brulaz

Well you should be good then. Do report back when you've had more experience with the Toad. I think KR Kodi will. It sounds like a useful device, although I am still concerned about stress on the truck's hitch receiver.

EDIT: Actually I now see that the Trailer Toad axle pivots during a turn. Didn't know that. Should relieve the sideways stress on the hitch receiver that I was worried about.

KR Kodi

iTrader: (1)

Any time you tow a trailer (with or without a Trailer Toad) the trailer's brake system could possibly have problems. Any system on any vehicle can have problems, so it's worth it to properly maintain your trailer just as well as your truck.

My truck has a GCWR of 15500 (and that's for both pulling and stopping capability of the truck), and if I run my truck loaded to its GVWR of 7200, then I could be within Ford's limits pulling an 8300 lb trailer (my Trailer Toad weighs 200 lbs, so let's make it an 8100 lb trailer), which is about 2000 lbs heavier than my trailer all loaded up.

So....according to the Ford specs, I can pull a heavier trailer than what I have. I said "much heavier", but I'll retract that and just say 2000 lbs heavier.



You're absolutely correct!!! The Trailer Toad website says:


Here's a picture of the stabilizers from the Trailer Toad website:




If I add them to my Toad I'll need to weld some brackets on the frame of the tuck to bolt the stabilizer bars onto the truck.

I called Jok Nicholson (the owner of the Tailer Toad company) and he said for a trailer of my weight (less than 10000 lbs) the stabilizer bars are not necessary.

Bob

jeffinthebag

I just don't want you pulling that thing behind me. Good forbid I or someone stop short or any reason. Judgements will way exceed any maximum insurance compensations.

brulaz

I don't think your truck is rated to stop a total of 15500# without a lot of help from the trailer brakes. I think it's rated to stop its GVWR only, not its GCWR.

EDIT: and yes, I can see using the stabilizer bars for heavier trailers, but I didn't realize that the Toad axle itself can turn. That should relieve most if not all sideways stress on the hitch receiver.

LastResort

If he is operating within spec of the tow vehicle, how would this be any different than any other rearender while towing? To you have any examples of someone operating a vehicle with a trailertoad or similar device, having "Judgements will way exceed any maximum insurance compensations". You're big on claims, but short on evidence so far.

sdmartin65

I take it JeffTBL is always a pooper, takes all kinds.

The unit we bought has the stabilizer bars and is way over rated for our application, tongue and gvwr. Looked over setup on website and gonna give it go later this week. Headed to SD on the 16th, can't wait.

KR Kodi

iTrader: (1)

It's kinda hard to find the literal definition of GCWR and how it's determined - a lot of references say "GCWR is what the manufacturer determines...".

One source says: "...the GCWR is not an actual measurement of the weight of a tow vehicle and a trailer, but rather the combined maximum weight limit that the manufacturer has set for the two vehicles once attached."



Essentially when pulling a trailer, the "rig" is one vehicle - and the truck needs help from the tailer's brakes to stop properly.

But, if I maintain my trailer's brakes, if my truck's brake system fails then all I have to do is reach down and squeeze my TBC to use the trailer brakes to stop the entire rig.

So....I guess it's better to pull a trailer than to just go driving the truck around bobtail!!

I'm a lot more worried about other junk looking vehicles I see being driven around by people texting and otherwise looking like they're not very aware of what's going on around them, than I am about my own trailer.

Anytime you're towing you need to make allowances for increased stopping distance.

brulaz

Here's a reference :

Page 6, Braking Section of "2013 Ford RV and Trailer Towing Guide.pdf" available here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...66111022,d.b2U

And I've never had problems with my truck's brake system, but have had several problems with the trailer's brakes. So I'm cautious. Trailer brakes are nowhere near as sophisticated or reliable as what we have in our trucks.

sdmartin65

Excluding Max tow, what's the highest GVWR rating in a new f150?

xcntrk

I think the concern jeffinthebag (bag licker!?) is trying to convey is the potential for the trailer toad to jack-knife in an emergency stop situation. Think about it, severe braking situation, TV stops quicker than the much heavier trailer and the trailer toad unit in-between is on a swivel axle. Trailer runs up on the TV, trailer toad swivels and TV *** end goes sideways.