New to towing, need some help .

[homelessduck]

My truck is a '94 7.3 idit ext. cab,4x4,srw. I am looking at a 32' flat bed tandem axle trailer. I would probably cut it down a few feet. I would like to haul things from a full size diesel to hay.

My main concern is not being legal. What are the weight/ size limits for someone without special permits or license? How do you determine the safe towing weight for your truck/trailer? I don't plan on hauling super heavy loads, just whatever my truck can safely handle.

I know absolutely nothing about towing so any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[homelessduck]

Also, if anyone has any input on the trailer I might buy ... It's a factory built 16' and the guy I'm buying it from paid to have it extended 8' in the front and 8' in the back. He said it's weight rating is 7k lbs. Is that per axle or total? Does that mean if I weigh the trailer and load and it weighs 7001 lbs I am over loaded?

 

[leswhitt]

A good place to start is to look at your hitch and your tires. You don't want to pull more than your hitch can safely hold and you also don't want to overload your rear tires. On that 16ft trailer, I doubt you'll have much capacity left since the weight rating is 7K total, including the trailer itself. Just a WAG but your trailer is probably close to 2.5K-3K which means you won't have much weight left.

How much is he asking for the trailer? Unless it's an absolute steal of a deal, I'd stay away. If you're looking at 32 ft, you're better off (IMHO) with a gooseneck anyway.

 

[homelessduck]

Thank you for the great information! The trailer was $1400 but he sold it out from under me. I'm looking at a 17' tandem axle flat bed tomorrow. The rated weight it can haul is axle rating + axle rating for a tandem axle, correct ? This one has two 3500 axles so it is rated at 7k ? How is the weight rating for the truck calculated?

 

[tanman_2006]

There should be a sticker in the door for rear axle rating and that is the same. If your rear axle is rated for 5K (no idea what yours is) then you should weigh 5K with rear axles on the scales only. Usually only have 1-2K left on the rear for tounge wt after counting the unloaded weight.

Depending on where you live these numbers can be fudged. With permits and CDL the DMV is your only limit, if they tag you for it DOT cant do much about it.

 

[leswhitt]

There should be a sticker in the door for rear axle rating and that is the same. If your rear axle is rated for 5K (no idea what yours is) then you should weigh 5K with rear axles on the scales only. Usually only have 1-2K left on the rear for tounge wt after counting the unloaded weight.

Depending on where you live these numbers can be fudged. With permits and CDL the DMV is your only limit, if they tag you for it DOT cant do much about it.

You can also Google your truck and find the factory ratings online. I just did a search and here's a thread that talks about it.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f30/towing-capacity-94-f-350-idi-turbo-148849/

Excerpt from the thread.

figure out the axle code then look up the data here:


Axle codes:

F-150/250/350 non ls

Code Manufacturer Rating Ratio Notes (Mine, not f/r book)
13 Ford 3750 4.11 Ford 9"???
14 Ford 3750 3.00
16 Ford 3750 3.50
17 Ford 3750 2.47
18 Ford 3750 3.08
19 Ford 3750 3.55
22 Dana 5300 4.10 Dana 60?
23 Dana 5300 3.54
24 Dana 5300 3.73
26 Ford 4050 3.55 Unknown
31 Dana 6250 3.07 Dana 61
32 Dana 6250 4.10
33 Dana 6250 3.54
72 Dana 6300 4.10 Dana 70 3/4 ton
73 Dana 6300 3.54
42 Dana 7400 4.10 D70 Dually???
43 Dana 7400 3.54
52 Dana 7400 4.10 Why not same as above?
53 Dana 7400 3.54
62 Dana 8200 4.10
63 Dana 8200 3.54

L/S axles
H3 Ford 3750 4.10 9"?
H4 Ford 3750 3.00
H6 Ford 3750 3.50
H7 Ford 3750 3.08
H8 Ford 3750 3.55
B2 Dana 5300 4.10 D60?
B3 Dana 5300 3.54
B4 Dana 5300 3.73
C2 Dana 6250 4.10 D61??
C3 Dana 6250 3.54
G2 Dana 6300 4.10 Definetly a D70
G3 Dana 6300 3.54
D2 Dana 7400 4.10
D3 Dana 7400 3.54


Note the similarity between the ls and non l/s codes. The only axle id's I am sure of would be g2 being a dana 70-2u, and 31 must be a dana 61. Others are strongly suspected based on rating. Confirmation would be helpful. Also, I believe the same codes were used at least through much of the 80's.

GCWR Ratings:
Manual Trans:
Engine Rear end ratio GCWR
4.9 2.47 5450
3.08 6450
3.50 7800
3.54 7800
3.55 7800
3.73 L.D. 7800
3.73 H.D. 10000
4.10 10000

5.0-2 BBl 3.08 6450
3.54 7800
3.55 7800
3.73 7800

5.0-EFI 3.08 6450
3.54 7800
3.55 7800
3.73 7800

5.8 3.50 7800
3.54 7800
3.73 7800
4.10 9000

6.9 3.07 9000
3.54 13000
4.10 14000

7.5 3.07 9000
3.54 11500
4.10 16000

Note: 3.54 & 4.10 w/ 6.9 add 1000# w/ T-19 wide ratio.


Automatic trans:
4.9 3.08 9000
3.50 10000
3.54 10000
3.55 10000
3.73 10500 - note 2
4.10 - note 1 11000

5.0-Carb 3.50 10000
3.54 10000
3.55 10000
3.73 11000
4.10 11000
4.11 11000

5.0-EFI 3.50 11500
3.54 11500
3.55 11500
3.73 12000
4.10 12500
4.11 12500

5.8-2 BBL 3.50 10000
3.54 10000
3.73 11000
4.10 11000

5.8-4 BBL 3.50 10000 - note 3
3.54 11500
3.73 11500
4.10 12500

6.9 3.07 10500
3.54 12000
4.10 14000

7.5 3.07 12000
3.54 15000
4.10 18500

Notes:
1. Heavy duty engine only - 8500+ gvw
2. 10500# for heavy duty (8500+ gvw) only. Light duty (8500- gvw) 10000# gcwr
3. F-150 4x2

Note: Max trailer frontal area is 60 sq ft. Devalue 2% for every 1000ft elivation.

 

[homelessduck]

Thanks! ! I really appreciate it

 

[leswhitt]

Did you buy a trailer yet? If so, what'd you end up going with? If not, did you change your mind and start looking at a gooseneck?

 

[homelessduck]

I ended up buying a 16' flat bed. It is long enough and wide enough to easily fit a full size ford which was hard to find. Most of the ones I looked at weren't wide enough. This one has plenty of width clearance even for wider tires.