2.5 inch class 5 adjustable Drawbar Billet Aluminum, Stainless balls, with weigh scale...

Okay folks. I have mixed feelings about this weight scale built into ball mount, but, the only other available option I located (adjustable aluminum class 5) was $45. more plus additional for locking mechanism... This unit comes with ball mount lock, a 2-5/16" stainless ball and a 2" stainless ball. I've been pulling trailers most of my life, so I have a good idea how to position loads to both put weight on and take it off truck. The weight scale (hydraulic) seems a bit gimmicky to me but I can see others really needing it...(fishtailing from lack of tongue weight...) However, coming out of Charleston, WV one night, I saw a single cab Ford Ranger pulling a tandem axle trailer with a Ford 8 or 9 N on board and said to my *then* wife; "that is a hazard, that could turn into an emergency at any second" I slowed down, I was under a high dollar load in my big truck, I let him proceed without putting us in danger...A few moments later he jackknifed and ended up pinned against a rock wall. Point is; if people don't have any better sense than that, a scale to properly position load on trailer will do little to assist...A shame actually, we'll probably be looking at an endorsement to pull trailers before long, I don't agree with it, but, I have seen the necessity... At any rate, the 2-5/16" ball is rated at 14,500 lbs and truck hitch (I'd never seen a hitch quite like this one, boxed and attached to bottom and side of frame on each side) is rated at 15,000 lbs. Images below...

3500HD Doesn't care about 1800 lbs...

I'm winding the landing gear up without moving my head and had to look to see what the problem was because the truck was not going down from the weight... I look down at landing gear feet and they're no longer on ground... Heh!!!

Curt manufacturing Hitch Rails, Line-X, install permanent...

Loads of fun installing goose hitch rails. Do yourself a favor and remove spare from the start...Forget the 'I'm smarter than that approach' because although you/I can get it done, I didn't figure out anyway to torque the nuts without removing the spare...Unfortunately, Curt's spacers DO NOT completely make up space between ridges formed in bed, I added 5/8 inch washers under spacers. (same washers used for installing the frame brackets, bought at TSC) Also, get eight to begin with, you need to use spacers and 4 more washers UNDER the bed. It's a fun install, no kidding...A full truck lift so you can stand would be a tremendous help...I did mine on a creeper and directly on the shop floor...
Another note; I had a vibration at 70 mph, I felt like it was the right rear tire, since I removed the spare, (steel rims have matching spare...) I decided to go ahead and exchange right rear tire with spare, problem solved, I'll take that tire and wheel and have balanced again, if it happens to be out of round I'll go see the dealer...(Goodyear sucks, imho...) I'll put Michelins on when I feel like spending the money, probably the ATX 2... Attending to my lady, will get under goose tomorrow...
Here's the images...

Pulling Truck

Okay folks... The new Duramax is rated at 445 HP and 915 Ft LBS... I believe this is correct... I do not know when it will hit the ground for purchase. In any case, I expect I will give them a year to work out any bugs, mine isn't for show, it's for go... With that in mind, I tried to get a crew one ton dually with Duramax and was basically told to forget it when I mentioned the price of several months ago. $47k plus is where we start today... I located a 2016 3500HD crew, single rear wheel, short bed, gas, stickering for 44,340. with touch screen, bluetooth, 4x4, and towing mirrors with turn signals and messed around at $36k and they laid right down...Could be contributed to their knowledge of me leaving and buying a Tundra half ton to tow and haul with. Toyota called during negotiation... Who can know? That was my next stop. Suffice it to say... I'm not missing the Toyota. This truck is a beast. I hadn't realized that GM had fully boxed the entire frame, not just the front, I'm happy with the feel of this truck. I have to order the goose frame rails because GM signed on with Curt manufacturing and has already drilled and welded nuts in the frame for Curts brackets...On the way...I'll drill holes in bed and take to Line-X then install rails and get under goose...Glad nobody bought it yet... I may just keep it...I'm very fond of it though it can't carry forklifts...I may just build a shorty tilt bumper pull for forklifts and be happy... Must admit the idea of a hydraulic dove is pleasing...

Plans changed

Well, looks like I need a trailer with a hydraulic dovetail because forklifts will not load onto this trailer with dove angle, forklifts are too low to ground... So! Anybody interested in purchasing my trailer? I need to build another one. I will entertain $8500. as she sits or we can negotiate modifications... I'd like to move on this as quickly as possible... 615-971-2516  JD

Truck update

Chevrolet dealer just called. The fella is going on vacation and wanted to let me know he "put another $1000. off "on my truck and marked it with my name and gave me the name of another fella that could take care of me.
Sort of starting to feel gamey to me...But to my advantage...

This means I can get the truck for $43,332. before tax, title, license...

OUT THE DOOR $47,074.50

I hate to turn this down, so I'm emailing the GMC dealer to see if they will come on down... I guess I may reconsider if GMC will get close to this price. I can wait as long as required...

Leaning towards waiting...

Well now, a new development has arisen and I'm leaning towards waiting until at least the 2017 GM truck information is known. This new development is personal and has no relevance in the truck information. What does have to do with the trucks is that I'm annoyed GM has so thoroughly prevented new or any information from being leaked about the 2017's. Sure, we know there has been a slight front end redesign, as well as, what looks to be some sort of air intake in the hood area of the new 3500HD's. This leads me and others to believe GM/Isuzu has modified the Duramax and I believe from research that GM has strengthened the platforms. I cannot tolerate not knowing how much better the new trucks will be, therefore, I can't buy a 2016 at this juncture. For the record, it's still a wonderful feeling to have no debt. Heh!
I will be monitoring the situation and will post information as it becomes available.

 As soon as I get a minute, I will plasma cut light holes in rear plates to weld on ramps. Then I need to weld on receiver for draw bar winch plate, cut and move ramp spring catches, install work lights and take to a buddies shop building, put inside, remove all lights, jack trailer up off of tandem subframe and spray topcoat on bottom of bed plate, subframe and ramps and other areas to be finished... Completely! That is... Until I buy the 12k axles and wheel and tire assemblies...