Did I purchase the right trailer?

SamWalton · Jul 22, 2008

I spoke with my salesman about getting the all the metal surfaces painted. He called TopHat and they are going to do it a no charge.

I began to look over some of the laws in the state of Oklahoma and it is a bit confusing. Since it will be for non-commercial use as a utility function I am not required to register. I am still unclear if the towing vehicle must be rated a full capacity of the trailer? I tried to look up he GVWR on some pickup trucks and I found each model and year may have many different GVWRs. I don't really want to purchase a truck with the 10500 capacity unless it is required. The most I will haul for the foreseeable future is the B26 which should be around 6800 lbs with the trailer included. Beyond that I may haul various materials which should be much less. I would prefer to purchase a used truck to handle these needs but don't need any trouble. I will also be registering a hobby farm soon after it's purchase. If anyone has some advice on a good used truck or what towing weight capacity I must go with please let me know. Keep in mind; I am not looking to go commercial. Thanks for your help!

KeithInSpace · Jul 22, 2008

My $0.02 is that pretty much any truck or SUV of the 1/2 ton variety on up WITH THE TOW PACKAGE would be sufficient to suit your needs.

This would exclude all Jeeps, Pathfinders, 4Runners, Pilots, Tacoma's, etc. I just don't think they are up to the task of towing that type of load. If it is your need once every OTHER YEAR, maybe. But with any regularity at all, no bueno in my humble opinion.

I stipulate WITH TOW PACKAGE since this gets you the 6 pin connector out back, the pre-wired brake controller pig-tail, usually a lower final drive ratio, usually an upgraded radiator, and usually a supplamentary transmission fluid cooler.

Also, the presense of a tow package is one of the bigger swings you see in the trailer ratings on these trucks. My Expedition is only rated at 6,000# without the tow package. With the package (which includes lower gearing, wiring, radiator, and cooler as discussed) AND WITH THE USE OF A WD HITCH, the rating goes up to 9,400#. The rating also changes because of 4WD, extended beds, extended cabs, and everything else under the sun because all these things affect the GVWR capacity available to the trailer hitch.

To let you know: As another measure of variability, the tow rating of my vehicle (unchanged) was reduced by 400# to 9,000# the very next year. Don't know why.

My feeling: 1/2 ton anything (pickup or SUV) with the tow package and you're going to be good. If it were me, I would exclusively consider 4WD vehicles. But that's just me.

SamWalton · Aug 10, 2008

I exchanged our trailer for one with the ramps stored from the side. The rear axle travels freely. I am considering installing a MaxBrake controller. Any one have any opinions on this controller

RollTideRam · Aug 10, 2008

Have you ever hear "3rd time is the charm"? Looks good to me. I can't offer much advice on a brake controller, but I would get a good one, that can be transferred to another vehicle if you decide on a truck later on.
Now for the bad news, In the last picture, if you look close, you can see

grass growing in the crack in your driveway. JC

wkpoor · Aug 11, 2008

In Ohio if its over 3,000# you have to have yearly inspections, ect.

I just registered a 4400lb. trailer and the BMV said nothing about yearly inspections. I have also had a 3300lb dump trailer for a while and by tags every year with no mention of inspections.
And....whats this about towing a trailer with more GVW combined than the truck was rated for. Go to any truck or tractor pull and all you see is a sea of 3/4ton PU's with tandem duallies behind them. I used to question that alot but figure there must not be a problem as they are everywhere around here. Plus I just bought a 7ton Better Built to pull behind my 3500 Express Van . Sure its a little over the rated but it pulls just fine. I would like so more discussion on this. Sorry for hijacking this thread but it just got me to thinking.

mikescruggs · Aug 11, 2008

In VT a trailer is considered a motor vehicle and is required to be registered. All VT registered vehicles are required to be inspected annually.

Mike

Lil_FarmerJim · Aug 15, 2008

Same goes for PA, All trailers intended for use on public roads need to be registered. Trailers that have a GVW under 3000# do not need to be inspected, but trailers with a GVW of 3001# and over all need yearly inspection. Trailers with out a valid MCO (Manufactures Certificate of Origin) at the time of registration also need to a special safety inspection to determine if they are safe for highway use.

<my .$02>
As for the tow vehicle, unless you have a hitch that is rated for 10,000# you will need to invest in some kind of weight distributing hitch. Most vehicle manufactures will not certify a 1/2 ton vehicle to pull 10,000# with out a WD hitch.

So my suggestion too you would be to invest in one, unless you are going to buy a 3/4 or heavier truck it will be well worth the money and help improve ride stability.
</my $.02>

Nice tractor!

Good luck,

KeithInSpace · Aug 25, 2008

wkpoor said:
...and the BMV said nothing about yearly inspections. I have also had a 3300lb dump trailer for a while and by tags every year with no mention of inspections.

The DMV/BMV could care less if your trailer is inspected. Just as they don't verify inspection to get your car's license plates renewed.

Most states require brakes on trailers rated for over 3,500# and most states require inspection of trailers that have brakes. Generally speaking, no inspection is required if you don't have brakes.

In Virginia, it is a $25 ticket and it costs $15 to get it inspected. I went for years with the boat trailer un-inspected, but finally got caught at the ramp. Trouble is, with an uninspected trailer, the fearless, wonderfully dedictated law enforcement officials feel more justified in scrutinizing the rest of your rig, perhaps finding other violations that he/she would not have otherwise have bothered to look for.

wkpoor said:
...whats this about towing a trailer with more GVW combined than the truck was rated for.

I have verified that this is NOT the case in Virginia...state code clearly stipulates that the regulations relate to SCALEABLE weight in relation to your towing capacity, registered weights, and GCVWR. I am at no risk of a ticket for towing an empty 10,000# capacity trailer with a truck rated to tow 9,000#.

There is a limit to this rationale, though. My 10,000# trailer weighs over 2,000# and would look rediculous behind a Toyota RAV4 (rated to tow 3,500#). Plus, this would leave only ~1,200# of actual CARGO capacity before violating the tow capacity. So, while totally legal, it is very, very silly.

Check your code before you believe statements like this trailer rating vs. GVWR tale. It took me about 10 minutes to learn the truth.

HOWEVER, as stated previously, most trucks require a WD hitch to reach peak towing capacity. I have WD and would not tow any other way. HUGE difference when loaded.

wkpoor said:
Plus I just bought a 7ton Better Built to pull behind my 3500 Express Van.

I would tow behind a 1 ton van as I would pull behind a 1 ton truck. 14,000# capacity is a heck of a trailer, but I've seen one and beside mine (if your talking about the dovetail, 4 wheeled, fendered type), you could only really tell by slightly larger steel and 8 lugs on the wheels instead of 6.

If you're talking about the 8 wheel over-deck pintle hitch type, that's a lot of trailer. But I've still seen this type of thing towed behind a 1 ton truck, just not as often. Usually behind a big dump truck.

wkpoor · Aug 25, 2008

I would tow behind a 1 ton van as I would pull behind a 1 ton truck. 14,000# capacity is a heck of a trailer, but I've seen one and beside mine (if your talking about the dovetail, 4 wheeled, fendered type), you could only really tell by slightly larger steel and 8 lugs on the wheels instead of 6.

If you're talking about the 8 wheel over-deck pintle hitch type, that's a lot of trailer. But I've still seen this type of thing towed behind a 1 ton truck, just not as often. Usually behind a big dump truck.

Here is my case in point. My theory was not to be able to tow more weight as much as to have a trailer that will easily handle what I do tow and be safe and stable. So far hauling cars I feel much better with this trailer than my old 7000lb drop deck. I have thought that this might give an officer a second look at me.