Can I tow my Case 580D w a 1-ton pkup, and what trailer would I need?

[minner]

Hi,

Thank you in advance if any of you have an answer to my dilemma...

I need to be able to drive my Case 580D backhoe around to various demolition sites all over the place. I cannot get a straight answer from any living human at a dealer, because they all want to sell me something.

The Case 580D weighs 13,500#, and I have a 300# ditch witch that needs to run w the hoe, so let's call it a 14,000# load. Many guys around here in WV have claimed that they have moved this type of equipment with a dully 1-ton truck and an appropriate trailer, but again, no straight answers.
I know that I am limited to 26,000# without a CDL, and that is what I'm trying to avoid because of the various costs involved once I need a CDL.

So it all breaks down to this: what is the minimum truck and trailer combo I need to haul this rig all over the country if need be, regardless of whether it is a 1-ton truck or not. If I absolutely need to go get my CDL, I will, but for the jobs I have, I don't need it to run the equipment, and the insurance costs are a totally different animal if I can keep it under the weight limit.

Again, thank you in advance for any worthwhile answers you may proffer...

I think you could, if done right. You can get 8k tandem single axles on a gooseneck. If the trailer is 5,000lbs plus your 14,000lb load. You be at 19,000 which is under must DRW 1 ton trucks capacity. So that would leave 14250 on the trailer and 4750 on the truck. You "should" be good.

 

[Soundguy]

but to soundguys point, it has buried 7 cows for different neighbors this year.

.

that was one of my driving concerns when i got my hoe... big holes for big dead animals...

 

[QRTRHRS]

I remember a conversation I had with my contractor friend a few years back about backhoes and farms. He mentioned that he was getting fewer and fewer farm calls with more and more farmers picking up used hoes that were not up to the demands of daily use where breakdowns are costly but okay for farm use.

I had a T9 Terramite for awhile myself. (I went small thinking it would be an advantage inside the tight barn but it was too small so I sold it) Lately, I just call my neighbor with a Ford 555. (He just drives it over)

So, backhoes on the farm are not unusual. Constant moving between farm properties may start to raise eyebrows location dependent. Two constants though, doing work for others for any money or exchange of goods with a backhoe borders on shaky ground. An accident, no matter where you are could leave you wishing you had done things legal like.

I am not passing judgement on anyone. I just want to remind everyone that just because so and so can and does do it does not mean it is squeaky clean nor without risks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

clearly a tractor with add-on implements. not far fetched to think this belongs on a farm.

is clearly a piece of equipment marketed toward the commercial construction industry.

Around here every farmer has a Backhoe half have a Small Dozer.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

Around here every farmer has a Backhoe half have a Small Dozer.

Chris

i'd love to have me a small crawler.. especially if it had pto.. like one of them small chinese jobs. If I ever see one locally.. I'm getting it.

 

[Duffster]

in my neck of the woods you'd need CDL regardless of 26K rules due to the commercial nature of the equipment being towed.

Why would it need a CDL regardless of "26k rules"?

 

[Turbys_1700]

Around here in NC the DMV will weigh you if you have a heavy trailer towing with any kind of truck...
Most of the guys around here run weighted tags...
The law states that you must be tagged for the GVWR of the trailer and truck...
With that said I have never known the DMV to ticket anyone without putting the scales under their truck...
In the long run, it may best for you to go ahead and get your commercial license...
Here in NC it is more of a pain in the rear than anything else...
Pass the written test, pay the fees, do your road test, and you are good to go...
More than anything else it is a money maker for the state...

 

[F3506]

I think you could, if done right. You can get 8k tandem single axles on a gooseneck. If the trailer is 5,000lbs plus your 14,000lb load. You be at 19,000 which is under must DRW 1 ton trucks capacity. So that would leave 14250 on the trailer and 4750 on the truck. You "should" be good.

Possible, but doubtful. CDL requirements have to do with what the truck and trailer are rated at, now how much they weigh. Read the sticker on the door panel of the truck, read the sticker on the trailer, add them together and see if you come in at 26k or lower. Most one ton dually's are stickered over 10K. Most newer SRW one tones are stickered at 10k or higher. Ford used to let you order one that was stickered at 9,900 lbs. Don't know if they still do though.

Basically, if you're pulling a trailer with dual tandems or triple singles using a pick up, you're going to exceed the 26,001 lb capacity. Doesn't mean you'll get pulled over, but it's something they can get you for.

 

[Harold_J]

Possible, but doubtful. CDL requirements have to do with what the truck and trailer are rated at, now how much they weigh. Read the sticker on the door panel of the truck, read the sticker on the trailer, add them together and see if you come in at 26k or lower. Most one ton dually's are stickered over 10K. Most newer SRW one tones are stickered at 10k or higher. Ford used to let you order one that was stickered at 9,900 lbs. Don't know if they still do though.

Basically, if you're pulling a trailer with dual tandems or triple singles using a pick up, you're going to exceed the 26,001 lb capacity. Doesn't mean you'll get pulled over, but it's something they can get you for.

Even with the 8K tandem singles trailer minner suggested you can run into trouble with a dually, since most all duallys except very old ones from the 70's are rated over 10K. Yes, you can still order the Ford SRW with 10K rating, also I think Chevy can go 9,900 GVW on the 2500's. So yes, you can run a 16K trailer with a 10K SRW truck and not need the CDL. Whether a 16K trailer is sufficient for the backhoe I don't know, I'm sure others can advise. But if the 16K trailer can work, that would be the simplest way to go. Or loading it onto a 26K straight truck like others have suggested would avoid the need for CDL. If the backhoe can fit on an 82" low pro equipment trailer that would be even better because you can get them with 8K axles and they would be lighter than a deckover.

There are really two separate questions about the OP's situation. (1)Can he do it with a 1-ton truck? and (2)can he stay under CDL weight?. I think he will be close on both of these, especially #2, but it may be possible to do safely and legal.

Also the OP is in WV which unfortunately is one of the states that requires DOT numbers on commercial vehicles over 10K, even if just used in WV. If he goes out of state he will definitely need DOT reg and whatever else goes along with that.