Newbie for 40'+ car hauler trailer needs advice

[jtek]

The wife & I are planing on purchasing a 42' Featherlite car hauler with a sleeping quarter to haul our 4x4. I have not weighed the trailer but it has 3 7K axles under it and a GAWR of 6095 Lbs



My tow rig is a stock 2005 3500 with 4:10 automatic 4x4

This is my 3rd Cummins since 1995 and I have pulled trailers & goosenecks thru the rockies in the past but this is my first "Real Big Trailer" though in Texas where it is flat will I be white knuckle every time I hitch up with a trailer?

First and upmost what should I expect from the longer trailer?

I figure I am going to be over my GCWR of 23K if fully loaded with a 4x4 in the back of the trailer.

Before I pull the trailer out of the lot I need to add a vacuum assist connection on my truck.

This trailer has the 2 lines for the vacuum assist brakes. I need to find out how others set up the connections for this besides a basic electric controller.

I plan to put some Air-Bags on and a larger fuel tank soon there after.

To get a feel of her I plan on a few trips to the beach unloaded to get a idea on how the HO engine can pull and how big of boot I need to stop.

Then once comfortable I will drive up a 4000 pound 4x4 in the back and then tip the scales.



This addition to the family is so we can play during the day & sleep comfortably at night.

Thanks

Alan D

(checking E-bay for a FL60)

 

[wtfd6]

no problem. just remember to make those turns wide. mark

 

[DHorton]

You didn't mention if it was a dually or not, so I would just add to watch the crosswinds. A little pre-planning goes a long ways. We have a 2005 Dually with a 40' flatbed that we haul all sorts of stuff with all over the country. Have no worries. Just take it easy until you get the feel for being passed and such.

 

[BGlidewell]

no problem. just remember to make those turns wide. mark

yeah, "swing WIDE!"

 

[lawdog]

By 42' do you mean overall. My Featherlite is 40' overall, but they call it a 32'. featherlite usually goes by floor space, not including the gooseneck overhang bunk area... . Mine weighs 9650 with snowmobiles and cabinets ready to go racing. My 3500 SRW pulls it fine with a 305/555 and 48RE. I use the stock tires when towing though. The 315's are a little much. You will NOT be disapointed in the Featherlite... Except maybe when the payment book comes... I love mine. There are a couple pics in my readers rig gallery... ... .

 

[jtek]

By 42' do you mean overall. My Featherlite is 40' overall, but they call it a 32'... ... .

I got a tape measure and from end to end it is about 44' total.

On the spec sheet they call it a 42' Go figure

It will be atached to a 3500 Dually.



Thanks

 

[lawdog]

I probably would not worry about it with a dually. Mine pulls it fine with a SRW, but is close to MAX rear axle rating..... A friend pulls a 48' Exiss triple axle with a chevy dually dmax. He has had his old steel 48' loaded to max gvwr about 21,000 in the past, just took longer to stop..... BIG axles is the key to good towing. I have a pair of the same axles you are getting with a 14,000 gvwr on the trailer, and it pulls AWESOME... ... . Thank God for long term financing options on the Featherlite's, otherwise the payment would be right there with the trucks... ouch... ...

Where you getting it from. I got mine thru Twin Cities Featherlite in Elko, MN, Just outside Minneapolis... Saved about $3500-$4000 over buying Locally here in Detroit area. . They also had in stock compared to 12 week order time minimum.....