Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I just spent a bunch of time this weekend wiring my tow vehicle so that I can run the winch using the tow vehicle's battery (with the truck running of course). I'm tired of messing with the batteries in the trailer,,,always worrying about charging it. I ran wire from the battery to the hitch. Then from the winch to the tongue. I use a 4 foot length of wire with quick connect on both ends to bridge the gap. Anyone else done this?

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I have the regular Prodigy (about $20 bucks cheaper) and absolutely love it. We also use them at work with great success. It is very adjustable and comes on nice and smooth.

The one you are looking at has even a couple more features and is probably worth the extra $20.

There is an adapter that comes with the truck when it is new (if you still have it) that makes it a snap to install the controller. I am sure it is readily available from a dealer if you didn't get it with the truck. Just pay close attention to the wire labels because the colors do NOT match between the adapter and a Tekonsha controller.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

[ QUOTE ]
I just spent a bunch of time this weekend wiring my tow vehicle so that I can run the winch using the tow vehicle's battery (with the truck running of course). I'm tired of messing with the batteries in the trailer,,,always worrying about charging it. I ran wire from the battery to the hitch. Then from the winch to the tongue. I use a 4 foot length of wire with quick connect on both ends to bridge the gap. Anyone else done this?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I hear ya. Something we just haven't gotten around to doing. The deep cylcle batt is usually good for a dozen pulls or so (I have no idea for sure, but we don't have to constantly charge it while pulling a vehicle or two/week on average), but would be nice to just plug it into the tow vehicle.

Just looked through pics, and the only one I have is one of the few low-res that I didn't save the hi-res. Shows 1700 on it.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

when I use the winch to load I found that it will pull power through the charge wire and get it hot then I end up with a bad connection from a over heated connection at the plug only to find out the battery is dead because of it so I put a switch in the trailer to shut off the charge wire so it won't back feed when I load with winch I also put a volt gauge in the trailer so I could watch it.
works great now

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

15" Trailer Tire issue is driving me nuts!!!!!!!!!!

I want to replace the 6 year old GY Marathons, but with what ???????

I've joined a DODGE Cummins Forum after buying my (new) 03 Quad-Cab RAM. Many of these guys pull heavy fifth wheel trailers. A lot of them use 16" wheels are installing Michelin LT "Ribs" commercial truck tires or a 16" Goodyear G614 trailer tire..............

I really dont want the expense of going 16" and not even sure they would fit (diameter and width) on my 20 Pace American Shadow GT.

Anyway, after reading for hours on end, I just cant find or reach a conclusion........

Also read whereas MAXXIS has a load range E tire, that some have used........where others still bad mouth ALL the Chinese tires.......

Rant over.................

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I have usually gotten good tire recommendations from my Les Schwabb dealer. Doesn't hurt or cost anything to talk to them. You might even call the Tire Rack and talk to them.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Charley, First of all, I do THANK YOU for responding.

Les Schwab has manym dealers with may opinions. I believe the only 15" trailer tire that Schwab sells is either the Towmaster or Towmax. There is absolutely no conviction or comclusions on the internet, by REAL users (not tire salesmen) that any of these ST chinese made trailer tires hold up.

For those that will suggest, yes I know that DENMAN tires are made in Mexico.

I honestly believe this is one of those subjects, that will never reach an answer with any conclusion......

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Have you looked at the reviews/ratings on Tirerack.com? I have found their user reviews helpfull and pretty accurate in the past.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I have SOLD my 6 year old Goodyear Marathon 225 X 75 X 15 tires and Enkei Modular wheels for $400. Tires had NO visible defects and 8/32 thread. ALL the misc aging discussion I have read about convinced me to throw in the towel and start over........NEW !!!!!!!!!!

I woundup calling Les Schwab's headquaters today in Oregon. They have over 400 stores throughout the West.

Last year they sold 24,000+ TOWMAX 225 x 75 x 15 ST trailer tires Load Range D (2540@65psi). In 2008 they had a little over 100 that were brought back for misc warrnty issues.

