Need towing advice

[CThomsen]

I'm planning on hauling a load of pipe from TX to IN this fall. Am I correct in assuming that my 97 would be the better tow vehicle than the 04. 5? The trailer will be a 30' flatbed with tandem duals. Trailer will be loaded very close to max wt. Also, am I allowed any overhang at the rear of the trailer? The pipe joints are 31-33'. Can I just flag with a 3' overhang? Thanks for any advice. Chris

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I'd take the 97. Three foot over is just fine. Put an orange flag, but make sure it hangs freely and will not get caught up in the pipes. If it gets wrapped up around something, you can and will get pulled over cause it's not hanging freely.

Do you have a brake controller in the truck?

 

[CThomsen]

Thanks for the advice. Yes I have a brake controller in the 97.

 

[P Pacatang]

Are you planning on towing at night. If you are, some states require a red light at the end of the load if it hangs over the end of the trailer. Good luck and be safe.

 

[jelag]

You understand that you will fall under most commerical requirements in most of the states... . even though you own the pipe... . I'm guessing that you'll be required to get permits. . and scale... and might be asked to keep log books... .



I'm betting that with all this... . you'd be better off just to buy the pipe where your trying to take it..... especially if you intend to drive back empty.....

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

No flames intended, but why do you think the 97 would be better than the 3rd gen? Not sure what your mods have done to power, but stock the 3rd gen is hands down stronger. Add to that the advances they made to the comfort of the truck , I know what I would drive.

 

[NIsaacs]

I am guessing the "97" is a dually??





"NICK"

 

[wcjp]

My 06' steering and brakes are way better than my 96'. Looking at your sig the 04. 5 is a 6spd. The 97 appears to be an auto. Does either have an exhaust brake?

 

[CThomsen]

97 is a dually with mods listed in sig. Will be advancing timing also before leaving. I assumed the GCWR would be higher with the dually than the SRW 04. 04 is stock. Neither truck has an exhaust brake.

I'm planning on hauling a load of hay down to a friend (at no charge-I have extra and his is $10/bale) and hauling the pipe back with me (that I am purchasing). How would this make me commercial? Is it solely based on weight. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[NIsaacs]

The GCWR is probably less on the "97" than the "04", however the GVW will be higher. Most goose neck trailers are designed to carry most of the weight, in a full length load, so most SRW trucks will work fine. However with a short compact heavy load, the Dually will work better. It sounds like the pipe is longer than the trailer deck, so my guess is the weight on the hitch will be ok with either truck. Now the hay, will benifit from the Dually.





"NICK"

 

[GAmes]

You understand that you will fall under most commerical requirements in most of the states... . even though you own the pipe... . I'm guessing that you'll be required to get permits. . and scale... and might be asked to keep log books. .

I don't think so. If he was considered commercial he would have to have a med card, a DOT number, etc, etc. If it is his pipe, his truck and his trailer and he is not hauling it for resale then commercial regs do not apply.

 

[Sled Dog]

I don't think so. If he was considered commercial he would have to have a med card, a DOT number, etc, etc. If it is his pipe, his truck and his trailer and he is not hauling it for resale then commercial regs do not apply.

You are Correct!

 

[Silver600]

I would check the laws in the state your vehicle is registered in. Here in CA (land of the most screwed up laws) I have to have a commercial class A and medical card for any flatbed trailer rated over 10,000 GVWR even when it will never be used commercially.



As far as the overhang, here it would be required to have an orange or red flag to be legal during the day and a red marker light to be legal after dusk.

 

[Sled Dog]

I would check the laws in the state your vehicle is registered in. Here in CA (land of the most screwed up laws) I have to have a commercial class A and medical card for any flatbed trailer rated over 10,000 GVWR even when it will never be used commercially.



As far as the overhang, here it would be required to have an orange or red flag to be legal during the day and a red marker light to be legal after dusk.

Looks like they have Way to Much free time and not enough to do.

Correct, personal use, your state and federal laws. Don't be tagged in Calif!

 

[Silver600]

Looks like they have Way to Much free time and not enough to do.

Correct, personal use, your state and federal laws. Don't be tagged in Calif!

I agree. I don't claim to be from here, it is just where I reside.