Towing Help??

[T Hall]

I just purchased a 1994 Chevy dually with a 454 and I am very dissapointed with the pull. I am pulling a 26ft W&M with my Nova Big block, tools and scooter. On take off, it is a pig, especially on any type of a grade. My Z71 with a 5.7 vortec pulled better. Any worth while power advice? I have some under drive pullies that I still need to put on, maybe exhaust.

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

Bob, get the 16" wheels & tires on the new trailer. You can usually order the 6 hole 16. The brakes are the same on the 5k and 6k axles. The diff is the outer bearing and 6 or 8 lugs. And don't get the 'st' tires. They are really bad.

Jeff, correct me if I'm wrong, but 6k and 7k brakes are the same. 5k is a smaller size, unless there is a bigger optional brake assembly.
Although I haven't researched it further, I was told that 6k drums have smaller wheel studs than 7k!
Might as well get 8 lug 16" wheels because they may be easier to find replacements for.

[BlueOval Ralph]

5000 lb 10" dia 2" wide
5000/
6000 lb 12" dia 2" wide
7500 lb 12 3/8" 2.5" wide

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Jeff, correct me if I'm wrong, but 6k and 7k brakes are the same. 5k is a smaller size, unless there is a bigger optional brake assembly.
Although I haven't researched it further, I was told that 6k drums have smaller wheel studs than 7k!
Might as well get 8 lug 16" wheels because they may be easier to find replacements for.

[Dick Butler]

Correct Air pressure before leaving the garage. If low fix the tire.... Pack bearings every year worked for me.
(Had an employee who felt a low tire should be just aired up for a trip not diagnosed result- blow out because lost air again on road)( on the road in Snow Storm to do a show)

[Bill Harris]

AMEN Dick Butler!! The pressure in these trailer tires is absolutely the most important aspect of towing our junk.

I'm unfortunate that I didn't do my research before buying my trailer and have two 5200 lb axles on a 26 footer. It came with Goodyear Marathon and I blew the hell out of tires trip after trip. I discovered this notice from Goodyear:

http://goodyear.com/rv/pdf/marathon_gen_info_032806.pdf

I run the 15" ST225 tire at 70psi cold. Since then I monitor the tire pressure EVERY time I stop and EVERY time before pulling out to or from a race. I even pull over into rest areas occasionally just to check the tires. Since then, I have not had a single blow out (knock on wood... next trip I'm doomed). I also try to pull no faster than 65, and NEVER go over 70 (fortunately my motorhome is hard pressed to go that fast unless its falling off a cliff).

Next trailer will have the heaviest load rated axles and tires I can get even if I'm not hauling anywhere near the rated load.

Don't skimp on the axles and tires!!!

[njk53]

A 2500 series Chevrolet with a 6.0L V8 towing capacity:

2WD w/3.73 Axle - 8,500 lbs.
2WD w/4.10 Axle - 10,500 lbs.

4WD w/3.73 Axle - 8,100 lbs.
4WD w/4.10 Axle - 10,100 lbs.

A 3500 series dually/diesel w/4.10 Axle is good for 15,000 lbs.

My brother and I had gone through the same thing you are going through.

We bit the bullet and bought a nice used Chevrolet 2WD diesel dually crew cab pick up with 4.10 axle and are glad we did. We pull a 35ft. goose neck trailer. It has plenty of power and braking capacity. We weigh around 10,000 lbs, that includes car, trailer, and equipment.
The added safety and piece of mind was well worth the money.

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Longbob

The brakes are the same on the 5,200 lb, 6,000 lb, and the 7,000 lb Dexter axles (maybe the other manufacturers also). The outside bearings are the smaller ones and the same on the 5,200 lb and 6,000 lb. I believe the only difference is the 6 lug vs 8 lug on the 6,000 lb.

My dad and I just swapped the 5,200 lb drums for the 7,000 lb drums on our trailers and they are an exact fit. The 7,000 lb have the bigger outside bearing like Jeff Teuton mentioned and we were able to put much better 16" tires on the trailer.

Don't overlook the advantage that the bigger bearing may bring because we were having a lot of trouble with the smaller one on one of the trailers.

I guess I put my foot in my mouth! I had 3,500lb axles on my mind. (Sorry Jeff/Thanks Longbob)

I got 6k axles on my 26' Pace even though I never plan on loading it to more than 10k.Too many issues with 15" tires. Even so, I bit the bullet for a used 2004.5 Dodge diesel dually so I have an extra safey margin with braking and stability. I learned long ago and in many ways that it's not worth getting something that is "adequate". It will cost more in the long run.

[Bobby Brannon]

Bob, please give me a call @ 318-422-4646. I need to run something by you

[Joe Martens]

Originally Posted by Bill Harris

AMEN Dick Butler!! The pressure in these trailer tires is absolutely the most important aspect of towing our junk.

I'm unfortunate that I didn't do my research before buying my trailer and have two 5200 lb axles on a 26 footer. It came with Goodyear Marathon and I blew the hell out of tires trip after trip. I discovered this notice from Goodyear:

http://goodyear.com/rv/pdf/marathon_gen_info_032806.pdf

I run the 15" ST225 tire at 70psi cold. Since then I monitor the tire pressure EVERY time I stop and EVERY time before pulling out to or from a race. I even pull over into rest areas occasionally just to check the tires. Since then, I have not had a single blow out (knock on wood... next trip I'm doomed). I also try to pull no faster than 65, and NEVER go over 70 (fortunately my motorhome is hard pressed to go that fast unless its falling off a cliff).

Next trailer will have the heaviest load rated axles and tires I can get even if I'm not hauling anywhere near the rated load.

Don't skimp on the axles and tires!!!

Bill, you might want to upgrade to a 16 in. tire.. I kept having problems with the 15 in. tires then decided to bite the bullet and upgraded to a 16 in. Worth the piece of mind!

It might have been Jeff Teuton that said the cheapest 16 in. tire is better than the best 15 in. tire.

[Bobby Brannon]

Bob please send me another email:
bobbybrannon@bbhac.com


Seem to be having trouble with your email.

Thanks