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IHMANKY 05-07-2009 13:04:57 74.236.250.244 3475 Report to Moderator	Folks, Got a '93 Chevy Ext. Cab 4wd in good shape, approx. 75,000 miles on GM 350 crate motor, has 3/4 ton rear under it, original tranny with 175,000. Any rate, bought a new truck, this one is an "extra". We've got a mid eighties 1/2 ton that we haul a fuel transfer tank in and lug tools around, but it's on its last leg. We'd like to remove the bed, mount a flatbed on this '93 and put the transfer tank and some side toolboxes on it. Also like to pull gooseneck from time to time. Is there any way to beef this thing up to support more weight? I'm not trying to treat it like a one ton or anything, but it would be nice to get it close to a 3/4. We'd like the ext. cab deal here in case of rain during planting and harvest, we have a rough time keeping a seat cleaned out in a part time truck, so we'd have more room for misc. junk in the rear seat.. then we wouldn't be standing out in the rain trying to clear a spot to sit when we get caught in the field during a sudden downpour. [Reply]   [No Email]
charles todd 05-25-2009 12:52:55 205.242.95.141 3526 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to caterpillar guy, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   CRUSADER said: (quoted from post at 21:53:20 05/24/09) The 74 3/4 ton, did your father get that pickup from Leonna when Jack passed away in the early 90's? CRUSADER, Who are you? Are you in LA, OK or KS? I know from another post you state you are in S. Korea, but your home state? We have talked a few times but I have yet to gain your identity. Actually it is a 1979 (I said 74) and yes, we got it in 93 from Leonna with 25,000 actual miles. It now has about 147,000 miles and I put right at 100K on it myself. Don't look to bad for its untouched age. I still have the OK tags at the farm on the wall! 1979 Chevy C-20 Bonanza 3/4 ton of the Late Jack Duncan of OK: Until next time, Charles   [Reply]   [No Email]
charles todd 05-14-2009 22:20:55 205.242.95.136 3497 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to MarkNOhio, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   1 Dollar said: (quoted from post at 21:17:50 05/14/09) Have you had to do anything to the drivetrain to move that weight? Transmssion cooler/gauge? Any engine upgrades? I'm assuming it has the 5.3? Ignoring all other things, it just seems like power would be lacking. But it evidently works... It has a stock trans cooler (HD package) and cat-back exhaust with a glass pack, 8-ply tires, and Bilstien shocks. Other than that it is bone stock. The 5.3L has to work a little when I hook up a load like these, but I respect the nature of the beast and go easy. Also we have pretty flat ground with moderate hills. If I were in the mountains, it would be another story. A 6.0L would be nice with a 4L8E, but then it would be a 3/4 ton. I have never changed a CV joint, u-joint, or ever had a blowout. It is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned and its PAID FOR! Thanks, Charles   [Reply]   [No Email]
Brian Jasper co. Ia 05-24-2009 10:48:37 67.142.130.46 3519 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to charles todd, 05-14-2009 22:20:55   Charles, as a tranny tech at a Chevy dealer, trust me when I say you don't want a 4L80E trans. I think I have repaired/replaced most of the transmissions in the fleet of Des Moines Area Regional Transit's ride share vans.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Brad in WI 05-14-2009 17:57:58 24.164.248.98 3495 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   this is my toy truck with a flatbed hauled many a big loads on it with out any problems. I did put heavy springs in the front and back and that was it. If you go with a flatbed put a headache rack on it. It may someday save your life. Sorry I don't have any better pics than this. Brad   [Reply]   [No Email]
mattofvinings 05-13-2009 18:00:13 198.208.159.20 3493 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   The thing I worry about with the 1/2t axle is the axle shafts themselves...if you break the shaft you lose a wheel, and that isn't good. The shaft is undergoing reverse bending cyclic stress on each rotation, and while designed for this...it isn't perfect. The full floating axles (ala GM corp 14bolt) are designed with a set of tapered rollers in the outboard hub...the axle shaft in that case is torque transmitting only with zero axial thrust. A wheel can still be lost but it would involve fracture of the outboard hub (a monster unlikely) or loss of the outer roller bearing retainer nut (also unlikely). However...if you keep the suspension off the bump stops, the 1/2t axle will take you a long ways too. Brakes on the larger pickups also have increased capacity with a hydraulic pressure boost rather than the engine vacuum boost. Best is a crew cab dually...throw in anything, everything, and anybody. No more excuses 8-) This post was edited by mattofvinings at 18:01:30 05/13/09.   [Reply]   [No Email]
