5 replies to this topic

[Brian Ghidinelli]

[Until we have a dedicated trailer/towing forum... ]
I'm looking at getting a bigger trailer for races further away from home. Currently I have a 27' tag with living quarters but it's combined with the cargo area like a toy hauler. To put the beds down requires unloading the car which is fine for tracks close to home but not practical if we're towing longer distances.

I tow with an 03 Dodge 2500 SRW diesel - 350hp and 555ft-lbs of torque; the power is not the issue with the truck and a bigger trailer, it's all in pin weight and rear axle limits. I previously towed a 2-car steel 40' Pace gooseneck trailer that was about 15k lbs but we could load it in such a way to keep the weight on the pin right about the max and it was very manageable to drive, brake, etc. I'd prefer not to tow near the limit and understand the risk of doing so but the truck is my daily driver and I'm stuck with that compromise at this time. A dually isn't an option.

I'm looking at going back to a ~40-44' gooseneck with 8-10' living quarters to gain more cargo space and dedicated sleep space. I'd like to know if anyone has taken a similar setup across the scales and can share axle weight vs. pin weight? I know many factors will change things but I'm particularly curious about how heavy the living quarters is with water tanks/etc up front? I'm trying to answer if it will be an overall net increase or decrease in pin weight compared to having a second SM in the trailer.

I'm pretty sure an aluminum trailer would be fine; what I'm not sure about are the steel trailers like Haulmark, Vintage, Pace, etc? That would open up a lot more used trailer opportunities on racingjunk/etc if steel trailers would fit my GAWR limits.

Thanks!

[Adam Molaver]

i've got a 32' triple axle tag w/full bath and loaded w/1 car, pit bike, 2 extra sets of wheels/tires, 26" toolbox, fuel cans, full fresh tank, etc, is right around 13K. the two gooses i've considered (both steel) with 'real' LQ (bed/kitchen/bath), one 40' the other 44', looked like they would be around 17K and 19K. i know thats probably not extremely helpful as those are estimates not scale tickets, but hopefully it gives you some idea. if a 15K put you near the limits, i think the 44' is probably not an option unless its AL (w/o getting a bigger truck). i see people pulling rigs like that and it always makes me nervous. stopping distances are long enough already...

ahm

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Thanks Adam - I am hauling a 27' tag with full bath right now and pretty similar gear and weights. Was that 17k/19k estimate based on the stated weight by the trailer manuf or some other estimate? My experience with curb weights is that they are far, far from real.

[steveracer]

Adam,

What brand is your triple tag?

Are you happy with it, or wish it was bigger? How much holding tank cap. does it carry?

[Adam Molaver]

i've got a pace 'shadow gt'. i bought it used and the vin plate says GVWR is 15K - i think its heavy as hell, ~9K empty. the 17/19k was recollection of talking to other folks who had scaled - i could be suffering from CRS...

i've got a 50gal fresh tank i think. i think the length is ok, but wish a cabinet the previous owner installed wasn't there (it would then fit 2 cars). unfortunately, the water heater is in that cabinet, so moving/removing it will be a little bit of a project.

i wish i had a goose, but when i bought this trailer, i was pulling with a diesel E350 van so that wasn't an option. of course, i've since upgraded to a dually, but invested so much time and effort into this trailer i'm reticent to go through the sell/buy process.

all that said and somewhat random aside - i managed to gouge a hole in one of the AL siding panels on the trailer. anyone have a suggestion for where to source a panel? my friendly neighborhood pace dealer quoted me 3x what pace says is MSRP..and that does not include installation.

ahm

[steveracer]

I would look up an OTR truck and trailer repair place.

They'll probably be a whole lot more reasonably priced, and thrilled to work on a trailer that isn't 3.5' off the ground.

Good luck!