Towing Newbie has a question...
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 266
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From: Ohio
Towing Newbie has a question...
I just purchased a 1944 Farmall M (You can see pics here)
Anyway, It weighs about 5000lbs. I'd like to tow it behind my Screw, but I'm not sure if I can/should. I will also have about 1,000lbs in weights and a cooler or 2 of food and adult beverages. So, I'm guessing around 6500lbs on the trailer.
How much does the trailer weigh (18ft tandem axle)? How much can I pull? Should I get brakes? What mods could I do to improve towing (see my sig).
Thanks in advance
Anyway, It weighs about 5000lbs. I'd like to tow it behind my Screw, but I'm not sure if I can/should. I will also have about 1,000lbs in weights and a cooler or 2 of food and adult beverages. So, I'm guessing around 6500lbs on the trailer.
How much does the trailer weigh (18ft tandem axle)? How much can I pull? Should I get brakes? What mods could I do to improve towing (see my sig).
Thanks in advance
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,544
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From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
8700# = Tilt!
Obviously, from your truck-pull pix, you can pull it -- but you wouldn't want to drive it on the highway.
By increasing the rolling radius of your tires, you reduced your braking by an exponential factor (the formula uses RR squared).
In any case, you'd be insane by not having brakes on the trailer.
What is not universally understood is that any towing rating can be increased as speed is decreased -- meaning: if you're towing it around the block and at slow speed -- you can pull a boxcar (or, as you've demonstrated -- a Sled!).
Obviously, from your truck-pull pix, you can pull it -- but you wouldn't want to drive it on the highway.
By increasing the rolling radius of your tires, you reduced your braking by an exponential factor (the formula uses RR squared).
In any case, you'd be insane by not having brakes on the trailer.
What is not universally understood is that any towing rating can be increased as speed is decreased -- meaning: if you're towing it around the block and at slow speed -- you can pull a boxcar (or, as you've demonstrated -- a Sled!).
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
PS: That (sled pull) looks like great fun!
I assume you're in low range -- how does it do? What speads do you reach?
Do the front wheels jump around like the 'big boys'?
Tell us, tell us, tell us.
I assume you're in low range -- how does it do? What speads do you reach?
Do the front wheels jump around like the 'big boys'?
Tell us, tell us, tell us.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 266
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From: Ohio
Truck/Tractor Pulling is a blast. My Screw did pretty well last year. I got about 5 2nd place finishes and 1 win. I enjoy pulling trucks a lot, but the Screw is my main transportation. While I don't think pulling the truck occasionaly will hurt the truck, any prolonged pulling will eventually break something 
So, I took a little cash and purchased and antique tractor (a 1944 Farmall M) and that is what I pull now. And that is why I have all of these towing questions.
I'm considering getting a 3/4 or 1 ton, but have some reservations. Ultimately that is what I will need, but I'd like to wait until I have a garage big enough to fit one!
So, I took a little cash and purchased and antique tractor (a 1944 Farmall M) and that is what I pull now. And that is why I have all of these towing questions.
I'm considering getting a 3/4 or 1 ton, but have some reservations. Ultimately that is what I will need, but I'd like to wait until I have a garage big enough to fit one!
