Dump Trailer

[jgrreed]

The truck had towing package. 2003 model. If I add brake controler will it work/be safe?

Only for a relatively small amount of 'useful load'.

That can be determined my knowing the max towing capacity of the truck, the max tongue weight of the truck and hitch, the empty weight of the trailer, and the max load of the trailer.

A rear pull trailer passes about 5% of it's weight off to the truck, so the useful load of the trailer is it's combined axle capacity, plus 5%, minus it's empty weight.

The truck companies can be crafty when it comes to 'towing capacity' They sometimes say 10000lbs, but that might not be at the bumper, that may be over the rear axle like a gooseneck would provide.

Like I said above, I've pulled 8-10k lbs on the tail with a 1/2 ton with trailer brakes, and it sucked. I don't know what weight would feel safe. I did pull a small single axle (2900lb axle) utility trailer without brakes with 2 round bales on it a few times using my Tacoma (~ 2500lbs, trailer included) and had no problems at all. It didn't feel dangerous.

-Jer.

 

[Mike Costello]

The truck had towing package. 2003 model. If I add brake controler will it work/be safe?

If you add a brake controller(assuming the trailer has brakes) you will now be using your truck brakes AND the trailer brakes as a unit. You will still have to stay within the load capacities of your truck. The worst that could happen is that you may have to make more trips.....but thats a small price to pay for being safe.
Having been in the towing & emergency response business(5 trucks), I can most certainly state "It's the other guy who will mess you up every time".

 

[jpm1]

I am tired of paying for dump trucks to haul gravel for my driveway. have been looking at dump trailers. I have a 1500 chevy truck 4x4, Reg cab. Can I pull a 10x6 trailer with gravel. I am going to rent one first . The guy says I can haul 3 ton on trailer. Dont have hook up for electric brakes on truck. Guys says if I am careful I wont need them. Does this sound right.
Thanks

In reguards to your problem, I understand completely but,my dad says if you can't do it safely, leave it to the guys who do it for a living. Law suits aren't cheap and your reputation is at stake also. I am a truck mounted crane opereator and I haul material to job sites every day. My company wants me run heavy (way past my legal weight) I refuse! I, being the driver are 100% responsible, its not worth it!
I have a dump trailer which I haul logs, stone and what not with, but my littly toyota truck can't do it. my solution , use a tractor and have a responsible person follow you in your vechile with flashing lights ect on. I've been given the thumbs-up from law enforcement as they pass me, I get the job done, save some money, and have some fun with the tractor in the process. Remember sheet metal is replaceable, we are not! Stay safe.

 

[thendricks]

You definitly must have trailer brakes for 6000 + lbs. Im sure i will get flamed for this but:

I dont have some of the same feelings as some of the other posters here about half ton pickups. They are not the same as they were even going back to 2003 for fords. I have a 7000 lb tandem car hauler and put two yards of crusher run (driveway gravel) on the trailer right after a rain so it was wet (it was a two yard bucket and was heaping also). From what i can tell this put my total weight for the trailer around 8600 lbs or more(my trailer is 2000 lbs). I have a 2006 F-150 ext cab 4x4 5.4 V8 rated to tow 8000+ lbs with a payload of 1600+ lbs. I turned the prodigy up to 7.5 volts and was on my way. I drove using some main roads and some side streets. The truck felt loaded but i had NO issues stopping/manuvering. For the once a week/month in the summer that i need materials, i dont think there would be any issues. My friends consider me a saftey freak and not one to push the limits. It never felt like i was close to pushing the limits. I would have never done that with my 2003 F150 (it also has 150k on the clock).

All that being said, if you truly are going to unload enough materials that you need to buy a dump, you are probably going to need a one ton.

Somewhat off topic, but i think IN is alot different than other states in regards to towing. As near as i can tell, you are not going to get ticketed unless they see something totally crazy. diamond pilot may have more experience with that since he sells boat trailers.

 

[dodge man]

I've come to following conclusion in regards to buying one. If I want one for various tasks, I should go ahead and buy one and I would be O.K. towing it with my 1/2 ton if I have brakes on the trailer and I'm carefull not overloading it and my truck. If I buy one to move a lot of dirt or gravel, I'm going to be really disapointed.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You, are right about Indiana being very easy going. I have never been pulled over in Indiana and I tow a trailer 3-4 times a week 7 months out of the year since 1996. That being said it will happen some day. Just keep a low profile and be safe and you will have no problems.

Just like the last guy stated the trucks have really improved in the last 4-5 years. We have a 2007 F-150 and its hands down twice the truck the last 1998 F-150 I had.

Chris

 

[jeffster]

I certainly don't want to fan the flames on the 1/2 ton versus 3/4+ trucks, nor on how much you SHOULD tow, but before anyone makes a decision, the very first question you should ask yourself is can you afford not to make a smart decision? The fact remains that we are an extremely litigious society and people in general will not hesitate a second to sue you for everything if you screw up and cause an accident. Playing dumb regarding the legality of your load isn't going to cut it. If you are overweight, have an inadequate towing vehicle, aren't equipped correctly, etc., you are going to pay for it. I'll stop lecturing now, but I would hate to see one of you guys lose everything due to something that could have easily been prevented. Even worse, I would hate to see someone get hurt because of it. Be safe out there everyone.

 

[thendricks]

I'll stop lecturing now, but I would hate to see one of you guys lose everything due to something that could have easily been prevented. Even worse, I would hate to see someone get hurt because of it. Be safe out there everyone.

We will agree to disagree on this topic. Whether ford (or my plates) says im "safe" or not has little to do with the actual situation.

Example:
Im driving with the maximum "safe" load that ford recomends (or my plates) in a blizzard running the maximum speed limit typing away on my cell heading down a 6% grade. I am legal, but am i really safe?? Of course not, and its silly to think otherwise. People put wayyyy to much stock in these numbers and too little in common sense.

Edit:
You are definitly correct about the sue happy people. Thats not the case in IN. We are quite a bit different than most of our neighbors. Think texas almost.

 

[thendricks]

You, are right about Indiana being very easy going. I have never been pulled over in Indiana and I tow a trailer 3-4 times a week 7 months out of the year since 1996. That being said it will happen some day. Just keep a low profile and be safe and you will have no problems.

Just like the last guy stated the trucks have really improved in the last 4-5 years. We have a 2007 F-150 and its hands down twice the truck the last 1998 F-150 I had.

Chris

I tow on probably one of the most heavily patrolled roads, 37 south of Indy. You have prolly been down to monroe and know what im talking about. So i definitly keep a low profile. They dont even look my way pulling my tractor as it looks small. Just dont go too fast, right?

 

[RollTideRam]

If you get the brake controller, I think you would do okay with a 7k trailer. Maybe a 6x10, with low side boards. Make sure you don't overload it and carry a shovel. I used to have a 6x14 trailer (not dump) that I hauled gravel on. It was overloaded almost every time. Where I go, you let the loader driver know when to stop. I finally learned the trailer limits, but them sold it, got tired of unloading with a shovel. JC