pulling a trailer with a lowered truck/sub

[mr andrerson]

Hey all,

I am looking to pick up a cool little vintage trailer to pull behind my 65. Currently Im running a static mild drop with no frame mods (c-notch/z) and i feel like the truck would be up for the task. My question is... are any of y'all running a low static or bagged modified frame in front of a trailer? I know its been talked about on here that a pipe notch will significantly reduce the frames strength, but how about a step notch? Dino's dually is super sweet, but I dont quite have those fab skillz yet. How low can you go and still be able to pull your sock drawer with you?

[vin63]

Before I tore down my '63 for this recent build up, I used to pull our 16.5' two-horse straight load trailer hauling our Shire draft horse - ~6K pounds. I have one of Valley's Class V receivers and weight distribution hitch. My chassis has the CPP C-notch kit.

[mr andrerson]

Vin,

thats a whole lot of trailer! did it ever feel squirrelly? did it ever feel like it was more than the truck could handle?

[vin63]

There's a dressing/tack room at the front of the trailer with a 40 gallon water tank, so there was always plenty of tongue weight...it was a pretty smooth haul aside from my horse kicking the load ramp when he felt the trip was taking too long. I did use a larger capacity set of double fluted air springs in the rear - similar to what is used for the front air springs.

[Clyde65]

I have air bags on my SWB 65, I pull a 69 Lo Liner and a pickup bed trailer sometimes. The bags were essential for the travel trailer since I had a 4" spring drop and it would bottom out, making steering interesting.
Two bags with cups, lines and 2 schreader valves, I run 45 with no load and 65 with load ( I think that's right)

[mr andrerson]

vin, I bet having a horse out back makes for interesting travels do you have any pics of your set up before you tore it down? did you see any frame distortion once you tore it down? hows it coming currently?


clyde, that lo liner is exactly what im looking for!! (hopefully i can get one minus the water damage) but your repairs look great! have you pulled it any distance yet? did you modify your frame at all?

[vin63]

Here's the rear of my frame and receiver when I relocated the battery and just before I stripped it down and painted it. When our horse was younger, he did a lot of kicking in the trailer, he's really good in the trailer today. The worst was I had to fabricate a secondary door lock since he learned how to open the locked trailer side door (his dam was an escape artist, so he learned that from her).

[mr andrerson]

vin, man that looks nice!! the battery box and rear tank are sweet!! it looks like you welded in the c notch kit...are you happy with it? If i may ask why did you tear it down? just to paint? thanks for the pic, its given me a little more confidence about pulling a trailer with a modified frame.

[Clyde65]

clyde, that lo liner is exactly what im looking for!! (hopefully i can get one minus the water damage) but your repairs look great! have you pulled it any distance yet? did you modify your frame at all?[/QUOTE]


No frame modifications other than a hidden hitch.
The water damage is pretty typical from what I am hearing. I pulled it from San Angelo Tx to Fort Worth Tx. 3.5 hour drive. This is why I put it on air.

[LT1 Burb]

I pulled this 28' Holiday Rambler with a 14' slide and it pulled fine, bags all around.

[Clyde65]

Show off!!

[mr andrerson]

LT1, Thats way cool man!!

How does it pull? have you done any frame mods?

[LT1 Burb]

Originally Posted by mr andrerson

LT1, Thats way cool man!!

How does it pull? have you done any frame mods?

No frame mods, only bags, but disclaimer, I have a CDL and know my limits. This trailer was heavy and I was only able to do 55 and when semis blew by you, you knew it. I would upsize the tow vehicle to reduce the stress.

[mr andrerson]

so I gather a 28' is pretty much at the limits then? Thats good to know as i start looking around for a trailer. thanks for the replies.

[nsb29]

has any one pulled a fifth wheel ??

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by mr andrerson

so I gather a 28' is pretty much at the limits then? Thats good to know as i start looking around for a trailer. thanks for the replies.

Depends on how/where you are driving and how your truck is set up. Example:

My one ton with the front springs cut a little bit (technically lowered), going down a slow road with low traffic without any big grades? I'd pull A LOT of weight before I thought twice about it.

A shortbed C-10 with jeep springs going down a major highway with big grades? Well...I'd much rather not have any trailer at all!

[vin63]

Originally Posted by mr andrerson

so I gather a 28' is pretty much at the limits then? Thats good to know as i start looking around for a trailer. thanks for the replies.

In my case, it would be more about trailer stability and braking. My 462 ci Pontiac makes HP and TQ on par with my Duramax, so pulling is not the issue, it's more about the half-ton chassis and braking capacity. Even with the electric trailer brakes and anti-sway bar, the high profile sides of the horse trailer (7'-6" interior height), could get a little unnerving in high winds at 16.5' length. If my horse trailer was any longer, I wouldn't pull it with my C-10...I would pull it with my dually.

[Clyde65]

No but I am pulling this now...

[mr andrerson]

66 submarine, yeah I get what you are saying, and it's what I suspected....I just put this post up to have some confirmation before making a mistake on the purchase of a trailer.

Vin63... that make sense also. these comments are confirming my thoughts, and hopefully will clarifiy for others reading this.