charles todd 05-12-2009 16:26:08 205.242.95.132 3490 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   I do not pull for hire. Period. I have farm tags on the truck and trailer. If I am outside of state lines with this rig I either have a cashiers check made out for a purchase or something farm related in tow. 150 miles??? I have never heard that in my life. As far as I know (and this is less and less every day) I have not violated a single LA DOT rule. And yes, the truck and trailer have current inspections. PASS. In LA a farmer can own and operate a class 8 truck and trailer w/o a CDL or commercial insurance if he is hauling HIS commidity. Now if he is hauling his NEIGHBORS, shame on him, DOT is going to rip a few holes. Charles   [Reply]   [No Email]
Iowa Jim 05-13-2009 15:12:12 63.131.94.230 3491 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to charles todd, 05-12-2009 16:26:08   charles todd said: (quoted from post at 16:26:08 05/12/09) I do not pull for hire. Period. I have farm tags on the truck and trailer. If I am outside of state lines with this rig I either have a cashiers check made out for a purchase or something farm related in tow. 150 miles??? I have never heard that in my life. As far as I know (and this is less and less every day) I have not violated a single LA DOT rule. And yes, the truck and trailer have current inspections. PASS. In LA a farmer can own and operate a class 8 truck and trailer w/o a CDL or commercial insurance if he is hauling HIS commidity. Now if he is hauling his NEIGHBORS, shame on him, DOT is going to rip a few holes. Charles It is great the Louisiana has that exemption, but once you cross state lines you are involved in Interstate Commerce and the boys in blue follow the federal regulations. You will probably never get stopped, at least I hope you don't. I would definitely NOT put another axle under that trailer, then you will be in a different class and be a walking billboard for "pull me over". Jim   [Reply]   [No Email]
charles todd 05-11-2009 22:04:25 205.242.95.132 3487 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   Thanks for the positive reinforcment. I have 8-ply tires in good condition on truck and trailer. I feel this is a must. I personally feel I should have bought 10-ply trailer tires. Since my axles are only 5200#-6000# and I have 15" wheels, I think I am going to add a 5' dovetail and a 3rd axle. Most have told me to dump my axles and go with 2 7000# and 16's. That is fine if they are buying, but the tires (4), wheels (4), brakes (4), and bearing buddies (4) are less than 1 year old. Hence I feel 1 more axle and 2 more tires/wheels w/o a brake are cheaper. Be safe, Charles   [Reply]   [No Email]
Iowa Jim 05-12-2009 04:35:06 63.131.94.230 3488 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to charles todd, 05-11-2009 22:04:25   charles todd said: (quoted from post at 22:04:25 05/11/09) Thanks for the positive reinforcment. I have 8-ply tires in good condition on truck and trailer. I feel this is a must. I personally feel I should have bought 10-ply trailer tires. Since my axles are only 5200#-6000# and I have 15" wheels, I think I am going to add a 5' dovetail and a 3rd axle. Most have told me to dump my axles and go with 2 7000# and 16's. That is fine if they are buying, but the tires (4), wheels (4), brakes (4), and bearing buddies (4) are less than 1 year old. Hence I feel 1 more axle and 2 more tires/wheels w/o a brake are cheaper. Be safe, Charles I assume you have both the vehicle and the trailer inspected annually. Since you are already over the 10,001 limit you are subject to inspection, especially when you cross state lines. If you cross statelines you are also required to have a log book. Remember, the "farmer exemption" is only 150 miles. Jim   [Reply]   [No Email]
mkirsch 05-11-2009 11:37:02 64.80.108.55 3486 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   The boys in blue won't give you a second look. They only care about commercial traffic. Frankly, I think Charles Todd's rig looks pretty good, period. Not "all things considered." No self-respecting cop would even think to pull that over unless it was doing 55 in a 30. What you're going to run into with 13,500lbs of tractor and trailer behind a 1/2 ton is the limits of your tires, wheels, and then axles.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Iowa Jim 05-12-2009 04:38:09 63.131.94.230 3489 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to mkirsch, 05-11-2009 11:37:02   mkirsch said: (quoted from post at 11:37:02 05/11/09) The boys in blue won't give you a second look. They only care about commercial traffic. Frankly, I think Charles Todd's rig looks pretty good, period. Not "all things considered." No self-respecting cop would even think to pull that over unless it was doing 55 in a 30. What you're going to run into with 13,500lbs of tractor and trailer behind a 1/2 ton is the limits of your tires, wheels, and then axles. mkirsch: I thought the exact same thing until two weeks ago!!!! Luckily the Ohio DOT officer I was pulled over by used the stop as an educational event for me. I now have my USDOT number, UCR registration, log books, flares fuses and bulbs, fire extinguisher, and am prepared for a stop. Jim   [Reply]   [No Email]
