Trailer Towing Question

[Soundguy]

just make sure what ever you purchase is either setup as you need it, or canbe setup tat way.. pay attention to rear end gearing, engine, and the gcwr etc..

soundguy

 

[dstig1]

First thing I tell everyone to do is skip the 3/4 ton. They are a joke to me. You can get a 1 ton SRW for about $600 more than a evenly equipped 3/4 ton. Trust me, I made that mistake and bought a 3/4 ton and 1 year later upgraded to a 1 ton SRW. Also make sure you do your homework. Just because it has a V8 or diesel engine that does not mean squat. It all comes down to GVWR, GCWR, and axle ratio.

Chris

There is a caveat to this advice, IMHO. Some states get real picky about trucks with GVWRs over 10k lbs. You start to get to be considered commercial by the local constabulary....and if you don't have DOT safety kits, log book, etc, and don't go through scales they can get testy. I know the F350 1-tons are 10k lbs, for the most part, but the F250 3/4 tons are slightly under (usually). Mine is 9200lbs GVRW. That prevents a lot of potential issues here as I go past weigh stations constantly. I know a guy here who has been hassled by the cops with his F350 towing a tractor by these weigh stations.

This has been a big topic in the Ford Trucks forums, especially for people in the NE states.

Chris, I agree with your point in general, but sometimes there will be other issues that come into play.

I'd love to have the V10, too, but given how I use it, I get by just fine with the V8. I just have some patience on big hills, and get my foot deep into the loud pedal. I bought it used, and used V10s are very rare.

-Dave

 

[Dmace]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I think dmace and roamerr nailed it for my particular situation.

Notice the two that you agree with have Dodge trucks and don't think they need bigger trucks for towing loads upwards of 7k plus whereas the other guys always wish they had a larger truck. Like I said, maybe their just driving the wrong truck. :laughing:
Don't take it hard DP, I'm just stirring the pot for fun.

If your looking for a truck that new (2008+) then you have little to worry about, just watch the tow rating, GVWR/GCWR, and rear axle ratio like I said before.

 

[Duffster]

There is a caveat to this advice, IMHO. Some states get real picky about trucks with GVWRs over 10k lbs. You start to get to be considered commercial by the local constabulary....and if you don't have DOT safety kits, log book, etc, and don't go through scales they can get testy. I know the F350 1-tons are 10k lbs, for the most part, but the F250 3/4 tons are slightly under (usually). Mine is 9200lbs GVRW. That prevents a lot of potential issues here as I go past weigh stations constantly. I know a guy here who has been hassled by the cops with his F350 towing a tractor by these weigh stations.
-Dave

Hook a trailer on that F250 and you have the same issues since it goes by GCWR(CGVWR) over 10k also.

 

[Soundguy]

I've yet to have a dot chase me down as I passed by scales with my dually and gooseneck, loaded or unloaded..

soundguy

 

[dstig1]

I've yet to have a dot chase me down as I passed by scales with my dually and gooseneck, loaded or unloaded..

soundguy

I don't doubt you - most won't - but I have read the experiences of others who have. They were not pleased. Seems to be people in the NE have the most trouble, from what I see.

 

[Soundguy]

could be. lots of other problems up there too..

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

There is a caveat to this advice, IMHO. Some states get real picky about trucks with GVWRs over 10k lbs. You start to get to be considered commercial by the local constabulary....and if you don't have DOT safety kits, log book, etc, and don't go through scales they can get testy. I know the F350 1-tons are 10k lbs, for the most part, but the F250 3/4 tons are slightly under (usually). Mine is 9200lbs GVRW. That prevents a lot of potential issues here as I go past weigh stations constantly. I know a guy here who has been hassled by the cops with his F350 towing a tractor by these weigh stations.

This has been a big topic in the Ford Trucks forums, especially for people in the NE states.

Chris, I agree with your point in general, but sometimes there will be other issues that come into play.

I'd love to have the V10, too, but given how I use it, I get by just fine with the V8. I just have some patience on big hills, and get my foot deep into the loud pedal. I bought it used, and used V10s are very rare.

-Dave

Yes, I forget about that. Where I live there is no rules and we all carry guns. My 04 F-250 diesel has a 10,000# GVWR and my 06 F-350 diesel SRW has a 11,500# GVWR. My uncle has a 05 F-350 with the V-10 and his GVWR is 11,400# Just 100# less than my diesel.


Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Notice the two that you agree with have Dodge trucks and don't think they need bigger trucks for towing loads upwards of 7k plus whereas the other guys always wish they had a larger truck. Like I said, maybe their just driving the wrong truck. :laughing:
Don't take it hard DP, I'm just stirring the pot for fun.

If your looking for a truck that new (2008+) then you have little to worry about, just watch the tow rating, GVWR/GCWR, and rear axle ratio like I said before.

You got me. I agree with you though. I have been towing my 7,100# boat, had it weighed in May, and have done over 3,000 miles this year already. I have averaged 12.19 mpg hand calculated in my Titan. Its been plenty of truck for this load and would not be afraid to go all the way up to its 9,500# tow limit. I have found at 59mph it does the best with the tow haul mode on and turns 1,600 rpm. This is confirmed by the indash mpg calculator showing 12.2 mpg.

