7,000# vs 10,000# trailer

[wallace]

Keith you never mentioned the length of the trailer...

I would definitely recommend you checking your laws on weights of trailers.

Up here in Pa any trailer registered over 3,000lbs need to have a anual inspection and it must have brakes on every wheel it also needs a breakaway kit.

I have never heard what Diamondpilot said about the trailer weight being more than the towing vehicle, I know that if the vehicle towing has a rating of 26,001 lbs or more you can only pull a 10k or under trailer unless you have a CDL.

There is a lot of confusion out here in the trailer market.

I sell tons of trailer one of my best sellers is the Doolittle Xtreme
Check them out..
10K 84x18 with dual axel brakes, breakaway kit, 5 foot stand up spring assist dog leg ramps,
$3,195.00

[powerstroke444e]

Go for the heavier trailer & if some one gives you a ticket for being safe the judge will throw it out.

As for a steel deck vs wood I like having steel deck trailers as they don't need the wood replaced & things don't fall threw the boards. I have several steel deck trailers & wood deck trailers & the steel deck trailers have 0 mataince & the wood trailers alway seem to be rotten. but if you have unlimited shed space it won't matter. My oldest steel deck is 20 yrs & rust is not an issue with orginal paint or lack there of.

[PaulChristenson]

Originally Posted by powerstroke444e

Go for the heavier trailer & if some one gives you a ticket for being safe the judge will throw it out.

Not in the current economic situation...Tickets are REVENUE...

[john_bud]

I would get the 10k trailer, but would get a 20' and not the 16'.

Not for the tractor, but if you are like me you will eventually get more stuff. A UTV and the tractor will fit on the longer trailer but not on the 16'. You can also load the tractor, loader an attachment and a backhoe on the larger trailer not the smaller. You also have more options on load balance.

On the ticket issue - if ever pulled over you are ONLY moving YOUR tractor from YOUR house to YOUR HUNTING LAND. You NEVER EVER NEVER EVER are you going to help anyone. NEVER. Even if you ARE NOT PAID - you are commercial in the revenue seeking eyes of the law. Sounds goofy and it "can't be true"? Do some research - it's true! Everything in the truck and trailer is YOURS and is being moved from your property to your property. ONLY.

[Beavis]

Originally Posted by Diamondpilot

I would also get the 10K trailer. Just be aware that with a 10K trailer and a 9K tow vehicle you could get ticketed. It will probably never happen but in most states you can not pull a trailer that has the capability, no matter what the load is, of being greater than your tow vehicles capability.

That being said I would still get the 10K trailer and next go around get a bigger tow vehicle. You will be glad you got the larger trailer. Like others said you will only get heavier loads in the future like a larger tractor.

Chris

My question is: how will a law enforcement officer know what your vehicle is rated to tow? The federal label on the door won't tell you; at least not if it is a SUV like the Explorer I drive or the Expedition used in this case. The owner's manual, which a person is not required to carry in their vehicle will tell you different ratings depending on what axle ratio, etc. the vehicle is equipped with. I'm not arguing, but I'd just like to know how a law enforcement officer is going to know what my vehicle is rated to tow?

[Egon]

They do have radios and can communicate quite well with a central base.

[kevinj]

Originally Posted by john_bud

I would get the 10k trailer, but would get a 20' and not the 16'.

Not for the tractor, but if you are like me you will eventually get more stuff. A UTV and the tractor will fit on the longer trailer but not on the 16'. You can also load the tractor, loader an attachment and a backhoe on the larger trailer not the smaller. You also have more options on load balance.

On the ticket issue - if ever pulled over you are ONLY moving YOUR tractor from YOUR house to YOUR HUNTING LAND. You NEVER EVER NEVER EVER are you going to help anyone. NEVER. Even if you ARE NOT PAID - you are commercial in the revenue seeking eyes of the law. Sounds goofy and it "can't be true"? Do some research - it's true! Everything in the truck and trailer is YOURS and is being moved from your property to your property. ONLY.

That is what the CDL law says, personal use is exempt and personal use only. The Michigan law can be found easily with a quick Google search.

[mikim]

like everyone else - I'd go with the heavier trailer ....and LONGER ... If you stay at 16' -- you WILL be sorry. Go at least 18 and 20 would be better. I had 2 16' trailers, the first one was used and came with the 8n, I now have an 18' ....AND WISH IT WAS LONGER! I want a heavier tow vehicle and a 22' gooseneck. see attached pic why I need a longer trailer.

[Diamondpilot]

Originally Posted by Beavis

My question is: how will a law enforcement officer know what your vehicle is rated to tow? The federal label on the door won't tell you; at least not if it is a SUV like the Explorer I drive or the Expedition used in this case. The owner's manual, which a person is not required to carry in their vehicle will tell you different ratings depending on what axle ratio, etc. the vehicle is equipped with. I'm not arguing, but I'd just like to know how a law enforcement officer is going to know what my vehicle is rated to tow?

Like I said you will probably never get caught, but it is a possibility. I am sure if they wanted to find out they could. I am sure the state weight stations have a cheat sheet telling what the max for each vehicle is. Example: 2004-2008 Expedition 9,000#. I guarantee you if there were a accident a lawyer would find out all this info if needed. But once again, the chance of anyone ever getting caught is slim.

Chris

[KeithInSpace]

Originally Posted by wallace

Keith you never mentioned the length of the trailer...

All the units I've been looking at are 7' x 16'

Originally Posted by wallace

Up here in Pa any trailer registered over 3,000lbs need to have a anual inspection and it must have brakes on every wheel it also needs a breakaway kit.

All have dual axle brakes, breakaway units, and are subject to state inspection.

Originally Posted by wallace

...a rating of 26,001 lbs or more you can only pull a 10k or under trailer unless you have a CDL.

Not much risk of that. The biggest truck I ever plan on owning is a 1 ton and this is the highest capacity trailer I ever plan on owning.

Originally Posted by mikim

like everyone else - I'd go with the heavier trailer ....and LONGER ... If you stay at 16' -- you WILL be sorry.

I only have a BX and I'm trying to keep it real. I don't disagree with you one bit, but at the same time I really don't know if I want that big of a trailer. Standing on the deck, it IS bigger. Significantly bigger. And heavier. I'd be giving up even more capacity to the trailer itself, which is what I'm trying to avoid. Again...totally agree, but I think 16' fits me pretty good.

I've been thinking about it and with the capacity being what it is, I have no problem swinging my BH boom to one side or another (shifting a whopping 300# or so to one side) and picking up another 3 feet of open deck space if I need it. Thusly oriented, my tractor consumes about 12.5 feet in length...15.5 feet with the BH centered behind the tractor.

Originally Posted by john_bud

Everything in the truck and trailer is YOURS and is being moved from your property to your property. ONLY.

Concur. 2 years and I haven't gotten paid for anything I've done for others yet. And that is the way I'd like to keep it. I like doing things for folks, but it is MUCH more fun as a barter.

Originally Posted by powerstroke444e

As for a steel deck vs wood I like having steel deck trailers

I've had my wood deck 5' x 10' trailer outside for several years and it is still practially new (purchased in 2002 and garaged for first 2 years at the last house). I love the idea of the steel deck and may still consider it (although it is the lower weight rating), but I don't have a problem with wood.

Thanks everyone for all your input and assistance. You guys rock. I love this forum!