The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Towing a Big Bolt fire truck?

I have a 20000# 2 ax duall tire W beaver tail & ramps pull it with a 83 GMC single axe semi truck.
It has a V8 Detroit 8.2 & a 5 speedtrans w/2 speed rear end.
The trailer has a pintel hitch, There is a 5th wheel on the truck also.
I have a sleeper to put on it.
I realey like it, But need to have a better place to sleep than the truck seat.
I have hauled corn heads, a wrecker, 80 chev bulk truck.
you dont know there back there.

Thanks for the info. I'm still reading all about trailering...

I stopped by the local trailer place http://www.vatrailersales.com/ to look at a PJ tilt deck trailer. Like this but with a gooseneck hitch http://www.pjtrailers.com/detail.cfm?ID=T8
They have one with a 22' deck, the whole thing tilts, and it is about 30-32" off the ground without a load.
It has an electric winch, full hydraulic tilt, twin jacks, two 7,000 lb axles with electric drum brakes and spring suspension. Price was about 8,000 or 9,000, I didn't ask for an exact number.

I looked online at the low deck version with fenders, and I'm not so sure that's what I want now. They only come with torsion axles (pretty sure I don't want them) and only 7,000 lb axles. Only part of the deck tilts (don't know if they will or can make the whole thing tilt?). The fenders are removable, which I like.

So, now that I've seen one and done a little more research I think this is what I would order:
- 22' tilt deck, deck over, gooseneck
- 8,000 lb axles with electric over hydraulic disc brakes (cheaper to service, but more expensive up front)
- No winch, they mount it on the deck, I would buy my own and mount it under the deck or in the hitch

They are supposed to get me a price, and what the price difference is if I pick it up in Texas.

Grigg

Sounds great. That is the place I went a couple of weeks ago when we visited Lexington and told him what I wanted and he said, " I don't have anything that will do what you want." Maybe he ment in stock? Clearly PJ makes trailer that will do the job.

Grigg mentioned the Landoll trailers. I had a local truck company move a '55 2-ton for me last summer with a Landoll.

Old truck hauling dreams...

I want one of those toys!!! But my wife would kill me if I brought one of those tractor trailers home... Great pictures!

Well here we go... I finally made the decision to buy the trailer for the firetruck. I have got the notice that I've been accepted for the Winchester firetruck parade on 1 May and I hope to see many of you there. I sent my order in and made the down payment. It is supposed to get built in the next couple of weeks. And then, I've got to go get it!

I got the lowboy trailer like Bill Marlow has in 24', wider in the rear aft of the trailer fenders to meet the firetruck duel width, red color, sealed wire harness, spare tire to match, red cargo straps on 16" centers. Here is the link to the example: http://www.kaufmantrailers.com/heavy-equipment-trailer-store/Gooseneck-Equipment/-20Ft,-14,000-lb.-Gooseneck-p17.html

I hope it all fits right and I get the chance to take the firetruck on a few "long distance runs" in the future. Thanks for all your help, advice and knowleadge along the trailer purchase venture.

Did you get dual jacks? The few trailer folks I've talked to highly recommend them if you ever plan to unhook the truck with a load still on the trailer.

Also, I assume you checked the width between the trailer fenders and the with over your front wheels of the fire truck? If it's close it's really handy to have removable fenders, are they removable?

Don't forget the pictures when you finally get it and have your truck loaded and ready to go.

Grigg

I didn't get dual jacks as I do not want to leave the firetruck on the trailer unless we're traveling. The only time I see it possible would be "if" something was broken while loaded and I needed to disconnect from the tow pickup to go get a part. So I went with the single.

Fender clearance is good as I've measured all of that and I think Im good in that area. Fenders are not removable.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get it home and load it up. They say it will be built/done about the 18th of March.

Congrats Bill! I'm sure you will be happy with the trailer. I love mine and it really pulls nice. Mine only has brakes on one axle but they have always worked well for me. If I ever ordered another one I might get brakes on both just for the added stopping power but I have always felt comfortable coming to a stop. I could be way off but I thought I remember some connection between the folks a Kaufman and the people at Kraftsman (the company that built mine). Anyway they delivered mine to MD for almost as cheap as I could go get it for. That may be an option for you if time is a factor. Good luck and I hope you are happy with it.
Bill

Bill: Thanks for the reassurance. Your set up has been my primary example. I understand the companies are owned by a set of brothers with each one owning either kraftsman or Kaufman.

