7,000 lb Trailers Enough?

fctadam · May 5, 2004

I'm looking to buy a trailer for my TC30 with FEL, and backhoe the whole unit weighs 5,000 lbs. Is a 7,000 GVWR trailer large enough to handle the weight of the tractor?

Am I correct when thinking if the trailer weighs 2,000 lbs and the tractor weighs 5,000 that would equal the 7,000 for the trailer weight? That seems to close to call. Or is a 7,000 lb trailer capable of having 7,000 pounds of weight with in?

What exactly is the GWVR? Is that the weight of the trailer and cargo cannot exceed 7,000?

LarryRB · May 5, 2004

my trailer is a Bri-Mar 18 ft at 12,000 GVW. I can only load 9700 lbs on it. It is trailer, minus the weight of the trailer equals hauling capacity.. Depending on trailer MFG and what size rails are used, 2/5 is cutting it real close.

Bird · May 5, 2004

( Am I correct when thinking if the trailer weighs 2,000 lbs and the tractor weighs 5,000 that would equal the 7,000 for the trailer weight? )

Yes.

( What exactly is the GWVR? Is that the weight of the trailer and cargo cannot exceed 7,000? )

Actually it's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), which is the combined weight of the trailer and all its cargo, which in this case is 7,000 pounds. Naturally, you can exceed that, just as you can exceed the GVWR of your truck or car, and overloaded pickups and trailers are frequently seen, but it isn't really safe or recommended.

Bert04 · May 5, 2004

Just make sure you get a trailer with brakes on both axles. I use a 16,000 lb trailer for my nh2120 and it works great. Espesially being towed behind a 3/4 ton pickup.

jinman · May 5, 2004

Bird, your advice is so good it must be illegal. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'd also add that at least one axle needs brakes even with a 3/4 ton tow vehicle. My trailer doesn't have brakes and I tell myself each month that I better put them on. Of course, I only haul my tractor short distances about twice a year. Maybe I should join procrastinators anonymous...when I get around to it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

JimR · May 5, 2004

( Just make sure you get a trailer with brakes on both axles. I use a 16,000 lb trailer for my nh2120 and it works great. Espesially being towed behind a 3/4 ton pickup. )

You tow a 16K trailer behind a 3/4 ton pickup? Now that is really illegal if loaded up.

Jinman,

When you least expect it you will need those brakes. Probably on a rainy day as the tractor/trailer push your truck down the road when you try to stop. I had a heavy boat without brakes. I learned real quick on a rainy day as they pushed me through a red light. That week I installed a hydraulic brake system with stainless steel disc brakes. All trailers are rated for safe loads. There is also a built in safety factor to cover overloading. I recall whe I went through the scales at a gravel pit with my old 1969 Ford F250. The truck had 12 leaf springs on it for a heavy camper. I had the bed full to the top with washed crushed brick sand. The truck weighed in at 10,200 pounds. The guy made me check it twice as he couldn't believe the weight. I made it home and was really careful about stopping. My truck had manual steering and I could steer it like power steering. The truck weighed 5200 pounds if I recall. This meant I had 5000 pounds of crushed sand in it. Not too bad for a 3/4 ton beefed up truck. The rear axle was not bottomed out either.

LarryRB · May 5, 2004

depends on where you live,, here in Mass and CT ALL axles will have brakes.. There is no one can the other can't stuff. Better check the laws where you live. Although even if it is LEGAL, one axle with and one without, just in case I had to cross state lines (do it all the time) I'd have brakes on both axles. Then nothing to worry about.

Bird · May 5, 2004

( I'd also add that at least one axle needs brakes even with a 3/4 ton tow vehicle. My trailer doesn't have brakes )

Yep, I much prefer brakes on both axles, but like you, the trailer I used to haul my tractors didn't have brakes either. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif But the price was right. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif My brother bought the trailer, new, to use when he was building his house, then left the trailer at my place. And of course, where I lived then, there was very, very little traffic, and I was never in a hurry. It's one of those situations where I say to do as I say; not as I do. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Egon · May 5, 2004

Think I'd go for a minimum 10k trailer with brakes all around. Maybe I'm biased cause that's what I got.

Pulled a 15k gross trailer [ 12000 pounds worth of axles ] hooked behind a 3/4 ton with camper and managed to tow it 3500 miles without incident. Wasn't much fun though.

Egon

Logan · May 5, 2004

I pull an L3010DT with a box blade and LA482 loader with a combined weight of about 4647 lbs. on a 7,000lb dual axle trailer. It is pushing the limit. My truck is only a 1500 4X4 so I didn't have a lot of choices as far as going to a heavier trailer. When I bought the trailer it had brakes on only one axle and I couldn't really feel them pulling when I stopped. I added brakes on the other axle for about $250 total and it made a dramatic improvement. Now when I apply the brakes the trailer starts slowing the truck down before the truck brakes fully engage. While experimenting with the adjustment of the electronic brake controller I learned two things: With it adjusted to little or no brake action on the trailer (no trailer brakes) I wouldn't consider taking it on the highway PERIOD. With brakes on both axles adjusted to come on properly before my truck brakes begin to lock down I am very comfortable pulling the trailer anywhere. I have heard the argument that pulling a trailer without brakes is safe if you drive at a safe speed and plan ahead. That is well and good on your good days, but doesn't do much good when a child darts in front of you and you have to live with that the rest of your life.