***CRIMSON RED DAILY THREAD***

[SUPERCOACH]

I have something to add on securing the tractor on the trailer, or any load for that matter.  I'm sure you guys already know this, but some of the people who stumble upon this thread may not.

Balance is critical here.  If you get the tractor too close to the front, there will be a lot of down pressure on the hitch which will cause the front suspension to lift, in turn giving you less traction for steering.  Think of a seesaw with the back wheels being the pivot point.  The back bumper goes down, and the front wheels go up.  On the other hand, if you put the tractor too far back, then the trailer will lift the hitch and rear suspension, which will make you susceptible to fish tailing.  This is like a seesaw with an adult lifting up on one end, causing the back wheels to have less traction in this case.

I know a guy who recently totaled his truck because he loaded the tractor too close to the front.  He hit a bump in the road, the front started bouncing, he lost control, then jackknifed and slid into the other lane and off into the ditch.  His front tires wouldn't "bite" when he tried to steer out of it.  Fortunately they were OK, but it scared them pretty good.  He knew better, he just got in a hurry and wasn't paying close enough attention when he loaded the tractor.  The trailer was also damaged, but the tractor was OK.  He had it tied down pretty good, he just didn't have it balanced properly.

When the balance is just right, you will have some down pressure on the hitch, but not too much.  Depending on how heavy the load is and how strong you are, a couple of guys might be able to lift the front of the trailer up by their selves.  If the front wants to lift real easy, or worse, goes up by itself you are headed for trouble.  Also once you have it on the hitch and start letting it down, watch the suspension.  If you see any tendency for the truck to "wheelie" then you have the tractor too far to the front of the trailer.  The back suspension will go down some, but it should not come close to bottoming out.  If you see the front going up at all you are headed for trouble.  This means the back has bottomed out and is now acting as a pivot point to raise the front.

This next part doesn't apply here, but if anyone is using a home made trailer you better be sure it is designed properly.  The wheels of the trailer need to be slightly aft of the center point of the trailer bed (not including the tongue).  60% to 65% is a good rule of thumb.  I have seen lots of home made trailers where the wheels are way too far to the back, even at the end.  This makes it impossible to balance the load properly, and you will always be susceptible to losing control.

Stay safe everybody.

[XBAMA]

pm

I think I peemed you back      

[ssmith general]

I have something to add on securing the tractor on the trailer, or any load for that matter.  I'm sure you guys already know this, but some of the people who stumble upon this thread may not.

Balance is critical here.  If you get the tractor too close to the front, there will be a lot of down pressure on the hitch which will cause the front suspension to lift, in turn giving you less traction for steering.  Think of a seesaw with the back wheels being the pivot point.  The back bumper goes down, and the front wheels go up.  On the other hand, if you put the tractor too far back, then the trailer will lift the hitch and rear suspension, which will make you susceptible to fish tailing.  This is like a seesaw with an adult lifting up on one end, causing the back wheels to have less traction in this case.

I know a guy who recently totaled his truck because he loaded the tractor too close to the front.  He hit a bump in the road, the front started bouncing, he lost control, then jackknifed and slid into the other lane and off into the ditch.  His front tires wouldn't "bite" when he tried to steer out of it.  Fortunately they were OK, but it scared them pretty good.  He knew better, he just got in a hurry and wasn't paying close enough attention when he loaded the tractor.  The trailer was also damaged, but the tractor was OK.  He had it tied down pretty good, he just didn't have it balanced properly.

When the balance is just right, you will have some down pressure on the hitch, but not too much.  Depending on how heavy the load is and how strong you are, a couple of guys might be able to lift the front of the trailer up by their selves.  If the front wants to lift real easy, or worse, goes up by itself you are headed for trouble.  Also once you have it on the hitch and start letting it down, watch the suspension.  If you see any tendency for the truck to "wheelie" then you have the tractor too far to the front of the trailer.  The back suspension will go down some, but it should not come close to bottoming out.  If you see the front going up at all you are headed for trouble.  This means the back has bottomed out and is now acting as a pivot point to raise the front.

This next part doesn't apply here, but if anyone is using a home made trailer you better be sure it is designed properly.  The wheels of the trailer need to be slightly aft of the center point of the trailer bed (not including the tongue).  60% to 65% is a good rule of thumb.  I have seen lots of home made trailers where the wheels are way too far to the back, even at the end.  This makes it impossible to balance the load properly, and you will always be susceptible to losing control.

Stay safe everybody.

Thank you, a lot of good tips in there.  I should add that I am pulling this with a f-250, 7.3L diesel that is made for hauling.  When I was in California I pulled 10lbs of sand or gravel across LA several times.   I also pull my sailboat, which is not very balanced and weird to pull.  Not to mention all the water buffalo's I've hauled at work. 

[BAMAWV]

I loaded a trailer (and the bed of the truck) with composted manure. I had them load until the tires bulged. On the way home I ran through a springtime "pop up" thunderstorm. The "gully washer" added weight exponentially. It was a nightmare crossing the mountain, but going down I almost burned up a set of brakes. Good tips, SC.

[ssmith general]

I loaded a trailer (and the bed of the truck) with composted manure. I had them load until the tires bulged. On the way home I ran through a springtime "pop up" thunderstorm. The "gully washer" added weight exponentially. It was a nightmare crossing the mountain, but going down I almost burned up a set of brakes. Good tips, SC.

I've heard stories about pallets of bentonite getting wet on trailers and smashing the whole thing.  Sounds like driller wives tale to me.

[ricky023]

General you are doing some serious hauling man, always take time to be careful. RTR!

[2Stater]

Happy trails.................

[BAMAWV]

I loaded a trailer (and the bed of the truck) with composted manure. I had them load until the tires bulged. On the way home I ran through a springtime "pop up" thunderstorm. The "gully washer" added weight exponentially. It was a nightmare crossing the mountain, but going down I almost burned up a set of brakes. Good tips, SC.

I've heard stories about pallets of bentonite getting wet on trailers and smashing the whole thing.  Sounds like driller wives tale to me.

They are in moisture proof/resistant bags and shrink wrapped. But if they did...! Or barite. Hauling the wet manure taught me a lesson. Like hauling a hot tub or two of extra weight.

[XBAMA]

talking about hauling a load ?

boy ! this has been a day ...
about 2pm I decided to run to the bank and when I got there this is what I found in line ahead of me

and no it wouldn't fit under the drive thru and yes he started to back up and I had to run for my life
or he would have backed over the top of me  
that's the commercial lane , yes the inside was open , yes I ask myself .. why didn't he go inside ?

what makes people do stuff like this ?

[BAMAWV]

^camoflauge?

1st

[SUPERCOACH]

Last.

[ssmith general]

GM

I just learned the emoticons are case sensitive.

[BAMAWV]

Last.

"Morning SC" I thought that maybe the screen was watching you, instead of the other way around.lol

[ssmith general]

We had some storms roll through here about 2.  I havent really been back to sleep since then.  I need to find some rainy day activity.  I cant sleep when I dont do anything.

[BAMAWV]

We had some storms roll through here about 2.  I havent really been back to sleep since then.  I need to find some rainy day activity.  I cant sleep when I dont do anything.

So you got your tooth bar?

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