Max recommended trailer length for a SRW

[HBarlow]

DThweatt,

Each to his own goes the old adage, but I wouldn't drive that rig of your around a city block let alone on a highway at speed.

It is obvious that it APPEARS overloaded from just looking at a photograph. Can you not see that the rear end sags lower than the front? Do you not know that a DOT officer sees that and forms the same suspicion I do? If you are driving/hauling that rig all over the US you are lucky. You are only getting away with it because you are a private RVer, generally exempt under DOT regulations.

The determining factor of whether your truck is overloaded is rear axle weight. The limit is set by the TWO rear tires. The carrying capacity is stamped on each tire. It is approximately 3400 lbs. so your rear axle weight limit is 6800 lbs. The capacity of the axle is irrelevant.

Please understand, it is not my intention to be offensive here. I don't really care what you choose to drive. It is your truck, your trailer, your responsibility.

My interest is the silent readers of this forum who come here to learn. I want those silent readers to realize that your rig is only one man's choice, not a choice most of us would make. Even if the rear axle weight is slightly under the tire capacity limit, I consider it simply unsafe and would not drive it.

 

[DThweatt]

agreed.



but to say a 30tt is the limit on a srw truck is also a bit biased.



what you cant see is that running toyo 285/70/17 10 ply tire the rear is set for 3750# per tire. not the factory 3400#



that was my point.



its not for everyone and I have a little experience with commercial enforcement.



I did get offended by his comment. Its just that people have to realize that all states are not equal when it comes to DMV regualtions. only federal regualtions apply across the country.





but I am carefull and it is not commercial.



Ive seen WAY overloaded trucks on the highway and no requierments due to them being FARM exempt.



Its just that the OP asked a question and I have some experience with this long of a setup.



also the photo does show it sag a little but the parking lot is at a uphill slope and the trailer drops it to a tinny bit less than level, with it on the rear. I do have airbags and usually only run around 15-20# of air and the truck will level out.

 

[DThweatt]

also AABEN has a 38' trailer in his sig line. and a 100 gal tank in the bed.



my trailer is also a 38' and has a few less accesorys. 100 gal of diesel plus the tank is around 650# ?



all these thing also take away from your towing capacity or GVW





per the weight ticket (when the photo was taken) I use it as a camper and has no toys in the rear so the axle weight was 6300# on the drive axle.

that is why I put on the larger tires to have a little more cushion of capacity. the tires now give me a 7500# capacity.



when I have a few quads in the back I can actually turn down the brake controller, and it shifts more weight rearward.

having all 3 tanks in front of the trailer axles makes it more pin heavy when its empty.