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RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
#746638
07/12/10 05:09 PM
07/12/10 05:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,852
KENTUCKY
69CHARGERMD
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,852
KENTUCKY
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Do you guys use a load leveling hitch on your OPEN trailer ? I might borrow a friends OPEN trailer from time to time,,,and was curious I use a load leveling system for my enclosed,,,, I assume there is no downside to using it on the open trailer,,, I know the open trailer is much lighter,,,than the enclosed,,, What are you guys using on your OPEN trailers ? thanks,, DOUG  
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: 69CHARGERMD]
#746639
07/12/10 05:16 PM
07/12/10 05:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413
Newark,Ohio
kissmyaspen
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413
Newark,Ohio
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No load levelers here just hook and book.. 
79 Dodge Aspen
12.265 at 109.75 MPH
67 Satellite NSS/E
11.83 @ 110
1968 Plymouth Road Runner 472 Hemi
3 time MOPAR NATIONALS CHAMP '03 FWD and '06 & '09 Street.
'07, '10, '12 Mopar Nats runner-up Street.
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: 69CHARGERMD]
#746640
07/12/10 05:17 PM
07/12/10 05:17 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
Do you guys use a load leveling hitch on your OPEN trailer ?
I might borrow a friends OPEN trailer from time to time,,,and was curious
I use a load leveling system for my enclosed,,,,
I assume there is no downside to using it on the open trailer,,,
I know the open trailer is much lighter,,,than the enclosed,,,
What are you guys using on your OPEN trailers ?
thanks,,
DOUG
On my open I dont need the EQ hitch... I'm pulling
with my diesel dually and I have enough length to
move the car back and forth to get the proper tongue
weight 10%-15% of the total weight.... if your pulling
with a lighter truck I would advise the EQ hitch...
the bars will also act as a anti sway
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#746641
07/12/10 05:29 PM
07/12/10 05:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
ProSport
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
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I have to use my load leveler hitch with a 99 Durango.
1970 Challenger, all aluminum 528 Hemi, HDK suspension, Tremec 5 speed manual
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: 69CHARGERMD]
#746642
07/12/10 05:44 PM
07/12/10 05:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 254
PA
MrMopar95
Panhandler
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Panhandler
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 254
PA
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only thing i did was measure ground up to my hitch and ground up to my trailer, and bought the proper drop down REESE hitch ball. so that the trailer remains perfectly level, i hate seeing trailers that dont line up at all, either hitch is too high and the trailer does a wheelstand or its too low and its nose diving haha... its very easy to figure out, other than that make sure you got all your lights working and tires filled up and even, and trailer brakes adjusted. should be GOLDEN!  You can see in this photo the trailer is alil low in the front, my drop down hitch is for a brand new econo trailer i borrowed, same one im buying, this is my uncles trailer it needs a taller hitch ball. but it still towed great. 
Nick Bowman
1970 Plymouth Duster -
"Footbrake" Red-or-Dead
2X Pittsburgh Raceway Park Points Champion
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: MrMopar95]
#746643
07/12/10 05:58 PM
07/12/10 05:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
only thing i did was measure ground up to my hitch and ground up to my trailer, and bought the proper drop down REESE hitch ball. so that the trailer remains perfectly level, i hate seeing trailers that dont line up at all, either hitch is too high and the trailer does a wheelstand or its too low and its nose diving haha...
its very easy to figure out, other than that make sure you got all your lights working and tires filled up and even, and trailer brakes adjusted. should be GOLDEN!
You can see in this photo the trailer is alil low in the front, my drop down hitch is for a brand new econo trailer i borrowed, same one im buying, this is my uncles trailer it needs a taller hitch ball. but it still towed great.
19" to the top of the ball
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: smokinwoody]
#746645
07/12/10 06:03 PM
07/12/10 06:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,244
Canada
Kam*Kuda
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,244
Canada
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Just the trailer and pull I have to make that drivers  fender removable
1970 Barracuda Convertible
1968 Satellite Street Strip car
1654.5 Mustang
1955 Land Rover
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: 69CHARGERMD]
#746646
07/12/10 06:45 PM
07/12/10 06:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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I always use and recomend weight bars. They help spread the load, instead of it just hanging off the ball. They don't have any effect on sway.  I bet I have the largest, baddest tow truck on the board and have towed more miles than most. I still use em, Why not? I rather be safe than lazy. Plus my last road trip was 4850 miles, that's alot of miles just hanging off the ball. Use weight bars, it's better for your trailer and tow vehicle.  
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#746647
07/12/10 07:04 PM
07/12/10 07:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
the bars will also act as a anti sway
I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. They don't help with sway at all.
