Posted 2007-06-09 10:27 PM (#62072) Subject: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Hurricane Survivor
Posts: 61 Location: training in South Louisiana
So here is the age old question? Do you pull the trailer level or have it tilted up in the front some? I seems to me that the back of the trailer where they get in seems high? so if I lower the neck.. (raising the front) lower the back end.
And what are the good and bad's about having it tilted up in the front? does it effect the refrigerator?
Posted 2007-06-10 2:25 AM (#62077 - in reply to #62072) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
My concern would be brakes. If the trailer is too tilted, the high axle, expecially with indepedent torsion axles, may not have enough weight and the brakes can lock up and not be effective when you need them.
Posted 2007-06-10 9:44 AM (#62084 - in reply to #62072) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456 Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
Hey girl!
I like mine level. Don't want my horses to be traveling 'uphill' for an extended period of time. That can't be comfortable. If you are running the fridge, it needs to be level also.
Posted 2007-06-11 6:07 AM (#62117 - in reply to #62072) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
All of the above and to add to what loveduffy said a trailer with the nose up puts stress on the rear axle / tires / bearings / etc. which leads to early failure and is known to be a cause of tire overloading / blowout. Dangerous!.Hook up to truck as usual, load it up, find a safe level place, chock the trailer wheels or pull out the breakaway cable / pin ( good test for your battery and will not hurt things for a short time), level it out. This can be safely done even with horses loaded. Put the jack down until it picks up some trailer weight, loosen the bolts on the coupler tube, use the jack to level the trailer, be sure to retighten the coupler bolts and jam nuts. Note that at no time should you unlock the coupler from the ball. You may have to play a little to accomodate for the truck suspension as it picks up the tongue weight.Be sure to reinstall breakaway pin. I've never seen a gooseneck that did not have enough tongue weight to worry about it tipping up with horses loaded ( but it will happen on a bumper pull especially with a horse standing on the ramp, any guess as to how I know? ).Rich
Posted 2007-06-11 6:28 AM (#62120 - in reply to #62072) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Expert
Posts: 2689
An inch or two to ensure adequate truck/trailer clearance isn't going to matter THAT MUCH in axle loading, "up hill" attitude, brake effectiveness, or anything else. Blocking axles to get it back level again is probably a waste of time and money as well - sure, they'll tell you that you need it.
Just do the geometry, do the arithmetic, do the tire temperature test, then find something more important to worry about (-:
I assume you have a gas fridge ? Whatever angle your trailer is at on the road, campsites are rarely level.
Posted 2007-06-11 8:42 PM (#62160 - in reply to #62120) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
I try to have mine level but it's not possible with the truck and hitch I have (too tall). As said before, you don't want your horses riding tilted if you can help it.
Posted 2007-06-11 8:55 PM (#62165 - in reply to #62072) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Running level my front trailer tires were hotter than the rear so I have a slight up-tilt when I am loaded. Did a run on the interstate afterwards and tire temps were equal and it pulled better also. Do whatever is best for your own setup. Ever truck and trailer combo will be different. In the heat of the south I mainly look at tire temp.
Posted 2007-06-12 10:40 AM (#62183 - in reply to #62181) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by olabola! on 2007-06-12 10:25 AM
hey spooler, how do you get your tire's temperature? didn't ever think about that....
Just by feeling them, you'll KNOW if there is a significant difference between front and rears. Be sure to start with them at the same pressure when COLD and only compare front to rear on the same side - driving east/west around noontime will heat up the ones on the south side of the trailer by quite a bit more than those on the north side.
Doesn't EVERYONE feel their tires at EVERY 3 hour water stop ?
The brakes issue is bogus.
If you had the front SO high that the wheels were off the ground you would get full braking on the wheels that were on the ground, since all the load would be on them and this is the condition under which you had leveled and set your brake controller.
Posted 2007-06-12 10:54 AM (#62184 - in reply to #62072) Subject: RE: Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Yeap, I feel the tires and compare only on the same side. If I want to be a HIGH TECH Redneck I break out my meter and probe that reads temp. I have had no need for that. If I was having a tire issue I would but I am not. My trailer came with load range G tires from Exiss.
Goosneck trailer- level? or slanted when hauling
note to self.. check tire temp. It sure is hot on the roads down here.