Each truck has a job. I only use my diesels for the heavy stuff, 8,000# and up. They cost more to operate.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

Yes, I forget about that. Where I live there is no rules and we all carry guns. My 04 F-250 diesel has a 10,000# GVWR and my 06 F-350 diesel SRW has a 11,500# GVWR. My uncle has a 05 F-350 with the V-10 and his GVWR is 11,400# Just 100# less than my diesel.


Chris

The same rules apply if you travel interstate.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've yet to have a dot chase me down as I passed by scales with my dually and gooseneck, loaded or unloaded..

soundguy

Same here. I run down the road every other week at 25,000# plus or minus crossing 9 or more states during the course of a summer covering 10,000 miles or so and have yet to have anyone blink a eye. Same thing with my neighbor who has hit 31 states so far this summer pulling a 14,000# 36' 5th wheel behind a 1 ton diesel. He has made 8 trips to Florida in the last 2 years with the same rig from Indiana and has been up and down the east coast from Maine to Georgia also.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

The same rules apply if you travel interstate.

I have been up and down just about every interstate this side of the Rockies and many on the other side in the last 20 plus years I have been doing this and never a issue. Many times it was pulling my 25,000# 25'+5' GN behind my old F-350 SRW 7.3L 4x4 Long Bed.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

I have been up and down just about every interstate this side of the Rockies and many on the other side in the last 20 plus years I have been doing this and never a issue. Many times it was pulling my 25,000# 25'+5' GN behind my old F-350 SRW 7.3L 4x4 Long Bed.

Chris

Just because you are doing it and getting away with it doesn't mean it is legal or that the law doesn't exist.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Just because you are doing it and getting away with it doesn't mean it is legal or that the law doesn't exist.

This has been covered time and time again. I am not doing it for hire. I am pulling personal property transporting my own goods. I have not been convinced that that what I am doing is illegal.

Chris

 

[wvpolekat]

This has been covered time and time again. I am not doing it for hire. I am pulling personal property transporting my own goods. I have not been convinced that that what I am doing is illegal.

Chris

X2 commercial/fmca rules do not apply to us

 

[Duffster]

This has been covered time and time again. I am not doing it for hire. I am pulling personal property transporting my own goods. I have not been convinced that that what I am doing is illegal.

Chris

You don't have to be "for hire" to be considered commercial.

 

[lostcause]

You don't have to be "for hire" to be considered commercial.

there are 50 states, and i can't say for sure about all of them, but i do know that a large chunk of trailers registered in the country are done here in maine, and i have put specific questions to the state police commercial vehicle enforcement division, and many of the laws do not have to do with whether you have commercial registrations or inspections, but in fact apply if you use them "in commerce", ie "for hire".

i also think that though the letter of the law may read a certain way, but the only time a small vehicle will ever get hassled for some of these issues is if you have done something heinously wrong. even then, the number of citations may be directly proportional to how much of an *** you are to the arresting officer.

 

[Duffster]

there are 50 states, and i can't say for sure about all of them, but i do know that a large chunk of trailers registered in the country are done here in maine, and i have put specific questions to the state police commercial vehicle enforcement division, and many of the laws do not have to do with whether you have commercial registrations or inspections, but in fact apply if you use them "in commerce", ie "for hire".

"In commerce" and "for hire" are not the same thing. My trucks are in commerce but are not for hire. You are right about not having to do with commercial registration, we have no suich thing.

i also think that though the letter of the law may read a certain way, but the only time a small vehicle will ever get hassled for some of these issues is if you have done something heinously wrong.

Keep telling yourself that.

 

[lostcause]

"In commerce" and "for hire" are not the same thing. My trucks are in commerce but are not for hire. You are right about not having to do with commercial registration, we have no suich thing.

i'm sorry i didn't elaborate better, i only used the "for hire" line because you did. i try to simplify so i don't have to type as much. some people don't like to read long wordy replies, and i don't like to type them unless totally necessary. "in commerce" is the line the state police used when i asked them whether i had to have things done a certain way. every question i posed was responded to with a "do you use it in commerce?" question. if it's for personal use a lot of those issues do not apply.

Keep telling yourself that.

makes me sorry i bothered to type it, since it seems to be a case of splitting hairs with every reply, but in effect, it's often like motorcycle inspections here: you get a sticker proving it has been checked, but you do not have to display it. you only have to show it if asked by the police. if yo never get checked, you could go your life without having a motorcycle inspected. there is no visual clue to prove it. it's only if something else goes wrong that it will ever be an issue. it doesn't make it ok to do it, but that's how it goes. trailering is the same. unless there is an accident or something just plain looks wrong, it will not be questioned.

 

[Soundguy]

I have been up and down just about every interstate this side of the Rockies and many on the other side in the last 20 plus years I have been doing this and never a issue. Many times it was pulling my 25,000# 25'+5' GN behind my old F-350 SRW 7.3L 4x4 Long Bed.

Chris

yep.. when I just went to ga last week.. passe dby scales 2x.. was open, and manned with smokies all around. there was a panel truck ahead of me that DID get pulled over.

When i ran to lousiana last time.. I must have passe dby at least 2 scales each way.. again.. manned and open.. on one occasion I thought I was going to get pulled over as a dot came out of the scale area after I and some other vehicles passed.. but again.. it passed me and nabbed a unmarked 26' box truck.

soundguy