Towing limit

[john_bud]

Machmeter62,

I have to agree with you. I also have a boat (23' cuddy cabin I/O 350 chev) and it tows great with the surge brakes. In fact, I can stop in less distance towing it that when the truck is empty. It's just much cheaper to make a trailer with electrical brakes than hydraulic.

Although, when a brake tube rusted and ruptured - it was a bit exciting! Glad I was towing it with a 1 ton suburban 454.

jb

 

[dwmaster]

When I hook on to my boat my gcvw is real close to 40,000 lbs. The trailer is about 8,000 and the boat is about 22,000. My 3/4 ton Dodge does fine, as long as I keep the speed down (below 40 mph) in case I need to Stop. I had the Highway Patrol put it on scales to make sure it was a legal load, it was. I just raised my gcvw up on my registration to 40,000 lbs.

My new pickup has a jake brake. I need to pull the boat about 40 miles next week so I'll see how that works.

 

[DavesTractor]

When I hook on to my boat my gcvw is real close to 40,000 lbs. The trailer is about 8,000 and the boat is about 22,000. My 3/4 ton Dodge does fine, as long as I keep the speed down (below 40 mph) in case I need to Stop. I had the Highway Patrol put it on scales to make sure it was a legal load, it was. I just raised my gcvw up on my registration to 40,000 lbs.

My new pickup has a jake brake. I need to pull the boat about 40 miles next week so I'll see how that works.

DWMASTER, that is not a boat, it's a ship.

 

[RobertN]

Make sure you have a weight distributing hitch; your truck/hitch probably specs that for 5000lbs+. Make sure your brakes work PERFECT. Take it easy, and go slow.

Even if you do, there's always some goober who will cut in front of you, hit the brakes, and make a turn. Had that happen a few times now, hauling my camper and while hauling the tractor.

Can tell you for sure after towing with a 1/2 ton, and then a 3/4 ton, that load will push you around a bit. That does not matter is tundra, Titan, F150, Ram 1500, GM 1500. Still a lighter truck.

I have a Toyota Tundra that has a listed towing capacity of 7000 lb. I have a Big Tex trailer model 10EQ that weighs 2350 lb. My tractor is a Kioti DK45 with FEL. Without the box blade or cutter, I think I am very close to the towing capacity limit already. What kind of problem will I have if I choose to tow 1000 lb more than the listed towing capacity.

BTW I am towing in flat land country. No appreciable hill of any kind.

Thanks for the help,

 

[dwmaster]

When I move the Boat it is 18 feet wide so I have escorts front and back with radio comunication so I know whats going on around me all the time.

 

[AlanB]

I have surge brakes on my equipment trailer, and would gladly trade for standard electrics.

When you are in a hilly or mountainous area, your brakes are constantly being applied / dragged and there is nothing to do about it.

When I run over Monteagle Mountain, you can bet my brakes are smoking at the bottom.

For me, I would much rather have the electric, and have full control.

 

[dwmaster]

The new Dodge has a Jake Brake Standard. As fas as I Could tell from my test drive it is going to work pretty well. I historicly have gon through allot of brake pads. I pull trailers all the time, so the Jake brake is going to be great. Without a trailer I could bring the pickup from 65 to 10 very fast without any use of the breaks.

I'll get the pickup on Monday so we'll see.

 

[machmeter62]

Machmeter62,

I have to agree with you. I also have a boat (23' cuddy cabin I/O 350 chev) and it tows great with the surge brakes. In fact, I can stop in less distance towing it that when the truck is empty. It's just much cheaper to make a trailer with electrical brakes than hydraulic.

Although, when a brake tube rusted and ruptured - it was a bit exciting! Glad I was towing it with a 1 ton suburban 454.

jb

"JB": Thanx for the info on trailer brakes; for some reason with an electric controller, additional wiring, and etc., I assumed the electric brake would cost more? Anyway, I purchased the boat and trailer new (EZ LOADER) and it came with the surge brakes. I also tow with a one ton 92' Ford dually 7.3 liter diesel with a "Banks Turbo" because of the high altitudes (7500') going over the Sierra Mtn. passes in No. Calif. I also installed a pyrometer and boost gauge to prevent "piston melt-down" if you exceed 1000 degrees F. on the climb. I also have an exhaust brake that is a PITA, and requires frequent cleaning of the soot/carbon build-up; the truck is low mileage for a diesel with less than 100k miles now. The exhaust valve has stuck closed a couple of times!!

 

[X24]

I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 with a HEMI, 4x4, auto trans, trailer tow pkg. and brake control. The truck weighs 5350lbs. My trailer is a tandem axle with brakes on both axles rated to 7000lbs with a 2 5/16" ball, 14' long X 7' wide and a wood deck. Very heavy duty frame. The trailer weighs 1820lbs. I have a CAT 302.5 mini excavator which is listed at weighing 5762lbs. That puts me at 7582lbs total trailer weight and 582lbs over the limit. Will I be ok here? I know the trailer will hold it and according to dodge my truck can tow 8700lbs.

I'm pretty sure I will need to get a weight distribution hitch, correct? Any suggestions for one and cost of one? Anything else I might need to have. I want to be safe here. I realize if I get weighed or in an accident I will be screwed, but other than that what else should I look out for? I am experienced with pulling a trailer, just never pulled more than 5000lbs with my truck and trailer combo before. Thanks.

 

[wushaw]

You can do it...ya just have to be carefull and take it slower than what you did before with your previous towing experience.

Here is a site with weight distrubition hitches that will give you a good idea of cost.
Weight Distribution Hitch