Your towing rigs and trailers

[ultrarunner]

Manufacturer web site says 2940#. That's likely without the mega ramps though, so add a bit for them.

Rob

Thanks Rob... my "Tow" vehicle is my 91 Silverado 1/2 ton... so my options are limited.

It does tow my 16' enclosed car trailer but car and trailer total about 5,000 lbs.

 

[BigBlue1]

Thanks Rob... my "Tow" vehicle is my 91 Silverado 1/2 ton... so my options are limited.

It does tow my 16' enclosed car trailer but car and trailer total about 5,000 lbs.

A trailer like that would really limit the cargo capacity for the tow vehicle you have.

ETA: An older 1/2 ton P/U probably has a towing capacity of 5000-7000#. With a trailer over 3000# empty that doesn't give you much extra capacity for cargo. Certainly nowhere near the overall capability of the 14K trailer. Certainly understand someone wanting to buy a heavier trailer now with the intent of having a bigger tow vehicle someday though.

Rob

 

[schmism]

A trailer like that would really limit the cargo capacity for the tow vehicle you have.

Rob

edit - miss read the total weight of the trailer/cargo

 

[Wakey]

A swallow?
African?

How do you know so much about swallows?

 

[ptsg]

Here is my tow rig setup. Slightly different setup on this side of the pond from what you are used to. I'm still new to this trailer deal, so I'm still trying different loading configurations to keep things balanced.

Truck weight: 4500 lbs
Trailer weight: 1200 lbs
Tractor with mower weigth: 4200 lbs
Total: 9900 lbs

The trailer's license plate is mounted on a small door with a key lock that can open to slide the ramps out of the shelf/drawer I've built under the trailer bed. I've also made support legs to use when loading.

 

[3930dave]

Here is my tow rig setup. Slightly different setup on this side of the pond from what you are used to. I'm still new to this trailer deal, so I'm still trying different loading configurations to keep things balanced.

Truck weight: 4500 lbs
Trailer weight: 1200 lbs
Tractor with mower weigth: 4200 lbs
Total: 9900 lbs

The trailer's license plate is mounted on a small door with a key lock that can open to slide the ramps out of the shelf/drawer I've built under the trailer bed. I've also made support legs to use when loading.

Interesting.

I'd need to see a full side shot to be sure, but from that one picture those axles look somewhat more centered (horizontally) than I'm used to seeing here on commercial trailers.

Is the trailer an agricultural or industrial one ?

Rgds, D.

 

[aczlan]

Interesting.

I'd need to see a full side shot to be sure, but from that one picture those axles look somewhat more centered (horizontally) than I'm used to seeing here on commercial trailers.

Is the trailer an agricultural or industrial one ?

Rgds, D.

The axles are further forward than what we have on most U.S. trailers. European trailers are setup to run Mustang weight then U.S. trailers. Not sure how they don't run into issues with a lack of tongue weight, but apparently it works for them. That same vehicle here in the U.S. would probably be rated to tow 3500 pounds or less not 5400 pounds or more.

Aaron Z

 

[ptsg]

This is a standard road trailer here in Europe. We have agricultural trailers but can only be towed by tractors.

The axles are pretty much centered with the trailer bed of the trailer, not the trailer with the tongue. This allow just the right tongue weight to be driving just fine.

Of course, you need to keep in mind that you have to balance the load. Too much or not enough tongue weight can be really dangerous. European trucks are not ready to take a lot of weight over the rear axle.

My truck can tow up to 6200 lbs since it's a short version. Some longer trucks can tow up to 7700 lbs. My trailer has 6000 lbs of gross weight.

However when using trailer above 1650 lbs gross weight, we have to take a driving test to be allow to tow up to 7700 lbs, which is the max capacity by law.

Here is a side picture.

 

[3930dave]

This is a standard road trailer here in Europe. We have agricultural trailers but can only be towed by tractors.

The axles are pretty much centered with the trailer bed of the trailer, not the trailer with the tongue. This allow just the right tongue weight to be driving just fine.

Of course, you need to keep in mind that you have to balance the load. Too much or not enough tongue weight can be really dangerous. European trucks are not ready to take a lot of weight over the rear axle.

My truck can tow up to 6200 lbs since it's a short version. Some longer trucks can tow up to 7700 lbs. My trailer has 6000 lbs of gross weight.

However when using trailer above 1650 lbs gross weight, we have to take a driving test to be allow to tow up to 7700 lbs, which is the max capacity by law.

Here is a side picture.

What is the target tongue weight (% of load) for those designs ? Definitely different than here.... if you look at something like this BigTex, you'll see how far back the axles are positioned.....

Big Tex Trailers 45SS Economy Tandem Axle Pipe Top Trailer

Some of that relates to vehicle sizing here, but IMO it's more idiotproofing/trailers-designed-by-lawyers..... both designs can work safely, but your ratios require somewhat more thought/action by the owner.....

It's always interesting to see how much more (what we consider) small trucks are "factory" rated to tow in other markets

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

The axles are further forward than what we have on most U.S. trailers. European trailers are setup to run Mustang weight then U.S. trailers. Not sure how they don't run into issues with a lack of tongue weight, but apparently it works for them. That same vehicle here in the U.S. would probably be rated to tow 3500 pounds or less not 5400 pounds or more.

Aaron Z

I think gravity varies a lot depending on your Lat/Long...... :laughing:

DarnYouAutoCorrect...... Mustang ?

Rgds, D.