7,000# vs 10,000# Trailer

[Low Bucket]

A trailer dealer was advertising a nice 7,000# trailer near me.

I asked how much more for the same in a 10,000# version?

He indicated about $250 more, as all they would do is increase the axle capacity.

I thought a 10,000# trailer was built heavier than a 7,000# trailer in several respects,

Am I missing something here?

TIA

Yooper Dave

Get the 10,000# trailer.- You will be glad that you did.

 

[Soundguy]

Would you explain why it would matter for a smaller vehicle to have the trailer derated?

ditto what was said.. it's a GVW thing.. more legality than physics..

soundguy

 

[Code54]

Have to agree, get the 10K for a few bucks more if you can afford it. When I got my 7K it was all I could afford and now I want to sell it and get a 10K. I am sure that is going to cost far more than $250-$300 now

 

[flusher]

Would you explain why it would matter for a smaller vehicle to have the trailer derated?

Here in Arnieland it's a driver's license thing--
On a basic Class C license you can operate a vehicle with GVRW of 26,000 lb or less and you can tow a single vehicle (e.g. a trailer) up to 10,000 lb GVWR. The exception is the 5th wheel travel trailer that can be up to 15,000 lb on a Class C license.

I'm interested in a 20-ft PJ GN trailer that comes standard with 14K GVWR (two 7K axles). The dealer said that one option they offer is to derate to 10K so you're legal with a Class C license.

 

[yooperdave]

The 10,000# trailer was around $3,500 and was 18' long including a 2' beaver tail.

Brakes on both axles and new tires - it is a car hauler type.

My 2008 F150 4x4 truck is rated for around 7,400# I think.

The 10,000# trailer is really rated for 9,990#, so I should be ok with the DMV or similar in WI as I have not exceeded the 10,000# limit.

Yooper Dave

 

[ovrszd]

I've been shopping for a used car hauler. I found a 20' x 82" Tex Trailer brand if I remember correctly. It was a 7K trailer that appeared to be new like. Asking price was $1450. I was very excited!!!

I need it to haul a Jeep or my L4400 w/loader and brush cutter.

I went to their website to read the specs of this trailer. They claim a built weight of 2200 lbs. Hmmmmmmmm,,,,,,, that only leaves 4800 lbs of load capacity.

I'm now looking for a 10K trailer......

 

[KeithInSpace]

...that only leaves 4800 lbs of load capacity.

My "10k#" trailer is actually rated for 10,400#. Dunno why it's a big deal to stay at 9,999#...folks move with trailers all the time. If I move to WI, I'd need to "derate" my trailer or buy a new one? Absurd.

I tow with an Expedition rated for 9,000# capacity with WD hitch. I just don't load the trailer beyond the capabilities of the truck. I figure I'm giving up ~300# in payload to have the heavier rated trailer. But I'm way ahead once I replace the Expedition with a 3/4 ton Suburban or a 1 ton pickup. Both are on the table for a few years from now...Expedition has 72k miles on it but still shines up like a new penny.

Put another way, I purchased for my next truck, not this one. It'd drive me crazy to carry 1.5 fewer tons of stone/sand/block/mulch/whatever to my home project just because I saved ~10% on the original purchase...I'd practically pay that back in gas in the long run. Plus I have the extra confidence awareded by having a little too much trailer (as compared to being closer to the rated capacity of a 7k trailer all the time).

I have well over 3 tons of capacity now and will 1,000# of additional capacity when I get a new truck.

 

[Barry Bowen]

I have a Big Texan, and the only differences are the axles and the coupler. The frame is way heavy for a 7K. 18" trailer weights 2200 empty compared to many other 7K's that were well under 2000 empty. I plan on up grading axles and suspension when the brakes on these wear out in a year or two.

 

[JasG]

In some backwards states the GVW of the trailer can't exceed the tow rating.

That is the only place I can see where it would matter.

Yes, thank you, I actually knew that, it has come up before here on other posts and a few jumped all over me when I made the same point. As someone put it "you can't get a ticket for pulling air". Here in NY you actually can. I just wanted to see if others had the same information. And yes NY is backwards. A good Friend of mine has trailer rated for 12000 lbs and was ticketed for "non-compliance" for pulling it with a truck rated for 10000 lbs, gross weight of trailer at time of ticket was 9500 lbs. and he was under on his GCWR.

 

[Duffster]

If I move to WI, I'd need to "derate" my trailer or buy a new one?

Why? .....