Heavy Trailer: how would you make a 10/14K dual purpose trailer?

[fried1765]

My buddy up there said 52F yesterday. I haven't been up North since last weekend. I live in suburbia until I can get the new house built.

I'm leaning towards a PJ or Johnson trailer right now. Looking at MN laws about home builts, I get to pay the state 6.5% but I can't write off my labor without risking an audit.

There's a couple tri-axle's down in Illinois that are cheap ($1200) and possibly built on trailer house frames I'm trying to get a trucker buddy to check on when he's in the area, but those look a lot heavier than I need and keeping it lean is a priority due to my little tow vehicle.

I do not tow often, but have a 7400 lb. load on a 3240 lb. trailer for a gross of approximately 10,640 lb. (trailer GVW is 14,000)
I tow with a 1997 K2500 Suburban 4x4 with 454 V-8. (8650 GVW)
I use an equalizer weight distribution hitch, and am about to add an Airlift LoadLifter 5000 air spring kit.
I don't tow over very much hilly terrain, so the vehicle is quite capable for the pull.
My concern is about braking! I do highway driving, I drive very defensively, and set my electric brakes to begin very early in the braking process.
It is not optimal, but I tow on usually dry roads, and a total of only 600 miles per year.
I would love to have a dually!

 

[Jim Timber]

This is my serious towing rig.

The 2500HD will be my daily driver.

 

[jenkinsph]

Jim,
What kind of package do you have for towing on the C65?

Most of my towing is done with an F550 4x4 service truck with a Class 5 hitch.

 

[Jim Timber]

I don't have anything on it just yet. I need to shorten the chassis and get the dump box I have lined up put on it, then I'll figure something out for the rear end for a hitch mount.

It's hydraulic brakes - drum front and rear.

 

[ultrarunner]

Jim,
What kind of package do you have for towing on the C65?

Most of my towing is done with an F550 4x4 service truck with a Class 5 hitch.

That is quite a service truck... almost like something a Fire Department would have.

 

[Jim Timber]

My c65 used to be a tanker truck for a FD. My hopefully soon to be 2500HD is also a former fire truck - but it's just a reg cab long box.

 

[jenkinsph]

That is quite a service truck... almost like something a Fire Department would have.

Works out pretty well, built the service body in 2002 for an F350. In 2005 when buying the 110tlb I went ahead and upgraded to the F550 with 33,000lb. towing capacity.

 

[Rustyiron]

Works out pretty well, built the service body in 2002 for an F350.

That looks like quite a rolling tool box! (and build) Gotta weigh 7-8 ton with those drawers full of tools.
I think we deserve a few close up pics.

 

[jenkinsph]

That looks like quite a rolling tool box! (and build) Gotta weigh 7-8 ton with those drawers full of tools.
I think we deserve a few close up pics.

If you think that truck is loaded then look at my main plumbing truck.

 

[Rustyiron]

Ok, 8-9 ton:laughing:
Are those drawer cabinets intended for (outside) truck use? I've stuck "tool box" drawer cabinets in a utility body compartment before and they could not stand up over time to the added (road shock) load.
You must have a small fortune in all of them! Well thought out work truck:thumbsup: