Can I trailer this tractor

[mlitt12345]

Hello all, would like to buy a trailer to pull my tractor and was needing advice on which trailer to get, Bumper pull or Gooseneck? Can I pull it with my 2003 2wd Chevy 2500 long bed truck? Has 6.0L engine, 3.73 gears, has trailer package and the sticker on driver side door shows GVWR 8600 lbs. The tractor is a 2005 Mahindra 4110 4WD with loader. Tractor weighs 3970lbs, loader 1150lbs, rear tires 16.9 x 24 are loaded and guessing aprox. 1000lbs, total tractor weight 6120lbs + a implement either bush hog, disc or box blade. Any advice appreciated, Thanks Mike

 

[Egon]

Gooseneck would be preferable as your towing weight should be higher.

Where I come from The bumper pull is limited to 10K for the 96 Dodge I have.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We need more info. I have trailer towing book that will give me all the specifics. You said its a long bed but what cab?

Also I think you are wrong on the gear ratio. The only gear I show in 2003 6.0 trucks is 4.10. If its extended cab its 10,200# tow limit, crew cab is 9,900# tow limit, and regular cab is 10,600# tow limit.

My guess is you will be right on the ragged edge with that gear and motor combo.

You will need a 12K trailer. I do not think a 10K would give you enough wiggle room on weight. Figure the trailer is going to weigh 2,500# for a bumper pull and by the time you put a implement and your chains and stuff to secure you load weight will be right at 7,500# or so plus the trailers weight.

Chris

 

[farmboy12]

We tow up to 13k frequently with our '03 2500 6.0, ext cab, long bed, 4x4, i guess it has 4.10 or 3.73. We tow that 13k on a 16+4 24k bumper pull. The trailer is very heavy duty, weighing in at about 4500lbs empty. So, you and your less than 10k load should be fine.


Kyle

 

[radman1]

Get a 10-12K rated trailer with at least 20', especially if have attachment. I could go either BP or GN for that load and have used both. I would not have any inssues with the size of your truck.

 

[mlitt12345]

It is a reg cab. So a bumper pull 20' 12k trailer would be safe. What about gooseneck size, I know they are alot heavier, would a 20'-25' with 7k axles making it a 14k capacity trailer be ok also or would it be to much weight for my truck to pull....Thanks for your info...Mike

 

[Diamondpilot]

It is a reg cab. So a bumper pull 20' 12k trailer would be safe. What about gooseneck size, I know they are alot heavier, would a 20'-25' with 7k axles making it a 14k capacity trailer be ok also or would it be to much weight for my truck to pull....Thanks for your info...Mike

You do not have enough truck to LEGALLY handle a GN and your load. My neighbor has a 25' GN trailer and its 5,800# empty. Thats 1/2 your tow rating. Even a light weight 20' GN would be in the 4,200# range.

Legally with your truck, and you should verify if its 4.10 gears, would limit you to a 10,400# trailer. That is a trailer with twin 5.2K axles. That is because your tow limit is 10,600#. You could get a 20' BP trailer with dual 5,200# axles that would weigh in at around 3,000# empty with spare tire and chains leaving you with 7,200# for payload. You will just have to watch what you put on it. The only way around this is get more truck.

Chris

 

[mlitt12345]

Thanks for the info.......that helps steer me in the right direction......Thanks Mike

 

[oldtractors]

I don't know about your state, but LEGALLY, the fed DOT could care less about what the sales literature says about your truck. As long as the GVWR of your truck (8600) plus the trailer (likely 14,000) is less than 26,000 you don't need a CDL. As long as you pay the license fees for the weight you are hauling, the government will be happy. Your 2500 will be fine with what you want to haul.

 

[wkpoor]

I don't know about your state, but LEGALLY, the fed DOT could care less about what the sales literature says about your truck. As long as the GVWR of your truck (8600) plus the trailer (likely 14,000) is less than 26,000 you don't need a CDL. As long as you pay the license fees for the weight you are hauling, the government will be happy. Your 2500 will be fine with what you want to haul.

I agree!
I don't know Alabama but Ohio is as stated above. Anyone who has ever attended a local fair will know that tons of tandem dualys roll in on trucks just like yours with alot more weight. I pull a 14K BP 20+4 deckover and move my 9500lb JD all the time with my 3500 Express van. Admittedly I won't go cross country with it but for local missions 50mi or less from home its does fine. If I'm loaded to 10K or less its not a problem at all. In fact the load you mentioned sounds on the light side. Even with a 4000+ lb trailer your still going to be well under 10K total weight. I don't see the issue. Go for it either BP or GN.

 

[Mace Canute]

Here's is what the Saskatchewan Government has to say about licence requirements for pulling trailers:

"Do I need a special driver's licence to tow a trailer?

You are not required to obtain a special driver's licence when operating common trailers such as recreational, utility, small farm and commercial trailers. However, if you are planning on towing larger trailers, a Heavy Trailer/Restricted licence or a Class 1 licence may be necessary. A trailer and its load weighing over 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) meets the definition of a Class 1 vehicle.

If you wish to tow trailers weighing over 4,600 kg, but don't wish to drive power unit semi-trailers, buses or three-axle trucks, you may have your Class 5 licence endorsed to operate two-axle trucks towing over 4,600 kg. To obtain this licence you must meet approved medical and vision standards, pass a heavy trailer written test and a road test in a vehicle which meets the requirements for the driver licence class applied for.

Once these requirements have been completed you will receive "G" endorsement. A "G" endorsement will allow the driver to operate two-axle trucks (not including two-axle power units) towing trailers in excess of 4,600 kg.

If you wish to drive only when accompanied by a Class 1 driver or a driver with a heavy trailer endorsement, you may obtain learner's privileges by completing only the medical and written requirements."

I cannot, with my standard run of the mill basic Class 5 Licence, legally tow a trailer if the trailer and it's load weigh over 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs). It has nothing to do with the truck or trailer registration and plates. I either have to have a Class 1 Licence or a "G" endorsement on my Class 5 Licence. Class 1 here is the top of the line licence and would correspond to a CDL.
The point of all this is make sure your licence covers you for the total weight you will be pulling. Not licenced means no insurance here, maybe the same for you?

 

[Ryan03]

If you can get the load balanced correctly,and drive with common sense, you should be fine towing it localy. I occasionaly tow a case 85xt skidsteer with steel tracks and a bradco grapple bucket, 10k ish with trailer with my 03 chev 2500hd reg cab 4x4. I am running a diesel, so I have a little more power to spare than your gasser, but chassis wise your truck will handle it if you are careful.

I recently moved a 1994 Kubota L3750 4x4 with loader, loaded rears {28's} and a 6ft woods brush hog. I am guestimating the total machine weight to be around 7500 +2200 for the trailer. Again, the 2500 handled the weight fine.

The skid steer tows on a pintle, and the tractor was towed on a 2 5/16 ball. My advice to you is to take your time balancing the load properly, and drive conservatively and cautiously. Finaly, be honest with yourself and your skill level towing a trailer, my wife tows our atv's on an open car trailer just fine, but I would never turn her loose on the skid steer with her limited towing experience.

 

[mlitt12345]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm new at this and see the reason for manufacture ratings to prevent liability issues but common sense has to come to play also........I don't understand how by having a diesel engine can allow you to tow 3-6000 more lbs. The chassis are the same, the brakes are the same so the diesel can pull up the hill or from a stop faster because of torque but how is it safer when it comes to sudden stops etc. Maybe I'm missing something here. I know a gooseneck will pull my 6200lbs tractor a whole lot better then a bumper pull and prob safer....but, it puts me overweight because of the heaviness of the gooseneck trailer. For instance I have a 6200lbs tractor, 1000lbs implement-chains-etc, and lets say 4800lb gooseneck....totaling 12000lbs.....by my vehicles specs 2003 chevy 2500 6.0l gasser I'm 1400lbs overweight but if I had the 2500 duramax diesel same truck it is ok. It makes me scratch my head with what to do............some of you say stay within manufacture limits and some say no problem...pull it. Thanks Mike

 

[Diamondpilot]

99% of the reason the diesel can handle more than your 6.0 is the tranny. I have pulled nearly 70,000# with my F-250 Powerstroke. Ok, it was on flat ground and it was a semi loaded with carpet that had a broken drive shaft but if anything was going to give it would have been in the drive line.

With the diesel engine or even the big blocks like the V-10 Ford or 8.1 GM you get a much better tranny and heavier drive line.

Chris

 

[wkpoor]

99% of the reason the diesel can handle more than your 6.0 is the tranny. I have pulled nearly 70,000# with my F-250 Powerstroke. Ok, it was on flat ground and it was a semi loaded with carpet that had a broken drive shaft but if anything was going to give it would have been in the drive line.

With the diesel engine or even the big blocks like the V-10 Ford or 8.1 GM you get a much better tranny and heavier drive line.

Chris

Chris, I gotta call ya on that. The 4L80E (basically turbo400 w/overdrive) is one tough tranny as is the 14Bolt corporate rear end. Both are common in 3/4 and 1ton GM trucks for years. Got a friend who has a pullin truck with both and puts 800+hp through them and has never busted either in years of pullin. The 4L80E is close to the Allison...it just lacks the # of gears. A 4L80E would have no trouble behind a stock Duramax. And if the DM is not stock a 400 turbo can be built to take that too.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Heres my 2 cents. You will be absolutely fine with your truck.You only NEED a 9900 or 10K trailer,if you see yourself buying a bigger tractor or heavier attachments,go with a 12K now,otherwise most 10K 20 fters weigh around 2000-2300 lbs,leaving you 7500lbs easily for the load,which has you covered.In addition you will be putting close to 1000lbs on the trailer tongue,so your trailer axles will be under or around 4000lbs each,on a 5200 axle,no problem there.Your tow vehicle is plenty for the average user,a diesel isnt necessary at all,your setup is very safe,I would consider adding a stronger hitch than the factory one,thats the weakest link in your setup now.

 

[mlitt12345]

I went ahead and got a Gooseneck. It is a 8' x 20'+4' dovetail with two 7k axles with brakes. I bought it used, it is a 2005 (year) model and made by Black Brothers....never heard of them but the trailer seems to be made nicely. I was really impressed how well the trailer pulled behind my 3/4 ton Chevy and was alot more stable then a 10k bumper pull that I borrowed. I know I'm overweight with this trailer, like Diamondpilot said, " this trailer is half my tow rating," but the 6.0 gaser didn't strain to much and there isn't any mountains here and now I have a bigger trailer for when I upgrade my truck. Thanks for everyones input............Mike

 

[Diamondpilot]

Looks like a nice balance setup. Just curious what that trailer weighs empty? Looks like its on the lighter side for a GN of that length which is a good thing in you case. Thanks for the pics.

Also be careful with that diamond plate tail and wet wheels or frost.

Chris

 

[mlitt12345]

Chris, I have no idea, I'm guessing 4000-4500lbs. Would it be on a data plate somewhere on the trailer? I will look tomorrow and see. Thinking of what I can weld on that diamond plate for better traction, maybe some angle or rebar........any ideas?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris, I have no idea, I'm guessing 4000-4500lbs. Would it be on a data plate somewhere on the trailer? I will look tomorrow and see. Thinking of what I can weld on that diamond plate for better traction, maybe some angle or rebar........any ideas?

Not sure on the weight but it is only on some states titles. May or may not be on the data plate. I weight all my trailers and trucks. I first take the truck with just me in it and 3/4 tank of fuel. I then go back to the same scale with my trailer on the truck and weigh the rig then do the math. I have a label make so I make up a sticker and put it inside the trucks door and then one on the trailer with the data. Kind of **** but I tow so much and own 3 trucks its the only way I can keep it all straight. I live 1.5 miles from a gravel pit and they weight me for free since I buy product from them time to time.

As for traction I would get some no skid black paint and try it first. They put a sand grit in it.

Chris