Tow vehicle

[kod99]

I have a decision to make and would like some help from the members. I currently have a 32' Pace tag type trailer (an extra foot high) and with everything loaded, including the dragster, it weighs about 11,000 pounds. I am currently towing it with my F-250 HD (5.4 auto) and need to get a new tow vehicle more suited to the job. My current truck tows it OK as long as there are no head or cross winds but throw in some wind and it gets a bit shakey. I need my truck for work, so I can't get rid of it, although I could sell it and buy a 1 ton dually. I looked at a motorhome but am having trouble finding one that can handle the weight. Now for my question:
Has anyone towed a trailer like mine using a tandem highway tractor? I am looking at a Peterbuilt with 40,000 rears and am wondering if the stiffer suspension would be hard on the trailer and it's contents? There are a lot of good used highway trucks for sale out there at less than $20,000. I can register and insure it privately. I figure, if I buy the truck and put a flat deck on it for now, I could add a toterhome later. Any input, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[CamBirdRacing]

Sounds like a great idea. I was always worried about the reg's driving one. I wanted to do the same thing. But, Back in 05 I bought me a 04 C4500 Chevy Kodiak,new. Was cheaper than a 1 ton dually at the time. Rides rough when not towing. 48' trailer with 2 cars weighs about 18,000, doesn't mind a headwind or hills. this truck was made to tow.

[BEAST477]

I would think if that Pete has air ride it shouldn't be bad. I've got a 32' tag also and it's plenty tongue heavy with that said i think it should work good.

[kod99]

Well I did it today! My new tow vehicle is a 1994 Kenworth K-100 cabover with a 430 HP Detroit 60 series engine, 18 speed Road Ranger, 40,000# rear ends and a 90" sleeper. I paid $11,500 US for it and it is in great shape. The guy has owned it since new and ran it from Calgary to Houston most of the time. He kept impecable records and did regular "blood tests" on the oil. I will post some pics in the next day or two.
Now it's off with the fifth wheel, extend the deck and mount a hitch. Then the test drive.

[BEAST477]

Happy trails. Love the 18 speed had it in the last two trucks i owned. You wont have to split'em for what you'll be pulling. Have fun.

[kod99]

Here's some pics of the new tow vehicle I picked up today. It's in the shop getting the hitch installed.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/reagannelson/1994%20K-100%20Tow%20Vehicle/PSPdragster130Medium.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/reagannelson/1994%20K-100%20Tow%20Vehicle/PSPdragster132Medium.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/reagannelson/1994%20K-100%20Tow%20Vehicle/PSPdragster133.jpg[/img]

[BEAST477]

Man that thing is sweet. Enjoy.

[kod99]

Thanks Beast. Head and cross winds ain't gonna mess with me no more!

[kod99]

Hooked up, wired and ready to tow. Goin' for a test ride tomorrow.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/reagannelson/1994%20K-100%20Tow%20Vehicle/Towtruckandtrailer009Medium.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/reagannelson/1994%20K-100%20Tow%20Vehicle/Towtruckandtrailer001Medium.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb149/reagannelson/1994%20K-100%20Tow%20Vehicle/Towtruckandtrailer006Medium.jpg

[fla1976]

Nice vehicle. Doubt the wind will bother you again, at least on the way to the track. Keep it safe.

[mopar1968]

Ya think it is ''BIG'' enough :?: :?: :shock: :shock: Just how big is the track you go to :?: :?: Take alot of room to turn that around :!: :!:



''JUST MY TWO CENT'S WORTH''

http://www.racingjunk.com/profile/163312

[dparker]

Kod99, thats a nice truck and I think it will work great. Looks like you'll haft to have a CDL, my only thing is sometimes my son or crewcheif drive part way. If the total length is over 65 feet or the weight is over 26,000lbs whoever drives will have to have a CDL. Just a thought.

[kod99]

Kod99, thats a nice truck and I think it will work great. Looks like you'll haft to have a CDL, my only thing is sometimes my son or crewcheif drive part way. If the total length is over 65 feet or the weight is over 26,000lbs whoever drives will have to have a CDL. Just a thought.

DParker,
The truck is about 25' long and the trailer is 32' plus about 4' for the hitch for a total of 61'. The truck weighs 23,000 # and the trailer, fully loaded is about 11,000 #. I see a bunch of people pulling 32' trailers with a 35 or 40 foot motorhome and this truck is much shorter than a 40' motorhome (and a fraction of the cost). I took it out for a drive today for a couple of hours and it handled great. We had a 25 MPH south wind and I never noticed it a bit. The computer indicated that I was getting about 8 MPG at 65 MPH. I head to the track this Thursday for my first test and tune and the we'll see how easy it is to get around in the pits with it. I plan on arriving early so I will have plenty of room.
Here in Alberta I just have to have a Class 3 license (which allows me to drive any body job regardless of number of axles or total weight) and an air brake endorsement. With the Class 3, I can tow any trailer as long as it doesn't have air brakes.