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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Trucks?

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>
  • To: <michael@silverhillpartners.com>, "'Mounted search and rescue'" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Trucks?
  • Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:48:44 -0500

Half ton and 3/4 ton refer to postulated payloads in the bed. What you have
to look at is gross weight, combined gross weight and tongue load. The
first is the maximum weight of the truck without a trailer, the next is the
maximum weight of the trailer and truck (assuming a proper hitch and brakes
on the trailer) and the last is the amount of weight that can be pushing
down on the back bumper/receiver. Usually the tongue load is one tenth the
pulling weight of the trailer.

If you are using a platform type hitch the bars should be rated twice the
tongue load at least. I use a pair of 1000 pound bars for a 10,000 pound
trailer rarely loaded beyond half that weight. And I have a sway snubber on
the platform.

If you need to add helper springs or air shocks, or otherwise modify the
suspension you have the wrong load rating on the truck. We are always
weighing our fire apparatus to make sure we don't exceed the load ratings
when we change equipment around. It is probably a good practice to do so
with a loaded horse trailer.

Center of gravity is important for stability. In some cases a steel frame
trailer is better for this because the weight is there down low. Mine is a
steel frame with a Fiberglas roof which saves weight and allows some
translucence. The horse's CG is about 4 feet above the deck. I also rope
all internal dividers as well as use the locks. Many of the divider door
locks in stock trailers are spring locks and a horse can bump them open.

By the way, I have a 1998 K2500 Suburban LT for sale, 6.5L Detroit Diesel,
Allison 4 +OD trans, 4.10 limited slip rear, only 92 K miles.

Irv Lichtenstein





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