First full load behind my 09 Frontier!!

4987 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by dsent, May 21, 2009

dsent

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2009 (Edited by Moderator)

I have this Weight Distributing that has built in sway control.

LINK
Pro Series SC Weight Distribution by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese, 1,100 TW, 14K GTW 49579 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com

I highly recommend this type hitch, so much easier to tow when the load is balanced and sway control!!

On the trailer is a Deckel CNC Milling machine.

It weighs 4300lbs plus another 500lb in the car top carrier, plus 3/8 chains,ratchet binders,tarps,spare tire,and 10k floor jack.

My trailer is 7k capacity with electric brakes on one axle.

Total load on trailer(including trailer)6300lbs plus 500 lbs in the bed of the truck.towing load is 200lbs over max capacity for my truck according to the owners manual.

I pulled this load from Diamond OH to Conway SC, 664 miles. According to the computer I averaged 12 mpg at 65mph.

The drive with gas stops and pit stops 12 hrs.

I slowed to 60 on some of the long 5% grades in WV and NC mtns.

I often pulled loads like this with my 05 Titan but I no

longer wish to do it for my customers,considering the

liability for not much pay.

So I down sized to the Frontier, this load is for me and the

Frontier handled it great!!

Here are some pics of my load and truck.

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EB_05_NISMO

· #2 · May 21, 2009

Nice. Glad to hear the Frontier handled it well.

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tac2front

· #3 · May 21, 2009

dsent said:
I have this Weight Distributing that has built in sway control.

LINK
Pro Series SC Weight Distribution by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese, 1,100 TW, 14K GTW 49579 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com

I highly recommend this type hitch, so much easier to tow when the load is balanced and sway control!!

On the trailer is a Deckel CNC Milling machine.

It weighs 4300lbs plus another 500lb in the car top carrier, plus 3/8 chains,ratchet binders,tarps,spare tire,and 10k floor jack.

My trailer is 7k capacity with electric brakes on one axle.

Total load on trailer(including trailer)6300lbs plus 500 lbs in the bed of the truck.towing load is 200lbs over max capacity for my truck according to the owners manual.

I pulled this load from Diamond OH to Conway SC, 664 miles. According to the computer I averaged 12 mpg at 65mph.

The drive with gas stops and pit stops 12 hrs.

I slowed to 60 on some of the long 5% grades in WV and NC mtns.

I often pulled loads like this with my 05 Titan but I no

longer wish to do it for my customers,considering the

liability for not much pay.

So I down sized to the Frontier, this load is for me and the

Frontier handled it great!!

Here are some pics of my load and truck.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1513.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1514.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1515.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1518.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1519.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1520.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1521.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/doctordeckel/frontier pulls FP3NC/IMG_1522.jpg

The Frontier has plenty of grunt to tow that, but I would be concerned about stopping and handling. How well did it do in those areas?

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dsent

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 21, 2009

With the weight distributing hitch transferring the load to the front and rear of the truck the truck does not squat. The front end is not light because of the weight transfer.

Years ago there was a tv commercial where they had a front wheel drive van pulling a trailer with the rear tires removed to show how the hitch distributed the load, and pulled the trailer.

The trailer does not dance behind the truck because of the load because of the sway control built into the hitch. This also helps with wind gust and when you pass a semi you do not get blown across the road.

I take care in how I load the trailer to help balance the load.

If you look at my pics the main weight is slightly forward of the axles, the electrical cabinet sitting as far forward as possible weighs 550lbs in between these 2 was the car top carrier filled with 500lbs, at the very rear of the trailer is a sheet metal enclosure for the machine it weighs about 150lbs. I estimate that I had about 700-800 lbs of tongue weight.

Of course when you have a load such as this one, you must change your driving habits some. Allow more room between cars for stopping distance. You must be more aware of things going on far in front of you.

With the electric brakes set correctly on my Trailer Brake Controller the trailer is doing 70-75 % of the stopping.

I would never buy a trailer with hydraulic surge brakes, they suck. Your truck does most of the stopping before the hydraulic brakes start to work and they slam the trailer on the hitch to activate the brakes. Although this is better than not having any brakes on your trailer, you DO NOT have as much control as you would with electric brakes.

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