wuteverwerks 05-11-2009 05:47:15 74.37.254.7 3484 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   This is the stage I"m at also.I want to be able to take 2, 5000 + lbs tractors to pulls and/or shows how ever The GCVWR for a gooseneck trailer is only 16000 on the 2005 Z71 1/2 ton chevy 4x4 shortbox extcab.truck weighs more than 5000 lbs ,a trailer that could handle such a load will weigh more than 3500 lbs .I am sure that the NYS boys in blue would have a field day if my truck was squatting like this 01 that may be overloaded by the manufacturers rating.should we add another couple of leaf springs to level the truck out ?   [Reply]   [Send Email]
IHMANKY 05-11-2009 09:04:58 74.236.250.244 3485 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to wuteverwerks, 05-11-2009 05:47:15   The problem I think you are going to face is that there is no way you are going to load two separate 5,000# + tractors on ANY size trailer and get your load distributed very well. If you're going to be towing something that you can't minimize the weight you load toward the front, you're looking at needing a one ton truck for your load, I'm not sure a 3/4 ton would even be suited for that. Mine will mainly be used for ferrying a transfer tank, and will sometimes pull a lightly loaded gooseneck with seed, etc. We have a heavier truck for large loads / longer distances.   [Reply]   [No Email]
IHMANKY 05-10-2009 09:07:21 74.236.250.244 3482 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   Thanks guys for the different viewpoints. I will probably add a spring when adding the flatbed, none of my loads will be over what was shown in the pics.   [Reply]   [No Email]
charles todd 05-10-2009 09:01:26 205.242.95.132 3481 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   Thank you ERICLB. Load positioning is ever more critical on lighter tow vehicles. Not to say that with a 1-ton one should get careless where they park the equipment on the trailer, big trucks can loose control too. Mind ya'll I have a 74 3/4-ton, but it is my farm truck/toy. I only use it if really needed. Charles   [Reply]   [No Email]
CRUSADER 05-24-2009 19:53:20 210.124.154.149 3523 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to charles todd, 05-10-2009 09:01:26   The 74 3/4 ton, did your father get that pickup from Leonna when Jack passed away in the early 90's?   [Reply]   [Send Email]
charles todd 05-09-2009 15:45:33 205.242.95.132 3479 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   Here is my 2001 K1500 Chevrolet. I have a B&W hitch in it (used from a camper dealer) and an electric brake controller. I have towed up to a JD 350 dozer with it (17,000 lb with trailer) 50 miles. This is 8, 15" culverts that weighed 1200 lb each. Towed 220 miles one way. This load was about 9,600 lb + trailer (+/- 5000 lb) = 14,600 lbs. This is my F504 tractor with 55 gallons of water per tire (880 lb)and 2 sets of weights (600 lb), FEL (1200 lb), tractor (5000 lb), and homebuilt root rake (?800 lb). The tractor I'd estimate at 7400 lb - 7700 lb plus the rake. +/- 13,500 lbs. Here is my most recent purchase, I bought it today. It is a 1996 Komatsu PC38UU-2. It weighs in at a little over 8k and makes a total load of about 12k - 13k lbs. I deadheaded 100 miles and loaded 100 miles for a total of 200 miles and averaged 11.2 mpg with my K1500 1/2 ton. This is just to show that a 1/2 ton is a capable vehicle if set up right. I respect what it can and cannot do and I use good judgement when driving. Most of all I have brakes on both axles and keep them adjusted properly. ENJOY, 8)   [Reply]   [No Email]
1 Dollar 05-14-2009 19:17:50 65.29.88.166 3496 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to charles todd, 05-09-2009 15:45:33   Have you had to do anything to the drivetrain to move that weight? Transmssion cooler/gauge? Any engine upgrades? I'm assuming it has the 5.3? Ignoring all other things, it just seems like power would be lacking. But it evidently works...   [Reply]   [Send Email]
ericlb 05-10-2009 07:03:08 70.41.154.102 3480 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to charles todd, 05-09-2009 15:45:33   after seeing charles rig id say just go ahead and put the flatbed on what youve already got, it should do ok, also note how charles has his loads positioned on his trailer this is the correct way nice rig charles   [Reply]   [No Email]
jack harmon 05-08-2009 10:15:53 162.58.82.136 3476 Report to Moderator	Re: Converting 1/2 ton to flatbed.. trailering?? in reply to IHMANKY, 05-07-2009 13:04:57   I dont know about the newer ones,but on the older chevys the frame was much lighter,limiting what you could do because of the frame warping.if you could find a spring shop around you somewhere close they could probably build you up some heavier springs fairly cheap,but a heavy gooseneck may cause problems if the frame is too light.   [Reply]   [Send Email]