how to make your 5x10 trailer with max capacity of 3k pounds haul 4k pounds

Combustix · Apr 7, 2012

I have found that if you are driving fast when the trailer starts coming apart, you all ready got a good head start.

jwstewar · Apr 7, 2012

Combustix said:
I have found that if you are driving fast when the trailer starts coming apart, you all ready got a good head start.

You laugh about that, but Dad went and bought an old wood trailer one time. I was following him since he didn't have lights or license. The tires were so old they were square from sitting and the trailer was rotten. On the way home the tires litteraly beat the trailer apart. Everytime a part would fall off I would stop and put it in the trunk of the car. By the time we got home, I had more of the trailer in the trunk of the car than he was towing.:confused2:

shortthrow50 · Apr 7, 2012

Dmace said:
Out of curiousity, what are the tires rated for? They look to be holding up well!
I'm far from the safety police as I don't think a little overloading is that bad when you consider the safety margain the engineers put into that trailer. Plus I'm sure you have the recommended 20% tongue load which only puts you over by 200 lbs. :thumbsup:
I don't recommend it but have overloaded a trailer or two a couple of times.

At least you have the right truck! ;-)

those tires are rated for 1750 pounds a peice. I feel that rating is for long term highway use and you can probably load way more than that if your driving 35-40mph for a distance of 4 miles. I went back for another load today and put about another half bucket one. Next time im just gonna fill all the voids. Cant go much higher cause the dirt spilling out on the road.

brain55 said:
Yep, I've carried a few loads that where over the weight rating too, and did it with a truck that was capable of the extra weight. Now if you ask me, I will tell you to get the right trailer for the job. Only because I know my limitations and driving ability, and don't typically know of the person's asking.

I agree with you bud. I could borrow a dump trailer or a dump truck from people i know but i just hate borrowing anything from anyone. I feel like people then think i owe them something. I do plan on getting rid of this trailer soon for something that can haul my tractor. This trailer just isnt for me anymore. The next trailer i will just get a 16 foot tandem with trailer brakes and be done with it.

heres todays load. Somehow my movieedit screwed up and put the visual of the load in the second clip about 30 seconds in. d.am.m.i.t
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54eXq-_V0eA&feature=youtube[/ame]

Deere Dude · Apr 7, 2012

If it fits, it has to work.

I had an old single axle boat trailer converted to a flat bed on it and was hauling 30 bags of concrete about 30 miles. About 5 miles from home I felt a jar and looked in the left mirror and saw a trailer wheel rolling along side the trailer and it started rolling in between the truck and the trailer. I didn't panic but figured if I just slow down slowly the wheel will stay there. But what actually happened, the wheel got under the trailer on the left side, the trailer climbed up on the wheel sharply and dumped 30 bags of cement in a pile in the ditch.

The wheel broke around the bolt pattern. I had a spare and after spitting and sputtering loading most of the concrete onto the trailer again I took off, a little slower. About 1 mile farther down the road the other wheel broke off. I simply unhooked it and went home and got my tandem axle trailer and sheepishly reloaded the cement.:ashamed:

tcartwri · Apr 7, 2012

I think everyone has had the experience of having their trailer crushed by the three yard bucket at the local quarry.

rockshaft · Apr 7, 2012

I've driven an over-loaded trailer before- never again!
If you *do* get involved in an accident(even if not your fault), you'll be in deeeep. Your insurance won't cover you, and your estate is exposed for liability.

shortthrow50 · Apr 8, 2012

rockshaft said:
I've driven an over-loaded trailer before- never again!
If you *do* get involved in an accident(even if not your fault), you'll be in deeeep. Your insurance won't cover you, and your estate is exposed for liability.

i agree with you there. BIG TROUBLE if something happens involving another vehicle or pedestrian even if its not your fault

RobertN · Apr 8, 2012

That's what I was going to mention too.

I've hauled a fair bit in my 5x8 utility trailer. But, I have hauled a lot more in my 3/4ton Ram. The tires etc are made to handle the load on the truck.

I'll admit though, it is much easier to unload the trailer than shoveling out of the much taller 4x4 truck(even though it is only stock height, no lift or anything...)

77bronco said:
You could have doubled your load by filling up the truck bed along with the trailer.

timswi · Apr 8, 2012

RobertN said:
That's what I was going to mention too.

I've hauled a fair bit in my 5x8 utility trailer. But, I have hauled a lot more in my 3/4ton Ram. The tires etc are made to handle the load on the truck.

I'll admit though, it is much easier to unload the trailer than shoveling out of the much taller 4x4 truck(even though it is only stock height, no lift or anything...)

Plus trying to stop an overloaded utility trailer with no trailer brakes...Bad things can happen there....Seems that having the bed overloaded is much easier to handle as nothing is actually pushing on the truck.

Mace Canute · Apr 9, 2012

shortthrow50 said:
those tires are rated for 1750 pounds a peice. I feel that rating is for long term highway use and you can probably load way more than that if your driving 35-40mph for a distance of 4 miles. I went back for another load today and put about another half bucket one. Next time im just gonna fill all the voids. Cant go much higher cause the dirt spilling out on the road..........

If you're only making a 4 mile trip, why would you not simply make an extra trip (or two) and keep the weights legal?