F350 needs more stopping power

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On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 14:42:57 -0400, Rob S rearranged some electrons to form:

Got brakes on the trailer?

Re: " On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 14:42:57 -0400, Rob S rearranged some electrons to form: =A0=A0=A0=A099 F350 cab & chassis, power stroke, with utility body. Weight loaded just under 11000 lbs.. Also, I pull a 11000 lb.. (empty weight) tag along trailer. No problems at any speed, just a problem stopping. I can stop alright, but I know it is straning to do so. =A0=A0=A0=A0My question is----can I retrofit this truck with F450 wheel and brake assemblies? The current gear in this truck is a 376 which I would like to keep. The trannie is a 6 speed standard. =A0=A0=A0=A0I just priced a new 2004 F 450 with a utility body and that sucker is close to $50,000. Just a little rich for a work truck. =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0Any help?

-------- --------- ---------- ---------- Rob S. Got brakes on the trailer?

Rob, I am assuming the trailer has brakes and you have a brake controller installed. IS your controller doing its job. Mine allows me to set the "boost". I can basically set the initial braking force to the trailer. More braking for a heavier trailer less for a lighter one. Your trailer brakes are only designed to stop the truck it allowable cargo and the weight of a trailer without brakes (whatever that limit is). Any weight above that is the responsibility of the trailer brakes. You may also want to check the connections between the truck and the trailer they should be free of corrosion. This will cause a voltage drop and make the brakes less effective.

Michelle

Rob S wrote:

check the ground strap or use a jumper for one from the door to the body. see if it goes away. john

99 F350 cab & chassis, power stroke, with utility body. Weight loaded just under 11000 lbs.. Also, I pull a 11000 lb.. (empty weight) tag along trailer. No problems at any speed, just a problem stopping. I can stop alright, but I know it is straning to do so. My question is----can I retrofit this truck with F450 wheel and brake assemblies? The current gear in this truck is a 376 which I would like to keep. The trannie is a 6 speed standard. I just priced a new 2004 F 450 with a utility body and that sucker is close to $50,000. Just a little rich for a work truck. Any help?

-------- --------- ---------- ---------- Rob S. Got brakes on the trailer?

I don't know, but I've got no complaints regarding the brakes on my

250 SD. I've towed a couple of thousands pounds without trailer brakes and I never really noticed the load was back there. With an 11,000 pound trailer, you have to expect the trailer brakes to do the majority of the work stopping the trailer. Sounds like an issue with the trailer brakes or controller as mentioined by many.

Matt

99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4

The brakes on our '02 F350 were designed to STOP the truck which at GVW is

9900 lbs. The GCVW is 20,000 (which we do run with our 5th wheel attached) but I dont know of a jurisdiction where an 11,000 lb trailer isnt required to have its own brakes. I'd fix the trailer [brakes] before I bothered ripping my truck apart to put in a braking system not designed for it but thats just me. R

I'm not sure which silence is more telling; no one answering your question on whether you can install F450 wheels & brakes, or you not answering whether your trailer has brakes and you have a working brake controller installed. On the first telling silence; I recently replaced the rotors, calipers, & brakes on my 01 F350 DRW. If I remember right, the front rotors and calipers where the same between the F450 & F350; same part number (if I remember correctly). If thats true then it wouldn't matter switching them out. I doubt that matters anyway since it appears your grossly overloading your truck.

I pull an 11K 5th wheeler with my F350 loaded to about 8K. That leaves me about a 1K buffer to be legal; under the 20K total gross weight the truck is allowed to tow. I have no problems stoping as the trailer brakes do a good job reducing the energy of the trailer when I hit the brakes.

Bottomline: If you're pulling an 11K non-braking trailer with a truck loaded 1100lbs over its limit, then your asking for a bunch of trouble. If you have questions on how to calculate what you can legally tow goto

Check in the forums and you should be some discussions on this subject.

Burt

01 F350 Lariat, DRW, 7.3PSD, 4x4