Not a bad Idea Tim, that would drop the back down a little , It seems like a whole lot of trailer on the Toung? more front end than rear like the axles were pulled back. Looking at jims pics the white truck and ramps would have to be real long to keep that truck from hitting center, taking out cat or any pipes hanging down. Hey Jim are you bringing the Trailer too? Pick up some D-rings and hard'nd Bolts, I can help you put them in

 

Maybe, but that would be another added expense, and I have to start making money soon, or I will be finished before I even start. I think if I center the vehicle I am towing over the trailer's wheels, I should be fine.

Jim

 

if dont want to get air bags u can just get air shocks well four days at work
and i got promated im know get to drive a f750 and f550 dump trucks to all my freinds that said driving a lifted truck would never teach u a skill and kiss my butt hahaha

 

I can see now that this trailer is not the best for towing vehicles. I was in such a hurry to get a trailer, that I chose the first one available (well second one, the first one the owner did not return my call,) and it is turning out to be a nightmare. No dovetail, no dropped axles, and it is overkill for what I need, which means it is heavier than it needs to be, and will always result in lower mpg for the truck then a lighter trailer. Also, it did not dawn on me that I would need the front end of the trailer higher than the rear when winching up a vehicle. Now that I think about it, what is going to stop the vehicle from rolling forward once it is winched up onto the trailer? So, I just spent $715 on etrailer.com for the Firestone air bag kit, and the air compressor kit which will air up both bags from the comfort of my cab. I even paid an extra $25 to have it sent express hoping it will get here before the gtg, because if not, I will have to pay someone to install it, as it is well above my capabilities.

I am already $3,000 over my budget to get this business going. I am thinking had I looked for a trailer better suited for my needs I would not have had to buy the 8 foot aluminum ramps, or this airbag kit, and compressor kit. That would have saved me over $1,000 right there. I have thought about selling this trailer and looking for a different one, but who knows how long it would take before I got a buyer? And I have already paid for the ramps and airbags, so I might as well keep this one. maybe when I start making a profit from this venture, I will not feel so bad about it. LOL.

Jim

 

Good for you Joe! I decided to go with the airbags. It was either that, or I keep unhooking the trailer from the truck, and raising it manually with the trailer jack. I did not want to do that, so I bought the bags, and because I did not want to have to air them up individually, I bought the air compressor kit that will not only air them up together, but can be done from inside the truck.

Jim

 

it should be a bolt on kit right

 

Yes it is a bolt on kit.

Jim

 

Are you saying that you want to use the air bags to raise the front of the trailer, conversely lowering the rear end of the trailer so to more easily load vehicles?
I suppose that would help a little, but the bags only go so far, ya know? The main reason I was thinking of air bags was because I think I read that your trailer tongue was a little too high to sit level, even with the receiver hitch inverted. The air bags would raise the rear of the truck so that the trailer would match up better with a high trailer, keeping the trailer level.
Sorry if I led you down a path where you find yourself further committed to a decision you're unhappy with, Jim. I was only trying to help problem solve the purchase you already made, the trailer. I hope you find that it all comes together to your satisfaction.

 

With the empty trailer connected to the truck, the front of the trailer is lower than the rear of the trailer. If the air bags will level it up, or raise the front even a little higher than the rear during loading, I will be happy. I just don't see any other way to prevent the vehicle from freewheeling into the back of the truck unless I have someone sitting in the vehicle to apply the brakes. However, that will not always be possible. So I need some way to raise the front of the trailer so the winch does all the work, and not gravity. Once the vehicle being loaded is secure, I will lower the rear of the truck. If you look at the truck with only the trailer connected, the rear end is already higher than the front. If the weight of the vehicle being loaded lowers that beyond the front, then I can use the air bags to level it up again. I too am trying to rectify a bad decision on my part by buying this trailer. The 8 foot ramps will help in the loading of the vehicle, my main concern is stopping the vehicle once loaded.

edit: I do have a small 1 and a half ton floor jack, I could keep with the truck, and use it to help the trailer jack get the nose of the trailer higher. Maybe even use it to move the trailer around, but not sure I could manage that alone.

Jim

 

Evening JIm and Hank.... 30* is our low tonight!!!!

-THe Great

 

30's eh? I would love 30's right about now. Well...not really, that would be too cold. LOL

Jim

 

LOL ya a little bit too nipply for mid september.... must be all that golabal warming!!!!

-The Great

 

Happy two for Tuesday Nor Cal FTE and friends! Hope everyone has a great day.

Jim

 

If u haven't come up with any thing him I have I idea and can fab of up for up

 

Okay Jim, I think I'm feelin' it. So your biggest concern now is that you are worried about the forward tilt of the trailer because you feel that the vehicle in the trailer will roll forward and into the tow vehicle... First of all, you should have the trailer level for proper towing, i.e. tongue weight and even weight on each axle. As far as the stability of the vehicle on the trailer, you need to get some D hooks installed and some binders or ratchet strap. Just some sort of anchoring system so that you can strap or binder the vehicle to the trailer. you don't want to have that thing just sitting on there with the parking brake set and in park, as that would be insane. It has to be anchored to the trailer. Installing a tire bumper at the front of the trailer for the front tires would be a good idea too.