Updates on this:
- I'll be installing a gooseneck hitch in this over the next few days. Truck took the place of the Buick in the garage. Buick took the place of the Gladiator. Gladiator is outside for a few days
- I'm starting to form up thoughts about a receiver mounted winch for trailer use (or self recovery I guess?). Anderson connectors to an accessible place near the rear hitch of the truck. Also add a hitch mount somewhere on the gooseneck for direct trailer deck pulls.
- I also would like to have my NAPA air compressor semi-permanently mounted within my bed toolbox
- Sections in the toolbox for straps/chains/etc.
- This leads me to think adding an additional battery in the toolbox wouldn't be a bad idea? Should I run that independently of the two start batteries and just have it charge off the alternator like the other two? Add it to the existing pair of batteries (is this even a good idea? Alternator concerns?)? Run "naked" with a solar panel on top of the toolbox deck for a charger?
- I'm getting a well used (matches the truck
) but still operational gooseneck car hauler flatbed from a friend of a friend of a friend late next week. I'm planning to use tire straps to tie vehicles down rather than my trademark chains.
- Thoughts on E-track vs hooks (both of those will require trailer mods but that's embraced) ???
- Trailer deck thoughts: E-track welded to the deck or dimple die runners for hooks (or I've seen expanded metal used there...not sure about expanded metal) ???
- Stick with chains and do the integrated chain hooks along the open center of the trailer deck?
- Truck will get a "go through" for glow plugs and injector check up sometime in April (unless I come into lots of dollars between now and then)
- Possibly some new tires before a long trip in May
Tie down version 1 (E-track)
Mac's
Conceptually this type from a reputable vendor
Goals will be to haul two trail Jeeps (
@ebryson and myself) on the trailer, my Buick and trail Jeep, my trail Jeep and my Gladiator (that's a tough ask), two Buicks or whatever. The tie down solution will pretty much have to run the whole length of the trailer deck (chains aren't a bad solution here my knuckle dragging self sez) for the flexibility. Some of those loads will really tax the truck. We'll see if I should throw some diff gears at it (take out V10 4.30 axles? Maybe I just buy some gears and put some fresh bearings in...not a bad choice at all.)
Compressed air usage is probably rare but kind of obvious. Cost is not significant and it's quite easy to do. I might even provide a different fitting than my L-Style pneumatic connectors. I'm probably the only person on the board using these?
The winch thing won't be used lot but I've had situations come up that a winch on the front of the trailer would be NICE. Also potentially handy for other "chore" type things along with self recovery (not likely in this truck?)
