Econoline Backhoe Pro - Owner Comments

[Beaux Duke]

I'm looking for input from owners of Econoline trailers but anyone is welcome to jump in and give me their two cents.

I've got an opportunity to purchase a 98 12 ton Econoline Backhoe Pro. It's a very stout trailer.

Work Trucks, Tractors & Heavy Equipment - Trailers - *ECONOLINE*

Yeah, it's a little rusty but for the most part is in good shape, straight with no obvious signs of abuse and it has a new oak floor. 4 new tires with 4 old ones with plenty of rubber. I know the guy selling it and trust him because he's my nephew.

Manufacturer's plate of origin says it weighs 5k lbs. My tractor weighs 8k lbs so I'm looking at 13k lbs give or take. My 5er RV tips the scales at around 12.5k so I know the truck is good for the weight.

My concern is the hitch weight. It has no weight distributing hitch so I'll have to be careful balancing the tractor to keep hitch weight down. The class 5 hitch on the truck is rated for 1k lbs without a weight distributing hitch. I see no way to adapt this trailer to use a WDH.

I don't plan to get into any sort of business so I won't be using the trailer much except for back and forth between my properties.

I'm thinking I'm going to be put in a class were I might need a CDL to be legal. That's not an issue for the most part. The roads I'll be traveling on aren't typically patrolled by the weight police.

Any thoughts, suggestions, warnings, tips?

 

[Builder]

I'm looking for input from owners of Econoline trailers but anyone is welcome to jump in and give me their two cents.

I've got an opportunity to purchase a 98 12 ton Econoline Backhoe Pro. It's a very stout trailer.

Work Trucks, Tractors & Heavy Equipment - Trailers - *ECONOLINE*

Yeah, it's a little rusty but for the most part is in good shape, straight with no obvious signs of abuse and it has a new oak floor. 4 new tires with 4 old ones with plenty of rubber. I know the guy selling it and trust him because he's my nephew.

Manufacturer's plate of origin says it weighs 5k lbs. My tractor weighs 8k lbs so I'm looking at 13k lbs give or take. My 5er RV tips the scales at around 12.5k so I know the truck is good for the weight.

My concern is the hitch weight. It has no weight distributing hitch so I'll have to be careful balancing the tractor to keep hitch weight down. The class 5 hitch on the truck is rated for 1k lbs without a weight distributing hitch. I see no way to adapt this trailer to use a WDH.

I don't plan to get into any sort of business so I won't be using the trailer much except for back and forth between my properties.

I'm thinking I'm going to be put in a class were I might need a CDL to be legal. That's not an issue for the most part. The roads I'll be traveling on aren't typically patrolled by the weight police.

Any thoughts, suggestions, warnings, tips?

My experience with Econoline is they are about the bottom of the barrel in quality, but they are affordable if you are just starting in business. They are very well know for the budget concious trailer buyer. Hence the name "Econoline"

There was a thread here last week about a guy with an Econoline that had underspeced weight plates.

I was talking to a trailer distributor last week and although he carries Econoline, he steers customers to other brands. Says he carries them for guys who don't have the $$ for a better brand.

The one you are referring to has the Econoline axles that have inside wheels & tires that are very difficult to access.

All that said, if it's a good buy and it looks roadworthy, get it. I kind of like it.

You won't need a CDL. Even if the trailer weighs 14K total, the total truck & trailer weight is still well under 26,001 lbs. That's an awful lot of trailer for a 2500. Might look real nice behind my 4800

 

[George2615]

The trailer part is simple. The pintle hitch on that trailer is a bolt on. It can be replaced with a bolt on hitch to fit your 2 5/16" ball. Then you could use your weight distributing hitch if you like.

As far as the trailer weight is concerned it depends on your state regulations.

Some states may require you to have a CDL to haul that trailer since the GCVWR of the trailer and your tow vehicle would be over 26,000 lb. For example: say the GVWR of your truck is 15000 and the GVWR of the trailer is 24000. That puts you at a GCVWR of 39000 lb. requiring a CDL A.

Some states only go by the actual weight of your combined load. Say your truck is 6000 plus tractor 8000 plus trailer 5000. That puts you at 19000 requiring only a regular license.

Check with your state motor vehicle carrier department to be sure what license you require. Have your trailer and truck GVWR's ready when you call them. Even though your truck, trailer and load is less than 26000 if the truck and trailer are registered for the GCVWR you may be illegal with a regular license.

 

[Beaux Duke]

The one you are referring to has the Econoline axles that have inside wheels & tires that are very difficult to access.

All that said, if it's a good buy and it looks roadworthy, get it. I kind of like it.

That's an awful lot of trailer for a 2500. Might look real nice behind my 4800

Yeah, I saw how the wheels were set up. Really unusual. There seems to be a need for alignment occasionally. They mention that in there literature. Kinda makes me wonder. I definitely think flat changing would be a chore.

As far as "totin' the load" the truck is up to the chore. I was hoping for some input from an owner as to how to handle flats.

