[Shop-talk] Fw: car hauler advise needed

[Ronnie Day]

Just found this (http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm) page which looks like
it has a ton of good info. It also looks like the weight scale this guy
sells is reasonably priced and simple to use.

Ron

On Sat, Jun 23, 2012 at 1:26 PM, Ronnie Day <ronnie.day at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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