Cargo Trailers

[clg113]

What kinda of car do y'all have that get kinda gas mileage?

2014 Ford Focus SE.

 

[Rayner]

Good advice clg113. The F450 diesel has a towing capacity of something like 30,000 lbs. As for the fifth wheel, I've seen the goose-neck style that requires a hole in the bed or a device (can't recall the nomenclature) that operates like the type used on a big-rig:

That looks fancy, no rust or scratches or mud, nothing. The local fire department has a ford 750, crew cab, with pro-tec diamond plate on the back with all of firefighters gear inside.

 

[wanderer03]

Good advice clg113. The F450 diesel has a towing capacity of something like 30,000 lbs. As for the fifth wheel, I've seen the goose-neck style that requires a hole in the bed or a device (can't recall the nomenclature) that operates like the type used on a big-rig:

That would be what I'd like. Something similar to a big rig. Wow, I had no idea the F450 was capable of that kind of towing. Surely for hotshot work, that should be plenty adequate, yes?

 

[wanderer03]

Just for giggles I enjoy looking at the Ford site and "building" vehicles to my specs . . . if I could ever afford it. Here's what the spec is for a base F450 XL:

Max. When Properly Equipped
Payload: 5,300 lbs
Towing: 31,200 lbs

That "properly equipped" usually consists of a tow package. Those turbo diesels are beasts and could move a house if need be, so the there really isn't much prep work needed.

If you're bored, you can build one yourself:

http://www.ford.com/

I'm a Ford man through and through! The look of the F450 dually is beautiful. Of course, I'd need an auxillary fuel tank in addition to the tow package. That 31.2K towing capacity is perfect.

 

[Rayner]

I'm a Ford man through and through! The look of the F450 dually is beautiful. Of course, I'd need an auxillary fuel tank in addition to the tow package. That 31.2K towing capacity is perfect.

I've own both a Chevy and a Ford. Nothing so far has ever beat the dependability of my two feet, maybe as I get older that will change.

 

[Nitro]

I designed,built and drove commercial tow vehicles over the years. The rule of thumb in that part of the industry is to never haul more than twice the GVW of the tow rig. Too much weight on the rear of a truck tends to try to steer a towtruck from the rear and makes stopping it damned near impossible. Too much weight carried on the rear also tends to lighten the load on the front axle which reduces steering capability which presents a recipe for disaster.

Safety is of the utmost importance,ignore nothing when it comes to the entire rig as far as suitability of equipment,tires,tying down the load and making sure the center of gravity is not placed too high on the trailer.

Good reliable trailer braking systems are a must on a hotshot setup because the tow vehicles are often too light for heavier applications. Careful placement of the load front to rear on the trailer is a must. Trailers with a tailboard load tend to steer the rig from behind and I recommend you only use a fifth wheel hitch for heavy hauling. A weight distributing hitch is something I would recommend avoiding.

 

[wanderer03]

I designed,built and drove commercial tow vehicles over the years. The rule of thumb in that part of the industry is to never haul more than twice the GVW of the tow rig. Too much weight on the rear of a truck tends to try to steer a towtruck from the rear and makes stopping it damned near impossible. Too much weight carried on the rear also tends to lighten the load on the front axle which reduces steering capability which presents a recipe for disaster.

Safety is of the utmost importance,ignore nothing when it comes to the entire rig as far as suitability of equipment,tires,tying down the load and making sure the center of gravity is not placed too high on the trailer.

Good reliable trailer braking systems are a must on a hotshot setup because the tow vehicles are often too light for heavier applications. Careful placement of the load front to rear on the trailer is a must. Trailers with a tailboard load tend to steer the rig from behind and I recommend you only use a fifth wheel hitch for heavy hauling. A weight distributing hitch is something I would recommend avoiding.

Okay, thank you for the tip. I don't know that I will be doing too much of the real heavy hauling. Mostly one and two bedroom apartment and condos. I'm planning on doing it low cost to the customer so they do the load/unload and I just drive. I might also do car hauling and RV towing. Either way I'll be doing what I do best: long distance driving.