From: David Cole (DavidCole@tk7.net)
Date: Sun Feb 01 2004 - 07:35:22 PST
I've flat towed vehicles several times and I don't like it at all. It can
be done, but sometimes the towed vehicle doesn't want to turn if it's front
tire hits a rock and turns the other way, and backing up is nearly
impossible. Even the military puts pretty strict speed limits on flat
towing trucks. IMO, when flat towing the two vehicle needs to be as big or
bigger than the towed vehicle. This is due to the fact that when the towed
vehicle gets out of control - ie the tires go the wrong way - the towing
vehicle can have enough brute force to drag the towed vehicle where ever it
needs to go, even if the towed vehicles tires are not in line.
I have a 5 ton tag trailer and I have rented several times a MacLander 30
foot gooseneck with an elevating dove tail, loading legs. I much prefer
the gooseneck. The trailer is rated for 30K lbs and is a tandem dual axle
setup. I have to say it is the nicest trailer I have ever pulled. I had
my M51 5 ton truck on it with other parts (approximately 24,000 lbs) and
it pulled like a dream. The trailer tires looked like they could take
another 10K lbs no problem. With the gooseneck you can turn it around in
less than the length of the trailer and truck combined.
I think the ideal vehicle trailering setup would be, a MacLander gooseneck
with a heavy tow vehicle such as a Ford F550 Super Duty Diesel, or a used
Semi tractor turned RV (get a big sleeper) with the 5th wheel removed and a
ball installed. (Again to avoid the DOT cops).
Just my opinion.
Dave
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 00:28:44 -0500 (EST), <frey2@eng.usf.edu> wrote:
> But to do so would require the purchase of a trailer and a 5th wheel
> receiver. I have the 7 prong plug for trailer brakes.
> This is pricier yet ideal set up.
> I could use this electric/hyraulic actuator
> http://www.preproassembly.com/ebs/hs5main.htm to power the hyrdualic
> system by
> tapping into the line between the master cylinder and the air/hyraulic
> actuator,
> but its highest rating is at 1600 psi, the air system on the duece is
> 2600 psi.
> so the hydrualic actuator alone would not be enough. that i why you would
> need
> to mount a compressor from a custom air ride suspension system b/c they
> are
> high volume and around 150 psi to the 1 ton. I see no need for a tank on
> the 1
> ton beacuse you can use the tanks on the duece for volume.
>
> Another set up would be to use a tounge mounted surge brake like this one
> http://www.atwoodmobile.com/Products/chassis/hybrake.cfm
> with the same set up minus the tow truck needing an electroni controller.
>
> either way i think it is possible to get the full power of the duece's
> brakes
> working in conjunction w/ the 1 tons. Which would then make it some
> what safe
> to especially in the mountains.
>
> a problem i see though is how to mount the tow bar so it wont fold over
> an run
> up the back of the 1 ton truck
>
> And lastly the best option, i could just get another truck and tow em
> like Ken's
> set up.
> -Nic
>
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-- Dave
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