Your towing rigs and trailers

[ptsg]

I totally agree with you. Both designs work just fine.

I'm still new to the trailer world. I'm still waiting on the date for the driving license, that the IMT ( DMV overthere I believe) seems to take forever to proceed with the process, even though I delivered and paid the file in April.

I don't really have a % of tongue weight. Usually I measure the ball hitch to the ground when empty, and then measure it again when loaded to get some numbers to make it easier on the future loads and kinda look at it from a couple feet away to see how it sits. Anyway, if the rear of the truck didn't lift compared to when it was empty, then I'm good I guess?

 

[3930dave]

I totally agree with you. Both designs work just fine.

I'm still new to the trailer world. I'm still waiting on the date for the driving license, that the IMT ( DMV overthere I believe) seems to take forever to proceed with the process, even though I delivered and paid the file in April.

I don't really have a % of tongue weight. Usually I measure the ball hitch to the ground when empty, and then measure it again when loaded to get some numbers to make it easier on the future loads and kinda look at it from a couple feet away to see how it sits. Anyway, if the rear of the truck didn't lift compared to when it was empty, then I'm good I guess?

Joking I know , but it would be a good idea to get data from the trailer manufacturer as to what their recommended % is.

For ours here , I ball park 10%. One recent listing showed a recommended range in the (9 - 14)% area. Ex. - for a 5k# rated trailer here, you should have 500# tongue weight at full load.

With a long rear overhang on yours, the risk increases once you add heavy implements..... you can start running out of lateral adjustment room on the deck.

Weight-distributing bumper-pull hitches are widely available here (though, not as commonly used as they probably should be....)....... are they in use in your area ?

Rgds, D.

 

[4570Man]

I found 2” straps for $9 each and stocked up. They were $7 when I was at the same place last year. I’m really thinking about putting some permanent mounted strap reels on my trailer like the semi flat beds have. The cost is about $30 each.

 

[ptsg]

Joking I know , but it would be a good idea to get data from the trailer manufacturer as to what their recommended % is.

For ours here , I ball park 10%. One recent listing showed a recommended range in the (9 - 14)% area. Ex. - for a 5k# rated trailer here, you should have 500# tongue weight at full load.

With a long rear overhang on yours, the risk increases once you add heavy implements..... you can start running out of lateral adjustment room on the deck.

Weight-distributing bumper-pull hitches are widely available here (though, not as commonly used as they probably should be....)....... are they in use in your area ?

Rgds, D.

Since you asked, I've been searching more about this subject.

So the tow-bars over here are quite different to what you use. I'll share a picture of my truck. There are also other styles of tow balls.

I'll give you the values for my case. Looking at the specs for the tow ball and trailer coupler, the manufacturer says each one allows for 150 kgs (330 lbs) of vertical load. The tow balls is rated for 7700 lbs of pulling weight and the trailer coupler is rated for 6000 lbs, which I think it's pure marketing, because the 6600 lbs coupler has the exact same dimensions of the 6000 lbs version but its more expensive.

Anyway, another thing that I believe you don't use over there, is that our trailers are equipped with inertia brake. So when you press the brake on the truck, the inertia of the loaded trailer will compress a cylinder that is part of the trailer coupler, which will actuate the brakes and therefore stopping both units. I have to say, it is quite effective. It can stop way to fast if you really want. The trailer is equipped with drum brakes in each wheel and it's fitted with a parking brake.

There is also a break away cable in the case something breaks and it will actuate the trailer brakes.

We don't have any weight-distributing bumper-pull hitches that I'm aware of. I think it would also be really useful overhere. They do, however, offer what they refer to as "Safety coupler" which is just a standard coupler with some friction material that sits on the ball to help avoiding that dangerous trailer sway.

Here is the picture of my tow bar. (Please ignore the mud )

 

[3930dave]

I found 2 straps for $9 each and stocked up. They were $7 when I was at the same place last year. I知 really thinking about putting some permanent mounted strap reels on my trailer like the semi flat beds have. The cost is about $30 each. View attachment 564471

Nice deal. Commercial use here requires the cert tags on them, and are usually not that cheap, unless they fell off a truck .

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Since you asked, I've been searching more about this subject.

So the tow-bars over here are quite different to what you use. I'll share a picture of my truck. There are also other styles of tow balls.

