FIRST TIME TOWING A TRAILER ANY ADVICE?

[Jorgo]

I've been asked to tow a flatbed trailer with a wood framed "float"in a christmas parade this sunday (plus two miles through small town each way). once at the staging area, 20 kids or so will get on and ride with a few adults and it's a half mile parade at most. it's a dual axle trailer used for bobcat tractors-probably 20+ ft. I have not really put my 712 through any kind of stress test in the year that I've owned her, I know they were built for bigger loads than this, but I'm having fears of something breaking down in the parade route due to something i didn't do or check on or whatever.... She runs fine, Jim L. just gave her a tune up etc. I hooked up and drove it around the block yesterday, seemed fine, stopped fine etc. Is there anything I should be worried about or double check beforehand to ease my newbie fears? should use low gear on the slow crawl? etc? Thank you in advance for your advice.

Jorgo

[spandit]

I'd use low ratio - you'll be fine

[audiocontr]

Just take it slow. Eezy peezy.

[Jimm391730]

I'm doing the same thing tomorrow in Temecula. I've done this for the last 6 years for the local Cub Scouts. Low range (and a low idle) will allow you to creep without using the clutch much. Honestly, this is the easiest service a Pinz ever sees! I'm more uptight about the walking people getting in front of the truck, between the truck and trailer, etc. and getting run over, so make sure you increase and decrease your speed very gently. Squashed bodies don't go over well in the Christmas parade -- Halloween, maybe, but not Christmas! (If you have to drive over bodies make certain to have all the levers down). It's easier on the truck. Don't get high centered.

Enjoy it.

[edzz]

As has been mentioned I’d be more worried about the “cargo” than the Pinz. Make sure you have a spotter to watch the trailer for trouble (like someone falling off) kind of like a spotter on a water ski boat. Slow and easy and you’ll have a good time.

[audiocontr]

Staple the passengers to deck
Hire stuntman look a likes instead of the actual attendees
Use manaquins instead of the stuntmen
Mount a bulletproof bubble around the trailer to contain the occupants (drill air holes)

Or my personal favorite, create a big sign that says "Ditto -->" and make sure you follow a REALLY nice float.

[Jorgo]

Thank you for the assurances. I'll keep it in low, keep it slow and have some spotters in the back.
I'll try to fight the demons in my head that would like to turn this into the closing scene from 'Animal house'....
Anyone got a few thousand marbles?

Beware of the friend that admires your pinz and asks "I bet this could tow just about anything".....
You might end up towing just about anything.

Cheers gentlemen,

[stiffler4444]

My insurance company precludes me from participating in parades. Must be a lot of crazy parades I don't know about...... :?:

[BobbyD]

Just successfully did this. Hurtles that had to be overcome were...

1. 24 volt to 12 volt trailer issues (thank you Jim L. for pointing out that the inputs were for inputs and not outputs. Glad there were some diodes in the design to save me.)
2. Inverter to power the LED Christmas lights. It's amazing how many LED strings you can put on a 300 watt inverter. (Ummm... Don't wire these backwards since there are no diodes in them and doing so voids the warranty. You will hear a medium sparky click sound and it is all over. I did get a 50% credit on the new one... sigh).
3. Silly civilian trailers are low, so I needed a 10 or 11 inch drop in my hitch. (Feels good just below the knee in the dark).

Materials were SAV (trailer converter), AutoZone 78013 Reese 3 wire to 2 wire thing, 300 watt inverter from theinverterstore.com and two consultations with Jim L. (again thank you!).

1st gear LOW is perfect even with two Wolves and two Webleos carrying a banner and flags in front of you.

[Jorgo]

Thank you for your assurances and great advice. As you pretty much expected, there were no troubles at all (other than potential power line issues from the rabbit ears on top of the 12' tall "television"). Best part of the day was parking in the after-parade area, when a group of vintage farrari's parked next to me and their kids got out and headed straight to the Pinz and wanted to get inside... Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

Cheers,

Jorgo

[Jimm391730]

create a big sign that says "Ditto -->" and make sure you follow a REALLY nice float.

Looks like you WERE the really nice float! Sounds like you enjoyed yourself, so be prepared to be asked again for next year. I think parades are a hoot!