Matching a trailer to my load/truck, current setup isn't cutting it????

[CJONE]

Here is my experience in a nutshell. I have had/experience with goosenecks. 1 a 26' triple axle with dove and fold up ramps built by me. I have a shortbox and experienced no issues with the goosenecks or fifthwheel campers I pull. Had the 3 axle for 10 years. Likes, handled heavy loads 12000lbs+ well and easy to hook up. That's about it. Dislikes, beat the heck out of you empty, poor turning, lose your bed space. Same was true with the tandem duel. I much preferred the drop deck to the deckover. Pull behind or tag trailer. The only disadvantage I see is you need to pay attention to how you load them with enough tong weight other than that no issues. I regularly pull 10-12k with a tag trailer and no weight distributing hitch. No issues, ever. Even behind my 1/2 ton. 10k is no problem. In fact I have a load of pea stone in my dump behind my F-250 right now. I will be picking up my new 22' tag at the end of the week. 14K fold over equipment dovetail dropdeck made by Load Trail. Tired of messing with separate ramps, what I haul is heavy enough that it bends them. If I need anything hauled heavier than 12k I will pay somebody to do it or borrow my buddies 3 axle. CJ

 

[wny770]

3. Find a buddy with a gooseneck trailer and go for a ride with it loaded it will change your mind on goosenecks.

So true....

 

[joshuabardwell]

Thanks for the link and info, that seems cheap and easy enough! Any recommendations on a WD hitch?

Honestly, I would just go to etrailer. Their search functionality is exceptional. But I got my WD used off of Craigslist. Substantial savings, although it tops out at... I think 10k. The travel trailer people use WD systems all the time, so if you wait long enough, you will find a used one, but it may not be in your weight range. I have a feeling most travel trailers in your weight range are 5th wheels.

etrailer has two WD systems in stock with a gross weight rating of 17k.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Weight_Distribution-sz-Up_to_17000_lbs_GTW.aspx

I'm sorry to say that you're going to have to sit down when you see the price. The 17k ones are a lot more expensive than my little 10k unit. The other thing is that the 17k ones only fit a 2.5" hitch, but the hitches for your truck are both 2". It looks like the largest WD system they sell for a 2" hitch maxes out at 15k gross weight. The price is about half of the 17k unit too.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-We...Up_to_15000_lbs_GTW-hs-Fits_2_Inch_Hitch.aspx

 

[joshuabardwell]

One more thing: when you shop for the WD system, be aware of if it says, "shank sold separately" or not. The shank is the thing that goes into your hitch, to which the WD head mounts. The reason the shank is often sold separately is the need for a custom rise or drop to level the trailer relative to the tow vehicle. Shanks in your weight range are going to run about $150, depending on how much rise/drop you need.

 

[Piston]

3. Find a buddy with a gooseneck trailer and go for a ride with it loaded it will change your mind on goosenecks.

So true....

Unfortunately, no one I know has a gooseneck trailer, they all use bumper pulls. I very rarely even SEE gooseneck trailers in my area.

 

[bandaidmd]

The gray area on whether a CDL is needed is if your state goes by the federal regs or not.

Commercial motor vehicle groups. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

the fed regs clearly state a 10,001# trailer needs a CDL class A

 

[joshuabardwell]

If we could harness all the energy people spend arguing about CDLs on TBN, we could solve the energy crisis

The gray area on whether a CDL is needed is if your state goes by the federal regs or not.
the fed regs clearly state a 10,001# trailer needs a CDL class A

Isn't that only the case if the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs? As I read it, the logic goes:

383.91(a)1 - Group A - Truck + trailer GCWR > 26k AND trailer GVWR > 10k
383.91(a)2 - Group B - Any single vehicle with GVWR > 26k, regardless of what it's towing.
383.91(a)3 - Group C - Neither of the above, but carries 16 or more people, or is hazmat.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the link and info, that seems cheap and easy enough! Any recommendations on a WD hitch?

If it were me, I would start with one of these, rated at least 16K.

With your 1 ton you might not need a WD hitch.

etrailer.com - Class V Fixed Ball Mount Ball Mounts Products ball mount kit

 

[Piston]

Thanks again for all the help guys.

There are numerous threads regarding CDL and whether it's required or not. This thread should have nothing to do with CDL's. I've read plenty of the entertaining threads from so many people who can't seem to figure out how to read regulations.

No need to discuss it here in this thread. :thumbsup:

 

[Duffster]

The gray area on whether a CDL is needed is if your state goes by the federal regs or not.

Commercial motor vehicle groups. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

the fed regs clearly state a 10,001# trailer needs a CDL class A

It CLEARLY says otherwise.

(from your link)

(1) Combination vehicle (Group A)輸ny combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).

Key word is PROVIDED.

Don't believe me? Read what the FMCSA has to say aboot it.

Question 2: Is a driver of a combination vehicle with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of less than 26,001 pounds required to obtain a CDL even if the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is more than 10,000 pounds?

Guidance: No, because the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is less than 26,001 pounds. The driver would need a CDL if the vehicle is transporting HM requiring the vehicle to be placarded or if it is designed to transport 16 or more persons.

Interpretation for 383.91: - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration