Weight Distribution/Sway - Loading

[Builder]

Are you sure your tractor weighs 10,200lbs?

Hate to see you go thru all that trouble if you're weight calc is off by 500lbs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would double check all the weighs and then make your decisions. As for being 500# over that is not much and too me would not be worth taking the bucket and other stuff off for.

Chris

 

[burnetma]

I asked Econoline that question and they told me the person I need to speak to is out of the office. So, I have to wait until Monday to find out for sure, but the tires on the unit are TIGHT to the frame.

This trailer is a 2005. The new trailers do have bigger tires, but I can not find that size tire listed anywhere to determine the load range.

 

[burnetma]

I drove the tractor down to the local transfer station and took it across the scales. I intend to do the same thing with the trailer to confirm that it weighs 4500 lbs, but I have no doubt in my mind that it does. The trailer is extremely well built. It is so disappointing that the tires are so suspect.

I agree that this is not a lot overweight. That is why I said that I will load it up and take a look at it. I just hate it that I spent good money thinking I was getting the safest possible set-up and ended up falling short.

Thanks all for the input. I will update Monday after I heard back from Econoline.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes, it is very sad they built a trailer that did not stand up to the specs. In reality they should make it right. File a complaint with the Better Business people if they refuse.

If I buy a 10K trailer for a boat I would expect the weakest link to be 10K rated or better. I think you have a legitimate argument if you bought the trailer new and its not what you paid for.


Just goes to show that with this post and the Big Tex wiring problems we need to check over the trailers we buy and make sure we no what we are getting.

Chris

 

[Highbeam]

You might want to check the ball hitch on the trailer side too. Those things have ratings and a 14000lb bumper pull trailer requires a bunch of rare parts at the hitch end. Your WD system for example is often rated to 10k.

I put on all the WD stuff and tighten the bars on the empty trailer and then load the tractor. I do it that way because I never remove the spring bars from the hitch head. As the rear end of the truck is lifted by the tractor weight on the back of the trailer, the spring bars get really loose.

I too just upgraded trucks to an F350 to be sure to have plenty of safety margin.