[Public-list] Trailering

[Roger L Kingsland]

I had my older, two axle (6,000 pounds per axle), 1,800+/- pound trailer
rebuilt by a local trailer company licensed to certify trailers in
Pennsylvania.  The owner also towed my boat from Annapolis to Pittsburgh
with his dually pick up.  This trailer has a long history.  Twenty five
years ago it regularly hauled a 31 foot full keel sailboat to and from the
Chesapeake (from Pittsburgh) and even made a trip to Florida behind a 4
cylinder Range Rover.  It also hauled a 22,000 pound, 41 foot, full keel
ketch from Pittsburgh to Annapolis; go figure.

My trailer guy indicated that GVW is the total load on the truck (truck
weight, plus load, including tongue weight) and towing capacity is the
weight of what is being towed (Ford advertises a 19,000 pound towing
capacity with their 350, dually pick up).   In PA, any trailer rated over
10,000 requires the driver have a Class A license.  He suggested I convert
my trailer to a "gooseneck" and adjust the load (move the boat forward) for
a 10,000+/- pound load on the axles with the remainder (2,000 to 3,000
pounds) going to the hitch in the pick up bed.  The shorter wheel base would
improve maneuverability and the rig would look way cool with the bow
probably sticking up above the cab.

Apparently, with a gooseneck (or fifth wheel), only the weight on the
trailer wheels is considered for the trailer load and the tongue weight goes
to the tow vehicle load (GVW).  However, with a conventional (rear) hitch,
the tongue weight is goes to both the trailer and the tow vehicle.  Very
confusing; I hope I got it right.  He also said that even some 3/4 ton,
non-dually, 2500 pick ups have the rated capacities to tow a 13,000+/- load.
The problem is the maximum tongue weights for a rear hitch are lower than
needed (10% to 15% of total load).  A gooseneck rig solves that problem
because it can hold the difference between the GVW and the actual weight of
the truck (2,000 to 4,000+/- depending on the truck).

I am getting a price on converting my relic to a gooseneck.  That way I can
either get a pick up or rent one for the yearly trip to more water than
available in Pittsburgh (a local company rents 1 ton pick ups with
goosenecks for $75 a day plus $0.25 per mile; $200 each trip if I willing to
go down and back same day).

It sure seems this trailer stuff is complicated.

Roger 148



 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Campbell" <dk.campbell at sympatico.ca>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Trailering


> Be sure to check things out with the department of transport for the
states or
> provinces you are driuving in. As far as I know, there is no pick-up truck
that
> has a GVW (which includes the weight of the towed load) that will get to
10,000
> lbs + truck weight  on the door plate. The reason is simple, there is not
> enough weight for stopping ability without jack-knifing. The tow vehicle
also
> requires an annual safety check and sticker for towing loads aver 5000
lbs.  At
> least in Ontario, you will need an A Class license to pull an Alberg 30,
> whatever the rig you use, since it is not classed as a recreational
vehicle
> within the Highway Traffic Act. (We need an A license and saftey checked
tow
> vehicle for pulling a 2 horse trailer in this province and that is just
over
> 5,000 lbs.). In the photo below, a wide load permit would be needed since
it is
> well beyond what any inspector or law enforcement officer would allow.  If
you
> are prepared to travel in the fashion illustrated, also check with your
> insurance company to see if your insurance covers you for this sort of
> arrangement.
>
> Don # 528
>
> "J. Brown" wrote:
>
> >  Yet another disadvantage is getting a truck
> > with a 14,000lb tow rating.
> >
> > . No need for class 3 licence or trailer, and a much wider
> > choice of tow vehicles.  BTW you will be overwidth but only by a few
> > inches, even the meanest inspector is not likely to be concerned about
that
> > if everything else is in order.
> >
> > http://www.jb0713.com/sail/trailer/6loaded.jpg
> >
> > jb
> > Haefen #561
> >
>
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>



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