Towing the maximum load

[t-bone]

Just wanted to let you guys know about the experience my wife and I had yesterday towing a maximum load of 9500 lbs. with my new truck (550 miles) and going a distance of 28 miles with the "big tow" package. I also had installed before we left an electronic power brake control for the trailer. We started out great going 40 mph, but then all hell broke loose. As soon as I got her up over 40 mph the trailer and equipment that I was hauling started to fish-tail like crazy. Needless to say, my wife "flipped out" and I was not a happy man. The only way I could stop it was to use the manual brake control to get the trailer to stop fish-tailing. As long as I didn't go over 40 mph, everything went OK. Lesson learned.

[PA Titan]

You do know that a weight distributing hitch and sway controll are recommended for towing. The manual says to WD on any trailer over 5000lbs.

[overdose]

550 miles on your truck and already towing 9,500? Dude it's a truck, need you not break in the engine? You're asking for it bro.

[Big Platinum]

pulling 9500 you DEFINITELY need a weight distributing hitch, my brother in law had similiar problems pulling his 9000lb trailer with a brand new F-250 Powerstroke until he got the new hitch.

[carbap82]

Just one question, can you explain how a hitch can distribute weight? Not saying it cant be done, just wanting to know

[Big Platinum]

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=999T4-A6020

pretty self explanatory, instead of just resting on a ball, uses metal rods to control the swaying.

[PA Titan]

I have never used one but if you search Reese hitchs, Hidden Hitch, Etc on the internet they have photos of how it works. the hitch has a bar that goes width wise and bars and chains that come off it and attach to the trailer on each side of the trailers draw bar. I know someone who uses them can explain it better but I will try. The chains and bars pull the trailer-hitch-tow vehicle level instead of the weight being carried on the trucks rear axle like a conventional hitch. This distributes the weight equally accross the whole rig using the carring capacity of the front wheels and placing a percentage of the weight on them (33%?). Since the weight is now distributed it helps steer the tow vehicle instead working against it.

[pciley]

Exactly! Much safer, not just for cruising at 55, but for braking, turning, emergency maneuvers, etc.

Better fuel economy, tire wear, easier on your suspension (front and rear).
Nothing worse then seeing a lifted truck pulling 7k or 8k with the front wheels almost in the air and the a$$ end dragging behind.

[titanjbc]

Please, please read the section in the Owner's Manual on towing. Although the marketing says that the truck can tow 9500#, there's a few "buts" in there. You have to take into consideration the weight of the passengers, fuel, any equipment in the bed, etc. As said here, you MUST use a WD hitch, which transfers weight to the front axle of the Titan and axles of the trailer.

I tow a 6000# trailer and I was right at the GVWR of the truck (I weighed my rig at the truck scales).

Also, what kind of trailer is it? Boat, RV, other? How long is it? I use a WD and sway control system for my 24' trailer. If your trailer is longer (say 28'+), that could be the reason for fishtailing. The other is that there's not enough weight forward of the trailer.

[StumpZ]

Just think, there are hundreds of people like this guy ready to take off for the July 4th
weekend and will be on the road. Please learn a little about towing before you slap on a 9,500 pound trailer behind any kind of tow vehicle! Especially if I'm driving up behind you with my famiily in my truck. Jeesh....

[JS02]

He may also want to look at his trailer. I have pulled 9500# without a weightdistributing hitch and have had no problem at all. The hitch will make it better. If the trailer whips abaove 40 mph there could be other problems too.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by StumpZ

Just think, there are hundreds of people like this guy ready to take off for the July 4th
weekend and will be on the road. Please learn a little about towing before you slap on a 9,500 pound trailer behind any kind of tow vehicle! Especially if I'm driving up behind you with my famiily in my truck. Jeesh....

Yeah, it is good to be alert. I was following (at a respectful distance) a guy towing a trailer the other day. It was a flat trailer designed to tow a car, but he had put sides on it with what looked like particle board (not a good choice for something exposed to the elements). The wind started to blow, and his trailer started to come apart right on the highway, with big hunks of particle board blowing all over the place.

[dcwinters]

Weight distribution bars are a must with that much weight! Also, sounds like you don't have enought tongue. You need 10% at least! That's 900 plus pounds. Here again load leveling bars, a must.

[Davace97]

Nice first post. Read the manual. The section about the break-in procedure first, and then the part about towing.

[overdose]

Originally Posted by Davace97

Nice first post. Read the manual. The section about the break-in procedure first, and then the part about towing.

EXACTLY!