"Lee's Limo" 2001 F350 crew cab 4x4 diesel

[BBR]

My 18' trailer needed a new deck when I bought it. It was super easy to replace. It also had a giant overhead rack for tires I guess. I chopped that sucker off because it was ridiculously tall. I would not buy anything shorter than 18 feet.

[milner351]

I've seen tilt bed trailers, and I've seen roll back trucks, but this is the first roll back trailer I've ever seen:

http://www.randpcarriages.com/kwik-load/7000-kwikload.html

[BBR]

That is cool.

[milner351]

BBR have you weighed your trailer?

I'm finding weights of the aluminum trailers (1100 - 1300lb depending on length) but I'm not finding weights for many steel or wood deck trailers.

Aside from corrosion - I'd like to know what the aluminum trailers weight advantage is - I don't tow much if at all in winter / salt season... corrosion is a lot to pay 2x + the price for.

[BBR]

No, I have no idea what it weighs, but it pulls darn good. I'd guess 1500lbs maybe?

[STINEY]

My 28' trailer with 1/8" non-diamond plate deck (yellow double-sandrail one) weights the same as my 14' trailer with 3/16" diamond plate (green one) - - #1800

I seriously checked into the full-aluminum framed feather-lite stuff...........they didn't save very much weight. Aluminum Twin axle with brakes on one axle in 14' like my green one was #1600+.

Thousands more to save #200? I think not.

Wood decks are alright....I guess. Having one fail on you and drop a tractor tire through while unloading, making the tricycle-steering tractor do a 180* spin before dumping you on the ground mercifully unscathed made me want nothing to do with them.

Most will store outdoors. Steel takes to wet weather much better than wood, at least in longetivity. Plan on a regular inspection and replacement with a wood deck.


I once thought I'd want an open center trailer to act as a lift. I've never actually missed not having one though.

[milner351]

Thanks for that most useful information Stiney!

Yea - one of the "SS MILNER" issues is the 1100lb worth of 3/16" plate steel decking!

1/8" is plenty!

No takers yet on the truck, and the trailer isn't even for sale yet - but hopefully I'll know what I want to replace it with before it sells...

[DanStokes]

I love that roll back trailer! I didn't check price but I'm pretty sure it's out of my price range, especially given that I have something that works for me.

Dan

[STINEY]

Since we are spending your money......best combination of open center and closed. Good looks too!

http://www.reliable-trailers.com/steel/delux_truss_car_trailer.htm

Or even better. Rampless Baby!

Drop deck.

[cstmwgn]

I've seen tilt bed trailers, and I've seen roll back trucks, but this is the first roll back trailer I've ever seen:

http://www.randpcarriages.com/kwik-load/7000-kwikload.html

I have a sloan rollback trailer and it works pretty good. Another feature that I liked is it has brakes of both axles so when your pulling it with a Ford you might have a chance of stopping in a hurry.

[G-Motive]

My 18' trailer needed a new deck when I bought it. It was super easy to replace. It also had a giant overhead rack for tires I guess. I chopped that sucker off because it was ridiculously tall. I would not buy anything shorter than 18 feet.

When I dove-tailed mine I cut a V out of each side and let it fold itself down then migged it. Worked great but I got a little carried away on the dove tail.

[milner351]

Got another call on the truck today, and the 2nd test driver is coming back to look at it again. I'm getting some help this weekend to work out some remaining bugs, the truck in Colorado is a go, my friend is picking it up tomorrow. Hopefully I can set the hook on the sale of the diesel on Sunday.

Any Bangshifters around Colorado need anything big and heavy moved to the midwest?

I will be traveling from Denver / Fort Collins to Detroit sometime in the next couple months with an empty pick up.... 8ft bed.

[DanStokes]

You could bring Aunt Maxine back from Arvada and I'll hook up with you in MI. She might run you ragged, though - at 94 she's in amazing shape! But she gets to ride inside.

Dan

[Deaf Bob]

I have access to a small sawmill, and I have a beam machine for my chainsaw, thought about making oak planks for my trailer bed... The weight will make it tip to the wrong way ..
And I have oak blocks I use under cars.. Not so great as it is like using metal.. Not enough deflection...
then I thought just the wheel areas could be oak...
Then I thought it'd look best if all were just proper boards

BBR, my commercial made trailer has a couple 2X8's with mostly 2X6's.. No need to rip a thin board..

[milner351]

Great conversation as usual, thanks guys.

Target replacement truck has been acquired, Grandpa fresh super cab long box 2wd turns out to be a 351 / E40D / 3.55 LSD good news indeed, that should pull better than a 302 which is what the seller told me it was. Funny stuff. Happy accident in this case.

I think I'm going to end up putting a fresh set of Michelin MXT XL tires on it at the local costco out there, $70 rebate on 4 before the end of this month, then probably have it aligned.
Currently she pulls to the left and the tires are not worn out, but OLD, I don't want to risk a blow out on my 1250 mile drive home.

What are preferences / dos / don'ts when it comes to helper springs ($100 ish) and air bags ($250 ish) as a load leveling / stability enhancing measure while hauling / towing heavier loads.... I've had 3/4 & 1 ton trucks for so long, I don't want to over load this half ton just out of habit.

The XL (or load range C) tires in this size (235/75-15) are both rated at 1985lb max load each at 50psi max.... that should add stability as well, compared to P metric tires with softer sidewalls and lower load ratings.

I will be putting in my favorite brake controller and required wiring, and I picked up a back up camera set up so I don't have to get out and check 63 times when hooking up a trailer... they finally got cheap enough I couldn't pass up the convenience...