Tractor for Trailer

Bird · Mar 31, 2004

( I have heard too many horrer stories like the one on this tread of improperly adjusted electric brakes.)

Charlie, I hate to disagree with you but that's not the fault of the electric brakes.

( Not only are improperly adjusted electric brakes dangerous when a load is added, they flat-spot the tires when the load is removed. )

That would be a sign of a very inexperienced or ignorant operator. Do you know how the electric brakes are "adjusted"? It's not like getting under the older cars and adjusting brakes at the wheels; it's a simple adjustment on the controller that you do while sitting in the driver's seat. I can think of no excuse for not having them properly adjusted.

( I have used many trailers with surge brakes. The next time I am in the market for a utility trailer if I am given a choise between surge and electric, I will pick surge everytime. )

Well, surge brakes are better than nuthin' and that's about the best thing that can be said for them, and I've used a few of them myself. There are two good specific uses for surge brakes. One is on a trailer that will be pulled by a vehicle with no brake controller (rental trailers). The other is boat trailers because they're going to be backed into water. You don't have anywhere near the control of the trailer that you have with electric brakes, so I'll take the electric brakes everytime.

One other, perhaps minor point, but if the brakes ever need repairing, I'd much rather work on the electric brakes myself than the surge brakes.

gone · Mar 31, 2004

Bird i know what your saying on the control adjustment but there is still an adjuster on the wheel to adjust for wear,if it is to slack the brakes wont stop good wiyh load,but also the surge brakes need adjustment for wear also. these trailers do not have auto slack adjusters. if let go with out adjustment at some point you can put all the power to them you want there not going to stop well loaded.

Chuck_Lind · Mar 31, 2004

The subject of CDL requirements can be fuzzy and subject to misinterpretation. Lamarbur...I read your post that prompted me to do more research. Congress, a number of years ago passed a uniform CDL licensing system that applies to every state in the USA.

Here's what the DOT says about CDL:

A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) is Required if you drive ANY of the following commercial vehicles for hire ANY place in the United States...

A vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs.

A trailer with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs.

A vehicle designed to carry 15 or more passengers (excluding the driver).

A vehicle of ANY size or type which requires hazardous materials placards.

From what I read, the 2nd paragraph states that one doesn't need a CDL if the truck/trailer combo is >26,000 lbs. True, if the trailer's GVWR is 10,000...then the truck would have to be 16,001 lbs. At least that's the way I interpret it. Furthermore...IF FOR HIRE!!! I'm not hired by anyone...what does that mean. Way too fuzzy for me.

Anyone else have experience the hard way....like getting stopped by the State Police?

This rather concerns me...thank you everyone..CL

lamarbur · Mar 31, 2004

Yes I know, I've had a class one now called CDL A since 1967 and have watched the changed over the years. As I've said before, INTERPRETATION is the key word. I've been to truck wrecks for my father in law (bringing a second or third wrecker to a scene) and stood there while six different state police and DOT argue over a specific rule by interpretation. Again, in CT, if you have a trailer w/ GW of 10G's or more, regardless of pulling power, you're suppose to have a CDL. Some states can care less, others push it to the limiit. When I bought my trailer at N.E. trailer, first thing out of their mouth was it needs a DOT inspection in MA/CT because it goes over the 10G's.. There are some exemptions listed in the federal regs for fire apparatus and farm equip, But, no problem as long as your state marks your license with that exemption.. The rules are fuzzy in more ways than one, it depends on whose reading and interpreting at the time

gone · Mar 31, 2004

Lamarbur i have class A also class A truck and trailer, trailer gross of 21,000 lbs and more requirs class A so i'm try ing to remember but any truck with gross trailer under 21,000- 10,000 reqiures class b no matter what the truck? I never payd much attention because i was coverd under A and air brake.

yooperdave · Mar 31, 2004

This is what I want to do, but I do not appear to have the appropriate truck OR trailer.

http://www.kubota.com/products/l48.cfm

I guess I either drive the tractor to my sites, or make friends with a trucker /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

My driving distance is only 10 miles or so, much easier to take the tractor then to put everyone and everything at risk.

Yooper Dave

JimR · Mar 31, 2004

The new surge brakes work great. Especially if they are of the disc brake type used on marine trailers. I pulled a 4500 pound boat for 5 years with this setup with an S-10 Blazer. I never had a problem with them.

BigAl · Mar 31, 2004

Hey Dave ,
A lot of equipment rental yards move tractors for private owners and I had my dozer moved many times this way . You might check with one and see what they charge .
Big Al