Truck & Trailer ideas to tow 14,000 and be under 26,000 pounds

[4570Man]

They are tight, but alot of the midsized hoes, like ford 555, case 580, deere 310, etc are right around 81-82" wide. Dont know about the newer ones.

Usually the choice was forced because most full-sized backhoes are too much for a 14k trailer. But 8k and 10k single axle trailers seem to becoming more and more popular.

Just know that you may either need to have longer ramps specifically made, or carry around blocking to be able to load and unload.

My M59 was pretty tight between the fenders on my equipment trailer. The John Deere hoes have gotten bigger over the years. The 2011 310j Deere I had dwarfed the old backhoes. I never measured it but there wasn’t more than a couple inches difference in it and my deckover trailer width.

 

[oliver1555]

I know you’re talking about a backhoe, but this is my Oliver, which compares in size, but not weight. The deck on the trailer is 102” and the rear tires on the tractor are set at 96”. As far as loading, it’s not bad at all - just get lined up square and use lowest gear. Same unloading - low reverse gear and let it hold itself back. We hauled backhoes a lot when I worked in the oil patch, sometimes on a lowboy and sometimes on a gooseneck. One of the best things we did was get rid of the duals on the gooseneck trailers in favor of 17.5” single tires. The tow vehicles were dual wheels.

 

[LD1]

I know you’re talking about a backhoe, but this is my Oliver, which compares in size, but not weight. The deck on the trailer is 102” and the rear tires on the tractor are set at 96”. As far as loading, it’s not bad at all - just get lined up square and use lowest gear. Same unloading - low reverse gear and let it hold itself back. We hauled backhoes a lot when I worked in the oil patch, sometimes on a lowboy and sometimes on a gooseneck. One of the best things we did was get rid of the duals on the gooseneck trailers in favor of 17.5” single tires. The tow vehicles were dual wheels.

Loading a full sized TLB on a deck over is a whole different animal.

These things are EXTREMELY heavy in the back. Then if you have to extend the hoe out some to keep it from digging in the ground, it can get VERY light in the front. Not to mention dragging the swing post on the ground because the approach/departure angle is terrible on most machines.

Some makes/models are a piece of cake. Others take some careful though and improvising.

 

[oliver1555]

All true. My point was to address Eddie’s concern about loading his machines on a deck over trailer. Each machine has its own unique properties. In the oil patch, we loaded and unloaded backhoes often, sometimes several times a day. Confidence grows with experience.

 

[4570Man]

Loading a full sized TLB on a deck over is a whole different animal.

These things are EXTREMELY heavy in the back. Then if you have to extend the hoe out some to keep it from digging in the ground, it can get VERY light in the front. Not to mention dragging the swing post on the ground because the approach/departure angle is terrible on most machines.

Some makes/models are a piece of cake. Others take some careful though and improvising.

I never considered loading a backhoe to be excessively dangerous. They are light on the front but as long as the trailer was level side to side it’s not bad. I’d way rather load a backhoe as my dozer or steel track trackhoe. All of the backhoes I’ve owned would drag the swing post but usually not hard enough to be concerned about.

 

[Hay Dude]

What is the aisin transmission? Why is it better, or maybe I should ask, what are the other options to avoid?

Its Rams HD automatic. I’ve thrown more towing weight at mine than I’d like to admit…like hundreds of times.
So far so good.
They all have very good transmissions for the last 5-10 years, so I wouldn’t be worried unless you’re talking over 15 years old.
I’d avoid the temptation of a SRW truck if heavy towing is the goal. Some SRW trucks have respectable towing numbers, but putting all that weight on 2 tires instead of 4?

Even better is when you get into a 4500/5500 you get bigger axles and 19.5” tires which are a big step above 3500 dually axles & tires.

I find the used 4500/5500 trucks aren’t priced much higher than 3500 duallies, but are a substantial jump higher in payload and pin weight if you plan on loading up a heavy trailer.

 

[amhicks21]

In Texas and most of the United States, the above underlined statement is not correct. I believe California and New York have such a requirement, but it is not a federal requirement and most states follow the Federal guidelines. A Medical card is likely required for commercial use, but if your GCWR is 26,000 pounds or less you do not need a CDL (with exceptions for haz-mat or >15 passengers).

I'm not saying you're wrong, but the guidelines I've always gone by are these. Can you show me a source that shows an allowable 26k GCWR with a trailer weight over 10k without a cdla? It seems counter intuitive that you'd legally be able to haul a heavier trailer if hauling it with a smaller truck.

Types of CDLs​

There are three types of CDLs, as defined below by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

• Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR or gross combination weight of 26,001 lbs. or more, including a towed unit(s) with a GVWR or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 lbs.
• Class B: Any single vehicle that has a GVWR or gross vehicle rate of 26,001 lbs. or more, or a vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR (or gross vehicle weight) that isn’t more than 10,000 lbs.
• Class C: Any single vehicle (or combination of vehicles) that doesn’t meet the definition of Class A or Class B but is designed to transported 16 or more passengers (driver included) or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous or material that’s been listed as a select agent or toxin

 

[stumblinhorse]

I am confused by a few statements about CDL. I don’t haul anything for money. I haul to save my money. 26k means nothing if you don’t do it commercially. If you don’t have DOT numbers the only thing you will get stopped for is failure to secure something properly. But that is even a stretch. My trailer is rated for 18k and I run a Dodge 3500 SB SRW with 3.42s and a 68rfe.

 

[oliver1555]

Rules for farmers are different than rules for commercial haulers.

 

[MTGreen]

I am confused by a few statements about CDL. I don’t haul anything for money. I haul to save my money. 26k means nothing if you don’t do it commercially. If you don’t have DOT numbers the only thing you will get stopped for is failure to secure something properly. But that is even a stretch. My trailer is rated for 18k and I run a Dodge 3500 SB SRW with 3.73s and a 68fre.

My understanding is that no matter if you're commercial or not >26k combined gross weight requires a CDL per the Feds. Certain states have farm exemptions with limitations on range/load/etc.

I've heard that some law enforcement will cite for this if the summed gvw of the truck + trailer>26k even if you're empty. (Which imo is a gross misapplication of the law)