Safe or not safe

[Michael0153]

Hi I have a question about towing gross weight.
I am building trailer for my John Deere compac 4320 tractor which weights around 4000 pounds, and building the trailer heavy duty with two axels one has brakes the other one don't it will carry around 12000 pounds. Here is my question my buddy stopped over and seen the trailer and he wants to use it, but, He only has a 1/2 ton 4x4 Dodge truck it does have a electric brake controller, but he has a older John Deere I think it's 310 backhoe which weights 11000 pounds. He says it can be hauled safely, but my wife is crying liability,she thinks that the truck is to small for the job, she may be right
(after all she is a nurse, they know about these things)
To loan or not to loan that is the question)

First time poster so be nice, already been beat down from a nurse
thanks michael

 

[zukota]

I'm a far cry from the 'weight police' but I suggest you listen to your wife. If he is a good friend, offer to move his machine for him.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am guessing you are putting 2 6,000# axles under the trailer. As you know your trailer if properly built will weight about 2,500# so that leaves 9,500# for payload. First off his tractor is too heavy for your trailer if this is all true as I am only assuming. And second off, yes he has too little of a truck for that load. 1/2tons are safe up to about 9,500# depending on the truck. Dodge is on the low side of the towing wars, actually dead last at this time. So yes, he does not have enough truck.

Last but not least I would spring for a second set of brakes for a trailer that heavy. It will save you money in the long run due to you wearing out the 1 and only set you have on it and the trucks brakes very quickly. 7,000# trailers are ok with brakes on one axle but anything heavier should have them on both.

Chris

 

[scrapironford]

1/2 ton not me,3/4 ton diesel hd maybe goosneck trl yes .Liability issue definitely in the event of an accident or injury. I would have to think long and hard about loaning the trailer for this haul.

 

[JB4310]

Welcome to TBN.

That question has alot of potential liability I suggest you call a Ford dealer and get all the specs on his truck, if it's a no go (which I suspect) just tell him it's not safe or legal, sorry.

JB.

 

[Dmace]

I have hauled my tractor and trailer (7500lbs +/-) and a mini-excavator and trailer (8500lbs +/-) behind my Ram 1500 plenty of times with no problems but I would never put that kind of weight behind it. That is 3/4-ton or 1-ton territory.

 

[Michael0153]

oh I forgot to mention that he only has an class II hitch.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

let me get this straight:

the trailer is good for about 9500 pounds carry load.
the 310 weighs 11,000 pounds.
strike 1.
the truck he wants to tow with is rated for about 9500 pounds, so cannot pull the 310 with or without 2500 pounds of trailer.
strike 2.
the truck has a class II hitch which is rated for 3500-5000 pounds depending on if he has a weight distributing hitch.
strike 3.

I'm sorry, I think I'm missing the question, unless it's whether or not we think he's trying to convince you to move his hoe for him...

 

[wkpoor]

That would put my 14K trailer over weight. I doubt a trailer capable of moving 11K safely could only weigh 2500lbs. But for sure that's extremely over the 1/2 ton limit. What about the 10% tongue factor everyone preaches. That right there is way over the ability of 1/2T. I pull a 9500lb tractor on my 14K that weighs 4300lbs empty and that's about all I need on my 1ton with a Titan hitch and a 14K ball mount. A setup most trucks don't have from the factory.
I have seen where a guy busted a ball mount clean off the hitch towing a 14K trailer with a factory hitch and 5000lb ball mount. Trailer showed damage to the jack where it came down on while going down the road.

 

[mjncad]

Put the brakes on the second axle as they are cheaper than a hospital stay. Your family will thank you, the motoring public will thank you, and your insurance company may thank you with decent rates and a current policy.

I hate to say it; but your buddy almost sounds like he has a death wish. I hope not.