| Author |
Message |
David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 8:26 pm: | |
I have an MCI 102A3 that I want to add a big trailer hitch to. I want to be able to tow an enclosed trailer with a car inside, so it needs to be able to handle some serious stresses.
I'm under the impression this needs to be custom made - I've searched the board and google for any info I can find on this.
My mechanic is a diesel mechanic, not a bus mechanic, so he says he can do it, but I'll have to pay him alot more than someone who has done it before.
I'm in San Francisco, but can travel some to get the hitch done - any suggestions on how to find a welder to do this or where to get this made? |
Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:39 pm: | |
David, do some more searching on this board using “large trailer” and “heavy trailer” and you will be overwhelmed with threads. You will find a huge range of opinions about towing large trailers. The following is one of my posts to a previous thread. It contains a few things that you should think about.
>>>>>>>>previous post>>>>
The big issue is the structure of the bus. Any trailer hitch design will attach to the engine cradle system on most busses. The cradle was not designed for some of the large loads that trailers can impose on them. This can be made worse by corrosion and fatigue which can reduce the ability to handle large loads.
There are two kinds of load: horizontal (straight pull as in a tow bar and toad). The second is vertical load. In my opinion, most engine cradles that have not been compromised by corrosion will handle reasonable horizontal loads/pulls (i.e. most any size toad). It is the vertical loads that are a concern. Any trailer should have at least 10% of its weight imposed on the trailer hitch. Thus a 5,000 pound trailer will impose at least 500 pounds on the hitch minimum. That is a lot of load on the engine cradle structure.
Some folks use equalizer hitches to take some of the load off the trailer hitch. That works to some degree, but puts some different loads into the system that can cause problems if the hitch is not properly designed.
Lots of folks tow large trailers and have had no problem. Having said that, there are also folks who have reported frame problems. In my opinion, you are really pushing the limit, if you have a trailer that weighs more than 5,000 pounds.
Larger trailers can be used with auxiliary trailer tongue dollies or specially designed trailers. As a part of gathering information for an article I am writing, I have described some of those systems on my web site:
http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/Trailer%20Towing.htm
You mention GVWR. That is for the bus only and the trailer would not normally count against that rating. The rating that includes trailers is GVCWR where the “C” is combined which includes the bus and trailer. Since buses were not designed to pull trailers, they do not have a GVCWR. The main issue with the weight rating is to make sure that no axle is overloaded (each axle will have a rating) and the trailer impact on the brakes. If no auxiliary brake are used, you should not exceed the GVWR which is a real challenge with some conversions.
There are some other issues that might come into the pictures. Overall length can be a concern in some states on some highways. Having enough power and gearing can also be a concern.
Sorry for the long post. Probably more than you wanted to know.
>>>>>>>>>>>end previous post>>>>>
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
’85 Eagle 10
http://rvsafetysystems.com Toll Free: 1**888**349**0704
Bus Project details: http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/busproject.htm (updated 2/9/06) |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 10:22 am: | |
I do not think anyone should consider towing an enclosed trailer with no auxiliary brakes. I know for a fact that the CHP will stop you and check. The fine for not having them, by the way, is $185 IIRC.
Richard |
David Hartley (Drdave)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:31 pm: | |
Dragging any trailer over 2,000 lbs without brakes is illegal in many states. A big dual axle cargo trailer loaded with a car should have brakes on both axles.
My Pace 22 foot has brakes on both axles as its rated for 8,000 lbs. My car hauler flatbed rated at 5,500 lbs max has one axle with brakes and one without.
I was moving the Pace with it loaded a while back and didn't have a brake controller in my van. I had to stop suddenly. The vans wheels locked up when I hit some sand. The trailer pushed me through an intersection and almost into traffic.
It's not fun to have an 8,000 lb gorilla shoving you places you don't want to go!!!
I put electric brakes on my MCI before I tried pulling any trailer with it and the trailer brakes saved my cookies already once. |
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