Posted 2011-02-09 11:24 AM (#129981) Subject: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Member
Posts: 29
I have a 2009 Dodge 350, dull wheel, 4 door, with air brake truck. I am also planning on adding Air Bags to it.
Just how long of a trailer can I pull?
I am looking at a 2008 Bloomer 4 horse, mid tack with a LQ (NO Slide). I know that I 90% of the time there will be only 1 horse, travel mostly in TX, OK & LA to the bigger barrel races. This is the perfect set up for me, only it has one too many horse stalls.
Now the question is.... it is 35' long.
I have had some say it shouldn't be a problem, others say too big.
Posted 2011-02-09 12:01 PM (#129983 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Welome to HTW..!! You might be more concerned as to what the trailer weighs fully loaded, more so than it's length. I used to pull a 43' trailer (35' on the floor) with a 3500 GM dually, trailer weighed 15000# loaded for the show. I was maxed out on my GCVWR of 21500#. What is your truck's GCVWR? 22K, 24K ? How long of a LQ does the Bloomer have? Need a little more info.....
Quote... I have a 2009 Dodge 350, dull wheel, 4 door, with air brake truck.... Do you mean "engine exhaust brake"?
Posted 2011-02-09 12:14 PM (#129986 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
I pull an older steel 3h slant with LQ that is 28' floor length (35' overall) with an 06 f-250 with timbren helper springs. Does it just fine and we have zero issues. I think you'll be fine. When I'm fully loaded with water and horses, etc, I am at ~12,000 lbs.
Posted 2011-02-09 3:19 PM (#130009 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Like Retento said, it's not about the trailer's length that's critical. The two important considerations are: what is the truck capable of carrying and pulling, and how much does the trailer WEIGH
Posted 2011-02-09 3:31 PM (#130011 - in reply to #129984) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Member
Posts: 29
What is your truck's GCVWR? 22K, 24K ? What is this & where can I look for it?
The LQ is 13" with a 3' mid tack.
Have not a clue on what the trailer weighs. Called Bloomer & they needed a VIN # for an empty prior to LQ weight. I called and the sales guy & he thought I was "a dumb lady" for asking. Yes, I am the "dumb lady", but I am trying to be smart by asking these questions before I buy... lol...
Posted 2011-02-09 3:32 PM (#130012 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
How long it is really does not matter, the question is CAN YOU STOP IT?
The first LQ we had was an Exiss SS413 that was 40' nose to tail and at the time we was using a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500, EB and airbags. The truck pulled it fine but stopping was a white knuckle event at times. Was cheaper to get a different trailer that buying a bigger truck.
So, YES you can haul it but stopping it is more than 1/2 the work!
Posted 2011-02-09 5:19 PM (#130017 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Location: Central Arkansas
I have a Bloomer that is 34' on the box. Mine is a 3H with a 21' LQ (that includes a finished mudroom). Mine also has a slide. I pull it with a Sportchassis. BUT, I bought a 2010 Dodge Dually back last April, that I would pull it short hauls with in a pinch. I don't think I would want to pull it thru the mountains on a regular basis. My LQ is pretty ornate with solid wood cabinets, granite countertops, wood ceilings and floors. My Dodge has a air ride Cody hitch that makes it easy switching out my two trucks and trailers without having to adjust the neck of the trailer. I have yet to hook this Dodge to the Bloomer, just because I have not had the need too. So, I can't tell you how it pulls or stops it. I am not sure if I would feel comfortable using a one ton on a regular basis for this trailer.
Posted 2011-02-09 6:08 PM (#130027 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Veteran
Posts: 134
I have some very good friends, that I travel with frequently to share rides. They have a 4-horse trailer that is 33' on the floor. It has a 13' LQ. They pull it with a 2008 Chevy 1-ton duramax dually, and they do just fine. They have never had a problem stopping or starting. Since we live in fairly mountainous country i have become a huge fan of of the allison transmission and their grade brake feature. I know of several people that trucks similiar to yours and they love the engine brake that the Dodge has. Good luck with your search.