I'll give you the values for my case. Looking at the specs for the tow ball and trailer coupler, the manufacturer says each one allows for 150 kgs (330 lbs) of vertical load. The tow balls is rated for 7700 lbs of pulling weight and the trailer coupler is rated for 6000 lbs, which I think it's pure marketing, because the 6600 lbs coupler has the exact same dimensions of the 6000 lbs version but its more expensive.

Anyway, another thing that I believe you don't use over there, is that our trailers are equipped with inertia brake. So when you press the brake on the truck, the inertia of the loaded trailer will compress a cylinder that is part of the trailer coupler, which will actuate the brakes and therefore stopping both units. I have to say, it is quite effective. It can stop way to fast if you really want. The trailer is equipped with drum brakes in each wheel and it's fitted with a parking brake.

There is also a break away cable in the case something breaks and it will actuate the trailer brakes.

We don't have any weight-distributing bumper-pull hitches that I'm aware of. I think it would also be really useful overhere. They do, however, offer what they refer to as "Safety coupler" which is just a standard coupler with some friction material that sits on the ball to help avoiding that dangerous trailer sway.

Here is the picture of my tow bar. (Please ignore the mud )

So with a single connection point on your truck (?), you are over 5%, less than 10%.... roughly speaking.

Inertia (sometimes called surge) brakes are available here, just less common. Found on some boat trailers (less electrics to worry about submerging) or on Uhaul (small rental) utility trailers - nice in that application because it negates the need for an electric brake controller.

With bigger vehicles here (1/2 ton+ pickups) 5th wheel hitches are popular. WDistr. bumper pull hitches do a good job (when adjusted properly) of balancing the trailer load across all 4 wheels of the tow vehicle - I'm a little surprised that they are not in use over your way, as they are simple (basically just torsion bars) and pretty reliable.

Edit.... gotta remember the surge brakes..... that may complicate the WDistr. story.....

Rgds, D.

 

[ptsg]

Yeah, a single connection point.

I wouldn't mind having electric brakes if that allowed me to have those weight distribution hitches. The inertia or surge brakes can be somewhat problematic when backing up to a slope, then it just starts braking and you have to overcome the brake action causing wear in the truck clutch and so on.

I would love to have one of your pickups with a big Cummins and a goose-neck trailer over here. The problem is that it could barely move on our roads since they are so narrow and tend to have sharp curves and gross weight would have be limited to 7700 lbs due to the way things work around here. Then again, could only tow a trailer up to 7700 lbs.

Actually, Ford started to sell the Ranger here in Europe. I quite like it. Maybe one day. :thumbsup:

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep... my Euro friends with trailers mostly have parking brakes too...

I think it is a great safety feature instead of scrambling for chock blocks... seen a trailer roll down an embankment... tires were blocks but the ground was soft and the blocks sank...

About the only small trailers I have seen with parking brakes are old military surplus as in very old that some of the guys in the jeep club have.

 

[ptsg]

That is one thing it really amazes me. You guys don't have parking brakes on the trailer. Which is really dangerous when loading machinery or cars as it can lift the rear wheels of the truck.

I always apply the parking brake on the trailer and truck and also engage a gear on the truck. Sometimes in sketchy conditions, I put it in 4WD with the center diff locked.

 

[ultrarunner]

I lived for a time in Austria... it was right after University...

Could definitely see some the benefit the way Europeans do some things... but, also was confounded at times compared to the US.


+

 

[farmer2009]

Trailers with air brakes have a parking brake. It’s a spring brake that’s normally applied and the air pressure releases them.

Compression (surge) brakes are illegal in some towns/cities here in the USA.

 

[4570Man]

That is one thing it really amazes me. You guys don't have parking brakes on the trailer. Which is really dangerous when loading machinery or cars as it can lift the rear wheels of the truck.

I always apply the parking brake on the trailer and truck and also engage a gear on the truck. Sometimes in sketchy conditions, I put it in 4WD with the center diff locked.

I always scotch the trailer if it’s on a hill. I keep a few pieces of firewood in the trailer tool box for that use.

 

[3930dave]

I always apply the parking brake on the trailer and truck and also engage a gear on the truck. Sometimes in sketchy conditions, I put it in 4WD with the center diff locked.

Neat option - is that a hydraulic line-lock on the trailer, or is it mechanically actuated (lever + cables) ?

Like farmer said, heavy (commercial transport) trailers here with air brakes have parking brakes, but I've never seen one on light personal trailers.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Compression (surge) brakes are illegal in some towns/cities here in the USA.

