putting a rotary cutter on top of pickup bed

[audiski86]

I plan on going ~300 miles down to PA to pick up a Woods BB720 (~1100 lbs) and I really would like to avoid the trailer if I can. I am thinking of placing a maybe 4 telephone/power company crossarms across my bed rails and put the mower on top. Truck is a dodge 2500 cummins; the weight is no issue. Do you think I can safely do it? I think I can, the bed rails have diamond plate and the wood is somewhat rough so there is some friction. I can use 2" ratchet straps and get it tight, and even put verticals behind the rear window protecting that. It isn't necessarily ideal as a flatbed would be, but i will save bigtime on fuel. I tested it out with a JD MX6 the other day and it seemed to sit nicely on there. Can I get any hassle from dot, etc or could it be fine?

thanks, i'm ready for the comments against it..

 

[downslope]

I asked a similar question about a year ago.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/181973-moving-6-ft-brushog.html
You can read all the responses, but I ended up moving it with a small single axle (probably 3,000 lb) utility trailer that was wide enough. It worked perfectly and I think had negligible effect on gas mileage, maybe 1 mpg less on the return trip.

What you want to do should work also, just be sure it's well secured. The little trailer was easier for me and I didn't want to bang up the truck.

 

[slowzuki]

I wouldn't, if you rear ended someone it would be sitting in your cab. I've set them in angled so the body catches the box, and I've taken a small utility trailer before. If you want, pop the utility trailer into the box on the way there.

 

[aczlan]

If you do it, use square timbers instead of telephone poles, then set the rear wheels against the front of the cab, or look into setting one side in the bed and hang the other over the siderail. Then strap the whole thing down really well.

Aaron Z

 

[audiski86]

I thought about setting it in angles so that one side is down and the other is up on a rail, but that would make me nervous with the pressure outward on a stock bed side rail.

My cousin and neighbor have somewhat smaller trailers I might be able to use, but my gooseneck weighs ~6500 and is way overkill for that distance trip.

 

[aczlan]

I thought about setting it in angles so that one side is down and the other is up on a rail, but that would make me nervous with the pressure outward on a stock bed side rail.

My cousin and neighbor have somewhat smaller trailers I might be able to use, but my gooseneck weighs ~6500 and is way overkill for that distance trip.

How about this:

Key:
Black is the truck bed
Red is the bracing
Blue is the cutter.

Aaron Z

 

[beppington]

I thought about setting it in angles so that one side is down and the other is up on a rail, but that would make me nervous with the pressure outward on a stock bed side rail.

I think if you could actually measure the outward pressure on the rail, it wouldn't be much at all. I think most of the pressure will still be downward pressure, & most of it will be on the lower side (inside the bed).

Somebody here can probably do the actual math, knowing the total weight (1,100 lbs), if you know the height of your rail (18"?) & the interior width of the bed (6'?) ... However, I can not

 

[Diamondpilot]

Why own a trailer if you are not going to use it? No way I would put it on any of my 3 trucks. Just pay the fuel penalty, not much behind a diesel truck with that light of a load, and take the trailer.

You are over thinking this.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

i'd angle it in to keep a panic stop from having it shave the top of the cab and your head off.

soundguy

 

[Code54]

I would angle it with some wood braces and a bunch of heavy tie downs....