Toter Home needs air brake hook up for trailer

[VetteNuts]

Hello im new to the forum. I just purchased a 1986 GMC 6500 Toter home w/air brakes. I also purchased a few months back a 48' Pace Bigfoot trailer w/air brakes. The Toter home does not have a hook up for air brakes. I have done some research tonight and from what i have read its going to be a job to add the trailer air brakes to the truck.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Marc

[blizzardND]

Wow, I think you might have bought a big job, I have seen a Bluedot presentation where you hook electric brake rv's behind air brake semi trucks but the other way around? you may wind up converting the truck to air brakes.

The only guy that I know that may have a solution is Jack Mayer on the Escapees HDT forum.. Jack and Danielle Mayer

email Jack, let us know wht you come up with..
-blizz

[volvoman]

have local dealer contact tech support and they can give you a list of every thing needed. if they cant ask again and i will find out. i know off the top of my head you need these items. 1)dash parking valve for trailer 2) two double check valves 3) glad hand hookups for rear 4) hand valve is optional 5) tap into foot valve port on bottom side (end away from dash) 6)air line to run from both valves (foot and parking brake) to tractor protection valve. then back to rear of truck. if you call 1-800-air-brake (Bendix) they may send you a schematic.

[volvoman]

sounded to me both are air. just no trailer towing package.

[VetteNuts]

Thanks for the replies. The truck does have air i just need air hook up for the trailer. Mt next concern is if this Cat 3208 with a 10 speed tranny will pull 18 to 20k on long hilly trips. Im going to hook up a goosneck trailer tomorrow and load my bobcat T300 on it and see how it responds to hills.

This truck is in excellent condition and i want to keep it, however if it is under powered i may look at a Freightliner or Volvo.

[volvoman]

good luck with that. is it a 185 or 210 hp? turbo charged? they used to use them as semi tractors. got you there but not fast.

[Bob86ZZ4]

Isn't there a knob on the dash for trailer air? Seems to me most trucks have that. If there is I wouldn't think it should be too tough to set up.

[VetteNuts]

Originally Posted by volvoman

good luck with that. is it a 185 or 210 hp? turbo charged? they used to use them as semi tractors. got you there but not fast.

Its a 210HP na. I drove it today with a small trailer with a light load and it did good. The 5 speed with the split axle is going to help. The motor is a reman and im trying to find out more info from the previous owners.

I love the truck and was wondering if in the future i decided to replace the motor when it gets tired if i have any options. Is there a motor that will fit to get me in the 350-400hp range? I know there is the 3208 turbo thats 375 however its still a 3208 that was not designed for a turbo. If im going to spend any money replacing it i would like something that i can do once and it last.

[VetteNuts]

Originally Posted by Bob86ZZ4

Isn't there a knob on the dash for trailer air? Seems to me most trucks have that. If there is I wouldn't think it should be too tough to set up.

No there is only one for the truck parking brake. I have several feed backs from the other section where i posted. Im going to need several parts to add it however it appears not to be to difficult.

[VetteNuts]

I just found several youtube videos of Topkicks with 5.9 Cummings dropped into them. This would be one heck of an upgrade! More power and lighter.