24' Deck over plans, or start drawing my own?

[Klitch]

The trailer will be pulled occasionally for light loads (like a small lift of RR ties or some long material) with the F150, I have a 71 F600 for pulling the backhoe/equipment, or I can borrow my dads 00 F250.

Yes the tail can be redone to utilize the angle iron like you mentioned, thanks for the idea I went and looked up a few pictures. I'm still concerned about using 3/16th tread plate for the deck.

Now Norm, you're saying that using my 71 dump (something like 21000 GVWR comes to mind) and the trailer is stamped for 16000 that I'm in trouble if I get caught?

 

[Norm W]

That's what I was told. The combination must be under 26000. If it's over, you need a class "A" CDL. If you have a class "B" CDL, the truck can be over 26K but the trailer can't be over 10K. It's getting to the point you need to be a Philadelphia lawyer. What is even worse, the info you get from DMV, may not be what DOT is going to go by. The DOT boys are the ones that write the tickets. In some places the local constabulary send one of their boys to a "Work Shop" and they also write tickets, with different interpretations of the law. It's gotten to the point I carry a copy of the applicable laws with me.

 

[jenkinsph]

The trailer will be pulled occasionally for light loads (like a small lift of RR ties or some long material) with the F150, I have a 71 F600 for pulling the backhoe/equipment, or I can borrow my dads 00 F250.

Yes the tail can be redone to utilize the angle iron like you mentioned, thanks for the idea I went and looked up a few pictures. I'm still concerned about using 3/16th tread plate for the deck.

Now Norm, you're saying that using my 71 dump (something like 21000 GVWR comes to mind) and the trailer is stamped for 16000 that I'm in trouble if I get caught?

I prefer an oak deck ion equipment trailers. Unless you have a cdl license you can legally pull it with the F 250 which a 2000 model is 8800lbs GVWR because 8800+16000=24800 Combined GVWR. Not saying it is a wise choice and is over the Ford recommendation for the hitch and truck.

I have been concerned about this and got a cdl last year. While my total weight was less than 26000 lbs my F550 is rated for 19000 lbs and my dump trailer is 14000 lbs for a GCWR of 33000lbs. The truck is rated for 33000 GCWR with the tow package and the actual total rig seldom exceeds 22000 to 23000lbs but the rating capacity is what the DOT guys' go by. Ironic but the reason I bought the F550s' to begin with was to have a safety margin built in, I assumed that if your actual weight was less than the 26000 I was legal. WRONG!.