Trailer Towing Question

[FlaDon]

Getting stopped is the luck of the draw. If they see a bigger truck pass the scales, they would rather go after it as it likely will generate more income. The local DOT cop down here goes after anybody. Hook up a trailer and prepare to get pulled. Mowing season is starting so it's about time for the landscapers to face an "enhanced enforcement" period. She had a Chevy/Iveco W4500 and 7K trailer pulled last week. Shouldn't be on her radar as one to check, but it was. 14K to 16K GVWR and 7K GVWR is under 26K limit. But any vehicle used for commerce over 10K is fair game. So even though DP hasn't been nailed, doesn't mean Johnny Law can't.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Getting stopped is the luck of the draw. If they see a bigger truck pass the scales, they would rather go after it as it likely will generate more income. The local DOT cop down here goes after anybody. Hook up a trailer and prepare to get pulled. Mowing season is starting so it's about time for the landscapers to face an "enhanced enforcement" period. She had a Chevy/Iveco W4500 and 7K trailer pulled last week. Shouldn't be on her radar as one to check, but it was. 14K to 16K GVWR and 7K GVWR is under 26K limit. But any vehicle used for commerce over 10K is fair game. So even though DP hasn't been nailed, doesn't mean Johnny Law can't.

A commercial mower and a guy pulling home a old car on a GN are two totally different things. Mowing is for hire and should be subject to inspection just like they do around here.

3 summers ago I made a killing putting on brakes, brake-aways, and re wiring trailers for these guys. They were targeting them and many had no brakes or working wiring. They all got a fine and a 10 day to fix notice. We were busy every day working on landscape trailers.

This lasted for about 4 months then they went on to target the next group, dump trucks.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

enhanced revenue enforcement.. er I mean safety.. I'm sure..

soundguy

 

[WV John Deere]

Going to be purchasing a truck in the near future, and after that possibly a trailer or two. Is a 1500 grade truck (V-8) adequate to pull a 20 ft camper trailer? How about 8x16 enclosed utility trailer with 2 or 3 motorcycles inside? Or do I have to get a 2500?

Thanks

Let's see.......oh yeah, back to the original question above. Determine how much weight you plan to tow/haul, how far, as well as how much you want to spend. After you think you know what you want, check the towing capabilities of those trucks and compare. Also, remember you are only legal to haul what you have your vehicle licensed for and there are limits on those weights as well and they can vary from state to state. Do your research and make your best educated decision for yourself :thumbsup:

 

[FlaDon]

A commercial mower and a guy pulling home a old car on a GN are two totally different things. Mowing is for hire and should be subject to inspection just like they do around here.

3 summers ago I made a killing putting on brakes, brake-aways, and re wiring trailers for these guys. They were targeting them and many had no brakes or working wiring. They all got a fine and a 10 day to fix notice. We were busy every day working on landscape trailers.

This lasted for about 4 months then they went on to target the next group, dump trucks.

Chris

And there is the big problem. If a vehicle is driven by someone in commerce, it doesn't make it any more unsafe than one driven by a homeowner. The rules ought to be applied to all. A 27K motor home is just as dangerous as a 27K GVWR empty truck. If not moreso. A 25K boat behind a truck is just as dangerous if it is driven by someone with a CDL or a weekend driver who doesn't have one. Again, it could be more dangerous in the hands of the weekend warrior. CDL drivers atleast at some point had to prove they were skilled in the operation and safety checks before driving, the weekend warriors never had to prove anything more than they could drive an automatic equipted car/truck.

 

[Soundguy]

presumably, though, the average liability will be higher with the driver putting more miles on the road. IE.. the weekend warrior that pulls that 26k rv once per year.. or that semi driver that pulls his truck 260 days a year. True the dirve with more miles will be more experienced.. but he has 'x' many more chances of a problem occuring, especially ones beyond his control. That's one of my theories on why comercial drivers need extra license levels.. IE.. more exposure than the 'limited use' operator that pulls a large load a few times a year... that and anything attached to business almost always gets double tax penalaty by the time all is said and done..

soundguy