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

[RandyT]

I had a coworker who took his CDL in a pickup with a trailer. This is in Illinois and he did it several years ago. He later on got other endorsements, such as air brakes and tanker, I think those with just written tests.

From the IL CDL website A non air brake test gets you a no air brake restriction. To remove the L restriction requires taking the air brake test and a new test drive with a vehicle with air brakes. But I know years ago you could do the test in a pickup and trailer. But I seem to remember that was prior to the federal CDL requirements. And IL was part of the CDL requirements we have now because of the pay to get a license scam that the SOS office was involved in.

 

[RandyT]

I was going by memory, he got his CDL probably over 20 years ago. His brother in law owned a trucking company so he probably took a big rig for the air brakes. I was thinking the tanker endorsement was just a written test, he was hauling air plane deicer at the time. I know you have to really study for those tests too. I live about a mile from our township shed and the road superintendent wanted me to drive a dump truck for him. Sounded like fun but it sure looked like I need a CDL.

Nope municipalities are exempt from the requirements while being used for official use.

 

[RandyT]

They don't want the liability. And there is no definitive answer either.

Your average 14k bumper pull trailer probably weighs 3000#....and a well balance load can probably have 2k tongue weight

In theory that allows an actual payload of ~13k

Now if the trailer mfg states that.....

And some jackwagon double stacks pallets of bricks as far forward as possible on the trailer....they are probably overloading both the truck, hitch, and front axle. And they don't want to assume the liability because they told you the payload is 13k.

Even so.... Some trailers DO list it. They give you a tire information sticker similar to trucks that says something like "max cargo and payload shal not exceed......" Which is usually just the sum of the axles minus the tare weight of the trailer. But technically you can legally haul more if you account for tongue weight

I have seen gooseneck trailers advertised with something like a 16,900 weight rating with 7K axles

 

[sandman2234]

You can get Haz Mat by written test

Haz Mat via a written test, along with paying for a background check every time you renew it. I just dropped hazmat off mine, due to expense and the fact that it shortens your license to a 4 year license. I am now CDL licensed to 2031!! Saved over $100 in the renewal fees also!
Eddie, call your state drivers license and ask them if you are hauling NON COMMERCIAL if you have to worry about the 25,900 gross or the 10,000 pound trailer limitations. I have a CDL so I don't worry about it, but when it runs out, I will probably go back to a regular license (maybe!!)
The biggest thing with my 2000 F350 dually and Big Tex 14K trailer, is my GCVWR, as my truck is only rated for 20000 GCVWR (not to be confused with GVWR). I can haul 14k on the trailer, and 11,200 on the truck, but can't go over 20,000 between the two of them.
It would probably take a F450 to cover your backhoe. The guy I bought my truck and trailer (not my big tex) from was going to haul his backhoe so he put the backhoe on the trailer and went to the nearest scale. At that point, he took the backhoe home and never hauled it again, due to it being way over for the rig, which had a two axle, 14k setup.
David from jax

 

[Hay Dude]

I dropped Haz mat long ago.

Let’s remember how much Eddie can haul also depends on trailer being a BP or a GN

 

[stumblinhorse]

I have seen gooseneck trailers advertised with something like a 16,900 weight rating with 7K axles

Yes, many manufacturers don’t do this. My GN Diamond C has dual 8K SS axles and a 18k rating. So Diamond C adds the tongue weight. But not many others do. 1 of the reasons I picked it.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yes, many manufacturers don’t do this. My GN Diamond C has dual 8K SS axles and a 18k rating. So Diamond C adds the tongue weight. But not many others do. 1 of the reasons I picked it.

Dump trailers usually will not add anything for tongue weight, except some PJ’s.

 

[WM75Guy]

Another question since I just went thru this. I switched insurance companies and my previous one required coverage on the trailer, new one doesn’t.

So what do people have? Insurance on the trailers they own?

Liability is covered by the towing vehicle. Loss or damage on mine are covered by my AgAdvantage policy from Texas Farm Bureau. Each is listed as agricultural machinery, same as my tractors and implements.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

Making hay is becoming a money losing business. At least from a start-up perspective. UNLESS you have a bunch of paid off equipment or were given a lot of land, it’s very difficult business to break into.

I'm not really sure how folks make any money buying the latest and greatest equipment. I got into haying about 1.5 years ago and except for the tractor I spent 8500 on a swather, baler and a pull stackwagon and it includes the cost to make them all work properly doing the repairs myself. If I were to buy at current prices I'm looking at almost 15k a year in hay that I need for my own use, any excess I sell. But no, even with everything paid off I do not make money on haying but I do save by doing it. I'm able to grow my herds which is where someday I hope to start paying off the investment I've made in this whole boondoggle. But, I love the lifestyle....
When I registered my vehicles in Idaho I was given the choice on weight ratings and what I paid. Found that odd but my F-150 has a tow rating of 11900, but they would let you register it for under 8k if you "didn't plan on towing more than that". And, I could register it for over the rated if I wanted. Odd compared to what I was used too. Same went for my trailers (not for over weight) but I've been swapping them out based on need. I hire to move the big boy around which is very rare as if I need to move equipment I flag and light up and hit the road, after all I'm rural and if a tractor on the road bugs you, go back to the city. Farthest I've run on the roads so far has been about 20 miles each way. Needed to help a new friend cut their field after an equipment failure on their end.

 

[stumblinhorse]

They don't want the liability. And there is no definitive answer either.

Your average 14k bumper pull trailer probably weighs 3000#....and a well balance load can probably have 2k tongue weight

In theory that allows an actual payload of ~13k

Now if the trailer mfg states that.....

And some jackwagon double stacks pallets of bricks as far forward as possible on the trailer....they are probably overloading both the truck, hitch, and front axle. And they don't want to assume the liability because they told you the payload is 13k.

Even so.... Some trailers DO list it. They give you a tire information sticker similar to trucks that says something like "max cargo and payload shal not exceed......" Which is usually just the sum of the axles minus the tare weight of the trailer. But technically you can legally haul more if you account for tongue weight

I think the new trailer VIN tags have all that info on it. Payload, GVWR, required tires to achieve that rating and axle rating. I know mine does.