Yesterday my boss had me haul a self contained/ self mixing/ drum style cement trailer filled with 2.25 yards of mud. It tipped the scales at around 15K, twice what my truck weighs. I was not informed that these things are not made for highway use. I got up to about 50 on the on ramp and apparently that extra .25 yards of concrete made it back heavy. Trailer started wagging and nearly pulled me off the road!!! I then had to drive 20 miles through construction, rough highway, and traffic at a measly 40 MPH cause the trailer was a death trap after that.

Now I hear that some of you guys pull around 20 K, that must be crazy! That was the single worst driving experience of my life! Granted the trailer was obviously tongue light, but scary! It pushed my rear end over a good foot one time on one of the wags. When I backed it into the driveway, i had to use 4wd just to get it over the little lip at the start of the driveway, my super sticky buckshot mudders were spinning in 2wd.

When I got off the freeway, at the end of the off ramp there was a light that I stopped for and it was an uphill start, my truck chirped the tires two times as I started with the load. It surely was back heavy though, it only pushed down my rear suspension like 3 inches, and a loaded bobcat on tralier makes my 2500 squat like 6 inches.

Now I see why guys want more power too, talk about no power when you start dragging 15 K behind ya! I never touched 1000 egt but I never got over 45 either.

 

I had my triple axel loaded up with 2 bobcat 863's on it, same thing, almost tossed me right off the road.

That wasnt even the worst part, somthing must have shorted, or unplugged. I went to stop at a red light, no trailer brakes, the load pushed me right through the intersection and i had to let off the brakes, the reailer was pushing me out into a jacknife.

I dont even know what the weight was, 2 bobcats and a triple axel beaver tail

 

weight distribution is key, your boss should have know better than to let you haul it

 

That is scary to experience! I had it happen to me once. I was driving my big-block '59 Chevy Shortbox pulling a very heavy U-Haul and it started throwing the back end around at 60MPH. To make matters worse, the truck had the stock straight front axle and a sloppy steering box. The guy beside me sure got out of the way in a hurry! So more tongue weight is the answer?

 

More tongue weight than what you guys have described would deffinately help, to much tongue weight is just as bad though. If possible I like to get a trailer sitting level after the load is on it. Adjustable hitches=awesome! My .02

 

air bags and adjustable air hitch and tonge weight equal stabil at 70 towing john deere 210c . ting weight is the answer just had to brake a mile in advance.

 

This is why I love gooseneck's.

 

I've towed 10k plus before and never had an issue. I've also towed a fertilizer spreader that hooks to the back of a tractor and anything over 45mph and it would sway and jerk you all over the place. Some things even though their on wheels aren't meant to be towed at high rates of speed. They are designed for manuverability and slow speeds in small areas.

 

Yeah, i have a goose neck hook up but that dang trailer didn't. Next time, i'll bring some bags of concrete to put on the tongue and get her to ride a little better.

 

I love these stories.. I was working with a 92 CTD dually 2wd, haulin round bales of sudan. first trailer was a 5 baler gooseneck, behind that a 4 baler bumper pull. Empty, they pulled pretty straight at 55 mph. Loaded with 9 bales of sudan, she got pretty squirrely! almost kissed the concrete traffic barrier on a FM road with the back trailer!! But the old 12 valver pulled it like a dream... has 450K and counting with no mods at all!!

 

I can't even remember the the last bumper pull trailer I had behind me, those things should be outlawed I've tipped the scales at close to 38,000 and never had a problem other than EGT's

 

As was said weight distribution is the key. More weight on the tongue means more weight on the rear axle which means its more soldily planted and the trailer won't throw you around. Too much weight on the back of a trailer and it will actually lift the back of your truck, which is why its so easily pushed around. Load it properly next time and you'll be fine.

 

I hate bumpers they ride like crap and will get loose on you all the time. I will never buy a bumper pull anything

 

your tires didn't help you any at all either...probably d load range and soft big sidewalls.

the tread pattern also isn't conducive to good traction on pavement.

 

ya my 16 ply's help in that area