Man I spoke with informed me that TOWMAX recently came out with a 10Ply/Load Range E in the 225 X 75 X 15, good 2830#@ 80psi. Schawb sells these 10 ply's for $115 each (plus mount/balance)

I also spoke with a tire employee at COSTCO about BFG Commercial T/A All Seasons in 225 X 75 X 16 that are 29.4 inches dia 8.8 wide on a 6" Rim. Has anybody seen or tried 16" wheels/tires on a Pace, Haulmark, trailer with 6 lug, 5000# axles......

Anyway, I'm leaning towards the 10Ply 15" Towmasters and new Enkei Motorsport Wheels that are made for Pace American.

I have read pages of threads from a variety of forums on the net. The only conclusion I did find was that many of the 16" fifth wheel R/V guys went to the $$$ Michelin XPS Rib Tire. I believe these have what is called a ALL STEEL CASE. These are not offered in 15" sizes.

Anybody been buying trailer tires or THINKING about it ????

Thanks for reading and replying

Chuck Sharin

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Schwabb also is usually great about Warranty.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I use Schwabb Tires and will honor any warrenty issues no problems. Free rotations too.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Schwabb??? did he give up on finance and start selling tires? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...arleySucks.gif

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

While at the Portland,OR swap meet I bought the factory (05-06) polished Aluminum wheels for my "new" 03' DODGE Ram.

I also am adding the factory front tow hooks. This is for I get stuck, because I didnt buy a 4X4.

MORE comments on trailer tires, please!!!!!!!!

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Trust the Schwabb guys...they sold 24000 of em. The guys here are informed and mostly car people. They are not just tire dummies. Most Schwabb employees are long term guys that stay with the company. I usually loan them a car for a display in their booth at a show. They have some of the best customer service I have come across.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

[ QUOTE ]
I also spoke with a tire employee at COSTCO about BFG Commercial T/A All Seasons in 225 X 75 X 16 that are 29.4 inches dia 8.8 wide on a 6" Rim. Has anybody seen or tried 16" wheels/tires on a Pace, Haulmark, trailer with 6 lug, 5000# axles......

[/ QUOTE ] Chuck, I have seen a LOT of VERY high $$$$ offshore boat guys running these Comm T/A's lately.. i'm talking 1/2M to 1.5 Mil boats here.... no issues whatsoever... if they trust them for that they are damm sure good for me.. i'd buy them in a heart beat..

JH

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

My "new" 2003 DODGE 3500 came with MICHELIN LTX A/S 265 x70 x 17 Tires. These are probably the most popular all season HIGHWAY tires that MICHELIN makes. Now my truck is a two wheel drive and for the most part we see little if any snow in Western Washington.

Interested to hear what brands and style #'s of HIGHWAY tires, you're using on your TWO-WHEEL drive tow rigs. I suspect many of you guys that get snow use a M/S type of tire.

Oh well just thought I'd ask anyway............

Regards,

Curious what

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I have a 03 Ram 2500 and although it is 4WD it still runs the same size tires stock. I do not really like the Michelin tires, they don't have what I would consider great traction in the rain or off road. And when I say off road I don't mean out in the boonies 4 wheeling, I mean driving through the yard especially when it is wet. In the 265 size I like the BFG AT and I like the Mastercraft Courser A/T even more. They both run quiet and have great traction in all situations. Also, most tire companies make this 265 tire in both E and C load range, E is stock and it is what you need. Also if you get BFG's and you want a little more attitude you can put 315-70-17 on the back ( they won't fit on the front of a 2WD stock) they have the same 3195lb load range as the 265 E's. A friend of mine owns a tire store so I have had all of these tires on mine at one time or another, I even put some 265 C load range on this winter to see if it would smooth out the ride since I didn't plan on towing anything all winter.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I'm on my second set of Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires. I chose these because of their wet traction performance. My truck is also 4wd, it's a 2001 Chevy 2500HD Crew with an 8.1L. Tires are load range E. I get about 50k out of these tires and they are very smooth on the highway.

