how much weight is too much

[wilely250]

im in the hard wood business and have a trailor that i might beef up to haul 3 cords of hard wood. a cord weighs around 5000 lbs thats a total of 15000 lb. is that too much weight for a 1983 f250 6.9.not really worried about going slow but don't want to wreck my truck.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

In the U.S. you need a Class A CDL to tow anything over 10K. I assume there are similar regs there in Canada.

15K is a lot of weight to tow. I had 14,300# behind my truck the other day and I was nervous. Keep in mind my truck has 3 times the capacity of a 3/4 ton pickup truck.

 

[icanfixall]

The brakes on your truck will not handle this weight. The frame and motor can but stopping it is the problem. Any accident and somebody gets hurt and you will be breaking rocks in the big house.

 

[wilely250]

would three 6000 lb axles with electric breaks on each axle solve the breaking problem?

 

[wilely250]

would three 6000 lb axles with electric breaks on each solve the breaking problem?

 

[icanfixall]

That would be fine for me and most others but... What happens when you loose the trailer brakes? Thats the real kicker for anybody down here. I feel the brakes on the truck should be able to stop the truck with a load on it if the trailer brakes fail for whatever reason. In your case I don't think that can be done safely but its your load. Check with the local truckers or find the state highway patrol and ask. You can always use the information you gain for many other things....

 

[wilely250]

thanks, guess i'll play it safe and go with the smaller load until i can afford a bigger truck. and maybe even a dump

 

[Andylad13]

thats the way to go. i've pulled over 10,000lbs before and that was with perfect brakes and a new trailer. it was ok, not great.

you have to think, would hauling 3 cord be worth the risk of potentially hurting your truck, depending on your gearing and transmission and driving habbits? Or other drivers if something goes wrong on the road?

 

[jimraelee]

That would be fine for me and most others but... What happens when you loose the trailer brakes? Thats the real kicker for anybody down here. I feel the brakes on the truck should be able to stop the truck with a load on it if the trailer brakes fail for whatever reason..

And Semi trucks fall into this catagory???

 

[wilely250]

could anyone suggest what kind of a tk would haul this weight and not be too expensive?

 

[Mr_Roboto]

And Semi trucks fall into this catagory???

Semi trucks have spring brakes. If a brake line breaks, the brakes apply and the truck stops.

Granted brakes can wear out, but drivers are required by law to inspect their brake shoes daily for wear.

 

[87crewdually]

From a law stand point, Nj tiltle 39 somewhere states set weights depending on a set measurement from axle to axle.
IIRC is was something like 14' = 40000lbs. I'll look it up tommorow.

In the upcoming months I haul a 35' 5th wheel flat tri-axle when loaded is about 14K lbs.
No issues at all and actually stops better then if I wasn't towing anything at all.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Another question. Where will you find "bumper pull" hitch rated for 15,000#?

As far as a truck to handle the weight, I would suggest a medium duty dump truck such as a International 1700 or Ford F750, and carry the load in the bed.

 

[BROWNIEBOY525]

you could always find a decent used medium duty truck for a couple grand

 

[Shadetreemechanic]

could anyone suggest what kind of a tk would haul this weight and not be too expensive?

What transmission and gears do you have? If you have 4.10s, a good transmission cooler if its automatic, and trailer brakes I would go for it with what youv'e got. I am assuming you are talking gooseneck, not bumper pull.

The superduty 250s and 350s are rated for 20,000lbs gross combined, and you wouldn't be far from that.
But she'll be slow, thats for sure. especially if you have an automatic.