What I haul

[dieseldummy]

Here is what I haul around. This is my friend pickup with his and my tractors in tow. His is a Mccormick WD6 and mine is a JD 60. We take them to the antique tractor pulls around our region.

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=124798&img=00_00006.jpg

[dieseldummy]

Here is another
http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=124800&img=00_00008.jpg

[KingNuzz]

Cool cargo. What years are the tractors? How much does that load weigh? And how does the truck handle it? I occasionally pull a compact tractor between 2 places we're bringing back into farm use. The load weighs around 8,500 lbs and my truck works pretty hard on the hills.

[dieseldummy]

Mine is a 54 model and his is a 48 or so. This load; pickup, trailer, and tractors, grossed just under 30,000. The pickup is rated for 8500 and the trailer is rated for 20,000, so it is just over the combined GVW of the whole rig. It works the pickup pretty good, but we try to go too fast so it usually isn't a problem.

[Turbine Doc]

Diesel D,
That is a load similar to mine except only 1 tractor 66 model JD 20-20 plus impliments my trailer, or my 12K 78 Ford 535 back hoe, never weighed the backhoe pull; but the JD loaded trailer is a 13K load, you guys might want to check this out www.activesuspension.com (http://www.activesuspension.com) looks to me like that truck is sagging a bit in the rear, mine with a 4000lb rear axle weight GN trailer loaded sets dead level.

I also bumper pull a Bronco II from time to time, prior to the roadmaster install high winds would give me fits, virtually no fish tail from load now since the install. You only know it's in use when towing normal ride unloaded pretty much a set & forget deal.

[dieseldummy]

Yeah, it sags some... Air bags are next on the list...

[Turbine Doc]

DD
FWIW air bags are good for up and down loading, I was going that route myself until I saw the Roadmaster on Trucking Tv on TNN one afternoon, they put it on one of their project trucks, air bags need a comressor unless you are going run around with the same setting all the time, which effects the ride, for $250 or so you will get same as air bags plus some sway control, they don't effect the ride unless loaded.

Give them a call for info anyway; I'm happy with them if I remember they also will refund your money if not satisfied, mine has been on for almost 2 years problem free

[dieseldummy]

tbogemirep ,
I was always going to try those on my old 1/2 ton. I'm not sure how they would stand up to big loads all the time though. The pickup in the picture always has a bed full of stuff, or is hooked to a trailer of some sort, I kindof think that air bags would be a more permanent solution for this application. Thanks for the advice though. How does your pickup handle the loads you throw at it powerwise?

[Turbine Doc]

DD
Enough power ???
Never enough, but I manage with what I have, I'm estimating 225 rwhp with the mods I've done, my only dyno run showed only 150hp, JK says it was because of type of dyno, and no TCC lock up, I've added hi-pops and a Heath reflash since then(still doing some tweaking/testing on the reflash).

I know by SOP I'm more than 150hp; last big pull was 18,700 truck and loaded trailer, I was able to run up to 85 mph flat road, didn't stay there long too fast for that weight. Plenty of remaining engine when at 70 mph on cruise control, even up hills I had no drop off in speed on cruise control.

BTW I consider the RM setup a permanent sag/sway solution, works very well on my loaded GN rig, I have the XXIIF 3/4T-1T set on my 1/2T truck.

[Scooby]

TIM--

How does your K1500 do towing heavy loads ?? How much weight do you tow with it?? I am in the process of getting my C1500 ready to tow- actually I have to modify my trailer so I can put my mud truck on it. Will the 1500 do Ok hauling around 7000 # ??

[Turbine Doc]

Scooby,

My biggest tow to date has been 18,700 gross, steer axle 3600, drive axle 4480, weight on trailer axles 10,620#, JD 2020 tractor-bushhog-disk gang. with mods in sig below I have plenty of power, now have a bit more :D with Heath reflash, have not towed with yet but from empty run tests know I won't be disappointed. That said for those reading on sidelines, heavy towing isn't just about pulling power, you need to upgrade the suspension & brakes also, if I frequent towed heavy I'd move up to a 3/4 or 1 T rated truck.

With the Road Master as listed above the rear of the truck sits dead level parallel to to the road, with the GN trailer it tows like a dream. In addition to the power mods, I upgraded to 3300 lb rated wheels, Power stop rotors, Hi perf shoes front/rear, stainless brake lines, HD clutch pak in trans, Deraile aux remote trans cooler 25K rated, PML deep trans pan, & Tekonsha Prodigy brake control set to have trailer stop just before the truck tries to engage brakes.

Even with all that I run hyper sensitive to traffic flow got my feelers out like radar anticipating traffic, when possible I have buddy with me to escort/keep separation. No mods can make up for simple fact 1/2 T truck weighs less than 3/4 or 1 T, if trailer brakes crap out life could be very interesting; 1/2 T heavy tow can be done but be darn careful, not only do you have to watch your tail, but got to look out for the rest of the drivers out there.

You planning to bumper pull or GN, I recommend GN night & day different from bumper I also recommend this hitch http://www.putnamhitch.com/Gooseneck/lockload.htm
it's very similar to the B&W turnover, except the ball and the socket are sealed from most elemental problem(still exposed to H20) and all bed trash by o-ring sealed coverplate, it is adaptable to pull 5th wheel.

[Scooby]

TIM--
The trailer I will be pulling my mud truck on is a bumper hitch. I will be towing in Florida, and only occasionally. I drive to the mudholes around me to play now, and I have been fortunate not to break anything that made me call a wrecker. I always made it home. I thought about towing the truck, but didnt have a tow vehicle- till I got the 1500 TD in November. I found a trailer in January, towed it home, and it has sat since then. You know how projects go !! I dont know what the '83 truck weighs, but I would guess between 5 & 6000 . The trailer is all steel, with a diamond plate deck. The truck would fit on it, but half of the tires would hang off each side. I'm going to widen the trailer 10" each side, maybe add a third axle, then try towing the truck.
I am going to call Roadmaster today.

[ 05-06-2004, 02:55 AM: Message edited by: Scooby ]

[Turbine Doc]

Scooby,
I bumper pull a Bronco 2 while not much weight on the bumper it pulls better with the RM, a B-2 has a good bit of "sail area" cross wind used to make it rough to tow at times the RM helps a bunch on that, same for my 5x8 utility trailer I haul my 6x6 Max II ATV on.

If you install the RM one thing I did different on the install, was set the spring tension simultaniously for each side; the instructions have you set 1 side then the other, I checked back & forth either side until it stopped changing.

Doing it their way an adjustment to left side would tweak out right & vice versa and you don't go back to see if the other side stayed put, when you get the instructions this will make more sense.