What do you tow with?

mlauk · Jul 19, 2006

I tow with a 2003 Dodge 2500 CTD 6spd with Timbren overload springs and B&W gooseneck hitch. I tow a homemade trailer with welder and air compressor mounted on it. A 20' gooseneck livestock trailer with tandem torsion bar axles and a 32' dual tandem hay trailer.

wushaw · Jul 19, 2006

Pete 385 with a C13 putty tat. It tows my house when I go on vacation also a 16' utility and a 16' dump trailer.

GeneD14 · Jul 20, 2006

If I could pick and choose: I would take Wushaw's Peterbilt 385 and Dargo's gooseneck trailer and then nobody had better pull out in front of me!

I would also need a bigger tractor to hold that trailer down.

Sorry about that little fantasy... I'm back to reality now.

keving · Jul 20, 2006

GMC 3500 Duramax with all the Banks stuff. The gooseneck has 8x20 lower deck and 8x8 upper deck. I can fit the BB and the forks. All loaded up the gooseneck, tractor and mower weigh in at about 14K lbs, not including the truck. I get about 11.5 mpg. driving faster than I should...

weesa20 · Jul 20, 2006

I tow with my 03 trailerblazer and a various rental trailers that fits my needs. It does a pretty good job considering it is a midsize SUV. Don't tell anyone but I've tipped the scales at over 12,000# combined load, trailerblazer is ~4000# (I know, dangerous, but I was just going a short distance)

When I have a real load to haul, my father's 05 3/4 silverado HD with 6.0 HO works pretty well.

When we haul big loads we use his 1976 international firetruck chassis that was converted to custom flat bed with with custum hitch. Greater tow rig because it is short and stout. The International had 7,000 miles on it when he bought it in 2004. It is a 348 Cu in with 2 speed rearend. It came with a detroit locker but he changed it out to get better gearing. (Father runs a camper/RV repair business so he tows all over the atlantic coast and New England- www.campersneedsonline.com)

W

RobJ · Jul 21, 2006

weesa20 said:
I tow with my 03 trailerblazer and a various rental trailers that fits my needs. It does a pretty good job considering it is a midsize SUV. Don't tell anyone but I've tipped the scales at over 12,000# combined load, trailerblazer is ~4000# (I know, dangerous, but I was just going a short distance)

When I have a real load to haul, my father's 05 3/4 silverado HD with 6.0 HO works pretty well.

When we haul big loads we use his 1976 international firetruck chassis that was converted to custom flat bed with with custum hitch. Greater tow rig because it is short and stout. The International had 7,000 miles on it when he bought it in 2004. It is a 348 Cu in with 2 speed rearend. It came with a detroit locker but he changed it out to get better gearing. (Father runs a camper/RV repair business so he tows all over the atlantic coast and New England- www.campersneedsonline.com)

W

Wonder what sort of mileage that International gets?

weesa20 · Jul 21, 2006

I think the international gets ~8-10 towing and ~12-15 unloaded. The 2 speed rearend helps a little I think. Most of the time it is way more truck than he needs for traval trailers but he can tow most anything that doesn't require CDL, tag along or 5th wheel.

W

Dargo · Jul 21, 2006

weesa20 said:
I think the international gets ~8-10 towing and ~12-15 unloaded. The 2 speed rearend helps a little I think. Most of the time it is way more truck than he needs for traval trailers but he can tow most anything that doesn't require CDL, tag along or 5th wheel.

W

You bring up a good point; that is when a CDL is required. I honestly don't know. When I licensed my truck and trailer I asked at the license branch in IN if I would need a CDL (I've had one in the past, no big deal, I just didn't particularly want to pay for one now) and they asked me if I'd be hauling anything for hire. When I told them that I'd only be hauling my equipment between my properties, they told me that I wouldn't need a CDL. Is that correct? I don't know, but it's what I was told. How is it in other states?

RayH · Jul 21, 2006

Dargo said:
You bring up a good point; that is when a CDL is required. I honestly don't know. When I licensed my truck and trailer I asked at the license branch in IN if I would need a CDL (I've had one in the past, no big deal, I just didn't particularly want to pay for one now) and they asked me if I'd be hauling anything for hire. When I told them that I'd only be hauling my equipment between my properties, they told me that I wouldn't need a CDL. Is that correct? I don't know, but it's what I was told. How is it in other states?

If you are not hauling for profit, being payed to drive it or engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce (transporting goods to sell), you do not need a CDL and the vehicle does not need to be registered with the DOT.

The regulation concerning commercial vehicles under 26000lbs vary by state so I wont get into that.
If your truck, trailer or truck/trailer combo is over 26000 and operated "commercially" ie: for profit,for commerce or for pay, you need a CDL. Farm use is usually an exception.

Dargo · Jul 22, 2006

RayH, you seem to be on the ball. What you posted is pretty well exactly what the lady at my license branch told me. I only asked because I've seen a cop or other people give "advice" that isn't correct and, if followed, can still result in a ticket. It sounds like I'm okay since I only haul my own equipment and, on top of that, I'm considered a farm owner.