Towing question

[The Buddha]

OK me and some mexicans hacked off the nearest 1990 F 150 econoline extended body ... make it extra extended body at the firewall, dropped the motor out, tranny, front axle, gas tanks, most of the sheite except the shell and frame.
It will now hold 7 bikes. problem is, I got a 97 F 150 which can tow 12,000 GVW - bikes in trailer and truck with me and some stuff in it = 12K, we are good. except its got insane tounge weight cos the van's xle is so faaaaar back and not at the mid point.
I am thinking of putting in extra leafs in the sheite in the back (BTW the stock leaf springs aren't great anyway ) and I am wondering if that will do.
Cool.
Srinath.

[GeeP]

Man oh man, sounds like a quick way to die to me.  Pickup trucks aren't meant to tow more than a lawn mower trailer, regardless of what the "towing capacity" is.

Bumper pull trailers are supposed to have around 10% tonque weight.  More weight on the towing vehicle is generally better for stability when the weight is transferred over the rear axles ala fifth wheel.  A semi trailer is 50/50 of course and very stable, commercial pintle hitch trailers run 20% or so, but the rear axle is closer to the hitch.)  However, things get interesting when the hitch overhangs the rear axle.  Tongue weight has to be kept low to keep the front wheels on the ground, plus rear end swing can cause trailer stability issues.  (Think wag the dog.)

Srinath, this is what you need:

[pantablo]

OK me and some mexicans hacked off the nearest 1990 F 150 econoline extended body ... make it extra extended body at the firewall, dropped the motor out, tranny, front axle, gas tanks, most of the sheite except the shell and frame.
It will now hold 7 bikes. problem is, I got a 97 F 150 which can tow 12,000 GVW - bikes in trailer and truck with me and some stuff in it = 12K, we are good. except its got insane tounge weight cos the van's xle is so faaaaar back and not at the mid point.
I am thinking of putting in extra leafs in the sheite in the back (BTW the stock leaf springs aren't great anyway ) and I am wondering if that will do.
Cool.
Srinath.

all that was cheaper than buying a used trailer? penny wise, pound foolish.

NO, extra leafs wont help you.

[The Buddha]

Yea clown, try $500 ... and its completely covered, not open nothing.
Extra leafs wont help, well maybe that's why they sell them ---> http://www.mrtruck.net/springs.htm

I ask questions but that doesn't mean I dunno sheite ... I have been towing the bloody thing around town for practice he last week.
Cool.
Srinath.

[spc]

srinath, you are quite possibly the biggest redneck ever!!!
Wanna buy a broke ass gixxer?

[The Buddha]

Yup, heard that one before.
The advantage of being a van - real suspension in the back, not just a spring, even better, its got windows still, we can toss a bed in there and camp or just gheto RV it. the total weight is good, just tounge weight seems to be high, and I may have killed my truck's suspension by always running it with extra ton of crap in the back.
Cool.
Srinath.

[pantablo]

Yea clown, try $500 ... and its completely covered, not open nothing.
Extra leafs wont help, well maybe that's why they sell them ---> http://www.mrtruck.net/springs.htm

I ask questions but that doesn't mean I dunno sheite ... I have been towing the bloody thing around town for practice he last week.
Cool.
Srinath.

if you have the answers, dont ask the questions...

[scottpA_GS]

Now there has to be pics of this.. I demand pics of this redneck tailor 

[darb85]

Leafs might work but also maybe adding another axel maybe? dont know how possible that would be but you want to center that weight as much as possible over the axel which might help lower the tounge weight slightly

[ben2go]

load leveler,stablizer bars,I'd really have to see the situation to make a real call on what would help

[davipu]

put the front axle back in the van, and hook up a flat towing rig.  like you whould use behind a RV.  airbags are a option and are a 2 hour install kind of thing.   half ton frames are not made to take that kind of weight when you brake and flex and can snap in half.  and brakes how do you plan to stop with 12k? your truck will lock all four tires and slide with that much trailer pushing behind it.   the problem with tounge weight and braking is when you brake the momentum shifts forward and will weigh down the rear of the truck, if you are already overloaded it will lift the front axle off the ground and you can't steer or stop.   if you want to get a rental truck, i'll drive it, you pay gas and buy me transportation tickets from here to there and back.

[Ceek]

    besides all the other "should not do this because" stuff that has been stated before this.....  does it ever rain where you're at?  If it does or if there is just wet pavement for what ever reason, if you tap your brakes, you will find yourself doing 360's if you have any weight in that trailered thing.


ceek