So this is my trailer:



Thats about where the Jeep normally sits, any father forward increases the pin weight.

Total trailer weight is about 17K, right at the max GVWR for the trailer(has two single 7500# axles). Pin weight is about 3300# or 19%. Is that a big deal?

Weight on the wheels is front: 4960# and rear is 6768#. Those seem ok however I had hoped to move away from a dually and into a SRW but that rear axle weight is over what a pair of "E" rated tires can handle. Could I do it with a SRW with 19.5" tires or am I just asking for trouble?

Truck pulls it quite nicely other then you do feel that pin weight on harsh bumps...

Not really interested in hearing about the DOT stuff, it seems to be different in every state and I'm in Alberta....

 

add an axle or two !

 

My 305 70 17 Nitto Terra Grapplers are rated for I think 3640 each.

 

I've got Nitto Dura Grapplers and they are rated at 3970 pounds.

 

I think your weight distribution is perfect. Good numbers for truck and trailer.

You can get a LT G rated tire at or over 4000 lbs but not sure on sizes if you want larger than stock. Rim size may be an issue.

I would keep the dually because regardless of tire capacity you will loose the overall side to side resistance that the dually gives you. That much pin load will keep you stable but in a turn like on an exit ramp it is a lot of weight pushing the GN hitch sideways. No single tire can fix that. I think you will not like SRW with your load.

Air bags or adjustable shocks (Set firm) will help the ride, but i like the weight distribution. Good percent on the pin, Well done, it will be stable. Less pin weight will breed instability and mess up your axle loads.

If you were forced to go SRW low profile 19.5 would be safest for side to side stiffness.

 

That's my next tire. How has your experience been with them?

 

Thanks for the replies. Cann't really take much credit for the weight distribution. Just kind of worked out that way. I did play with the placement of the Jeep a bit, mostly by feel. Its basically as far back as I feel comfortable and still get good angle on the tie down chains.

The bumps aren't overly harsh some I probably won't bother with airbags.

What are those Nittos like in snow?

 

I had the terra grapplers , they were ok in the snow. Wasn`t happy about the tread life. Pull 10000lbs trailer and over one winter and a few trips to Vancouver with the trailer and seemed like half the tread was gone. Going to run Michellins next time.

 

I'd also say stay with the dually...

 

Why do you want to move away from the dually?

 

I'd add an axle to the trailer... problem solved.

 

I only pull that trailer 4-5 times a year but drive the truck 3-4times a week(currently). This fall the wife loses her ride to work and will need to drive herself.

So either we buy her a car and have ANOTHER vehicle to insure and maintain or I buy a SRW that is more commuter friendly and I drive that and she gets the minivan.

The tires on my truck now have the center of the treads worn out from running it empty. Yes I should have air down the tires when not towing heavy but thats a real pain with a dually.

Also if I do get a different truck I'll go back to an automatic. Nothing beats the 6spd for towing a big load down the highway but sucks big time for stop and go traffic in the city.

 

I tow pretty heavy a few times a year, it tends to wear out the tread quickly, just make sure you rotate them. I do run 315s though cause I really like the big tires off road.

 

My tires wore out prematurely cause I don't tow enough. The center is worn out but the sides are still good. Because the tires are pumped up full and I have no load on tires I'm riding around on the center of the tire vs the full face of it. I should be lowering the pressure in them when not towing so that the tires ride on the full face of the tread.

I have thought about adding another axle to the trailer. It would definitely solve the heavy hitch weight problem and allow me to keep using lighter duty "E" rated truck tires vs buying new HD "G" rated tires.

However I do a lot of tight manoeuvring and triples would make that a real pain in the but... I'm going to think about that one some more though.

 

What about a dummy axle for the trailer? Don't know if they make something like that for a GN.