I'm also wondering about the load on the hitch/receiver.

I've seen the conversion from pintle to ball but I wasn't able to find any that had a weight distribution option. At least not the kind I was looking for. My experience in towing has been for RV's. The tag on the receiver says a WDH allows 500 more lbs of hitch weight.

Hey! You thinkin' 'bout scooping up my trailer?

 

[Beaux Duke]

The trailer part is simple. The pintle hitch on that trailer is a bolt on. It can be replaced with a bolt on hitch to fit your 2 5/16" ball. Then you could use your weight distributing hitch if you like.

George, do you have a link for a WDH handy?

 

[Builder]

Yeah, I saw how the wheels were set up. Really unusual. There seems to be a need for alignment occasionally. They mention that in there literature. Kinda makes me wonder. I definitely think flat changing would be a chore.

As far as "totin' the load" the truck is up to the chore. I was hoping for some input from an owner as to how to handle such a problem.

I'm also wondering about the load on the hitch/receiver.

I've seen the conversion from pintle to ball but I wasn't able to find any that had a weight distribution option. At least not the kind I was looking for. My experience in towing has been for RV's. The tag on the receiver says a WDH allows 500 more lbs of hitch weight.

I've never see a ball hitch go up to 12 ton on a trailer. Your truck has the power to pull it, but not the suspension to handle it. You might be better off with a 12-14K bumper pull trailer or a 16K goose that's made for your size truck.
That Econoline is made for a class 6-8 truck I wouldn't tow that thing with anything less than a GMC6500 or IH4700, etc.

Hey! You thinkin' 'bout scooping up my trailer?

Only if you'll deliver it to me.


Light reading on WD hitches: http://www.etrailer.com/faq_weightdistribution.aspx

 

[Beaux Duke]

Well, I'm starting to waver. The price is what got me interested. And while it's an issue, it can be dealt with. I'm only over budget on this whole project by 55% anyway. My better half says that because I'm over budget I owe her a facelift.

Here's the conversion from pintle to ball that I've found.
Trailer Parts Superstore - 2-5/16" H.D. One Piece Cast Steel Coupler

Thanks for the light reading suggestion but I've got a little experience with the WD hitch. I had a travel trailer that had a WD hitch.

I think this might work but I'm not gaining much capacity.
Trailer Parts Superstore - Bent Bar Weight Distributing Hitch (1400 lb. TW), #48054
And the cost of the conversion will push me over the cost of a new 14K lbs, 18ft ball hitch trailer.

 

[Builder]

Well, I'm starting to waver. The price is what got me interested. And while it's an issue, it can be dealt with. I'm only over budget on this whole project by 55% anyway. My better half says that because I'm over budget I owe her a facelift.

Here's the conversion from pintle to ball that I've found.
Trailer Parts Superstore - 2-5/16" H.D. One Piece Cast Steel Coupler

The problem with that coupler is that it's only rated at 15K. The trailer is rated at 24K. You'd be selling your trailer short 9,000lbs on capacity. I know you don't need the full 24,000, but I thought it worth mentioning.

Thanks for the light reading suggestion but I've got a little experience with the WD hitch. I had a travel trailer that had a WD hitch.

I think this might work but I'm not gaining much capacity.
Trailer Parts Superstore - Bent Bar Weight Distributing Hitch (1400 lb. TW), #48054
And the cost of the conversion will push me over the cost of a new 14K lbs, 18ft ball hitch trailer.

I think you'd be happier with a newer lighter trailer built for your kind of truck.

I'll be waiting for you to deliver your cousin's Econoline to my shop.

 

[franklinute]

Hey Beaux Duke, Builder is right Econoline is generally one of the least expensive trailers priced and built on the market. I bought a brand new one in the early 80's that was the 12 ton model with the boogie axles. I purchased it directly from the factory and pulled it home with my pickup truck. The inside tires on these short axles are a pain to change and a pain to check the air pressure. Also think about wheel bearing maintenance and brake repair. I loaded mine with a JD450C track loader and pulled with an IH dump truck. The combo really worked well because I travelled less than 25 miles from home. Luckily I rarely had flat tires but after many years the axles got out of line and tire tread would wear unevenly. The model I have did not have a way to adjust this. One benefit with 8 tires and 8 hubs you get 8 brake sets and the brakes really worked well. This type of trailer does a good job hauling a backhoe or frontend loader where you can get 75-80% of the machine weght on the trailer axles. For example if you put a tractor and bushhog on this you would have a lot of tongue weight.
About 5 years ago I put on 3 8k axles, new paint, new floor, new wires and lights, DOT reflective tape found a heavy duty ball hitch from Croft Trailer Supply and have been much happier with the triaxle setup.

 

[George2615]

Here's a link to a pintle to ball bolt on conversion. Its rated for 25000 lb and 5K tongue weight. I'm sure there are other companies that sell them as well. This happened to be the first one that popped up in a search.
The WD hitch you posted will work fine. It will distribute up to 1400 lb with those bars.


Convert-A-Ball Pintle Hitches