johntank
Oxford, Ms 38655 USA
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Joined: 06/17/2003
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fncampn wrote:That's the one! Thanks Barney. I just couldn't remember the name of it. I think this would be the best solution of all. Any one have experience with the HitchHog?
That is quite a set up, I have seen another style that would not be as much $$ wise, it just had one tire/wheel and just helped carry the weight at a set level, it was posted here on these forums about a year ago.
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fncampn
Gardnerville, NV
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Joined: 09/05/2002
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Now I'm considering building a much simpler version of the HitchHog. I don't really need any suspension and a single wheel at a set height to offset some of the tongue weight I think would work very well.
johntank, do you know who the forum member was who made the single tire dolly? I tried searching be couldn't find the thread.
Cold Weather Camping Mods
A Bunch of Ways to Mod Your RV
'08 Ford F150KR Screw 5.4L LB Auto 3.73LS 4x4
'07 Ford F350 XLT CC LB PSD Auto 3.73 4x4 - SOLD
'08 Thor Summit 27RBS TT - 9000 GVWR, 7500 loaded, 875 TW
'06 Kipor 3500Ti Generator
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TJ Gordon
USA
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Joined: 01/06/2006
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Mark
I just looked at the Stinger Hitch built in Miller South Dakota. It is well built and may be just what you need. Check it out at www.stingerhitch.com
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BurbMan
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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fncampn, not trying to say this is a safety hazard, not much can happen at 10 mph in 60'. But, if your rear end is up so high you can't get any traction, that's some serious front end weight. Even at those slow speeds and short distances, you may hear a loud crack and break a spring, tie rod, or other component, especially as you get some flex going in/out of the driveway or anytime the suspension articulates.
I think you are on the right track with the dolly....you just need something there at the hitch to handle some of the weight so it's not all on the truck. In fact, zero tongue weight would be ideal in this situation, I don't sway is an issue here.... 
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fncampn
Gardnerville, NV
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TJ Gordon wrote:Mark
I just looked at the Stinger Hitch built in Miller South Dakota. It is well built and may be just what you need. Check it out at www.stingerhitch.com
Thanks TJ. The Stinger Hitch looks really nice. A little pricey though. I may be able to replicate something like that for less than half the cost. I have some materials at home that just might fit the bill. Thanks for the link.
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fncampn
Gardnerville, NV
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BurbMan wrote:fncampn, not trying to say this is a safety hazard, not much can happen at 10 mph in 60'. But, if your rear end is up so high you can't get any traction, that's some serious front end weight. Even at those slow speeds and short distances, you may hear a loud crack and break a spring, tie rod, or other component, especially as you get some flex going in/out of the driveway or anytime the suspension articulates.
Oh I can get traction. It's just that the lightning of the rear end on the gravel lessens the traction, causing the rear wheels to begin to spin, when starting out in 4-LO. I have about 850 lbs. of tongue weight. I still have a few inches of travel left in the front suspension so no real worries there. But it's certainly something to consider.
BurbMan wrote:I think you are on the right track with the dolly....you just need something there at the hitch to handle some of the weight so it's not all on the truck. In fact, zero tongue weight would be ideal in this situation, I don't sway is an issue here....
Yeah, if I can offload about 600 lbs. of TW, I think I wouldn't have to use the plywood at all. And zero TW would be ideal. I've already removed the 2 "extra" batteries from the tongue so any little bit will surely help.
As I mentioned, I'm going to try and fabricate something. I think something like the Stinger Hitch would be fairly easy to make, especially when I have a buddy who can weld just about anything.
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dougsee3
Calgary AB
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Joined: 08/07/2005
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Filling the grey tank at home and possibly a 50 gal slip tank of some sort for the very back of the truck. Water your trees or grass after.
2005 2500 Avalanche
2004 30' Terry Quantum 290FLS
Equal-i-zer,Prodigy
Calgary Alberta
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RTOYZ
Central Point, Or
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fncampm, A simple solution to your problem would be a set of front Timbrens. I have them on my truck and they are in contact with the front axle 100% of the time, and with a carrying capacity of 6k, I think they would handle your job without you having to do anything else or even think about it once they are installed. Timbren
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Fordlover
Spring, Texas
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Joined: 12/27/2005
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I know what I'd do. I'd spend the money on a (used) cheap WD hitch, making sure it's compatible with whatever brackets you have on your TT. This would be my home hitch purely for navigating the trailer in and out of parking. Your front hitch will be able to withstand the loads without a problem. The rear hitch has to be able to withstand huge forces while traveling down the highway at 70+ mph. The front hitch only has to withstand twisting force while being nearly stationary, I think you'll be fine.
This should fix your problem for less than 200 bucks, 450 at the max if you have an equal-i-zer. And you wont have to modify your truck any.
I wouldn't want to modify my suspension for something I only need at 2mph if there was an easy way around it.
* This post was
edited 09/05/08 08:40am by Fordlover *
02' Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 4x4, prodigy and equalizer
07' Crossroads Sunset Trail ST19CK
03' Ford Focus SVT my daily driver
04' Volvo S40 wife's daily driver
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fncampn
Gardnerville, NV
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RTOYZ wrote:fncampm, A simple solution to your problem would be a set of front Timbrens. I have them on my truck and they are in contact with the front axle 100% of the time, and with a carrying capacity of 6k, I think they would handle your job without you having to do anything else or even think about it once they are installed. Timbren
This is interesting. Since you have a 2500, you probably don't feel much of a ride difference but with my 150, I wonder how it would affect the ride? Have you loaded your front axle considerably to see how much deflection of the Timbrens there is?
On edit - I found this in the Timbren site FAQ:
Q. The rubber spring is touching the axle all the time. Will that hurt the truck?
A. The point of contact on a loaded truck actually is a secondary point of contact. The entire weight of the vehicle and payload normally contacts the axle at the point under the leaf springs. By adding a secondary point of contact (just inside this point) we are reducing the stress of contact at the original point and are spreading out the load to 4 points of contact on the axle instead of 2. As well, the progressive spring rate provides a soft uptake of the load rather than the sudden stop of a solid bump stop, again providing a good ride with reduced stress.
So, according to the FAQ, there is little if any ride difference until a situation warrants it. Dang it! Now I have to consider the Timbrens too. 
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