^ is that for commercial line-haul, or small personal trailers ?

Like pt indicated, the main drawback to surge brakes is backing up, though IIRC there are some surge systems that can manage that situation well. That issue aside, IMO a hydraulic system like that is probably more reliable vs. the way people (don't) maintain electrics on trailers - one reason Uhaul uses them.

I have one friend who had surge brakes on his boat trailer - he liked them, and he is very mechanically savvy and particular....

Rgds, D.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I use the break-away box as a parking brake. Just yank the plastic tab out, all four wheels are now locked. Can't leave it like that for long, it would drain the battery, but it works just fine for loading, unloading. Longer term I have rubber chocks and blocks of wood.

 

[aczlan]

Nice deal. Commercial use here requires the cert tags on them, and are usually not that cheap, unless they fell off a truck .

Rgds, D.

Tractor Supply and Runnings both run specials on them in the $7-10 range from time to time.

Compression (surge) brakes are illegal in some towns/cities here in the USA.

Can you point me to the law saying that (or at least the town/city where it is illegal)? People have told me that, but I have never been able to track down a town that has that ordinance.

Aaron Z

 

[ptsg]

Neat option - is that a hydraulic line-lock on the trailer, or is it mechanically actuated (lever + cables) ?

Like farmer said, heavy (commercial transport) trailers here with air brakes have parking brakes, but I've never seen one on light personal trailers.

Rgds, D.

All mechanical. A lever + cables that will get the pressures even in each wheel and a strong over-center spring to keep it either locked or unlocked.

Here is an overview of the system:

^ is that for commercial line-haul, or small personal trailers ?

Like pt indicated, the main drawback to surge brakes is backing up, though IIRC there are some surge systems that can manage that situation well. That issue aside, IMO a hydraulic system like that is probably more reliable vs. the way people (don't) maintain electrics on trailers - one reason Uhaul uses them.

I have one friend who had surge brakes on his boat trailer - he liked them, and he is very mechanically savvy and particular....

Rgds, D.

I think my trailer does what you mentioned. I've backed up fully loaded onto a steep hill and after a bit of struggling to get it to start to move, the surge brake just fully retracted and after a slight bump the trailer just felt like it was not braking.

 

[3930dave]

All mechanical. A lever + cables that will get the pressures even in each wheel and a strong over-center spring to keep it either locked or unlocked.

Here is an overview of the system:


I think my trailer does what you mentioned. I've backed up fully loaded onto a steep hill and after a bit of struggling to get it to start to move, the surge brake just fully retracted and after a slight bump the trailer just felt like it was not braking.

Electric brakes need shoe adjustment too, so your system just adds the mechanical links. Smart, the brakes are there, why not use them for parking ?

My buddy with the boat trailer a few years back mentioned something about certain surge hitches mitigating the backup problem, but I never looked into the details further.

Rgds, D.

 

[ptsg]

Yes, totally agree.

How hard would be to add a manual mechanical parking brake or just like a manual override with a lever? Pretty much like the system I have but merged with the electric brakes.

I've been looking on how those electric brakes work and it seems quite easy to just add a mechanical linkage.

 

[ning]

^ is that for commercial line-haul, or small personal trailers ?

Like pt indicated, the main drawback to surge brakes is backing up, though IIRC there are some surge systems that can manage that situation well. That issue aside, IMO a hydraulic system like that is probably more reliable vs. the way people (don't) maintain electrics on trailers - one reason Uhaul uses them.

I have one friend who had surge brakes on his boat trailer - he liked them, and he is very mechanically savvy and particular....

Rgds, D.

I'm under the impression that since surge brakes don't come on until the rig is already decelerating, it's entirely up to the truck to begin the slowdown, so for at least a bit (till the surges starting doing their thing), the trailer is pushing the truck as it tries to slow things down.

I don't know if you can adjust surge brakes for different loads, either - my electric controller has a dial that I can easily adjust the magnitude of braking force, so when I've got an unloaded trailer it should use a light touch on the trailer brakes, and a heavier one when it's loaded (I have to adjust it - the controller doesn't know what my load is). Probably not much of an issue for boat trailers because the trailer is probably almost never used without the boat on it...

Surge brakes also can't be operated independently of the truck's brakes, for instance in case of trailer sway. Presumably with a boat on a trailer, there's always a good percentage of tongue weight, since hopefully you can't load the boat on backwards, so perhaps this is a non-issue (for boat trailers).