6000 lbs 0n 7000lbs trailer?

[FlaDon]

You can, however, add the tongue wt. back onto that figure (gvw-empty wt.), since the tongue wt. is carried by the truck, to arrive at 7700 lbs. The only way to know for sure is to weigh the trailer and see how much capacity you have left. My 16' 7K trailer weighs right at 2000 (1988#) empty, leaving me with ~5700# payload capacity. You will be pushing your trailer's wt. capacity, but if it's a factory built equipment trailer you should be fine if you check everything over carefully before you hit the road and take it kinda easy. If it's a landscape trailer, then I wouldn't try it; I'd borrow the 4.5T trailer for the move. Also, if your equipment wts. are coming from the spec sheet and not the actual wt. of the tractor as determined by weighing YOUR tractor, then I'd also borrow the 4.5T trailer.

Just watch out for the DMV guys, though I doubt they'll bother you if you're not towing commercially (unless they look at the load).

Edit: I just viewed your profile, and if you're moving the Ford 5000 that's listed, there's no way I'd try that with a 7K trailer. If it's the 3000 (guessing it's not...) then you're OK.

Don't know about the DOT cops in your state but the ones in this area will sometimes make you unhitch. Scales under the wheels and tongue had better not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

 

[radioman]

bud soda, I also have a 16ft trailer rated at 7k. The trailer is nearly 2k. In NYS, the weight of trailer is already on the registration so subract that from the 7k rating. The other posts are correct- you need to take in consideration in the weight of the tractor, weight of trailer, the fuel in tractor, are tires loaded in tractor, the chains, binders, any tiedown equipment, spare tire with the trailer, etc. All of this will add up really fast.

6k tractor on a 7k rated trailer? plus tiedown equipment ? legal ? nope.
Can it be done ? Let's just say people have done it, and I am glad they are not near me or people I know. If your trailer only have brakes on one axle or even none, I can forsee a white knuckled driving experience.

 

[Trails2004]

I'm not sure I have seen 3000lb axles??? Seems to me 2500lb and 3500lb axles are most common around here.


My bad I miss read the title

Carry on!

 

[Bud Soda]

Thanks for the replies.
Its a new 675 DTC I am picking up from a dealer. I told him not to load the tires as to keep the weight down. Web site list it as 5400-5875 lbs. A few years I pulled 5900lbs of landscape stone over 100 miles with no problems. I could tell it was back there for sure. I have yet to put a brake controller in the truck, but I always hook up the breakaway cable. I know the tractor has a higher center of gravity than the landscape rocks. I guess I will give it a try and take it slow, and stay off the interstate. Don't want to run into the DMV man.

 

[JB4310]

I was gonna say go ahead and pull the tractor, it's right at the borderline, if your numbers are right.
But are you now saying you have no brakes at all? If that's the case you better go real slow, anything over 40 MPH and you are technically out of control by my book. Break away system isn't gonna do anything in a panic stop.

JB.

 

[Baucom]

You can get a good brake controller for only about $100 and a basic model in the $50-60 range. There's no excuse for not having some form of brakes on a 7K trailer, and without a controller you have no trailer brakes (assuming your trailer has the usual electric brakes). I personally feel that overloading a little is OK if it's a one time thing, but making sure your equipment is fully functional and safe before you tow is an absolute necessity. You need to put a brake controller on your truck ASAP. Hooking up the breakaway cable does nothing to help you stop, it just helps stop the trailer if it comes loose from the tow vehicle. You do keep tabs on the breakaway battery to make sure it isn't dead I hope...

I have yet to put a brake controller in the truck

 

[firemanpat2910]

no brakes hooked up on trailer, trailer and load out weigh the truck pulling it, trailer overloaded, yup no problems there. save weight by using 1/4 inch twine to secure it instead of those pesky heavy chains and binders. It will be fine. that way when the fit hits the shan, the tractor falls off, removes the over weight problem, and the soccer mom ride, might, maybe regain control of the empty trailer and not crash into the bus load of orphans and nuns.

seriously. if you had brakes on the trailer I would and have done it. but no brakes, that much weight? I would pass. If the truck dont have brakes the bigger trailer would just be worse.

 

[firemanpat2910]

baucom beat me to it the key here is trailer brakes.

 

[Bud Soda]

no brakes hooked up on trailer, trailer and load out weigh the truck pulling it, trailer overloaded, yup no problems there. save weight by using 1/4 inch twine to secure it instead of those pesky heavy chains and binders.

Yeah I thought about the Twine to save weight, I have plenty of that. Looks like it is going to be a four hour round trip, wonder if a six pack would be enough to get me there and back?

I got another week before to pick it up so I will find a controller. I looked at truck and it already has the wiring harness. Has a big blue, and red wire. A small blue, brown, and black wire. I guess that will match up with the controller?

One thing I am not sure of is there is a 40A fuse taped to the wiring harness with a note that reads " without TP2 option( Aux battery) plug in 40A B+ trailer J-case fuse in stud #1 location of electrical center. I don't have a clue what thats all about?

 

[dodge man]

They are describing how to hook up the circuit that would charge your breakaway battery. You are doing a smart thing getting the controller. I hooked mine up in about an hour.