Couple of towing questions

[paesan]

First of all I read a lot of the archive and I am still puzzled by the same questions.



My story is that I want to buy a 46 ft trailer 3 axles with hydraulic brakes. The trailer is aluminum and weights 9000 lbs. The cars that I will be towing weight 6000 pound.



First question is if my trailer towing capacity is 13700 legally, how much in trouble am I, really. Is there any way I can upgrade the truck so it will not be a problem with the laws.

reason why i ask that is that I read about guys towing 15000 to 18000 lbs with no problems. But what risks am I running and I do have a CDL A so I don't care about being over the 26000.



Second question is what can I do to improve or increase my towing capacity.



Third question is goosneck or fifth wheel can anyone point me to a website that gives me pro and cons of each.



Thanks for the help

 

[csevers]

need more info

We need more infor on truck set up

My thinking is if you are looking for piece of mind you can upgrade almost all aspects of the truck power drive train brakes springs and such but the dot being anal is only going to look in the door jam for the gvwr or gcvwr and hand you a ticket for the overage I tow some what heavy up to 28k gross and am plated for 26k I can't remember the truck rating and don't care, the trailer is rated for 14k I tow what is needed and keep close eyes out for cops.

Thats my opinion

good luck

 

[paesan]

I intend to buy (actually been waiting on still in D status) a 2003 Dodge 3500 SLT Ext cab long bed dual wheels 4x4, 6 speed manual 3. 73 diff. I learned that the truck can do it and I do intend on installing a engine brake.



So since I have to stop thru the weght stations will they give me a ticket there or will they care less and let me go. I have 3 7000 lbs axles so i know I can't be fined for that. but I might be fined for the GCWR. Will they stop me there?

 

[pkennedy]

A quick phone call to the local DOT or weigh scale and they should be able to answer all questions- weights, tolerance and fine schedule. If you exceed manufacturers specs you will probably be charged and sued in case of an accident and DOT investigators will prove you in the wrong as well as your insurance might be void- nothing serious

 

[rob10858]

again, to make it simple, your trailer has a max weight rating equal to the axle combinations. you probably have a "take three" trailer like ours. you can't change the stamped gvwr of the truck or trailer, the combination of those two stamped ratings determine your combination weight. you have to have the max comb rating on your truck's gvwr registration, if they exceed 26001, you are commercial , if you travel interstate for any type of commerce. that's what concerns me about the 2003 dually's. if they go from 10500 to 12000 or 13000 lbs our company has just lost one ton of total hauling capacity, even though the truck is better suited. why not get cdl's for all of our drivers? just look at the expense and hassels that being more regulated for a small interstate turfgrass company... .