Posted 2011-02-09 6:53 PM (#130030 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
You know, I have a couple of friends that have 30-32' on the floor. They all get arounD 24-26k lbs of GCVWR. One of them, that lives near Ellensburg WA decided that the '07 F550 wasn't enough truck. Didn't feel the truck could whoa-up 26Klbs. They went with a FL60. The other feels his '10 Dodge 3500 dually works well. I'm sure it pulls it just fine...but IMHO it ain't enough truck.
Posted 2011-02-09 7:35 PM (#130033 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
I think you're looking at too much trailer for a 1 ton truck. I have an '09 Bloomer 5H 14' shortwall (Outlaw conv. no slide). The trailer weighs in at just over 15,000# empty. I have used an F350 to pull it, but only a couple of times. In my opinion my F550 is well loaded when pulling it. I know people that are using 1 tons on this size trailer but I wouldn't recommend it. It can be done, but the margin of safety is small to none! Make sure your trailer brakes are working and set properly before you pull out of the drive, every time. Also make sure your brake controller will work properly with hydraulic brakes, which I would assume is what that trailer is equipped with.
Posted 2011-02-09 8:36 PM (#130034 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
We pulled the guts out of a new F-350 4x4 dually with an LQ 33' on the floor/3hrs/all aluminum/loaded up... we had friends with big Dodges and Chevy Duramax brag and say they wouldn't have a problem pullin it...ha! they couldn't either. We ended up buying a Freightliner Sportchassis hauler to pull it. I squeak every time I think of the $$$$$, but the insurance is MUCH cheaper for it and the trailer...and with these big boys, people move out of your way, and they are actually easier to drive than the dually.
Bottom line, about 25' on the floor, or 11,000 lbs. empty is a safe bet.
Posted 2011-02-09 9:05 PM (#130037 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
You must have a CDL for Class 7-up. Our truck is a Class 6, my husband has a CDL, I don't, but I drive/pull with it. It seems huge at first, but it is really so smooth and easy to drive and you can see forever out of it.
Posted 2011-02-10 12:18 AM (#130047 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-09 12:24 PM
Just how long of a trailer can I pull?
Breakover Angle: The degree of slope that defines the largest ramp or hill that a vehicle can travel over without scraping against the frame or underbody components. That is what determines how long a trailer you can pull...
Posted 2011-02-10 1:13 PM (#130080 - in reply to #129981) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Location: Central Arkansas
Here's a pic of mine. The LQ starts at the front butt window. As you can see, I am carrying a lot more living area than you are planning to + a slide out. My axles are 9K each. I usually haul just one, sometimes two. A lot of times, I haul with none since my trainer hauls my horse to the show and I just meet them there. I did haul this trailer with a 08 F450 to town to fill up the LP and Diesel fuel tank for the generator. It did fine except when it went into regen. LOL! That truck had engine issues, but it stopped it OK with working elec/hydraulic trailer brakes. Scared to think of going down a big mt with no trailer brakes on a 1 ton.
Posted 2011-02-10 10:14 PM (#130110 - in reply to #130039) Subject: RE: Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by SunChick on 2011-02-09 9:43 PM
Thanks for the the comments.
BUT, I will only be pulling 1 horse & I do have an engine exhaust brake. Plus will be adding air bags to the truck bed.
Hauling 1 horse is fine and dandy! BUT I myself think alittle further ahead than that. What if you are somewhere doing whatever it is you do and a friend ends up needing a ride and has 2 horses?? Now you are carrying 3 horses which raised you weight another 2 to 2500lbs......
Then it starts raining on the way out and you do NOT need to use the EB in wet conditions (read the owners manual) and you are heading down the hwy and some stupid car pulls out in front of you HOW are you going to STOP that much weight?????
Sorry but I like my equipment and HORSES better than that... Just saying. Like I stated in my first post stopping that trailer is over 1/2 of the work.
Trailer Lenght for 1 Ton Truck
