you find out, because I now have a Ford and will be buying a trailer in the immediate future.

TomKioti · May 12, 2006

Guys,

It's all wheel disc brakes. The parking brake is a traditional drum and only actuates when the pedal is depressed.. I'm due back in for a firewall leak (5th time for that, can u say lemon law?) that's driving me crazy. Passenger side floor is perpetually wet.

This isn't totally relevent but I have owned new Foriegn and U.S. cars in the last eight years and ALL of them have had warranty issues. My God I can't take it anymore. It's like know one cares about quality/reliability anymore.

I thought technology was supposed to make things better. Sorry I'm venting /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

KiotiJohn · May 13, 2006

( It's like know one cares about quality/reliability anymore. )
I bought my Toyota Solara new in 1999, seven years later I still have had no warranty issues. I did have an oxygen sensor go out, but that was probably because I took the car to Mexico for 3 months, and was using a too-low ocatane gas until I realized their regular was not 87, but 82. I just never had looked at the pump too carefully.

Of course, the sensor may have gone anyway. The original battery lasted 6 1/2 of the 7 years I've had the car, so they're not all bad.

John

TomKioti · May 13, 2006

Al,

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your post so with
that in mind a question to the trailer owners.
I will be also buying my own equipment hauler
as well. Can anybody suggest a reliable brand?
There's so many makes to choose from.
Almost like buying a tractor all over again /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Highbeam · May 13, 2006

Tom, I do not see excessive break wear with towing but I have some methods that I use partially because of my light duty tow vehicle and partially because they are good habits for all vehicles.

The pair of 5200 lb rated dexter axles is equipped with large and effective brakes. I have a Tekonsha controller that I set to make sure that the trailer is doing its job to stop its weight. I shoot for braking effort real similar to a non towing truck. Trailer breaks are cheap and easy to replace but they need manual adjustment. Really, jack up the trailer wheels and spin them one at a time and be sure you hear the swish-swish -swish of properly adjusted drum breaks. Mine needed adjustmentr from the factory. You also need them to all be adjusted the same to ensure even braking. I also check the hub temperature when I arrive at my destination to be sure the brakes aren't doing too much and to be sure that no one wheel is hotter than the rest.

I tow in third, not OD, and on my truck I get very good compression braking. I also have my truck equipped with a vacuum gauge so I can see the engine sucking hard to slow me down.

Rear drums on my truck also need manual adjustment since the OEM GM drum brakes are notorious for ineffective manual adjusters. The first time I did it manually I got 37 clicks of the adjuster wheel before they gave me the swish. Much improved brake feel and stopping power. Still I am on the original reear shoes but the fronts have seen a few sets of pads and one rotor replacement. I don't turn rotors, if they've warped it was because of heat and making them thinner will make them all the more likely to warp.

Rear disk brakes are a nightmare. In the GM world the half tons went back to drums. People are seeing rapid wear and the inner drum pbrakes are prone to failure. My guess is that the rear discs doing only 25% of stopping aren't getting heated well enough or maybe the extra mud, gravel, and salt in the rear compared to the front is hard on them.

You say you're looking at trailers, well I am very happy with my PJ and they are a national brand.

unhappykioti · May 13, 2006

I'd be careful with much weight with a 1/2 ton truck. Perhaps you don't know, but here Washington you can be fined for being over weight on your rig just like us big boys with the eighteen wheelers.

albmn10 · May 13, 2006

Got my new trailer today, the 20's were all gone but after seeing the 18's design, its completely flat on all edges so it actually gives me the wiggle room i may need down the line..Twin 5200lbs axles and breaks on both, 10k lb capacity.. Dove tail in the rear . Nice heavy duty design ... Thanks again to all... Matt

TomKioti · May 13, 2006

Matt,

Congrats on your trailer purchase. What brand if u don't mind me asking.

TomKioti · May 13, 2006

Joe,

Very good info. I had a Wells Cargo concession trailer
that I had a bear of a time adjusting the brakes on.
I finally figured out that once I loaded all the restaurant
equipment on it it finally worked out. It was set up for
a heavier load than when empty. You would have had
a good laugh watching me bring it home the first time.
That sucker skidded at every stop /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I think the issue with my brakes is a sensor
problem as mentioned earlier. I'll keep working
on it. Thanks again for the info.

Highbeam · May 14, 2006

Who said I was overweight? All my axles and tires are legal. 10% of 7000 is 700 lbs of weight on the tongue of a full size pickup. I'm well within the licensed GVWR too. True, with my canopy I'm a skosh (few hundred) over my trucks stickered GVWR but only a small amount and I suppose I'll have to take that risk.

The truck looks and feels secure and capable going down the road keeping up with traffic and that's most of the battle. In the picture you'll notice there are no "1500" labels and the lug nuts are covered by caps. You'd never know its a half ton unless you could recognize my 10 bolt rearend which you can't see with the trailer in the way.

The tow rating for my same truck in a 3/4 ton is actually less than for my half ton of the same year and engine but I understand many folks just don't think a half ton is good for anything but getting groceries.

TomKioti · May 14, 2006

Unhappy,

Do I sense you are Unhappy with anything less
than a 40'+ trailer and a Peterbuilt /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Of course I'm joking.... I think /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

unhappykioti · May 14, 2006

40 foot trailers are antiques has to be at least a 53 foot, I don't drive a Peterbilt but you know what they say old truckers never die that just a new Peter bilt.