- Location
- spotswood NJ
Im not really worried about the suspension sagging because its only going to be a short distance, what im worried about is my hitch rating, whats the difference between weight carrying and weight distributing?
Super Jet Anyone use a hitch hauler?
- Thread starter haromang14
- Start date
BruceSki
Formerly Motoman25
- Location
- Long Island
When your front wheels have no weight on them; or rather--not the weight they were designed to have, it reduces the cars ability to steer and brake. Short distance or not, you don't want to overload it in the rear. I'd buy the airbags. They are relatively cheap and easy to install. $200 of insurance if you ask me.
deftons56
Brian
- Location
- lake goodwin
Here is another picture of Jake's (CWAmeden) truck with my old ski we brought 15 hours down to California, it worked great. And as far as the wobble side to side, I'm pretty sure he has a turnbuckle tightened to one side so it can't move.
- Location
- spotswood NJ
Ok, im convinced that the raddudes carrier is the way to go and is stronger than strength itself but has anyone ever had or seen a hitch fail due to tongue weight?
Vumad
Super Hero, with a cape!
- Location
- St. Pete, FL
I only need to hit you in the arm once with a bat to break it.
It doesn't matter if you only drive short distances. It will kill you suspension. Your trail blazer in no different than my s10 blazer, it it was sagging from a lot less abuse than a hitch hauler. A 350lb ski puts 500-600 ft/lbs of tongue weight. Remember, that rating is for a hitch sticking 6"-1' off the hitch, but the hauler is holding weight 2' out. That farther weight is multiplied. A 500 lb rating is in reality insufficient for what we do (based on rating alone).
I've carried a 400lb blaster on a 60lb rack hanging 3' off my truck. No problems. But I most certainly and undoubtly exceeded the weight limit of my hitch and suspension based on the way it's measured.
Remember, my half ton truck is rated at 1000lbs over the rear axel, not 1000lbs 6' behind the axel on the hitch hauler.
Edit: I didn't use your words but the above answered your question about weight carrying vs weight distributin. You are carrying 400lbs of jet ski and hitch hauler. You are distributing about 1000lbs onto your rear axel.
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Vumad
Super Hero, with a cape!
- Location
- St. Pete, FL
I'm sure the hitch and suspension will handle the weight. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it. I'm just saying that if you value the quality of your suspension, then expect to spend money to upgrade it. I didn't care that my blazer sagged. You might.
BruceSki
Formerly Motoman25
- Location
- Long Island
wow that isn't even a leaf spring truck? Thought it was.
I would highly suggest this.
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index...currency=USD&gclid=CIKWi7ej0rYCFYYw4AodHzwAcw
$100 to make sure you are driving safely down the road.
I would highly suggest this.
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index...currency=USD&gclid=CIKWi7ej0rYCFYYw4AodHzwAcw
$100 to make sure you are driving safely down the road.
- Location
- CT
Harbor freight ones are junk, we watched one bend right in half a WaveDaze. He then walked over and bought a Rad Dude Hauler.
- Location
- CT
I have had one behind a ford escape for 1000s of miles with No problems.
- Location
- CT
We will have them at wavedaze next weekend if ou want to save on shipping.
Or we do ship them.
http://www.raddudesfi.com/raddudesfi.com/Part_-_Hitch_Hauler.html
Or we do ship them.
http://www.raddudesfi.com/raddudesfi.com/Part_-_Hitch_Hauler.html
I think the rad dudes look strong for sure and wouldnt be concerned about using it on a full size pick up truck .. but yes the weight hung over the rear like that on my smaller ford escape would be a lot I would think .. going to the local lake and back no probs but stress full on the escape especially if used on a longer trip ..
I mean if your using a truck on a long trip and a hitch hauler it would be awesome to use over a traile r for sure ..
the good and and bad about the rad dude one ( i thnk ) is the extra lenght to raise the hatch .. nice to raise the hatch with the hauler on but i would have one made shorter i think as a longer one would mutiply teh weight the further away from the bumper I think ? // just my common sense thinking .. or am I wrong ?
NOT talking from experience ( just my thoughts ) .. i dont have one but think they would make a great option to not trailering sometimes ...
ohh and .. I just installed thise air lift air bags on my el camino .. very easy install . and that should help a lot !!
thinking about driving teh elco with tehtrailer to wavedaze but a little leary on traving with eth el camino 11 hours one way its a daily driver but havnt towed with it yet ..
I mean if your using a truck on a long trip and a hitch hauler it would be awesome to use over a traile r for sure ..
the good and and bad about the rad dude one ( i thnk ) is the extra lenght to raise the hatch .. nice to raise the hatch with the hauler on but i would have one made shorter i think as a longer one would mutiply teh weight the further away from the bumper I think ? // just my common sense thinking .. or am I wrong ?
NOT talking from experience ( just my thoughts ) .. i dont have one but think they would make a great option to not trailering sometimes ...
ohh and .. I just installed thise air lift air bags on my el camino .. very easy install . and that should help a lot !!
thinking about driving teh elco with tehtrailer to wavedaze but a little leary on traving with eth el camino 11 hours one way its a daily driver but havnt towed with it yet ..
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- Location
- Fort Worth, TX
I built a hitch hauler and stand that is the same height as the hitch hauler when attached to my truck for easy loading and unloading. I used heavy duty casters with inflatable wheels from harboe freight. bought square tubing and angle iron to build them. Used 2x4 topped with pvc and carpet on the bunks. The big casters on the stand are the best part. I can load and unload easily in grass, dirt, uneven surfaces. Cost about $200 total to build both. They are on the second season of being used almost every saturday and sunday. I also just bought a beach cart that I toss in the bed of my truck. No more boat launches for me. Let me know if you would like to see pix of them.
- Location
- Jackson MI
I built my own i made several 5 hour trips with it no issues. Mine even hung out to clear the spare on my jeep.
- Location
- Jackson MI
I'm not sure, i sold everything you see there. I did reinforce the hitch with some gussets i made.
- Location
- CT
We have drove thousands of miles with no issues on the Rad Dudes haulers. I took it on an escape to Chicago from CT. And we have made countless trips to FL on Todd's flex and other vehicles. Not to mention the hundreds we have sold over the past 5 years.
Dont worry we did all the thinking for you.
And yes make make ours longer so if people want to cut it down to make it closer to the vehicle they can, but its at the perfect length IMO. If we made them short people that wanted them longer couldn't add to them
Dont worry we did all the thinking for you.
And yes make make ours longer so if people want to cut it down to make it closer to the vehicle they can, but its at the perfect length IMO. If we made them short people that wanted them longer couldn't add to them
That is a dangerous assumption. Perhaps one component in the vehicle system can handle twice the weight. What about other components or the entire system? This isn't just about the breaking strength (or whatever) of the hitch or the receiver. Overloading the rear will definitely negatively affect steering and braking.
Perhaps this isn't something immediately obvious in optimal driving conditions without contingencies.
Do what you want, but I think applying some fudge factor to your vehicle's ratings is foolish when you do it yourself and irresponsible when you're recommending it to others.