My first big road trip was in 1991 with 86 2500 Dodge 360 truck and a 26' enclosed trailer. We were going to Darlington SC for a IHRA event. I almost killed myself and others on SB I-75 the first time out with weight bars but no sway device. I called ahead in Lexington Ky and made arrangements to have one installed. Got to the place and they installed a 100 dollar anti sway bar on my setup. Took them less than a hour and made a HUGE difference. I couldn't tow it safely without one, That's was for sure with that setup. I could drive as fast as I wanted afterward, but before it was just plain dangerous and I had the trailer loaded properly.
I went on to pull that 26' enclosed with many trucks after that because I also discovered that that 3/4 ton Dodge was not up to the task of pulling a 26' trailer. I killed the 360 too during that trip, when I got home it had 2 burnt valves. The mountains killed it. The mountains will kill the brakes, the mountains will tax your setup for sure.
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: Challenger 1]
#746648
07/12/10 07:15 PM
07/12/10 07:15 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
Quote:
the bars will also act as a anti sway
I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. They don't help with sway at all.
My first big road trip was in 1991 with 86 2500 Dodge 360 truck and a 26' enclosed trailer was to Darlington SC. I almost killed myself and others on SB I-75 the first time out with weight bars but no sway device. I called ahead in Lexington Ky and made arrangements to have one installed. Got to the place and they installed a 100 dollar anti sway bar on my setup. Took them less than a hour and made a HUGE difference. I couldn't tow it safely without one, That's was for sure with that setup. I could drive as fast as I wanted afterward, but before it was just plain dangerous and I had the trailer loaded properly.
I went on the pull that 26' enclosed with many trucks after that because I also discovered that that 3/4 ton Dodge was not up to the task of pulling a 26' trailer.
I totally disagree... besides the bars lifting the
chains are pulling at a angle when the trailer turns
like I said they AID in sway control... a blade type
sway control is much better... and if the trailer is swaying
going down the road you have the weight ALL WRONG
in the trailer.... like I said 15% on the tongue
sway contol is needed when a semi or gust of wind
hits the trailer
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#746650
07/12/10 07:23 PM
07/12/10 07:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
the bars will also act as a anti sway
I have to respectfully disagree with this statement. They don't help with sway at all.
My first big road trip was in 1991 with 86 2500 Dodge 360 truck and a 26' enclosed trailer was to Darlington SC. I almost killed myself and others on SB I-75 the first time out with weight bars but no sway device. I called ahead in Lexington Ky and made arrangements to have one installed. Got to the place and they installed a 100 dollar anti sway bar on my setup. Took them less than a hour and made a HUGE difference. I couldn't tow it safely without one, That's was for sure with that setup. I could drive as fast as I wanted afterward, but before it was just plain dangerous and I had the trailer loaded properly.
I went on the pull that 26' enclosed with many trucks after that because I also discovered that that 3/4 ton Dodge was not up to the task of pulling a 26' trailer.
I totally disagree... besides the bars lifting the
chains are pulling at a angle when the trailer turns
like I said they AID in sway control... a blade type
sway control is much better... and if the trailer is swaying
going down the road you have the weight ALL WRONG
in the trailer.... like I said 15% on the tongue
sway contol is needed when a semi or gust of wind
hits the trailer
Hey I agree to disagree with you!!
I do agree with not having the trailer loaded correctly...
But I can't see how weight bars help stop sway, they do help stabilize the load which may help some.
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: 70blackfish]
#746651
07/12/10 07:27 PM
07/12/10 07:27 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,245
Between a rock & a hard place
cudadoug
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,245
Between a rock & a hard place
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Quote:
It depends what your towing with. a dually no need
Exactly! I used to haul around this 3200# Dart on a fairly light open trailer and pulled with a 1/2 ton. I added the weight bars and MAN! What a difference! That truck rode like there was nothing behind it while towing...Recommended here..hands down!
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: MoparforLife]
#746654
07/12/10 08:55 PM
07/12/10 08:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
Chris2581
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
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We have used a equalizing hitch on our open trailers since day 1.There is a big difference in using it,even with the trailer unloaded.I tow with a 1500 Ram quad cab,car/trailer/gear is right at 5500#.
Nautilus Racing-
We use Superformance gaskets and Turbo Action converters/products.
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Re: RACERS using OPEN trailers,,,,question ?
[Re: 440Jim]
#746656
07/12/10 09:57 PM
07/12/10 09:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
I have always towed my open trailer with race car with a 350 or 3500 truck. No issue at all without equalizer hitch. I think it depends on the truck and how you load (front/back) the trailer.
Loading is a MAJOR factor... if you get a negative
tongue that trailer WILL whip all over... like I
said 10% - 15% of the total on the tongue... and
your right Jim any heavier van/truck doesnt always
require a EQ hitch.... but any trailer with any
amount of weight will need BRAKES on the trailer
with a nice controller.... I'm pissed that they
outlawed the old controller that actually hooked
up to the master and used the brake fluid to run the
controller... that was the best ever
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. The big key to a good towing rig is tongue weight. Shoot for 15% with a minimum of 10%.