The OE Goodyears on this truck were very poor in the rain. I've not had good experience with BFG in the rain, but I am referencing the stock BFG on a 2001 S-10 ZR2 a friend had. They were good on all other aspects.

I run on the highway abot 25k a year and see a huge value in wet traction. I would not run any other tire since I am 100% happy, despite the cost. Not much help since it's another 4wd application, but maybe others reading this can relate.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

How would YOU define wet traction. Does that have to do with stopping on wet pavement or ?????

COSTCO is a huge seller of MICHELIN tires. Even with the expense of the LTX A/S or AT2 (over $200) there mount/balance/rotation/warranty program keeps customers coming back.

I've been looking at the www.tirerack.com reviews and trying to make something of them ????????

Thanks for your input..........

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

This morning at about 7:15am I was eastbound on I26 in Johnson City, TN, as I cam across a iced up bridge the Ram 3500 3 cars ahead of me slid and hit the barrier, I didn't slide. He had Michelin, I had Mastercraft, I say thats better traction.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Wet traction for me are mainly these two things. 1: Good predictable braking on the highway in wet and icy conditions, 2: Pulling away from a stop sign in the rain slightly aggressivly and still having the tires planted without wheel spin.

Sure there is alot of operater variables, but I am comfortable with my choice.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Anybody buy stuff from E-Trailer.com?

good deals on tires, brakes, accessories, whatever your trailer needs.

I got 4 new sets of brakes for my trailer, pre-hung on new backing plates, for $45 x 4 .

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I just bought the TEKONSHA Prodigy brake controller and a Tongue/Ball LOCK from www.Etrailer.com

I ordered enough to get free shipping. Fast service. Good web site

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Once again my DODGE Ram 3500 Quad Cab/Long Bed is a 2WD !!!

I am now considering buying the GENERAL TIRE (owned by German tire mfg CONTINENTAL) GRABBER HTS Load Range E 265x70x17.

This HIGHWAY tire with some All-Terain attributes, bested all the other brands last year with Consumer Reports. It also ranks # 1 at www.tirerack.com

See the survey results............. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...y.jsp?type=HAS

Even though my Michelin A/S's have 8/32 thread left, I'd rather sell them as they are, mounted on the chrome clad steel OEM wheels.I have them on Seattle CRAIG's list now.

I now have bought polished aluminum OEM wheels and would rather start over with new tires.

www.discounttireDIRECT.com (different from Discount Tire retail) has best overall price including FREE shipping and NO sales tax. Then Discount (locally) will mount, balance and rotate for $20 each.

Thanks for reading and relating YOUR experience.....

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Asking for suggestions and ideas regarding a inexpensive elec winch mounted on floor for pulling non-operating cars into my trailer...

Then, can I have it powered via 12Volt from truck......how, where ???????

Dont plan on using often and dont want to spend big money on something fancy and overkill..........

Thanks,

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Etrailer.com might have something for you.
Also if cheap is your criteria, try Harbor Freight Tools.
They've got a lot of inexpensive winches.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

[ QUOTE ]
Asking for suggestions and ideas regarding a inexpensive elec winch mounted on floor for pulling non-operating cars into my trailer...

Then, can I have it powered via 12Volt from truck......how, where ???????

Dont plan on using often and dont want to spend big money on something fancy and overkill..........

Thanks,

[/ QUOTE ]

Like I've mentioned, we have Warn 1700 winches on/in both trailers and they've been great. Haven't directly hooked them to power from the truck, just keep batteries with them.

And we use them a lot.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

So I decided on the Harbor Freight 3000# (that's not static)
$129 winch. Wound up being on sale for $99 and then I used a 20%off coupon on top of that. As little as I'll use it, that $80 winch will last longer than I will.

I can probably figure out how to structurally mount it through the Plywood floor and into some steel.

I'd like some suggestions on what kind of 12Volt Battery I need to use ? What to mount it in?? and How to wire it.

Then do I keep it charged with one of those little float chargers that you use on your classic car battery??

Thanks for any help.....

