How do you transport your tractor & batwing bush hog?

[Duffster]

mine is a 350 and only rated for 1500 lbs

You have a '99 F350 with a GVWR of 1500 lbs huh?

ps Basic CDL requirements are the same everywhere.

but really what does it matter what soundguys truck is rated for he isn't the one that ask the question

Actually he did.

 

[Soundguy]

most states use FED dot as minimum, or all.. some states pile on top of that.

soundguy

 

[Duffster]

Some states use FED dot as minimum, or all.. some states pile on top of that.

soundguy

Exactly.:thumbsup:

 

[whodat526]

Exactly.:thumbsup:

that is exactly what i said read everthing before you comment please

 

[Duffster]

that is exactly what i said read everthing before you comment please

No, it's not. Please learn to read before you comment further.

 

[Builder]

After reading the entire thread, and understanding what you are trying to do, I will give you my insight. Unfortunitly I do agree that it sounds like you just really want a 550. If you already have your 350 for going to the lumber yard, and plowing snow, do you need another?

I have a GMC3500 SRW set up with a utility body, lumber racks, etc, so 5th wheel is out of the question. It doesn't have a plow. I like it that way. It's a really sweet truck and I don't want to plow with it. I need the 550 (or whatever truck I decide) to tow long trailer, plow snow, spread salt and do other contracting work.

Also as soon as you drop that GN into your bed, no more sheets of plywood on the way home.

I had no plans of doing both at the same time, but it can be used to carry materials when it's not towing. Of course lots of materials could go on an unloaded trailer, too. It's more versatile than a road tractor because it has a bed on back. That's why it appeals to me. A road tractor can never carry plywood, unless it has a trailer attached to it.

You would still have to go home and drop the gn, so you could switch trucks......Have you ever pulled a 30-35' gooseneck? I doubt it would be any easier then your current setup (dump w/ tag)

Oh it's much easier. I have towed with one, as well as other longer trailers behind tri-axles I used to drive (I used to work for an excavator and I was the one with the class A that drove the tri that towed the 955, excavator, etc.) A 30' gooseneck is a breeze to park and has much better visibility and manueveribilty than my current backhoe trailer.

All of the rigs mentioned are going to be about the same length, and are going to be a PIA to run and get things during the day unless you drop your trailer.

You think a 550 is a PIA to run & get things? I owned a F-450 for 7 years and I thought it was very similar to driving a pickup truck!!

I totally understand your want for the does everything truck, but honestly that is extremely hard to do. I've been there and done that, my daily driver is in my garage with the 9' door, and my truck is in the barn......Does your dump fit into a 9' o.h. door? Can you pick up your boy from pratice in that? can you throw 50 sheets of plywood in that? In my opinion, a better tag is the best bet for now......You have some hard decisions to make, good luck....

OK, thanks.
My dump needs a 10' door. I have no plans to run errands in it. Just too much truck for that. The reason I want to get a smaller truck is so I don't have 2 trucks of limited use. I could probably put 500 sheets of plywood in my dump. The 550 is nice because it'll easily tow the gooseneck trailer, it's nicer to drive than a crude dump with a tag, I can plow snow or run errands with it and it fits in a smaller garage. I have other aspirations with this truck, too. might haul some equipment for others for moderate distances.
My gosh, if guys like Hawk are pulling similar equipment behind a 1-ton DRW pickup, wouldn't a 550 be as good or even better?

I do appreciate your suggestions-don't want you to think I'm blowing them off. The longer tag is a great "economy" solution, but truthfully, I need another truck anyway and a road tractor wouldn't be practical unless I was doing more business, like LCB. Maybe in the future, but not now or the next couple years. I can always trade for bigger.
Here's my dump. Looks nicer now. I added rear Alcoas, new cab shield, company decals, etc. I couldn't imagine driving it 300 miles with a farm tractor & bush hog in tow on a regular basis.

 

[Builder]

1. anything over 26,000lbs requires a CDL unless you have a farm exemption or an RV. And that's GVW rated, not what it actually weighs. so any dual tandem trailer hooked to anything (a freaking half ton if you wanted) would be over 26,000lbs. Ask your state patrol or check your DOT website.

2. RIF, HE's CUTTING COMMERCIALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anything over 10,001lb CGVW rated requires DOT numbers (depends on state, but most do, check FMCSA website), anything over 26,000lbs requires CDL (all 50 states).

Yep, LCB is right-it's all commercial. PA doesn't require DOT# if in state, at least tha I know of. I'm sure there's an armchair operator that will look up the rules and find out.....:laughing:
I have been operating 90% in PA (occassional trips to DE) with no DOT # for 20 years and have been pulled over several times.
Way over 26,000 GCWR on dump & tag which I have at 54,000lbs.

 

[Soundguy]

Oh it's much easier. I have towed with one, as well as other longer trailers behind tri-axles I used to drive (I used to work for an excavator and I was the one with the class A that drove the tri that towed the 955, excavator, etc.) A 30' gooseneck is a breeze to park and has much better visibility and manueveribilty than my current backhoe trailer.

i much prefer pulling a gn than a bumper pull ( tag same deal ).. having that pivot point mid truck is much easier IMHO..

soundguy

 

[Duffster]

PA doesn't require DOT# if in state, at least tha I know of.

You should know better then this.

PA requires them at 17k GCWR/GVWR of in state.

 

[downslope]

You should know better then this.

PA requires them at 17k GCWR/GVWR of in state.

I was talking to some guys last fall at a PA produce auction who were doing hauling for farmers and buyers. They told me things had changed earlier in the the year (2010) with regard to DOT.
I found this link to a trucking article about it:
Pennsylvania carriers must display DOT number | Overdrive - Owner Operators Trucking Magazine

Also in years past I recall that PA did not require the numbers for intrastate. But when I looked at FMCSA they now show PA as one of the states requiring registration. Who knows, they may even be down to 10,000 lbs like the other 28 states.

NY started this a few years ago, but they gave warnings at first; my friend got stopped by NYSP for a warning with his F450 but now I am seeing DOT numbers on 2500's and even F150's pulling trailers. For anyone operating in PA like Builder, they should probably try to keep up with what's going on and how it's being enforced.