we just bought a 2006 GMC topkick, it has a 10ft bed on it and it is cutting it really close on hydraulic jack and propane tanks, anyone have this trouble? it would make a sharp turn on flat ground but not sure that it would if the truck or trailer were uphill. has anyone used an extender ball? we had one for a short bed ford but only pulled a little two horse. my others trailers are 5 and 6 horses, one has lqs. i know the extender is rated for 20,000lbs so it should be fine to use right?
Posted 2006-09-24 8:04 AM (#49020 - in reply to #49015) Subject: RE: 2006 GMX 4500 topkick extender question
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Originally written by crissy_cowgirl on 2006-09-24 12:17 AM
we just bought a 2006 GMC topkick, it has a 10ft bed on it and it is cutting it really close on hydraulic jack and propane tanks, anyone have this trouble? it would make a sharp turn on flat ground but not sure that it would if the truck or trailer were uphill. has anyone used an extender ball? we had one for a short bed ford but only pulled a little two horse. my others trailers are 5 and 6 horses, one has lqs. i know the extender is rated for 20,000lbs so it should be fine to use right?
I don't know about the extender part itself, but I think I'd have at least SOME concern about the additional bending moment on the coupler tube.
This isn't anything I've thought through at all thoroughly, I'm just imagining that extender as a lever that takes the load of the WHOLE front of the trailer forwards 9 or so inches to be supported - then there's the dynamic bouncing down the road...
I'd want to think it through some more before putting a HEAVY trailer on an extender.
Is it "25% of your trailer's weight levered out 9 inches" ?
How does the coupler tube feel about that sort of bending stress ?
Posted 2006-09-24 3:45 PM (#49045 - in reply to #49041) Subject: RE: 2006 GMX 4500 topkick extender question
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I think that the worst case for truck bed corners almost hitting the trailer's hydraulic jack (in the center, right ?) is on flat ground.
I don't see how they could get any closer to each other if one/both were pitched up/down/across a grade.
I don't know who to ask about the coupler tube stress, maybe I'm way out in the hypothetical (again) and it is a non-issue. If I were doing this I think I'd search out replacement coupler tubes, read the specs, see if there are any limitations or warnings of the general form;
"Rated load 20,000 gross trailer weight. Reduce by x if used with extender device 9 inches long, reduce by y is used with extender 5 inches". sort of thing.
Posted 2006-09-25 7:08 AM (#49074 - in reply to #49015) Subject: RE: 2006 GMX 4500 topkick extender question
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I have an extender that is only 3 or 4 inches for a B&W hitch. I think that is what she is talking about. I would say it would help. The closest the bed will be to the tanks and jack are on a flat surface.
PM if you are interested in my extender its new. I have never used it.
Posted 2006-09-25 1:20 PM (#49094 - in reply to #49071) Subject: RE: 2006 GMX 4500 topkick extender question
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Originally written by walkin on 2006-09-25 5:51 AM
Can you shorten the truck. We have aF600 we did it to.
On maybe place the ball furthur back. Behind axle.
I think the ball behind the axle is not a good idea.
I'm currently in a "discussion" about this is a different forum.
I think 4 inches minimum ahead, 6 inches preferred, my discussOR thinks right over the axle.
If it clears on flat ground I think it will clear by even more on up/down/across grades - not an issue.
BTW, just running a tape from the ball to the truck's outer rear corners - then from the coupler to the trailer's closest part (landing gear jack, propane tanks, whatever) should confirm just how much clearance there is. It would be nice to know in inches (or cm) just HOW close it COULD get.
2006 GMX 4500 topkick extender question
