3000 lb. load

jpwazz · Nov 28, 2009

I need a trailer to haul a 300 gal. water tote and accessories, 3000 lbs tops. I need to travel about 50 miles round trip over the road so I need something that will take both highway and mild off-road use. My question is, will a converted pick-up box type trailer work for this?? I know I'm generalizing, but assuming it's not rusted out is one of these strong enough for what I need to haul? JP.

Duffster · Nov 28, 2009

Plenty

Diamondpilot · Nov 28, 2009

The main concerns I would have with a truck box is the suspension. If made of a 1/2 ton box it may not be stout enough. Also the high Center of Gravity with that type of weight and even mild off road conditions could spell disaster.

I would really look into a single axle 76" wide by 8 or 10 foot long landscape type trailer. They are about $1000 new at Lowes and such and have a good low C/G. They also can be had on Craigs List in my area any day of the week for under $450.

Chris

brin · Nov 28, 2009

I add this word of caution...Be mindful to fill the water tank all the way to the brim...you do not want that much weight sloshing around as you are pulling it down the road..could cause you to jack knife as the weight shifts.

windy acers · Nov 28, 2009

I MADE ONE FROM A FORD RANGER BED AND FRAME WITH COIL SPRINGS AND IT HAS TROUBLE OVER 1500 LBS.LEAF SPRINGS WOULD BE BETTER.I HAULED ONE OF YOUR 300 GAL CONTAINERS 50 MILES ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN THE BACK OF A HEAVEY DUTY NEISON AND IT WAS NOT QUITE FULL.IT WAS VERY HARD TO START AND STOP SO KEEP IT FULL. WATER WEIGHS 8 LBS TO THE GALLON. I WOULD GO WITH A 5000 LB TRAILER. DOUBLE MOBIL HOME AXEL WOULD BE THE BEST. MAYBE 6X10

some zilch · Nov 28, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
The main concerns I would have with a truck box is the suspension. If made of a 1/2 ton box it may not be stout enough. Also the high Center of Gravity with that type of weight and even mild off road conditions could spell disaster.

I would really look into a single axle 76" wide by 8 or 10 foot long landscape type trailer. They are about $1000 new at Lowes and such and have a good low C/G. They also can be had on Craigs List in my area any day of the week for under $450.

Chris

i wouldnt put 3000lbs of anything on any trailer that came from lowes. those trailer are junk, junk steel, junk tires, junk bearings.

i'd put 3k in a pickup-trailer way before i put it on one of those chincy lowes trailer.
i have a 3500lb landscape trailer, and when compared to a lowes/HD trailer, every part is bigger/better quality/better built, especially the framework and tires

edit...the highest capacity lowes type trailer is 2190lbs.................

Diamondpilot · Nov 28, 2009

You must be looking at different trailers than my Lowes has. They have one I looked at a few months back and it had 14" tires, 3,500# axle with 2,900# load capacity, and nice looking welds. It was made by Tie Down I believe and while the tires were a brand I do not like it was a good buy.

Here is a pic of the 12' model. I believe the gated model was another $200.

Chris

jpwazz · Nov 29, 2009

Thanks for all advice and suggestions. I am also considering building one myself. I can get a 3500 lb. axel for around $250 and probably do the whole thing for $500 if I make it a dedicated water hauler. JP.

Diamondpilot · Nov 29, 2009

Check Craigs List. I do a boat, trailer, and farm equipment search every day. I buy and resale. Many good buys on single axle trailers. There was one the other day I passed on, it was a single axle that had been stripped down but was blasted and primed and solid for $250. Put a new deck on it, paint it, and maybe rewire it and you would have a good trailer.

Chris

RobertN · Nov 29, 2009

300gal of water is 2500lbs. Add your tools, maybe 250lbs. Guessing around 750-900lbs for the trailer(about 1/2 of what my 7000lb rated trailer weighs). You are already at 3500lbs.

