Was this safe towing?

[Richard]

Yesterday on my way home, I just stopped & stared with jaw open.

Noticed on road approaching me from opposite direction a rig pulling a full sized yellow industrial backhoe/loader.

Seems the rig pulling it was (most likely) a dually truck. I have NO idea what brand the truck was, I dont really KNOW that it had dual wheels, I didn't get a look at that as I was too busy verifying that it was indeed, a full sized loader/backhoe.

This truck had a big trailer behind it, the trailer had 3 wheels on each side, I did not notice if the wheels were double wheels, though I dont think they were.

This backhoe ...geez... this thing if it is similar to Brutus, weighs somewhere around 15,000 lbs. Then the trailer large enough to carry it....

I drive a Miata, so I know nothing about towing other than back yard trailer with some lumber on it.

This just "looked" terribly mismatched and out of proportion and franky, unsafe.

WAS it? Can a F-350 type truck safely tow a full sized industrial backhoe/loader? if it can, can a 250? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

2 years ago, a friend of mine wanted to borrow my backhoe, said he could tow it "no problem...I have a towing package".

I said absolutely no way. We get a dump sized truck to pull it to his place and he's welcome to it. (he lives near some BAD hills that would make me nervous for the brakes & pulling power to go back up other side)


Richard

 

[Tractors4u]

A dually/1 Ton truck could pull it, provided that they used the right sized trailer that was equipped with brakes. If it was a triple axle trailer like you say, then it was probably OK.

 

[markct]

most heavy one ton trucks can handle a 9 ton trailer moderatly well, i know a contractor around here that does that frequently. but not all one ton trucks are created equal, and i dont mean by brand, i just mean that gvws for one tons vary alot. i wouldnt think that you would want to do it with a lot of hills, but as long as the trailer had good brakes and most importantly the driver had good common sense, then it should be ok. also you need more than a step bumper or a reciever hitch, the truck should have an actualy hitch plate welded directly to the frame.

 

[cowboydoc]

I consistently haul loads of this type with no problems at all. I've got excellent brakes on my trailers and have no problems. My suspension is beefed up to handle the extra load and I also run the better brakes.

 

[Richard]

Well all, I must say I had absolutly no idea a pickup truck could tow that much weight.

Maybe I won't challange a pickup truck to a Miata-Truck pulling duel... (I'd hate for him to smoke his transmission)

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RichNJKubota]

How kind of you to save his tranny.

 

[SageBrush]

Actually, no "one ton" could pull a 15K tractor plus the trailer and stay within the manufactures tow ratings. Yet many people do, on a daily basis too.

I know of a fellow who pulled a 310 JD on a utility trailer 50 + miles with a light duty F-250.... the kind that looks like a F-150, not a Super Duty. He claims he had no problems, just a little slow. Safe? Well its not DOT approved. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

People are always pushing the limits of these trucks, thats why I buy new. My truck can pull about 14,000 as equipped with the family onboard and stay within the weight ratings. I know it coud pull a back hoe, but I would be over weight at least 3K with my set up.

Also, the truck pulling the back hoe could have been a F-550 Ford, which is rated for that kind of load. They use the same cab as the F-250 and F-350 SD, but has bigger axles, wheels and a stronger frame.

 

[Junkman]

How do you know for sure that this is a one ton truck...... many of the new Fords look like one ton trucks but are rated for a higher payload.... Like the F450 & F550....... they look just like a F350 at a fast glance......

 

[Taylortractornut]

Its safe as long as the truck is set up for it. I haul my older Ford hoe and a 580 Case hoe on dads 1990 350. Also use my 85 Chevy 1 ton. Its a gooseneck trailer. I hauled a 12000 pound lathe home a few years ago with it. I just always check the ball plate and chain mounts. Its pretty safe you just hav to repect stopping distance and other things.

 

[Soundguy]

Our F-450 service truck pulls loads like that on a pintel mount tri-axle trailer often. Rubbertired backhoe/loader to do small sitework.. etc.

Not uncommon .. as far as leagal.. there are big differences between manufacture warranty specs.. and what the DOT will let you license for.. etc... If you have the axles, the chassies usually can be licensed up to way beyond warranty specs...

Soundguy