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I mentioned in one of the earlier posts that I had purchased a Hensley Arrow Hitch.
I used it for thr first time last week on an 750 mile trip with my Airstream. I gotta tell you it is one smooth hitch.
No sway,no bouncing,easy to turn easy to back up with.
I had ordered additional brackets for attachment to my Wells Cargo so in Sept I will have experience with that trailer as well.

Paul

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Shall we search for a web site showing pics and info, or might you post your pics and tell us about the
technology ?????

Thanks,

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I read about this when I was looking at my setup : Hensley Arrow

I have the Reese Trunnion Bar Weight distribution setup with the Dual Cam sway control. It has worked great for me!

Reese Products

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Sorry for not posting the link, thanks for the follow up Rusty.

Paul

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Wanting to improve my rachet strap tie down system for 69/70 Camaros.........

1) I'd like to convert my rachet handles to having snap hooks on one end to hook directly to D-ring or tie down point of trailer floor. Do YOU do this or see it done commonly ????

2) I've seen or been told where many secure front of car by going between lower control arm and frame with axle strap, then grabbing both metal ends and pulling with rachet strap in X pattern, OR straight.

This allows suspension to move up/down in trailer, correct. Any pros/cons here ???

When I had my drag car many years ago, I anchored into factory subframe hole and pulled front suspension down.

Other than potentially scratching painted frame, why is this practice not being done more.

Thanks for the education

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I've always preferred to cross my tie-downs. Common sense tells me the car has less chance of shifting side-to-side in a mishap of any kind.
As far as hooking to the suspension vs the body that's a whole other can of worms. My Nova is currently in my trailer and I have the front straps hooked to the frame and the rear ones to the axle! Duh! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif (actually there's a reason for it but the explanation takes too long. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif)

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

i never tie the straps to the chassis. i also use the axle straps around the control arms and around the rear axle. and of course in an "X" pattern for the reason Dennis said. going directly to the frame , you could possibly either break the strap or the hook could damage the hole that you're in and that would not be good. i like to let the car "float" if you will, and the straps will never move.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Not arguing here.......just stating my past experience and wanting to learn.

When I had the #27 ZL-1 and my later C/SM 69 Drag Car on open car trailer, I used factory sub frame oblong holes to pull car down and NOT let car float. Traveled many miles back and forth while racing Div 6, NHRA and never had a problem. Went around axle in back.

Now with the restored/show cars most everyone says to let car float and secure around lower control arm.

LZDick has reported an incident towing Larry G's 70 Z where lower control arm cut strap.......

I'm wondering if either way is "OK" or is their a distinct right and wrong here ?????

Also, why doesnt anyone use basket straps around front/rear wheels tieing down to E-track on floor. I suspect, its just too difficult or awkward to get straps, rachets, etc in place and work the rachet ?????????

Thanks for YOUR input!!!!

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

The front lower control arms can and do cut thru the straps. I use 18" long straps, with O-rings on the ends. Then strap that to the d-rings with rachets. Then when the 18" long piece starts cutting thru, I trash it and get new ones. They last me a couple years, so it's no big expense. The rears last forever, because there's nothing sharp. I don't use the X pattern. My d-rings are splayed out a bit, and I've never had a problem with side to side movement.

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

I think the basket straps hold the most securely and do not allow the car to shift around, but they are cumbersome to install.

I prefer the t-hook straps that towing companies use inserted into the factory frame slots. They won't damage the outside surface or elongate the hole and are very secure. I always strap in an X pattern as well. Otherwise I have had the vehicle walk around quite a bit.

http://www.truckntow.com/images/PROD...96RTJ-S-PS.jpg

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Andy, I understand the T-hook into the factory slot.....

but if pulling from left to right,(X-crossing) how could you not put some of that metal across painted frame and mess up the finish????

Re: Trucks, Trailers, Towing and Misc Accessories
 

Maybe it is different since I am dealing with a full frame car, but I hook them in the front frame roughly under the A-pillar and they angle down to the trailer surface (D-ring) and do not contact any other part of the car.

I do use axle straps in the rear just out of laziness, but would prefer to use wheel straps (baskets).

Disclaimer... my car is "nice" but NOT a show car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif