Can a 13 to 15k backhoe be safely pulled by a 3/4 ton diesel?

[4570Man]

Good brakes are important but 15,000 tractor tractor plus 7,000 pound trailer is to much weight for a 250 truck. That kind of weight will push a light truck around and a 250 is to light for the load. A light mist or rain will turn the road to an ice like condition and trailer brakes alone will not stop that much weight. If you think that it is safe wait until some one pulls out in front of you or a kid on a bike rides out in front of you. The law suits will make you wish there was more truck under the load. Just because you can do something does not mean it is safe. I could put 10 people in a car but it is not a safe way to move them. Put 10 people on a bus there is no problem.

I agree it’s not safe. I haven’t and won’t do it. I have done it with a dually. It’s not that bad of a load behind a dually.

 

[radios1]

I think you'd get a ticket at a truck stop for that!.. not safe!..

 

[aczlan]

A 13,000# backhoe plus 5000# of trailer is approximately 18,000#.
Looking at F250s from 2002 to present, the only one rated to tow that much is the 2020 F250 with the diesel engine and 4.30 gears. Otherwise the F250 is limited to 16,000# or less for 5th wheel towing.

Aaron Z

 

[WM75Guy]

Your thread title and the question in your post don't match up. Can it safely pull it? No, because at some point you have to stop. That's a lot of weight pushing the truck. Can it comfortably pull it? Maybe on a flat surface. I like a wide margin of safety. My rule is if I have to ask, I probably shouldn't attempt it.

 

[rademamj1]

Your going to need a truck that can handle a payload of approximately 3000lbs. And most F250 trucks cannot handle that payload. Check the sticker on your F250 door and calculate your payload. Even many F350 cannot handle that payload safely.

 

[777funk]

All very good info. I had read a similar thread recently that went the opposite direction (mostly positive) even including, 'sure... I've pulled a similar load with my chevy half ton...'

It's good to hear from the many who've done it and the experiences. I've had 8k behind the f250 and it felt manageable. But it was firewood (low load weight and good even distribution). My trailer brakes do an ok job, but I have single axle brakes. I should add another set to the second axle.

I will not haul more than the 8k with that truck. Need an old semi eventually.

 

[Gee Ray]

If you are hauling this for business use why not go for a dump truck. With the proper trailer it would make you into a good profitable combination.

 

[777funk]

If you are hauling this for business use why not go for a dump truck. With the proper trailer it would make you into a good profitable combination.

That would make good sense. This is for home and farm type use. So it's not going to be moved much if at all. But if I do move it, I'd like to do it safely.

 

[Sonny580]

Mostly depends on how often and how far. I wouldnt even DREAM about the 60 mph thingy! maybe 35 or so on lightly traveled road. I use a 97 f-350 that has that junk 7.3 in it and you cant even get 60 without a load! 30 on a good day and all is good. I have pulled overweight loads with it but at tractor speeds.