RLGetman wrote:
Thanks again for all the inputs on braking. I personally feel that the weak link in my F450 dually with an 18,500lb 5er is the braking system. I drive extremely careful with as big a safety envelope as possible. I still fear the day I have to do an emergency stop. My next upgrade will have the disc brakes. Good Luck Everyone!
Your in a spot that I would not want to be in. A couple of things I look at, one is max trailer is 2x the graw of the TV. So if you have at least a 10K RA on the 450, a 20K trailer is good.
Sounds like you are ok on the general handling. Braking on the otherhand.....not so much.
One, check and make sure EVERYTHING in your current trailer brake system is in great shape. An 05, depending upon the miles you drive, currently brake how often etc, may have or be close to wearing out the shoes, and too thin of drums. If you do not adjust at least once a year, or more, again depending upon the miles driven, your shoes may be out of adjustment. I shoot for 7-8 clicks back from full lock up when spinning the tire in reverse. IIRC it is 10-12 for electric brakes, 3-5 for surge.
Do you have one of the newer what I will call top 3 brake controllers? not a lower end time only controller. If not, get a new controller, unless you have a built in one. That is probably THE BEST option.
At the end of the day. It is probably cheaper to replace your trailers brakes, and better than a new tow rig. A 550 or 650 will not stop any quicker per say if the trailers brakes are the weak link. You will spend many more $$$ than the truck upgrade is worth. The brake replacement would be first choice.
Other option, is upgrade the trailer per say, to one that already HAS the electric over hydraulic disk brakes, one hopefully with anti locks vs not. This would be a way better option than upgrading the truck, $ for $ spent. Rebraking the current trailer, probably the #1 for cheap option, possibly #2 from the best braking option, depending upon the type of brakes you can get in a redo option. #3 is not an option I would consider, that would be just the truck upgrade. I've been pushed thru too many intersections when the trailer brakes have not worked as they should, so a bigger truck/braking is not always the best option vs getting the trailer brakes working correctly!
Just my 02 on what I would do, just remember how much you paid for this 02!
Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
