Anyone pull logsplitter on highway?

[Garycw]

I'M needing to pull a new log splitter 200 miles on the highway. Average speed around 70mph. The splitter states 45 mph max. Is this kind of like the uhaul trailers you see going 70-80 that have the 45 mph sticker on back? Of course there's no lights, but can easily see truck lights. I'd add a red flag or something to butt end too. Any experiences by anyone pulling at that speed??

 

[yomax4]

I replaced the wheels on mine that were the low speed type with no hubs. I installed hubs and then 13" tires and wheels. Pulled it many times 65 mph. Danger would depend on width of the splitter. If is narrow it will get squirrely going 70 - 80. When I go that far to my cabin I put the splitter on my trailer and run down the road that way. No worries.

 

[s219]

Depends on the splitter. I think when you see the splitter, you will probably realize if it would be suicide to tow at 70mph. Most of them have no suspension, narrow track, small tires, and are completely in your blind spot. I would never tow one of them -- you can look at them and realize it would be an accident waiting to happen. It would have to be large and have a suspension and big tires before I would begin to consider it.

When I bought a new splitter last spring, I made sure it was un-assembled and still in the crate, so it was easy to load in my pickup truck to get home. Even if it was assembled, I would load it into the bed and tie down rather than tow. None of the splitters I looked at would survive a highway tow, or if they did, it would be super risky and not worth the attempt. So I'd say bring a trailer with a rear gate, or bring ramps and a come-along so you can load it into a truck bed.

 

[4570Man]

I tow mine across town, but never on the highway. The splitter tows terrible. It bounces around, you can forget about backing it, and is completely in your blind spot.

 

[EddieWalker]

I know people that have done it short distances of ten to 20 miles and have gone around 50 to 60 mph without any problems. No way would I even try to do something that far. Those wheels and axles will overheat and melt before you make it half way. Rent a trailer and save yourself all the grief of dealing with trying to fix it on the side of the highway.

 

[silvertramp]

I bought a 22 ton splitter from TSC. I loaded it on my trailer for the 10 mile, 45 mph speed limit trip home. No way was I gonna tow it. It's bad enough towing it with my tractor. Backing up is a treat.

 

[Garycw]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I suspected some of the answers. I've ramped it up into the bed of truck. Backed truck to steepest bank & laid on ramps. Then pulled splitter around to ramps with mower to get up hill & line up with ramps. It pushed in pretty easy. Put every strap I had on with it standing up so it won't shift and break out back truck window.

 

[4570Man]

I tow mine around the house with the mule. I can back it like a pro with the mule, but it is hopeless trying to back it with a vehicle.

 

[Garycw]

Yea. I've tried a short distance with truck. No luck. I've found my 30' trailer is easier to back than the 18'. The shorter the trailer the harder to back.

 

[ultrarunner]

Towed mine to brother's place last Saturday... normally I just move it around my place.

Went the back way and never above 45 and no issues for 30 miles.

Tow vehicle was my Samurai which provided excellent rear view so I could always see it... that is why I drove the Samurai.

Speed and road conditions would be my concern... it towed like a dream on the repaved sections of highway.

Before I bought mine... I would occasionally rent and I'm sure the rental splitter has seen a lot of miles as sometimes it would be reserved 2 weeks in advance..

 

[Garycw]

I could see it possibly getting squirrelly at 70-75 mph. Could maybe even see some of the action above the tailgate when hitting a bump. A lot of road const through Cincinnati could be tricky too. I'm just hoping the ratchet straps I put on hold it in place.

 

[Streetcar]

What road construction?
Don't try it during rush hour . With rain forecast ,I sure there will wrecks

 

[Garycw]

What road construction? Don't try it during rush hour . With rain forecast ,I sure there will wrecks

The const in Dayton & Cincinnati is terrible. All the narrow shifting lanes with concrete walls on either side. Pulled a 30'x8' wide trailer through there cpl weeks ago. Lexington is not too bad . I'm going almost to tn line. I'd be getting a late start today so in going to wait till late morning. I hate driving at night in the rain anymore. My eyes aren't what they used to be

 

[schmism]

something more than just "across town" and your likely going to run into issues of registration (for your trailer) as well as lights turn signals etc.

There is more to consider than just will it physically tow that distance.

Id borrow a trailer and put it on the trailer, even a small 4x8 trailer would be better option IMHO

 

[Garycw]

I decided to go this route
Hard to see but it has 5 ratchet straps on it

 

[aczlan]

something more than just "across town" and your likely going to run into issues of registration (for your trailer) as well as lights turn signals etc.

Not in NY. As long as its just the splitter (no cabinet with wedges, an ax, a saw, etc) it doesn't need to be registered.

Aaron Z

 

[ultrarunner]

I've wondered about this too... local police officer said if I was not in business... have a proper hitch with safety chain and the vehicle lamps were not obstructed I would be OK for daytime transport...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not in NY. As long as its just the splitter (no cabinet with wedges, an ax, a saw, etc) it doesn't need to be registered. Aaron Z

It's a grey area around here. Daytime, decent rig, everything looks safe they will let it slide as long as they can see the tow vehicles tail lights.

Legally it needs registered, plates, lights, fenders, ect.

Chris

 

[aczlan]

For anyone who might be interested, here are some of the types of trailers that dont need to be registered in NY:

MV-274 (8/15)
EXAMPLES OF TRAILER-TYPE
VEHICLES THAT DO NOT HAVE TO BE REGISTERED
Not limited to these vehicles
Welding machine mounted on a chassis
Well drillers mounted on a chassis
Wood sawing outfit mounted on a chassis
Wood chipper mounted on a chassis
Electrical transformer mounted on wheels
Air compressor mounted on wheels
Water pump mounted on wheels
Pipe threading machine mounted on wheels
Concrete mixer mounted on wheels
Generator mounted on wheels
Portable lighting units mounted on wheels
Paint outfit (air compressor and tank) mounted on wheels
Insecticide spray outfit mounted on wheels
Portable sheep dipping vat mounted on wheels
Trailer used as an office on a job site
Trailer used for tools and equipment when equipped with shelves and bins, etc., on a job site (shelves and bins must be empty when towed on the road)
Food vending trailer (shelves and bins must be empty when towed on the road). For example, hot dog cart or a barbeque grill on wheels
Tow dolly
Tar kettle mounted on wheels

Aaron Z

 

[tractchores]

I've towed a log splitter on the highway without any issues. They're crappy to tow for all the reasons mentioned above and I would not go over 65 with one. Unless you have to tow it I would put it on another trailer for any kind of distance.