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Discussion on Heavy half-ton/no trailer brakes
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2005 - 10:33 pm:
I know this won't be optimum, but the best rig I'm likely to manage for a summer trip will be hauling with an old manual transmission '77 heavy half-ton Chevy pickup 4x4, pulling a two-horse slant bumper pull, carrying one large (1300#+) horse. The truck does not have separate trailer brakes.
The trip is 200 miles, all level freeway except for 5-10 miles at either end. No mountain passes. I can travel at low-traffic times.
Once we're at our destination, I'll need to make a 5-mile each way round trip on paved rural roads with some hills each day for four days.
Am I crazy? Will we die?? Or can this be done with good preparation. Any advice/opinions gladly considered.
Jerre
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2005 - 10:55 pm:
You can probably get away with it, however, if something happens or you are stopped for some reason by the State Patrol or County Sheriff your @ss is grass. Why would you do this and take the chance? Not smart. Get a different rig for the trip, you have time to line something up. EO
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2005 - 11:31 pm:
Yikes, I'll have to check out the laws. What one would I be breaking?
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Member:
Maggienm
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2005 - 8:32 am:
You will need to find out how much your 1/2 ton is legally allowed to pull. The situation you have described is commonplace here where I am but I couldn't tell you if it is strictly legal.
How is the engine, still plenty of power? Even a small hill can tax an engine when you are loaded.
If the truck is legally OK to pull the weight
it is not a big deal to put electric brakes on the trailer. This makes it much easier and smoother to stop and really saves the brakes on your pickup.
Let us know what you find out regarding the legal limit.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2005 - 9:32 am:
Hello JerreR,
There are so many ways for such a setup to go wrong and while such a trip might be made you risk yourself, the horse, and perhaps complete strangers that are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
DrO
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2005 - 10:39 am:
Thanks everyone. The truck has a 350 and has a reinforced chassis and a heavy-duty hitch. I'll check the load guidelines. It seems reasonable to add the trailer brakes.
Maybe I'll win the lottery and buy a new one ... 
Jerre
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2005 - 10:59 am:
Jerre,
Most states, if not all, require at least one trailer axle with brakes if it meets a certian weight; some as low as 1000# GVWR.
It isn't difficult or that expensive to add an electric brake controller to the truck. It is more complicated if the trailer doesn't have brakes.
It's a real risk; not knowing the trailer/horse weigt but we can guess it will be around 3000-3500# (maybe more). It would just take a quick stab of the brakes because of a critter in the road to see your horse and trailer passing you up.
If this is an event is it possible to find a ride share? I see people all the time, myself included, that arrive with a 4 horse rig and one horse. I myself wouldn't mind a bit sharing a ride for fuel costs.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2005 - 12:41 pm:
Alden, DrO and all:
I'll definitely add the brakes (owner's manual says they're required for over 1000#) , and probably sway bars. I've found some incredibly complex (for me  ) formulas, but it looks (again, in the owner's manual -- why didn't I look there first??) like my vehicle is rated to pull 6,000#.
And yeah, I'm trolling for anyone headed to my event. It's a smallish clinic, but in high demand, so there's an off chance of sharing a ride.
Thanks everyone,
Jerre
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Member:
Leilani
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2005 - 5:15 pm:
Jerre,
I agree with Dr. O. I have a F350, 1 ton diesel and haul a 3 horse steel gooseneck stock trailer. We have a lot of steep roads here on Hawaii island and I would never dream of hauling without electric trailer brakes. It's a piece of equipment I wouldn't be without considering peace of mind and safety.
I was told many years ago by an old cowboy, that a small truck may be able to tow a horse trailer on a flat surface, but it 'aint gonna stop it.
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 12, 2005 - 11:57 am:
OK, new question (I'm keeping the discussion in the same topic so you can follow my "education"!)
We're going to buy a newer truck. Definitely a 3/4 ton, and will add tow package/trailer brakes if it doesn't come with it. But we're looking at used trucks, early to mid-'90s is our price range.
Is it worth it to get more/newer truck with a manual transmission or to spend the same money for an older truck with an automatic?
I'm very comfortable with a standard transmission, even had a CDL for a while. We'll also be using the truck around the farm and in the woods for our firewood logging.
Any thoughts on this?
Many thanks,
Jerre
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 - 7:28 am:
If the cost of the truck determines the age and quality I would go for the straight shift. Not only can you get a larger, newer truck, one of the most common and most costly problems hauling trucks have is transmission trouble.
DrO
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 - 9:48 am:
I agree with DrO, automatics have improved over the years, but it's hard to beat a stick. I don't know what Dodge offers but Ford uses a six speed stick now with the PowerStorke diesel, that gives you better gear options.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 13, 2005 - 10:23 am:
Thank you both so much. I actually prefer the thought of a manual transmission, but have heard "automatic for hauling" so much. Maybe because more people now don't learn how to drive a stick.
Jerre
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Mar 14, 2005 - 7:36 am:
Don't get me wrong guys, after decades of being a straight-shift guy, I love my 4 wheel drive, automatic transmission Ford 350 diesel. We are usually hauling 4 to 6 horses into the mountains with it and it never faulters. However considering the conditions Jerre stipulated the straight makes the most sense.
DrO
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Monday, Mar 14, 2005 - 4:52 pm:
I have used both manual and auto over the years, I used to haul trucks for dealerships and Hotshot tools to oil rigs. I actually had more trouble with the manual but then I think the truck (brandnew) was a lemon. After alot of hauling I have to say I prefer Auto! hehe getting lazy I guess.
However as I work on my own vehicles the manual trans were a little easier to work on but not by much.
Just all about preference and finding the right truck.
I pulled a 2horse trailer with a heavy half ton once... It went ok but I wouldn't recomend it, it also depends on what you mean by heavy half also. I had a big block, 3/4 ton axles, trany etc... Trailer brakes are a big must.
Cheryl Hohler
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 - 1:51 pm:
UPDATE:
We bought a '92 Ford 250 XLT, expanded cab, long bed, 7.3L diesel. Heavy duty cooling system, tow package (with brakes!). I have the use of a friend's 2-horse slant, so we'll set the truck up for that trailer. (Hubby says don't even mention buying a trailer til the tractor is paid off )
Thanks for all the advice.
Jerre
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 7:11 am:
Super Jerre, did you go with the straight shift?
DrO
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Monday, Apr 25, 2005 - 12:36 pm:
It's an automatic and handles really well, although I haven't hitched up a trailer yet. The only thing on our list it doesn't have is 4WD. (And it isn't red ... I do love a red truck.) Oh well, it's hard to find everything just so in a used vehicle.
And it's got an add-on "gear splitter," which I know very little about. Apparently it allows shifting at "half gears" and is popular in the RV crowd. Jerre
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