What happens to this in hard left turns?

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Hey I just went out and found the picture...

 

A little digging reveals this is a "Hell-Ya" product.

Hull no! If your tow vehicle isn't adequate, get one that is!

Much safer that way.....

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The idea isn't bad ... the execution is what falls way short and is unsafe.

I had a custom extension fabricated to pull lighter trailer loads (up to 350 lbs. tongue weight and 3500 lbs. max. for the trailer) behind our truck camper. It was fabricated with extra thick 2" square tubing for the extension piece, rigid square tubes that are bolted to either side of my truck's hitch receiver (sort of where your friend's turnbuckles are) and a HD square tubing support arm that comes down from the top where the bumper hitch ball typically resides and supports the end of the extension near the coupler from above. I've towed thousands of miles with my set up in all kinds of terrain but I would never exceed the ratings quoted above ... and certainly only a fraction of the weight you quoted.

Your friend might be wise to buy something that's pre-engineered like this:

SuperHitch SuperTruss Truck Receiver Extension | Torklift International

 

I've seen dollys that effectively become tag axles. The wheels will steer in corners. The hubs have brakes. Expensive but they look like they would work well. That "Hell-Ya" thing isn't very well thought out. It would best be set up to have the tire above the ground and act as an overload spring in a dip.

 

Nope!!!!!! The one this person has is a full dolly. Two wleels n tires; rated for heavy tongue weight......it is a heavy duty unit. Wish he was nearby so I vould get a pic and post it. I *MIGHT* pull a light boat or something with the above, but definitely not a 24' enclosed trailer loaded!!!! I believe his is attached to the TV with 4 inch structural square tubing.......definitely not your standard reciever hitch.

 

Who's the guy with the tag-axle on here . . . . ?

 

I don't think anyone here has one, I was trying to describe one that an aquaintance of mine has on his truck......wishing I had some pictures.

 

Someone on here has a heavy slide-in camper for which he built a wheeled assembly that sits underneath his rear bumper and takes some weight off his rear axle.

As I recall, my only observation was that it used too-small rims and tires, and they had to spin very fast.

No idea how much weight it actually relieved.

EDIT: Found it:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16150081

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He seems to state a few numbers. 1) Base model (which I assume is the one he had made) relieves up to 1500#. 2) He also said about 880# from the rear axle 3) he also said his business partner said about 700# from the rear axle. He really needs to get the thing weighed and find out for sure.

An interesting idea. I agree with the comments about the tires ... they look small and almost like turf tires (highway rated?). He did say he replaced them after 12 years and 22,000 miles.

 

That picture looks like the wheel is in the 'stowed' position (no trailer). I'd expect to see it at one of the lower positions when in use and not a factor for turning.


Trailer Toad. Just checked and they are still in business. First noticed them ~15 years ago when a buddy whom ran around with stock car folks saw one in action and told me about it.

When using a dolly of some sort, toll facilities will likely count it as an additional axle and charge accordingly.

 

This was the guy I was thinking of, user name pack4tag. Thanks for looking that up, I was too lazy to do it. He's very willing to chat specifics if you want, I recall he's built a few of these over the years.

 

I wouldn't pull it like that. But at least they remembered the chains.

 

Why not just put a longer tongue on the trailer?