6000 lbs 0n 7000lbs trailer?

[Bud Soda]

Need to move a 6000 lbs tractor. I have a 16' trailer with two 3500 lbs axles(should carry 7000lbs?) I have a 2005 Z71 Suburban to pull it with. I do not have weighted plates on the truck. Legal in NC or not? I can get a 4.5 ton trailer if needed, but would like to use the one I have if possible. Need to move the tractor about 60 miles.
Thanks,
BS

 

[mlauk]

The trailer probably weighs 1800 lbs + 6000 = 7800 lbs total. 10% of the weight will be on the tongue if you position the tractor right. So 780 lbs on the tongues leaves 7020 lbs for the trailer. It will be close, just air the tires to the max, make sure the brakes work good and take your time.

 

[20 20]

I'd get a bigger trailer if possible, you can never be to safe on the highways. You're also going a pretty good distance, in the end it's your call??????

 

[bp fick]

Can you trust that stated weight for the tractor? Dry weight? Off website? etc

Optional equipment and fluids, filled rear tires and that thing could easily weigh an additional 600 lbs which would put you over? Just thinking out loud.

 

[59ih340]

If it's a factory type trailer with brakes. Then I would say no problem.If it was a mobile home with no brakes in a prior life, I may not do it.In general,if you saw some one else pulling it down the road would you say "WTF???".If not, then you should have no problem.

 

[BruceWard]

I believe the towing capacity of your suburban is around 8400 pounds. You are going to be pushing the limits on the trailer and the tow vehicle. Personally I would rather push the limits on the tow vehicle and be careful on the drive. So if it were my choice I would get the heavier trailer.

If not I suggest that you weigh your 7000lb trailer and see how heavy it is. I am certain it weighs more than 1000lbs and will be overloaded.

 

[roamrdb]

if it were me, i would be most concerned about the tags. i have heard there is a pretty hefty fine associated with overweight. i have never had first hand experience. but i do know the dmv enforcement boys do carry portable scales, seen em using em on the road before. good luck

 

[careyo63]

If I remember correctly this is what was stated to me. I know I may be wrong but my understanding is that if your trailer is lets say rated 7000 lbs. that you have to take the weight of the trailer off of that. Lets say trailer actual weight a good average of 1500 lbs. subtracted from 7000. Your load Max. weight is 5500.

Carey

 

[Baucom]

You can, however, add the tongue wt. back onto that figure (gvw-empty wt.), since the tongue wt. is carried by the truck, to arrive at 7700 lbs. The only way to know for sure is to weigh the trailer and see how much capacity you have left. My 16' 7K trailer weighs right at 2000 (1988#) empty, leaving me with ~5700# payload capacity. You will be pushing your trailer's wt. capacity, but if it's a factory built equipment trailer you should be fine if you check everything over carefully before you hit the road and take it kinda easy. If it's a landscape trailer, then I wouldn't try it; I'd borrow the 4.5T trailer for the move. Also, if your equipment wts. are coming from the spec sheet and not the actual wt. of the tractor as determined by weighing YOUR tractor, then I'd also borrow the 4.5T trailer.

Just watch out for the DMV guys, though I doubt they'll bother you if you're not towing commercially (unless they look at the load).

Edit: I just viewed your profile, and if you're moving the Ford 5000 that's listed, there's no way I'd try that with a 7K trailer. If it's the 3000 (guessing it's not...) then you're OK.

 

[dodge man]

I looked at tractor data and it does look like your tractor could way as little as 5800lbs, but it could also weight as much as 9000lbs. What does the tractor actually weigh? If its just a little over weight, from a saftey point of view, I wouldn't worry about it. Just be a little more carefull. I can't tell you what is legal though. If weight is that critical, you can save 200 pounds by having the tractor almost out of fuel and the truck at 1/2 tank.