Towing Help??

[Mack Reeves]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

You are really on the edge. A dually would be much better. More gvw, but much better stance for such a big trailer. Is the 32 2 axle or 3?

I tow my 32' with a 3500 Dodge diesel. No lounge but carry a golf cart, tools, 3200 lb car and all the "other stuff". Going is not the problem.. Its stopping. Last time out I had a OH SH-T stop and it was all the dually wanted. Even with brakes on all 4 wheels of the trailer... Just my $0.02 worth......

[Ed Fernandez]

Anyone using a 4500 series Dodge or Ford.They look reasonably sized compared to the monsterous
Chevy 4500.They also have 19 1/2" tires and big brakes.Also a bigger pricetag.

[Kenny Wigington]

I have almost the same set up, and I have had 2 Oh sh-- stops. I was wishing for a bigger truck then too. Mine isnt loaded as heavy as some I have seen, but its up there due to the trailers weight alone. Having brakes on 3 axles would be great, as I have 2, but I think the bigger issue, at least now days, is the legality of it. IF, you did , and I mean it could happen, have an accident, you may be held liable, with the truck being too small for your overal GVW. All it would take is one wiseass to change lanes at the wrong time to cause a huge mess, and you could be answering to a summons.
Your truck, like mine, has a 9200 GVW rating, and the truck is almost 7K by itself. Almost every Dualie has at least a 10K rating, but the extra brakes and extra pair of tires on the ground more than make up for the 800 lb difference.

[Jeff Teuton]

Bob, get the 16" wheels & tires on the new trailer. You can usually order the 6 hole 16. The brakes are the same on the 5k and 6k axles. The diff is the outer bearing and 6 or 8 lugs. And don't get the 'st' tires. They are really bad.

[T Hall]

I just purchased a 1994 Chevy dually with a 454 and I am very dissapointed with the pull. I am pulling a 26ft W&M with my Nova Big block, tools and scooter. On take off, it is a pig, especially on any type of a grade. My Z71 with a 5.7 vortec pulled better. Any worth while power advice? I have some under drive pullies that I still need to put on, maybe exhaust.

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

Bob, get the 16" wheels & tires on the new trailer. You can usually order the 6 hole 16. The brakes are the same on the 5k and 6k axles. The diff is the outer bearing and 6 or 8 lugs. And don't get the 'st' tires. They are really bad.

Jeff, correct me if I'm wrong, but 6k and 7k brakes are the same. 5k is a smaller size, unless there is a bigger optional brake assembly.
Although I haven't researched it further, I was told that 6k drums have smaller wheel studs than 7k!
Might as well get 8 lug 16" wheels because they may be easier to find replacements for.

[BlueOval Ralph]

5000 lb 10" dia 2" wide
5000/
6000 lb 12" dia 2" wide
7500 lb 12 3/8" 2.5" wide

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Jeff, correct me if I'm wrong, but 6k and 7k brakes are the same. 5k is a smaller size, unless there is a bigger optional brake assembly.
Although I haven't researched it further, I was told that 6k drums have smaller wheel studs than 7k!
Might as well get 8 lug 16" wheels because they may be easier to find replacements for.

[Dick Butler]

Correct Air pressure before leaving the garage. If low fix the tire.... Pack bearings every year worked for me.
(Had an employee who felt a low tire should be just aired up for a trip not diagnosed result- blow out because lost air again on road)( on the road in Snow Storm to do a show)

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Longbob

The brakes are the same on the 5,200 lb, 6,000 lb, and the 7,000 lb Dexter axles (maybe the other manufacturers also). The outside bearings are the smaller ones and the same on the 5,200 lb and 6,000 lb. I believe the only difference is the 6 lug vs 8 lug on the 6,000 lb.

My dad and I just swapped the 5,200 lb drums for the 7,000 lb drums on our trailers and they are an exact fit. The 7,000 lb have the bigger outside bearing like Jeff Teuton mentioned and we were able to put much better 16" tires on the trailer.

Don't overlook the advantage that the bigger bearing may bring because we were having a lot of trouble with the smaller one on one of the trailers.

I guess I put my foot in my mouth! I had 3,500lb axles on my mind. (Sorry Jeff/Thanks Longbob)

I got 6k axles on my 26' Pace even though I never plan on loading it to more than 10k.Too many issues with 15" tires. Even so, I bit the bullet for a used 2004.5 Dodge diesel dually so I have an extra safey margin with braking and stability. I learned long ago and in many ways that it's not worth getting something that is "adequate". It will cost more in the long run.

[Bobby Brannon]

Bob, please give me a call @ 318-422-4646. I need to run something by you