8,000# x 18' Car Hauler

[Duffster]

Could you explain what you mean by uprated? I could see downrating (derating?) a trailer, ie put 10k lb running gear on it and call it 8k, but uprated?
I've never seen an 8k rated trailer either....

Some will add the expected tongue weight (or the empty weight) back on to the axle ratings to come up with the GVWR.

This makes sense IMO, for example if you have a 10k GVWR trailer with 2-5k axles, you can't get 10k on the axles without being over GVWR because you have to have some tongue weight.

The most common one I see do this is Travelong Trailers. Nice trailers, kind of high end and very stout.

The uprating is a nice feature on a well built heavy trailer since the extra weight doesn't reduce your payload.

I have never understood why they derate trailers. Kind of a waste of GVWR

I am with you on this one. Most of the components would not take the weight like the brakes, bearings, and epically the tires. I know, we all over load from time to time, but there is a factor built into everything for the occasional brain fart but doing it on a daily basis will lead to failures.

De rating is common but up rating is not advisable. It would set the manufacture up for a slew of law suits.

Chris

 

[George2615]

I'm looking for a 7000 18'' tilt hyd bed .
What ya think somethin like that would run from where you got yours.?

Here's a link to H&H. They show an 7K 18' manual tilt bed for about $2800. A comparable tilt bed in my area cost about $4300 which is why I bought out of state.

H & H Trailer Company - T8.5HD18MXMAN/HYD

 

[yooperdave]

I guess my lack of trailer knowledge is obvious.

I may want to trailer one of my tractors up to 100 miles on rare occasion - 50 miles of it on the highway.

The weight is around 5,000# to 5,500# with no attachments. I will have to make 2 trips - 1 for all the attachments, and 1 for the tractor.

I will be using my 2008 F150 4x4 which appears to be maxed out with this load.

I am of the opinion it would be better to get a 7,000# trailer than a 10,000# trailer as it will weigh less on my F150. The numbers seem pretty close overall.

Any other suggestions?

Yooper Dave

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dave, if I remember right you got a 5.4 with 3.55 gears, not the 3.73's. If that is the case you take a 1,000# hit in towing so that puts you around 8,500# max. I would go with a 7K trailer in that case. If you had the 3.73's I would go with a 10K since you would only be 500# over on you tow limit which would be in the 9,500# range.

Chris

 

[davo727]

I dont like 7K trailers, If you put that 5500 lb on a 7K trailer the springs are gonna be mashed flat and the tires will be rubbing the fenders.

A trailer with 2 , 5200 lb axles is just so much better.

Edit: 7K trailers work good for hauling 3500 lb items, You have a 5500 lb item. U need 10K trailer Truck will be ok just dont drive like bonehead.

 

[davo727]

7K trailer weighs 2K leaving supposedly 5K for load but it wont be very happy with it. (3500 lb axles suck)

10K trailers actually have 2- 5200 lb axles so 10,400 minus trailer weight of 2500 leaves you 7900 lb for your load = Happy trailering

 

[Skyco]

I have never understood why they derate trailers. Kind of a waste of GVWR

Many times it is because of registration/licensing technicalities.
Some places require a different drivers/vehicle license if the trailer is rated over 10k for example. So maybe a guy wants a stout trailer but doesn't want the licensing hassle, perhaps he wants to move more than 10k around the farm on rough terrain without damaging the trailer, but willl never gross more than 10k on the highway, so - voila - have it derated at the factory to 10k.
Note one generally can't do this himself, the data plate and certificate of origin have to state <10k.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I dont like 7K trailers, If you put that 5500 lb on a 7K trailer the springs are gonna be mashed flat and the tires will be rubbing the fenders.

A trailer with 2 , 5200 lb axles is just so much better.

Edit: 7K trailers work good for hauling 3500 lb items, You have a 5500 lb item. U need 10K trailer Truck will be ok just dont drive like bonehead.

Where do you get that info? My boat weighs 5500#, boat only trailer weighs 1,499# according to the bill of sale, and I have hauled it on a 7K trailer for 4 years about 6,000 mile per year with zero issues. I have also hauled over 25 different cars ranging from a Hyundai to a Suburban 2500 on my 7K trailer along with my 5,300# tractor dozens of times a year.

I agree a heavier trailer is nice but a 7K trailer is fine up to 7K, plain and simple.

Laws vary from state to state but in my area its illegal to haul a trailer, even empty, with a GVWR higher than the trucks towing capacity. Example is if your truck has a 8,500# towing capacity and you are hauling a 10K trailer a push mower on it your illegal. I know its crazy and will probably never come up if the guy tows for the next 25 years but if a accident occurs or he gets pulled over it will be a field day for the trailer cops and lawyers.

It seems like our trailer cops like to focus on one thing for a year. 2 years ago around here it was trailer brakes. If you were over 3,500# you were busted. Last year it was weights. If it looked heavy you were pulled over. This year they are leaving pickups alone and only going after the deep pockets of the trucking companies while a Hot Shotter in a F-350 can drive right on by pulling anything like the guy I seen over the weekend with a Dodge Dually pulling 2 Suburbans and a Military Style Hummer. I saw a guy last night with a F-350 triple pulling 3 bass boats all about 21' long, 25' on the trailer. The weight was probably on 4,000# each but the righ must have been nearly 90' long.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

10K trailers actually have 2- 5200 lb axles

Good point.

 

[Duffster]

Laws vary from state to state but in my area its illegal to haul a trailer, even empty, with a GVWR higher than the trucks towing capacity. Example is if your truck has a 8,500# towing capacity and you are hauling a 10K trailer a push mower on it your illegal. I know its crazy and will probably never come up if the guy tows for the next 25 years but if a accident occurs or he gets pulled over it will be a field day for the trailer cops and lawyers.

Chris

Just out of curiosity. when they have you pulled over by the side of the road how do they know what your towing capacity is?