tongue weight

yellowdogsvc · Jun 25, 2012

I just bought a new 13k rated 18ft bumper pull trailer for my Bobcat. I pull with an f350 DRW and class 5 hitch. I need to get to the scales because the mulcher and trailer were actually more weight than the dealers told me when I ordered. My truck is rated at 13k and my trailer is rated at 13k to put me right at 26k but I'm not that heavy. I've weighed my truck and other trailer. This one is only 2ft longer and built only slightly heavier so I'm estimating weight a little heavy over what the dealer told me the trailer weighs until I can get to a scale.

The trailer weighs about 2750 lbs with chains. The Bobcat with mulcher weighs about 11,070 lbs but may be a bit less. With a total of 13,850 lbs I am technically overweight on the trailer by itself but that's without transferring any weight to the truck by tongue weight. Am I correct in figuring on subtracting about 10% off the trailer and cargo weight because of the tongue weight? I want to make sure I'm legal. The trailer dealer said I was fine to transfer about 15% of the weight but I want to see what others in the know have to say. I'm not asking about CDL here.. I've already clarified that with Texas Department of Public Safety with a phone call and their flow chart.

Thanks!

Dmace · Jun 25, 2012

Most manufacturers use a generic 20% tongue weight when figuring GVWR of a trailer or truck. 10%-15% is on the low end and easily done, just make sure you know your truck's payload capacity and don't overload it.

oldtractors · Jun 25, 2012

It depends on the state, but with a 8000 lb truck and 14,000 lb trailer, as long as you are licensed for 22,000 lbs total weigt you will be ok on your license. Some states license the weight on the trailer, some put the weight on the truck. Trailer should be fine since you will have 2000 lbs on the truck. All axle weights are fine. You are under 26,000, so that is good. Smart idea to get a trailer with GVW of 13k instead of 14k, which would have required you to have a CDL to pull it with your dually.

yellowdogsvc · Jun 25, 2012

That's what I had to do. I need to get my CDL but I'm a one-man operation and have my family help move trailers when I get busy. My wife would need a CDL to pull an empty 14k trailer with her f350 so I have to go through the PITA of having the manufacturer rate the trailer at or under 13k. The dealer told me that I'm about the only one who cares if I'm under CDL with those trailers since all the new trucks are 13k and up for 1 ton trucks.

My 2005 F350 DRW is only rated at 23,500 GCWR so a CDL won't change anything there. I would need to get a bigger truck and that is a lot more $$$$ since I don't like buying worn out trucks. Here's a pic of what I generally haul with. Same truck but the new mulcher is heavier and 10" longer and the new trailer is 18' instead of 16' and slightly heavier. Most people including the local DPS told me not to worry about it but I like to make sure I'm complying as best I can.

Diamondpilot · Jun 25, 2012

To be really sure I would take it to the scales and weigh it with the trailer on one scale pad, the front axle of your truck on one, and the rear axle on the other. This will tell you how much is on the trailer and the truck.

What axles does your 13K trailer have? I am guessing 2 6,000# axles with 1,000# allotted for tongue weight which will put your very close to being overloaded.

Chris

schmism · Jun 26, 2012

Dmace said:
Most manufacturers use a generic 20% tongue weight when figuring GVWR of a trailer or truck. 10%-15% is on the low end and easily done,

I disagree to some point. IMHO 10-15% is STANDARD for a bumper pull hitch. 20% is standard/common for gooseneck or 5th wheel hitches that locate that weight directly over the axle.

There is no light duty truck that will take 2600lbs vertical load at the bumper (20% of 13K). All the weight distributing hitches i find are only rated up to 1700lbs vertical tongue weight. Which at 10% would put you safely in that range. (1300lbs TW)

IN addition class V hitches are only rated for the same 1600-1700 lbs TW.

yellowdogsvc · Jun 26, 2012

Diamondpilot said:
To be really sure I would take it to the scales and weigh it with the trailer on one scale pad, the front axle of your truck on one, and the rear axle on the other. This will tell you how much is on the trailer and the truck.

What axles does your 13K trailer have? I am guessing 2 6,000# axles with 1,000# allotted for tongue weight which will put your very close to being overloaded.

Chris

(2) 7k axles. Trailer manufacturer rated it at 13k. Same trailer can be rated at 14k or 12k or 12.5k depending on the needs. The manufacturer sets the weight and prints the sticker so it's legal even though technically the trailer can handle more it's only legal as a 13k trailer.

meburdick · Jul 3, 2012

yellowdogsvc said:
(2) 7k axles. Trailer manufacturer rated it at 13k. Same trailer can be rated at 14k or 12k or 12.5k depending on the needs. The manufacturer sets the weight and prints the sticker so it's legal even though technically the trailer can handle more it's only legal as a 13k trailer.

I think that's your answer... Will you be overloaded according to what the trailer can take? Likely not. Are you overloaded according to what's legal? Yep. Absolutely. If you get into an accident (even if it isn't your fault), and someone is paying attention - they'll potentially find out you're running over weight and you're now instantly liable. Additionally, you could end up with some stiff fines at a weigh station if you're overloaded.

The weight ratings are obviously critical in understanding whether or not the trailer can safely carry the load. But the taxes and reg fees you pay for that trailer are based on how much extra wear and tear on the roads you'll be causing. More weight on a tire increases road wear. It won't matter if your tractor weight is distributed correctly to keep the trailer bearing a safe weight if you're transporting more weight (and causing more road wear) than what you paid for.