flat towing?

[kbenz]

I use my f350 mostly to flat tow my hunting truck. problem I'm running into is no tongue weight which doesn't help with traction (stopping or starting) If I hit the brakes too hard the back brakes will lock up. someone told me to remove some springs? not too sure about that. If adding weight is the only option how much would I need? the flatbed that's on it is fairly light also

 

[Clb]

A flatbed missing leaves.?.?
Hell no!
Start by loading it up from the rear forward and use a load isolator up front.also make sure that the tow bar points down not up!
This will force the towd to push down on the rear of the truck.

 

[WrenchWhore]

Flat towing sucks IMO but there are ways to make it better. Put all the weight in the bed of the tow vehicle. Behind the rear axle if possible. Fill the rear fuel tank and try not to use it until you must. I've even taken the spare tire off my jeep (40") and transferred it to the bed of the tow rig. I've aimed the tow bar slightly down to the tow rig so under hard braking it applies a downward force on the tow rig rear end.

 

[Nero]

Just throwing it out there, many states require that a towed vehicle over a certain gvwr needs brake assist kits installed. Oregon and Washington are if 4 wheels are on the ground and it weighs over 3000lbs needs brake assist installed. Its why I like my samurai with its gvwr of 2800lbs

 

[FrozenMerc]

A 4'x8' x 1.5" thick plate of steel weighs 2000 lbs. Just saying....

 

[Nero]

But where's the steering wheel on a 4'x8' x 1.5" thick plate of steel?

 

[u2slow]

My Pops had an 11' camper (~3000#) on the truck 95% of the time, and also when towing the hunting rig (Landrover 109 IIA). The brakes never locked up!

But as @Nero says, it was illegal to not have brakes. Pops was lucky to never get in an accident, or a ticket.

 

[kbenz]

Just throwing it out there, many states require that a towed vehicle over a certain gvwr needs brake assist kits installed. Oregon and Washington are if 4 wheels are on the ground and it weighs over 3000lbs needs brake assist installed. Its why I like my samurai with its gvwr of 2800lbs

I appreciate you bringing this up. I checked and here in Nc anything over 4000# needs brakes on all axles.
So I hit marketplace and found 3. $40,$75 and $150. Messaged all three only one replied back was the $40

 

[kbenz]

Thanks for the other suggestions too. I need to check my towbar angle next time I hook up

 

[Nero]

Heck yeah, drive safe out there brother.
I have one of those tow things installed on a pintle truck I use for pickup/delivery of semi trucks. Didnt have it at first. Stopped driving it the first time that 2006 Dodge daokota made a freightliner swap ends on me in the rain.