[Shop-talk] Fw: car hauler advise needed

[Ronnie Day]

First, whatever you end up doing, please share the results here. We just
bought an '02 Suburban for somewhat the same use you're looking at. It's
got the 5.3 LS motor and 3.73 gearing so it should tow pretty much tow
anything we want it to, utility trailer, car trailer or travel trailer.

Anyway, I'd think you'd want to move the load back and forth to get the
optimum tongue weight. Educated guess would be around 60% to 70% of the
rating, but I'd do some research to be sure. Once you figure out where the
truck needs to be, mark the spot some way.

FWIW,
Ron

On Sat, Jun 23, 2012 at 12:23 PM, Matt <mbarre at juno.com> wrote:

> I think the manufacturers purposefully bias their measurements to help
> ensure
> haulers get adequate tongue weight.As a young and foolish teen I recall
> having
> friends help me pull down the tongue on a trailer so I could get it
> hitched!
> Luckily there was no wreck and I learned a good lesson.  I will
> occasionally
> weigh the tongue weight now. If you aren't in a hurry, most manufacturers
> will
> position the axles wherever you want them but you may have to wait and
> maybe a
> little $$.
> Matt
>
>
> ---------- Original Message ----------
> From: "John Niolon" <jniolon at att.net>
> To: "shop-talk" <shop-talk at autox.team.net>
> Subject: [Shop-talk] Fw: car hauler advise needed
> Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2012 11:26:31 -0500
>
> I need some advise on purchasing a car hauler...  vehicle is a '53 Ford
> F-100
> with a fiberglass front clip and a 460 engine
> 15' overall length with 111" wheelbase...   approx weight 3600-3800#  with
> engine weight (700-800# centered pretty much over front axle..... Tow
> vehicle
> is 2008 suburban 5.3L with weight dist. hitch..
>
> looking at several models and pretty much settled on an 18' steel deck w/wo
> dove tail... slide out ramps from the back and other goodies.
>
> I look at the trailers and the forward of axles to back of axles is about a
> 60/40 ratio and that seems to be the consensus on most trailers...
>
> got to thinking... if I pull my truck on the trailer most of the weight
> will
> be well forward of the axles. guessing my truck will be in the 3600-3800
> range
> with the 460 and probably 80% of the weight forward of the trailer axles...
> that seems a little heavy on the front of the trailer and will put too much
> tongue weight out there... look at the sketches below and tell me what you
> think..  this is above my paygrade on math
>
> thanks
> John
>
>
>
> http://jniolon.classicpickup.com/trucksketch.jpg
> http://jniolon.classicpickup.com/bigtex.jpg
>
> I'm sarcastic... what's your superpower ?
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