I'm Confused

[DobeBus]

Originally Posted by Forkyfork

The 55 mph doesn't mean the engine cant handle it, it means the wibble wobble will pucker your butt. I overloaded my Colorado just putting too much stuff in the bed. Oh my that was exciting.

I see a lot of talk about how much a truck can tow. The most important thing to consider is how much can your truck STOP

[Jcarlson]

I have an 18ft pontoon on a 25ft trailer that I haul around once in a while. Now granted that's only about 2500lbs but my TB moves it like nobodies business.

Dobebus is right. I can pull the Space Shuttle down the road too, but can I stop it?

I'll just save my pennies and buy a Class C.

[Forkyfork]

Originally Posted by DobeBus

I see a lot of talk about how much a truck can tow. The most important thing to consider is how much can your truck STOP

With trailer brakes it makes a huge difference. The wibble wobble at 55 is a sure thing no matter how balanced you think your trailer is. It actually starts at 50 becomes an out of control situation at 55. It is a long drive at 50mph. Ive been that dumb more than once.

[DobeBus]

Originally Posted by Forkyfork

With trailer brakes it makes a huge difference. The wibble wobble at 55 is a sure thing no matter how balanced you think your trailer is. It actually starts at 50 becomes an out of control situation at 55. It is a long drive at 50mph. Ive been that dumb more than once.

A lot of times that wobble is caused by uneven tire inflation on the trailer. I learned the hard way. Nobody hurt but was pretty hairy for about 30 seconds

[Forkyfork]

Originally Posted by Jcarlson

I have an 18ft pontoon on a 25ft trailer that I haul around once in a while. Now granted that's only about 2500lbs but my TB moves it like nobodies business.

Dobebus is right. I can pull the Space Shuttle down the road too, but can I stop it?

I'll just save my pennies and buy a Class C.

My Outlander pulls my Bennington 2275FS like its nothing. Its 22x 8.5 ft and the trailer is almost 28 ft long. Its heavier than your set up and I had brakes put on the trailer even though it wasn't required because I knew I was going to be towing with a lighter vehicle.

Im not sure where you are looking. I had to drive 650 miles to find what I liked for the price I was willing to pay. I also started out looking at MH under $20,000 and quickly upped the budget. I found that I would be putting 10K into it anyway and may as well save myself the trouble and start out ahead.

[dayle1]

Originally Posted by DobeBus

I see a lot of talk about how much a truck can tow. The most important thing to consider is how much can your truck STOP

Not really an issue, trailer axles have brakes rated to stop the same weight they are rated to carry. In normal use, the tow vehicle brakes should not be needed to stop the trailer. If they are, then the trailer is pushing the tow vehicle during the stop which can lead to loss of steering control. That also means that if the trailer gets into a sway condition, then brakes alone will not stop the sway.


The trailer brakes and controller should be set to act as a drag on the tow vehicle when stopping. That keeps the trailer behind the tow vehicle rather than trying to pass it.


If done right, the tow vehicle brakes should last longer than if the vehicle was just a solo vehicle. My last tv, at 100k miles still had plenty of life left on the original brake pads.