Towing the tractor, weight issues

[Charlie_in_TX]

I think you miss calculated the weight. Your truck weights 5500lbs dry, add fuel, you, tools, ect and it's easily over 6000lbs. Add 2300 for trailer, 5000 for tractor and 1300 for imps and you are over 14,600. Hook everything up and head to the local scales and I bet you are closer to 16k than 14k. Lets use 14,600. Your truck is rated for 12,000lbs, you are at least 2600lbs over. Not an insegnificant amount.

A 2300lbs trailer, 5000lbs tractor and 1300lbs imp totals 8600lbs. You need 15% tounge weight thats 1300lbs. I believe your GVWR is 6400lbs. You are at 7300lbs.

These are best bet, pie in the sky numbers. Just about everyone that hits the scales weights more than they calculate. If it is something you do every so often, maybe. Weekly, no way.

 

[Highbeam]

Whoops, I should have made it clear that the truck weight is actual when full of fuel, usual tools, and with the driver. I am a weigher. At quarries, transfer stations, and closed weigh stations. I know my weights per axle but not per tire. I am usually the guy showing people that they are overweight and will agree that most people are surprised.

For the calcs I assumed just the tractor and loader at 5000, the trailer at 2300. That high tractor weight allows for chains and binders, fuel, and a cupholder. There is also fat on the trailer for the big ol' WD hitch assembly. You are correct in that I left the implement weight off since I can deliver them seperately and store them in my container on site.

So 5500 truck, 2300 trailer, 5000 tractor. Sums to 12,800. I will run less than 850 lbs of tongue weight since the rule of thumb is 10-15% on a bumper pull I can easily fall within that range.

Good input. We just needed to align our assumptions. I would be 800 over my GCWR or 6.6%. I would be within my truck ratings.

Now the new model of my truck has a GCWR of 13000. The GCWR is a recommended number for performance and it would seem that GM has decided that the new trucks with their smaller engines but all the rest of the drivetrain remaining unchanged perform just fine at 13000.

 

[Ryno1]

The Kioti website shows the DK40 at 3836 pounds.

So empty you gained a few pounds leeway

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

What class hitch are you currently using? Does it have the rating for the tongue weight you plan on?

I'm still of the opinion that the truck/trailer can handle the load, but are you LEGAL?

Also consider tire weight carrying capacity on the truck as well as the trailer.

D.O.T. goes after the weak link with a vengence.

 

[Highbeam]

3846 for the tractor and the loader is supposed to be exactly 4758 but I want the R4s and I don't know about if that tractor weight includes the 50 or so pounds of fuel the tractor carries.

My class 3 receiver hitch is rated for 1000 lbs tongue and 10,000 lb trailer but the GM towing fuide calls out 850 max tongue weight probably as a frame strength limitation. It is buried in the fine print.

Legal shmegal. Am I being wreckless or negligent? I don't think so, that's part of the reason for this thread. The legal implications of exceeding ratings/recommendations is a big long debate. Nobody has come up with a firm answer.

The trailer's label calls out 8000 lbs of net carry capacity. 16" radials.

On edit: My truck tires a LT range C have way more capacity than the axles. I like a stiff, overrated, tire to prevent sliding around on them.

I am not posistive on the weak link. The weakest link rating wise is the GCWR. The licensed weights are all higher than the planned load though that doesn't make the combination any stronger.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

In both Kentucky and Indiana, of which I'm reasonably familiar, you go by RATED GVW, or tagged if it is LESS that rated, but tagging a vehicle for more than rated doesn't allow more carrying capacity.

Look on the sidewals of your tires for maximum weight per tire capacity.

Like I've said, you're close enough to rated capacity that I'm fairly certain there's enough margin of error built in so you're safe from a practical standpoint.

This entire issue is why I use a 30' and 25' gooseneck to move my tractors. I can position them farther to the rear, and carry more weight on the trailer as needed to balance the load in a manner that keeps me legal.

 

[Devildog]

HighBeam,
I just went through the same thing. I had a b7500 and towed it with my f250 on a single axle trailer all over the place, No problems. Now that I traded up to the 2630 I didnt realize just how heavy that sucker was with tires full of ballast, Loader and Backhoe. My 1800lb tractor went close to 5000lbs. So I sold the trailer and upgraded to a 7000lb tandem axle and all is good.

I also pull a 33' camper that comes in at around 8500 to 9000lbs loaded so I know when I need to upgrade.

When I first started towing these larger trailers I figured hey these things are no problem, I drive a tractor trailer /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Man did I get the shock of my life. I have since learned. Also I couldnt agree more with what Bird said about overloaded. I see it all the time.

 

[QueBota]

Take the truck and trailer/tractor/implements out in a safe known area and test drive it when there are not a lot of cars around and she how she feels. Try to make a few "emergency" stops or lane changes and see what it feels like. Make sure you use adequate binding for the load on the trailer, overkill here is a good thing and doesn't cost much.

Truck and trailer should be capable under normal circumstances; however, if something odd should happen the trailer could become a handful.

Good Luck,
Dave

 

[Soundguy]

Too bad you couldn't get it as a gooseneck attachment.

soundguy

 

[Highbeam]

Folks,

Thanks for the great input. I have about 90% decided to downsize to a 3825# tractor, the CK30HST, due in part to the near inability to tow the tractor and the inability to tow the tractor plus implements. I want to be able to easily and legally transport this machine to my property and other people's places for side jobs.

The other benefit is about 3500$ in savings on the tractor, a hydrostatic tranny, and a more attractive tractor for resale. It was a tough call since the larger tractor had much more lift capacity front and rear. I can roll the savings into a nice grapple and toothbar.

I will go sit on them again to be sure I am not buying a weanie tractor. The trailer won't change, love that PJ.

Thanks again folks