Hauling Without Trailer Brakes?

[beowulf]

The truck is worth it. If you haven’t already, next time you have it in the shop for some work swap out the oil pan. It’s a known issue with our year and it’s what kills the engine, not anything else.

When you find that chassis and cab find one for me too! My non-mechanic friends don’t understand why I’m willing to put $$ into this truck. It’s still cheaper than buying new or used, and if I bought used, I’d be in the same position in ~5-10 years anyway. I’d rather work on what I know versus buy someone else’s mystery-problem truck. When you buy used, who even knows wtf has gone on under the hood. As OP’s boyfriend and myself both found out in our own ways.

@endlessclimb Yes. I found this out the hard way since I bought it and immediately tried to get it inspected at three local garages. It’s a 5 ton truck empty. My truck happens to be just one pound over the lift limit of my preferred garage.

[Blueeyedroan]

Snapped this just for you- so you can appreciate the truly ugliness of this truck. It’s BEAT. And saggy.
The truck is actually how I met the BF - when he pulled this into my shop I took one look and knew this man was compensating for NOTHING bahahaha. I wasn’t wrong.

[CanteringCarrot]

@beowulf

The truck is worth it. If you haven’t already, next time you have it in the shop for some work swap out the oil pan. It’s a known issue with our year and it’s what kills the engine, not anything else.

When you find that chassis and cab find one for me too! My non-mechanic friends don’t understand why I’m willing to put $$ into this truck. It’s still cheaper than buying new or used, and if I bought used, I’d be in the same position in ~5-10 years anyway. I’d rather work on what I know versus buy someone else’s mystery-problem truck. When you buy used, who even knows wtf has gone on under the hood. As OP’s boyfriend and myself both found out in our own ways.

@endlessclimb Yes. I found this out the hard way since I bought it and immediately tried to get it inspected at three local garages. It’s a 5 ton truck empty. My truck happens to be just one pound over the lift limit of my preferred garage.

That’s interesting because it’s reported that the 2001 7.3L dually weighs less than 10k (curb weight) . So now I’m confused.

[beowulf]

@CanteringCarrot

That’s interesting because it’s reported that the 2001 7.3L dually weighs less than 10k (curb weight) . So now I’m confused.

That is probably true for stock / base trim. My 7.3 is a flatbed Superduty XLT. Extended cab & bed.

For perspective, I had to have this truck hauled to my diesel mechanic this spring. I called AAA and asked them to haul it. I told them not to send a standard tow truck because they wouldn’t be able to lift it. They did anyway, and my truck lifted their truck off the ground. They had to come out with a 48 foot flatbed to move it.

[endlessclimb]

Scale or it didn’t happen.

[beowulf]

Next time I’m at Graves. I do need some stonedust for the princess…

[endlessclimb]

Also, isn’t it funny how they don’t listen to the size or weight when you try to warn them? How many times I’ve been turned away despite calling ahead of time. I think it’s because we are women that when we say “The truck is BIG. The truck weighs a LOT.” that they just ignore it.

[CanteringCarrot]

@endlessclimb

Scale or it didn’t happen.

Yeah, this. The math doesn’t math…

but I’m not good at math

I know how much my 2006 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 and extras weighs, I’ve also seen a 2001 F-350 dually weighed, and my brain doesn’t understand

I don’t know flat bed vs stock bed weights though.

Honestly, the weight and size of trucks can be an inconvenience at times if you need recovery.

[Annie10]

Not only is it not safe, not just for you guys in the truck but also for the horse, in many states it’s not legal. Trailers over a certain weight, which would include a horse trailer, have to have electric brakes. Some trailers, like some boat trailers and so forth can have surge brakes.
. So if something were to happen like an accident or something else on the road, you could possibly be in trouble not just with your insurance company, but also legally. If you have a plug in your trailer to plug into it, it should be able to run everything. I would get out the owners manual and check all the fuses because sometimes there is a relay in there for the trailer brakes and sometimes that fuse blows. I’ve had that happen in my truck. I have a 2001 7.3 and a 2002 7.3.

[beowulf]

It used to really bother me. Now I just lean into the stupid woman schtick and make a game of it.

Different vehicle, but same problem. I told them twice not to send out the 32 footer. The second guy was at least nice and was like well you were right. Of course I’m right. You think this is my first time being stranded on the highway? lol

IMG_4963

[endlessclimb]

When I’ve made an appointment and drove way out of the way to be turned around even after I confirmed it would fit, I just get pissed LOL

[endlessclimb]

Some of the modern day monsters, with a loaded trim package etc and toolboxes and the like I’ve seen come in at 9500#. But I’ve never seen anyone break 5 digits.

Plus, it’s not a good thing to be heavy-heavy. They don’t upgrade your suspension based on the heavier trim package, so you’re just stealing payload from yourself, and making it riskier that you have the suspension/tires/axles maxed out when hauling.

[fivestrideline]

@Annie10

Not only is it not safe, not just for you guys in the truck but also for the horse, in many states it’s not legal. Trailers over a certain weight, which would include a horse trailer, have to have electric brakes. Some trailers, like some boat trailers and so forth can have surge brakes.
. So if something were to happen like an accident or something else on the road, you could possibly be in trouble not just with your insurance company, but also legally.

Everything Annie said but THIS. You could be in some very hot water in a lot of states legally, and with your insurance in general. It’s not just you on the road, but other drivers too (often unaware or plain stupid). And deer. Hit something or get into any sort of wreck and you are risking some trouble. I know someone arrested at the scene of a wreck and the cops were not concerned in the slightest about the horses overheating in the trailer, or how they were going to be removed from the scene or who was going to come take them home. There was talk of impounding the rig as-is, horses on board and all. If my acquaintance had not been arrested or detained (it was a legal snafu thing, similar to this brake situation, but grounds for an arrest), they would’ve been allowed to arrange for a pickup MUCH quicker and easier.

Make sure you’re legal, if you’re going to risk this. But why risk a faulty rig at all? For an optional, non-emergency trip? Seriously, this isn’t a trailer missing tags or something not related to safety. You’re talking faulty wiring (at least) with a rig that is set up to do the thing. And hauling live weight with no brakes.

Also, a certain series/year/model truck can be great (and yes, this one is), but you really need to look at the individual vehicle in front of you.

[Christa_P]

Oil pan and transmission pan were changed in 2020.

[cayuse]

It’s not beat, it has character

[ThreeWishes]

Does it have turn signals and brake lights? (Sorry if I missed that detail in the OP) trailer I mean