Is this trailer wide enough?

[Slippy]

Just picked up this Winston trailer and it is 97" from out side of rub rail to out side of rub rail. Anyone hauled equipment this close to the edge?

 

[farmboy12]

We've hauled almost that close, and are within 6" on a machine we haul almost regularly. If you have the option not to, don't. But, if it must be done, then I wouldn't have many problems doing so. Just make sure to overkill it when you are strapping down. And make sure the pull is even to each side. Cause if you have a chain, for example, pulling to the left with much more force than that of the right, and hit a bump, your nice machine could become a nice, deadly, little speed bump for another vehicle driving on the road.


That said, you can do it, just overkill it and measure everything right. Double check EVERYTHING.

Be safe,
Kyle

 

[Slippy]

I usually just use one chain at the back pulling to both sides. I hook it through an eyelet attached to the draw bar and then come back toward the back of the trailer to get a good pull rearward and chinch in down at that point. Any other suggestions?

 

[farmboy12]

That's what we do, but since you're over a hanging off a little, I'd say maybe try for two at the back, and two at the front. Like I said, in this situation, overkill is very good. Better safe than sorry. How far are you going with it?


Kyle

 

[radioman]

if this is your only option, why not add a couple boards of 2 by 12's and put em under the tire across the deck that sticks out past the tires. The only thing I want to add is that in NYS you can legally tow anything 8ft and under without wide load permits. not sure whats dot rules in your state.

 

[dave1949]

That said, you can do it, just overkill it and measure everything right. Double check EVERYTHING.

Be safe,
Kyle

I would add - then double check it again 10 miles down the road after your load has settled.

Dave.

 

[Slippy]

I only need to take it about 30 miles. I always check and double check the load. If I use two chains, would I run them from both sides of the axle? I never really liked that because it is pulling two different directions.

 

[Pops15]

I have a piece of equipment that is as wide as my flatbed trailer. I use 2 chains in front and 2 chains in back and I cinch them really tight. I run the chains diagonally so the equipment can't move sideways. If you run your chains lengthwise it would be much easier for your tractor to bounce off the trailer.

 

[LoneCowboy]

the widest you can go legally (feds) is 102 inches (8.5 feet) (some states are narrower)

you're only missing 5 inches from max.

I'm confused, the issue isn't that your trailer is too narrow (or you fat fingered the width), the issue is that your tractor is too wide.

BTW, you can only stick over 2" over the side of your trailer legally.

 

[Slippy]

Actually, the tractor is not hanging over the outside of the rub rail. What I thought about doing was welding some flat bar from the edge of the trailer to the outside of the rub rail. It would have the stake pockets below to provide additional support. I could even make the traile 102" which is the largest made trailer. I understand that is the width of most semi trailers. It is a little nerving loading and unloading. As you can guess, I go really slow and only on dry days.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would use 4 chains like mentioned by Farm Boy. Not only to keep the load from shifting but if something fails you have a back-up. I also like to criss cross the chains.

Guys are right, 102" is max without over width in most states.

Chris

 

[Renze]

In Europe your trailer can be 2.55 meter wide without special permit. Except for the 11 ton model, all our payloaders are wider than the trailer. On the road, i've never seen a trackhoe being hauled on a trailer that was as wide as the 3ft wide LGP tracks which are standard in Holland.

 

[Duffster]

BTW, you can only stick over 2" over the side of your trailer legally.

Can you point out where it says that?

Thanks.

 

[LBrown59]

That's what we do, but since you're over a hanging off a little, I'd say maybe try for two at the back, and two at the front. Like I said, in this situation, overkill is very good. Better safe than sorry. How far are you going with it?
This is not optional but required.

I have a piece of equipment that is as wide as my flatbed trailer. I use 2 chains in front and 2 chains in back and I cinch them really tight. I run the chains diagonally so the equipment can't move sideways. If you run your chains lengthwise it would be much easier for your tractor to bounce off the trailer.

It's the law.

 

[aczlan]

How hard would it be to adjust the rear tires in a few inches?

Aaron Z

 

[LBrown59]

That's what we do, but since you're over a hanging off a little, I'd say maybe try for two at the back, and two at the front. Like I said, in this situation, overkill is very good. Better safe than sorry. How far are you going with it. Kyle

One on each corner - it's the law.

 

[LBrown59]

How hard would it be to adjust the rear tires in a few inches?
Aaron Z

Now,why didin't I think of that?
Oh,come to think of it I did !

 

[farmboy12]

It's the law.

One on each corner - it's the law.

LB-

It actually isn't the law in most states. Because one chain can give pull to both sides. So, it is close to the same strength as two chains together. That's what we do even when we haul an 8.5k tractor. But, we are 6" from the edge. He is less than 2" it looks like, which is why I suggested using one on each corner. I also like Chris' idea of crossing, say taking front left corner to the rear right, then vice versa for each other. Then maybe an extra going across to be safe and to hold it down more.


Kyle

 

[LoneCowboy]

One on each corner - it's the law.

NO IT'S NOT
Only if the tractor/vehicle/heavy machinery is over 10,000lbs

under 10,000lbs all you need is 2.


§393.128 What are the rules for securing automobiles, light trucks and vans?

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of automobiles, light trucks, and vans which individually weigh 4,536 kg. (10,000 lb) or less. Vehicles which individually are heavier than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) must be secured in accordance with the provisions of §393.130 of this part.

(b) Securement of automobiles, light trucks, and vans.

(b)(1) Automobiles, light trucks, and vans must be restrained at both the front and rear to prevent lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical movement using a minimum of two tiedowns.



§393.130 What are the rules for securing heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery?

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment and machinery which operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels and which individually weigh 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) or more. Vehicles, equipment and machinery which is lighter than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb.) may also be secured in accordance with the provisions of this section, with §393.128, or in accordance with the provisions of §§393.100 through 393.114.

(b) Preparation of equipment being transported. (1) Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.

(b)(2) Articulated vehicles shall be restrained in a manner that prevents articulation while in transit.

(c) Securement of heavy vehicles, equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels. (1) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, heavy equipment or machinery with crawler tracks or wheels must be restrained against movement in the lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical direction using a minimum of four tiedowns.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Can you point out where it says that?

Thanks.

ｧ393.87 Warning flags on projecting loads.

(a) Any commercial motor vehicle transporting a load which extends beyond the sides by more than 102 mm (4 inches) or more than 1,219 mm (4 feet) beyond the rear must have the extremities of the load marked with red or orange fluorescent warning flags. Each warning flag must be at least 457 mm (18 inches) square.


I'm actually wrong, you get 4" total (I always made it 2" both sides, but that's not correct)
that's a dead copy from FMCSA website current rules, so 4" is correct