Ford F600 towing capacity

[QRTRHRS]

That wouldn't fall under CDL regulations. That would only require a chauffeur's license in most states. A CDL would only be required if over 26K or towing over 10K. A CDL is not regulated by states, it's national.

States are "encouraged" to follow the minimum DOT regulations but they are free to "tweak" things within. That applies to both the license and the vehicle regs. By that, I mean that the folks residing within are sometimes held to higher standards when compared to other states.

States cannot impose their will on out of state carriers as long as the person/vehicle in question meets the federal standards to a point. The exceptions in general involve federally funded highways vs state and local roads, vehicle sizes and weights. One example that comes to mind of conflict between states would be the practice of pulling two trailers with other than a "jiffster" setup. Legal in some states, not in others, commercial or not.

By the way, from the little bit that I have been reading, some states are "messing" around with the RV crowd. Something that perhaps is way overdue in certain applications.

ahlkey, I don't think you are going wrong with that truck for that kind of money. $3,500 for that kind of miles leaves plenty of room for some repairs and/or midifications. If it turns out not to work out, you should be able to easily turn your money. You might check to see if Wisconsin has an axle weight chart then compare your tire weight ratings. Tire weight ratings along with the registration are probably going to be your guideline.

Keep your tongue weight in mind with a 10k trailer limit. The trailer with load cannot go over 10k standing alone on a scale. In combination, your trailer axle and tires may be fine because the tongue is transferring weight to the truck. You could be made to drop the trailer.

 

[ahlkey]

Sent pictures to a local company that specialized in doing hitch work on larger trucks and they are not recommending that I put a hitch on this truck given where the frame is located (2ft back) and the fact this is dump truck bed. They did say that they could attach something to the bed itself but this would not be recommended given the loads that I want to pull (bed could lift up). This is unfortunate but better to know about it now then later. Any thoughts?

 

[Diamondpilot]

If the experts say its a no go that would all I would need to be told. Keep looking. With all the cutbacks and small business going under something will turn up better suited to your needs at a good price.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

Sent pictures to a local company that specialized in doing hitch work on larger trucks and they are not recommending that I put a hitch on this truck given where the frame is located (2ft back) and the fact this is dump truck bed. They did say that they could attach something to the bed itself but this would not be recommended given the loads that I want to pull (bed could lift up). This is unfortunate but better to know about it now then later. Any thoughts?

You should ask them about shortening the frame and/or bed.

 

[herringchoker]

I wondered about that when I saw your pics: there's a lot of body overhang behind the hinge that could interfere with the trailer. Like Duffster says, can you shorten the overhang? Years ago I had a similar setup on an F750 (27,500 lbs. GVW). Notice the rear overhang...I wouldn't want it any longer than that.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Sent pictures to a local company that specialized in doing hitch work on larger trucks and they are not recommending that I put a hitch on this truck given where the frame is located (2ft back) and the fact this is dump truck bed. They did say that they could attach something to the bed itself but this would not be recommended given the loads that I want to pull (bed could lift up). This is unfortunate but better to know about it now then later. Any thoughts?

The mill where you intend to haul to, would you be dumping the logs or would they be picking them off with a loader and grapple? That overhang would be good for dumping because once the load slid to the ground, you could drive forward and ease it to the ground without breaking the tailights.

Maybe some kind of latch could be fabbed up to keep the dump body from rising? Other than that, I don't see shortening the body as a viable option unless you could do it yourself.

 

[ahlkey]

Actually the trailer I want to use has a grapple and 14ft boom for unloading. The hope was with this F600 truck I could load it up as well and double my payload capacity. Well, being a little stubborn I took the pictures into a another specialist in town that was recommended to me and they sent me to a welding fabricator who does custom hitches on these type of trucks a few times a year for the city and others. They use a 3/4" solid steel plate that is welded diectely to the truck frame rated at 20,000 lbs. Then the trailer guys would hook up a pintle hitch combination along with a 2ft tongue extension. The custom hitch runs $500 plus the cost of extension on my trailer and the pintle setup another $100. At least in this situation it appears I could easily handle the pulling of the 10K trailer option and still be under the CDL requirements.

 

[SimS]

ahlkey;

I just bought a '82 Chevy C60 truck with a 14' dump bed. It has the same 'overhang' issue that you have on your Ford. The solution is exactly what your latest hitch guy suggested. It has a thick steel plate with bracing welded to the end of the frame with a pintle hitch and chain hooks attached to the plate. I bought the truck from a construction company and they hauled heavy equipment trailers for years without any issues. However I did not see the trailer(s) so I can't comment on the trailer tongue length. I think you should be alright with your solution. Good Luck;

SimS

 

[ahlkey]

Talked to an good person at the DMT and they reconfirmed that in Wisconsin no CDL is required as long as the total is below 26,000 lbs. This applies even if used for commerical or personal activity. They also told me from the VIN number that the GVR ranges between 16,500 - 19,500. I am looking at the lighter version at 16,500 so as long as I tow below 10,000lbs on the trailer and not load more than 7,000 or so on the truck it should keep me under that 26,000lbs. However, to know for sure I will eventually have to weigh the truck. Thanks for all your help.

 

[ahlkey]

Getting close to making a decision this week. Only new information I was given is that even though I can put a farm plate on the truck with no CDL requirements I still need a commerical insurance policy on the truck given it has a dump bed. Overall, rates are not bad but still double what a personal farm policy would run me.