IMHO, a beefier trailer is needed. Water is heavy, and it moves. As another poster noted, unless you keep the tank topped off, it will slosh around and definitely affect the handling of the rig.

This kinda reminds me of hauling horses. 5000lbs of trailer and horses is a whole lot different to tow than 5000lbs of trailer and static cargo.

Have you looked for a used water buffalo? Maybe on Craigslist?

jpwazz said:
Thanks for all advice and suggestions. I am also considering building one myself. I can get a 3500 lb. axel for around $250 and probably do the whole thing for $500 if I make it a dedicated water hauler. JP.

Diamondpilot · Nov 29, 2009

While I usually recommend tandems or triples for about every trailer I sell I prefer single axle for off road conditions. Turn much easier, don't tear turf up, easier to maneuver, seem to handle bumps and dips better without overloading a component, ect. Look at most military trailers, they have big single tires.

Chris

jpwazz · Nov 29, 2009

I already have the tote, ( two of them actually ), so I really only need a trailer sturdy enough to get back and forth with. 3000 pounds would be the total load, 2500 lbs water, tote weighs 75-80 lbs empty plus some piping to a sprinkler head. I'm collecting rain water from the roof of my shed, 1" rainfall overfills tote. I'll be using this to irrigate seedling trees at some acreage I own, about 400 black walnut to start with and I'll add some pine trees after a year or two. JP

Couple of Achers · Nov 29, 2009

jpwazz said:
I already have the tote, ( two of them actually ), so I really only need a trailer sturdy enough to get back and forth with. 3000 pounds would be the total load, 2500 lbs water, tote weighs 75-80 lbs empty plus some piping to a sprinkler head. I'm collecting rain water from the roof of my shed, 1" rainfall overfills tote. I'll be using this to irrigate seedling trees at some acreage I own, about 400 black walnut to start with and I'll add some pine trees after a year or two. JP

Don't forget the weight of the trailer. 2500 lbs of water, the weight of the tote, misc. gear/piping and 800-1000lbs for the trailer itself, puts you over the 3500 lb axle rating. You should be looking at a heavier axle than 3500 lbs. Also, don't forget that most states require a trailer to have brakes over a certain GVW. Here it is 3,000 lbs.

Raw Dodge · Nov 29, 2009

The best bet is a custom single axle trailer with a 5200lb or a 6000lb axle with brakes,and breakaway.A 3500 lb trailer is simply too light,and no brakes,thats too much weight to be towing with no brakes.I wouldnt skimp here,water weight and surge are nasty.Do it once,and do it right,a light trailer overloaded will only bend,break and be unreliable,in addition to being unsafe,and a white knuckle experience to tow.

schmism · Dec 2, 2009

a couple of the guys have dedicated water haulers in my area made from small all steel implement trailers. the ones they put the big trenchers on and what not.

oh and 300gal *8.34lbs/gal = 2500 lbs so unless your tote weighs 500 lbs youll do fine on a single 3500lb axle. (especially if you dont fill it completely full)

VitaBene · Dec 2, 2009

In many states you will need a CDL with a tanker endorsement to carry that much liquid. Liquid is one of the more dangerous things to carry due to the weight shift and transfer. If your tank was not made to be on a trailer (with baffles) you may have an issue.

Duffster · Dec 2, 2009

VitaBene said:
In many states you will need a CDL with a tanker endorsement to carry that much liquid.

LOL, No you don't.

jpwazz · Dec 2, 2009

In Wisconsin I don't need a CDL for this load unless it is for commercial use. I'll have to check about brakes being required. In any event, a heavier axel with brakes wouldn't add too much more to the build price if I decide to go that route.JP.

Duffster · Dec 2, 2009

jpwazz said:
In Wisconsin I don't need a CDL for this load unless it is for commercial use.

You wouldn't need a CDL even if it was commercial use.

powerstroke444e · Dec 5, 2009

If you just moving water put it in back of your truck??? Or find a water wagon on a farm sale they hold 1,000 gal and usually have baffells(spelling error) and sell really cheap.