As for delivery, I'm planning to go pick it up as mostly I want to tow it back(empty) to see how that venture works and put a few miles on my new pick up truck. I drove it up to Lexington a few weeks ago and it really ran great. It has the Duramax Diesel 6.6L V8 Turbo-Diesel engine with Allison 1000 Series six-speed automatic transmission so it should be an easy ride (I hope anyway). We’ll see as the stovebolt journey continues…

Good choice, Bill. You'll have a sweet set up.

Man, with all this Winchester talk, I'd better get off my butt and get my carb rebuilt ... My form is still sitting here, too ...

Looking forward to seeing you in Winchester -- We'll get caught up in the assembly area. The ODHFS guys usually have a pretty good swap meet going in the morning/early afternoon, so plan to arrive early at the High School if you want best pickings.

John

John: Better get that entry form sent in soon! Hope to see you there.

Sounds really nice!!

Just an update for those that may be curious

Price they came back with is 9,900 if I pick it up in Texas.. a bit more that I was expecting, but I did not haggle any, as I'm not ready to buy one for another year or two.

About the low deck version with fenders..
They did say that the torsion axles last at least a hundred thousand miles or so, and ride just fine if not better than springs even empty on a trailer the size we're talking about. Also they think they can get the 8,000 lb axles with the same brakes as above. So same trailer but low deck and torsion axles, I'm waiting on a price estimate.

Grigg

I was also told the same thing about torsion axles and a better ride empty or loaded.

BTW: that link is to a very nice trailer. I'd like to have it but don't think my wife would understand that expense!!!

FYI: My trailer has finished construction and I'm going to pick it up on Thursday morning! Pictures to follow.

Trailer is home but to dark this evening to really look at it or put the firetruck on it. Five pictures:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2445989770080243953OmBbIX

Very nice Bill. It looks great hooked up to your truck. I like the full width behind the fenders!!!
A
Can't wait to see the fire truck on it.
Bill

Thanks. As you know, the wings are designed to model your trailer. It looks like it will fit the need!

We're going to try the firetruck on in the morning "if" I can get a couple of folks over to help watch it. I don't want to damage anything doing it without several sets of eyes.

Looks like a nice trailer, and a lot lower than I thought it would be, should be easy to load.

Grigg

Great looking rig, can't wait to see the firebolt on it.
Hopefully a similar setup is in my future, when one of my big bolts is worthy of such a setup.
Mongo

Loading pictures: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2461813380080243953TadKLE

Well the fire truck was loaded today and there wasn't a major problem that we couldn't easily solve. The fire truck drove right up without an issue and the tailboard didn't hit the ground as I feared it might. However the loading guide wasn't straight so the rear wheels ended up a little uneven in the rear dual area. I needed more eyes… Anyway we did it again and got it right the second time.

As happens from time to time, my measuring skills were off about six inches. So the tailboard hangs over the rear of the trailer about six inches and prevents the ramps from being stowed as designed upright. The good news was we removed the quick release pins and took the ramps off and stowed them under the rear of the fire truck. Problem solved!!! With two folks present to help, we had no problems removing the mounting pins, lifting the ramps or stowing the ramps under the rear tailboard on the trailer dovetail. Clearly this isn’t ever going to be a one man job as there are just too many things to watch for one person to load the fire truck on the trailer.

Anyway it fits (relative term) on the trailer so the next effort will be to strap it down and take it for a tow. I didn't have time today but next week (I'm working all weekend), we'll give it a shot. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Thanks to all for your advice on this phase of the Stovebolt adventure.

That's a great looking trailer, Bill -- I'll bet you'll be very pleased with it.

See you in Winchester!
John

Thanks. I'll be there!

That is a great looking rig! It should do a good job. I would love to be able to transport my truck but it is right at 14,000 lbs and 24+ feet long. It would require a bigger trucka nd a longer trailer. I suppose I will be limited to parades etc close to home.

