Trailer questions
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
Trailer questions
It's been a while since I have been on here and I have a question about a trailer. I am looking at picking up a Big Tex 14GN. It's a 20'+5' 14000 lb capacity gooseneck deck over trailer. I'm new to gooseneck trailers. Does anyone have any experience towing a trailer like this with a F250 Crew Cab 7.3 SRW? My truck does have C code f350 dually springs in it with top overloads and I will install airbags if needed. I have towed the same size trailer in a TT so I would think the gooseneck would only tow much nicer. I had no problem with the rear springs holding the weight with the TT. Anyone know the typical pin weight of a 14k trailer fully loaded? Thanks for any opinions and information.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 872
Likes: 18
From: Jasper, Mn
These are from Thanksgiving time, 32' Finish Line trailer behind the truck in my signature. She sags pretty good with a full load, but not anymore than my dad's 02 f350.
Before I catch hell for not having the tractor chained down, its because I only pulled it a 3/4 mile across the field because I didn't want to have to walk.
Its also way back over the axles because I wanted to see if the tail would lift the rear of the tractor.For a weight idea the bales are probably about 900-1000 pounds and the tractor scales across at about 17750.
I wouldn't worry a bit about a 14k 24 foot gooseneck, just keep an eye on the tires. We were having trouble keeping ours at the correct pressure, brought them in and the tire shop said the valve stems were loose in the rim, said its pretty common on new trailers.
Edit: Sorry the pictures are sideways, not sure why that happened...
Baatzy
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
Your pin weight will change with load distribution. I try to keep the majority of the weight directly over the trailer axles or at least biased toward them thus reducing pin weight. Hitting a set of scales with various loads shifted forward and backward thus biasing the distribution is the best way to get an idea. Scales tell the real story.
You are correct, the GN will be a nicer tow.
You are correct, the GN will be a nicer tow.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
Also, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, I think that having dually springs is only going to help keep you level. Is the F250 rear end rated for those springs or is it the same rear end as the F350? And if it is you are still SRW which will reduce potential max pin weight.
DOT weigh boys give us a hard time here in the south.
DOT weigh boys give us a hard time here in the south.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
If you've got upgraded springs you should be fine. Might still want the air bags to help level things out.
I had a late 99 F250 and the springs would bottom out on the stops over minor bumps pulling a light load on a 25' gooseneck. Changing to the 350 springs with overloads helped quite a bit. I've got airbags in my 350 and like those even more.
As mentioned, pin weight will have to do with what you're hauling and how you have it loaded. I wouldn't worry too much though. Your truck should handle that trailer just fine.
I had a late 99 F250 and the springs would bottom out on the stops over minor bumps pulling a light load on a 25' gooseneck. Changing to the 350 springs with overloads helped quite a bit. I've got airbags in my 350 and like those even more.
As mentioned, pin weight will have to do with what you're hauling and how you have it loaded. I wouldn't worry too much though. Your truck should handle that trailer just fine.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
Thanks for the replies. Most of my heavier towing will be done locally on farm roads near my house hauling firewood. If I go on any long trips it would only have my Jeep or my 1968 Bronco on the trailer. I read the average pin weight is 20% on a gooseneck so with a 14k trailer it's about 2800 lbs. I have had 4000 lbs in my bed before and it drove fine so I think my truck will drive fine with only 3k in pin weight. I will check my rear axle capacity when I get back to my truck. Hopefully I will be picking up my new trailer this next Saturday. Here is a pic of what I'm getting. Thanks.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
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From: Marseilles IL
Today I got my new to me trailer. It tows great and backing up is so much nicer with the gooseneck. As it sits in my pics my top overload springs do not even touch the stops on the frame. It seems like my springs will have no problem with this new trailer but we will see when it's loaded. As I type this I am installing all new LED lights on the whole trailer. As soon as the snow is cleared from yesterday's 17" snowfall I will be testing it with a trailer load of firewood.
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It looks like it will handle whatever you need it too. The LED's will be a nice touch. So what kind shape are the tires?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
Tires are in good shape but they are LT tires not trailer tires and I have no spair. In the next few weeks it is going to get a set of 5 brand new properly rated Trailer tires and rims. It had a few broken lights on it so that is why I upgraded to the led lights right away. Everything is going to be gone through and double checked to be sure all is properly serviced.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 13
From: Glendive, MT
I had a terrible time with trailer tires on my 5er. I tried a few different brands and none lasted more than 2000 miles. Tread would still be good but the tire would fail. I finally gave up, put LT tires on and no more blowouts.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 224
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From: Somewhere in Virginia
You should be happy with it.....I own a bigtex also ....about the only thing I can see wrong with mine is the blue but connectors used to do the wiring....wish congress would outlaw them things....
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
Most trailers that I have looked at recently are all wired exactly the same as yours. It is a shame that you need to almost rewire the trailer, even if new due to those connectors.