Weight Police is in trouble now

[rsbabson]

[abom2]

LOL, Had my 2-wheel drive Dodge Dually up in N. Dakota during the Fall and Winter. Snow was o.k. (I drive slow and accelerate slowly from a stop.)

The real fun was on the dirt roads (County Roads) when slightly wet. Stuff would gum up the tires just like the caliche back home. Slick as snot.

I would just stay out of it.

Had good laughs watching the 4X4 F- 350 and F-450 Dually's trying to drive normal on the snow and the mud. I found if I crawled on the mud and drove with care on the snow I made the 87 mile one way commute to work without a problem.

Showed DW the Dolly/Hitch and she commented that I needed to investigate that a little more if we get a custom 5th wheel that I have considered. We do not want to buy a bigger truck if possible. (Dually is completely paid for)

[Stefan]

ChopperBill wrote:

laknox wrote:

missourijan wrote:
OMG, there's no way he can stop that thing. Wonder where this was taken, please tell me so we stay away!

Why? There are 3 axles under the trailer, all with, supposedly, working brakes, the Safety Hitch has its own brakes and 2 axles on the TV. I count 6 axles, all with brakes. The big thing that people forget is that the trailer is supposed to STOP ITSELF and you should NOT even feel it pushing you.

Lyle

Lyle haven't you seen the death and destruction all up and down the hi ways by "unsafe trucks and trailers"? Roads are just littered with them. In my years on the road I have seen....................one such accident. Of course it may have been because he was driving in a snow storm with 60 mph cross winds. But none the less a big safe dually would have saved the day. Oops, ever seen a dually the snow? Never mind.

Chopper, please show the source of your info that this is unsafe?? Otherwise nothing but hot air, especially if DOT approved in every state....

[FlatBroke]

laknox wrote:

missourijan wrote:
OMG, there's no way he can stop that thing. Wonder where this was taken, please tell me so we stay away!

Why? There are 3 axles under the trailer, all with, supposedly, working brakes, the Safety Hitch has its own brakes and 2 axles on the TV. I count 6 axles, all with brakes. The big thing that people forget is that the trailer is supposed to STOP ITSELF and you should NOT even feel it pushing you.

Lyle

Lyle haven't you seen the death and destruction all up and down the hi ways by "unsafe trucks and trailers"? Roads are just littered with them. In my years on the road I have seen....................one such accident. Of course it may have been because he was driving in a snow storm with 60 mph cross winds. But none the less a big safe dually would have saved the day. Oops, ever seen a dually the snow? Never mind.

[laknox]

Saw something similar several years ago in Camp Verde. Guy had a big Alfa Gold FW on the hitch. His truck had a rack on it with a Razr above the bed and 2 tanks, 50 gal diesel and 50 gal water, under the deck. Was a SRW F350, IIRC. Will have to dig out my pics and double-check.

Lyle

[laknox]

missourijan wrote:
OMG, there's no way he can stop that thing. Wonder where this was taken, please tell me so we stay away!

Why? There are 3 axles under the trailer, all with, supposedly, working brakes, the Safety Hitch has its own brakes and 2 axles on the TV. I count 6 axles, all with brakes. The big thing that people forget is that the trailer is supposed to STOP ITSELF and you should NOT even feel it pushing you.

Lyle

[LukeS]

This is very similar to a Dolly setup on a Doubles or Triples setup. If I am correct the braking on a Semi is rear to front air brake setup. Which helps slow the combination down through proportioning valves. Try stopping in traffic or accident or being cutoff. The weight balance should be ok the TV has to have Diesel not sure if gas 8.1 would
handle it. Anywho I would pull my con gear behind tractor or first trailer and leave it free rolling. Especially in wet or snow/ice weather to avoid locking it up and coming around.
Personally my HD Sub has the truck chassis with 6.0 and I would upgrade to something little more stout like a dually with a Diesel. If the Dolly has hydraulics no worries. The 5er still works with brake controller. I would really only recommend highly experienced drivers not average Joe. Safety is key on this combination. I am the guy who stops at grades lets everything cool down and do a check of everything so I make it down to the bottom. I used to run a Semi with and without a Jake down big grades so again doing it safely is key. Just my opinion and add to enjoyable reading.

[Steakman]

Interesting idea..and I could see some people doing this in Alberta...but in BC - max length of any RV trailer is 40' so seems that would limit an 5th Wheel to about 32' Not knocking this - looks pretty sturdy and I am all for the extra braking ability..but length becomes an issue when camping..ya start to limit where ya can go.

Me..? I'd likely get a Dually then...

Cheers,

Stk

[fj12ryder]

Okay, everyone agrees how cool this thing is and it's the best thing since sliced bread. Exactly how long is this thread going to last, or any other thread if everyone agreed on everything?

At least most of the posts have been opinions, observations, and maybe even useful thoughts. As opposed to the posts that are just from snipers, and have no use anywhere, except to make the posters feel good about themselves.

People start threads because they want to see feedback and opinion, at least if they're honest about it anyway.

[Mootpoint]

Sure takes the weight off the bed of the truck and who can complain about having extra storage.
I can see where it could be a problem solver for some.

[Allworth]

So much information. So little knowledge.

[lazydays]

rdhetrick wrote:
Wow, the number of armchair engineers and the amount of speculation never ceases to amaze me.....let alone the statements that are just flat out wrong....

Bingo. Been visiting this site for 10 years and it never changes. Does make for some comic relief.

[fj12ryder]

And of course there are the "experts" who think they are the ultimate arbiter, who may indeed know less than the "armchair engineers". But are convinced otherwise. 🙂

[rdhetrick]

Wow, the number of armchair engineers and the amount of speculation never ceases to amaze me.....let alone the statements that are just flat out wrong....

[marspec]

If it's a solid hook-up to the tow vehicle that puts the leverage point well behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. If, during a panic stop, the total rig is not stopping in a straight line that would put quite a torque on the tow vehicle and probably result in a jackknife, or worse.

[Me_Again]

Reese made a version of this tow dolly in the late 90's. We saw one in Eastern Washington and talked to the guy. He had a F350 with custom aluminum flat bed with two quads side saddle on the truck and a large 5th wheel. He was lacking a spare tire for the dolly, but said he was going to get one. He said it handled great. Snoking