Bill, Is there any way that your ramps could be made to slide in under the trailer? I know they are heavy but probably lighter than mine and find that they are not too difficult to handle. Just thought.
Bill

I asked but Kaufman said "no because of the thickness of the crossmembers and the needed weight of the ramps to support the firetruck." They guys at the firehouse have looked at it and we figured a way to mount them under the deck but it really isn't necessary.

I've playied with it enough recently so taking off the ramps is easy even with just me. They can be picked up by just me and lifted and stowed under the tailboard in the rear of the trailer without a problem. There is pleanty of space.

As a quick follow up: how do you all tie it down? I've looked at chains, web straps, D-rings and welding on d-ringds, flat hooks to the side pockets and many other options. Do you use a strait on pull at four corners or cross the straps to stop motion in any direction.

I've tied many things down but nothing that is as big as the 9,640 lbs fire truck. Ant ideas or suggestions?

Bill, I have d-rings welded on the front and back of the trailer. I use rachet straps to hold the truck to the trailer. I know a lot of people don't like straps because they say the loosen up over time. I have never had that happen, ever. On a tractor forum that I used to go to, there was a thread about straps and how the poster preferred chains and binders because he knew someone who lost a tractor off the trailer. Again, if properly used I think they are just as safe. If you look at tractor trailers going down the road you see straps used most of the time to secure their loads. I use axle straps to prevent scratching. I plan on replacing mine soon as they are no about 5 years old. There are no visable signs of wear on them but I think it would be the safe thing to do. I will buy the same straps again, which of the ones I have seen offered have a little higher capacity . I bought mine from Northern tools or AW Direct. Also, I cross the straps at both ends.
I think these are the ones I have or very similar.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_21895_21895

Check out this website:

http://www.zips.com/Store_Products.aspx?CAT=206

This is the type of equipment I used when I was running a professional towing & recovery service for big rigs. These nylon cargo straps have a massive safety factor built in, and they're much more durable than the Harbor Freight/Northern Tool stuff. Reasonable prices, too!
Jerry

Do you know anyone who runs a tow truck?
Have them stop by and take a look at what you have, they'll have some good suggestions for you.

I also use short straps around the axles then chains and ratchet straps both.
Use a short chain to pull the front axle back, then straps to pull the rear axle forward, and a chain over the trailer hitch to hold the rear down.
I'm not completely happy with that setup, but it seems to work fine.

In the future I'll have eyes in the front bumper for shackles and brackets bolted on with the front spring U-bolts for shackles there too. Then something similar for the rear axle and rear of the frame.

Some folks say to tie the axles down, and let the body float on the truck suspension. Some folks say tie the frame down enough to squish the suspension some, leave the axles alone.
I think it is best to tie down primarily the axles, and then the frame is a good idea too.

Hard to say exactly how to do it without being there to look and evaluate the situation.
But I don't think you can go wrong with 8 straps or chains total, 4 per axle with 2 forward and 2 back, keep them short if possible then they help hold it down as well as keep from moving around.

Grigg

Bill,
Heres AW's site looks like there are a lot of strap/chain choices here
http://www.awdirect.com/recovery-and-tow-straps/

And don't forget to read Barry Weeks' Tech Tip on hauling -- he has some good pointers about tie downs.


John

Thanks guys!!!!

I'm with Grigg on this one. When me and my buddies have hauled vehicles, even 4 wheelers, we found that if we didn't chain to the axles, a rough road can loosen the straps/chains hooked to the tow hooks on the bumbers even bad enough that the strap fell off once...

Nice looking rig.

Thank you.

i had to work yesterday so I couldn't attend the "homecoming" but today I got ready for the Winchester Va, Apple Blossom Festival on 1 May. I loaded the firetruck on the trailer and drove around on the local interstate (Rt64) for about two hours just to get used to towing the loaded trailer. Not one problem was encountered!!!

Here are a few pictures I shot across from the house after I got back in: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2035029430080243953ISAdTK

I think I'm just going to leave it loaded on the trailer until Thursday morning when I'm leaving for Winchester. I want to get the firetruck cleaned up once I arrive so I'm headed out about 9AM.

BTW:If you see something in the pictures that just doesn't sit right with you, please let me know! I'd rather have your comments before I get it all on the road!!! Thanks.

Bill

That looks outstanding. How did the truck handle the weight? That is just one fine looking outfit.