Hauling a deuce

[tie6044]

I say go for it if your equipment is in good shape. There isn't much difference between newer 3/4 tons and 1 tons (srw). The brakes on the trailer are designed to stop the weight of the trailer with the recommened load on it and the truck will stop itself. I have hauled deuces more than 30 times with a Chevy 3/4 ton and a triple axle 21,000 lb gooseneck and it stops no problem. As long as the trailer brakes work good you should have no problems. As far as gvw's go I am under my total, I figure my truck weighs about 7,000, my trailer weighs about 6,000 and the deuce is under 14,000 so 27,000 total. GVW of truck is 9200 and the trailer is 21,000 so 30,200 total CGVW.

 

[uoa]

I'm glad I don't live near you. Make sure your wife and kids are at home and not out on the road when you decide to overload your truck by 50%. I have no sympathy for this kind of ignorance, I bought an F-450 to tow my trailers even though I will rarely get it close to its 33,000lb GCWR. I'm glad I have the capacity to do it when I need it.

 

[kc5mzd]

Over 26000 lbs requires a class "A" CDL and alot of extra insurance. You would be facing serious fines if you got caught without...

 

[maybefixit]

Bear in mind that the truck's Combined Vehicle Weight is the limiter: that's what the manufacturer believes the truck can safely shepherd. Adding a 40k rated trailer to a f250 that's rated at 23k does not mean you can drive 63k - it means limit the package to 23k total. I did a little google search, and someone said the 05 f250 and 350 are the same gcvwr at 23,000. If it's true that a Deuce is between 13k and 16k, then you'd have between 7k and 10k available for the pickup's and trailer's weight. Your data plate and owner's manual would tell the story. Making the rest of the decision is of course up to you, but it sounds pretty close. A lot of the members here do seem very friendly about towing a new acquisition for a friend, and it may be a help to have one of them on hand during the recovery if only as an experienced set of eyes.

 

[uoa]

I say go for it if your equipment is in good shape. There isn't much difference between newer 3/4 tons and 1 tons (srw). The brakes on the trailer are designed to stop the weight of the trailer with the recommened load on it and the truck will stop itself. I have hauled deuces more than 30 times with a Chevy 3/4 ton and a triple axle 21,000 lb gooseneck and it stops no problem. As long as the trailer brakes work good you should have no problems. As far as gvw's go I am under my total, I figure my truck weighs about 7,000, my trailer weighs about 6,000 and the deuce is under 14,000 so 27,000 total. GVW of truck is 9200 and the trailer is 21,000 so 30,200 total CGVW.

Your logic is off here... The GCWR, or the max your truck can weigh with trailer and cargo is probably less than 20,000lbs. The rating of the trailer has no effect on the max load your truck can take, that trailer is made for a bigger truck. All the parts on your truck were designed with a particular load range in mind. Anyone that thinks the brakes on a trailer will stop itself with a load has never towed a trailer of any significance, even a small horse trailer on my F-450 will increase stopping distances. PLEASE DO NOT PUT OTHER PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER BECAUSE OF YOUR IGNORANCE OR UNWILLINGNESS TO PONY UP FOR A BIGGER TRUCK.

 

[uoa]

Over 26000 lbs requires a class "A" CDL and alot of extra insurance. You would be facing serious fines if you got caught without...

Yep

 

[SouthTexasDiesel]

Equipment and experience is the key. I towed my Deuce from Oklahoma City down to South Texas, about 750 miles, with my 08 F-350 dually on a dual tandem 40' gooseneck.

A single wheel 3/4 ton would be a little lite for a Deuce, the extra tires on a dually make a significant difference with the stability; not the mention the extra insurance if there is a blowout.

But if you're determined to do it, do it right.

1. Minimum of 4 HEAVY duty chains and boomers connected properly. And check them often during the trip, at least every 100 miles.
2. GOOD brakes on the trailer. Check the electric connections, brake pad conditions, and effectiveness of them under load.
3. Tires need to be aired properly, and checked for wear. And have spares.
4. Make sure there is plenty of grease or oil in the bearings on the trailer. Check the heat on the bearings often too, every time you check the chains.
5. Make sure the gooseneck hitch is tightened properly, check all the bolts where it's connected to the truck's frame.
6. Check all the lights on the trailer, the last thing you want to be is one of those people who are on the highway with no brake lights.
7. Know where you can stop for fuel and to check the load, plan ahead.
8. Take your time, and don't push it if you're tired.

And stay within the law, don't exceed the GVWR for the truck, it's there for a reason. Know the laws too, some states require a CDL to tow over 10k.

 

[kc5mzd]

Federal law requires a CDL if over 26,000 total. I think you might be over. Be carefull !!!
TN DOT will stop you, they are very strict and the fines are worse that anything you will get in a car. If you are on back roads you might be able to sneek by. If you get in any kind of accident they will be expecting you to have 500k - 1 mil insurance. South texas is a little more lax you see all kinds of crazy things.

 

[houdel]

Guys, forget the "Personally, I think yes or no.....", your OPINION is not the deciding factor here. What matters is what his truck is rated to tow. There ARE 3/4 ton pickups rated for towing loads in this weight range and, to be sure, the manufacturer's ratings are on the conservative side. My '07 Silverado 2500HD is rated to tow 13,000 pounds and there are other 3/4 ton models with higher towing capacities.

As long as the truck and trailer are both rated for the load, both are in good mechanical condition (as mentioned, good brakes, tires and steering especially) and the driver has the skill, ability, experience and confidence to haul a heavy payload under the anticipated driving and road conditions, then hauling a Deuce with a 3/4 ton pickup can be done safely.

If either the truck or trailer are overloaded or not in tip top condition, or the driver is not up to the task, then this is NOT a safe haul.

 

[DaveP]

Guys, forget the "Personally, I think yes or no.....", your OPINION is not the deciding factor here. What matters is what his truck is rated to tow. There ARE 3/4 ton pickups rated for towing loads in this weight range and, to be sure, the manufacturer's ratings are on the conservative side. My '07 Silverado 2500HD is rated to tow 13,000 pounds and there are other 3/4 ton models with higher towing capacities.

As long as the truck and trailer are both rated for the load, both are in good mechanical condition (as mentioned, good brakes, tires and steering especially) and the driver has the skill, ability, experience and confidence to haul a heavy payload under the anticipated driving and road conditions, then hauling a Deuce with a 3/4 ton pickup can be done safely.

If either the truck or trailer are overloaded or not in tip top condition, or the driver is not up to the task, then this is NOT a safe haul.

exactly! well put!

 

[SR71BLACKBIRD]

Just like I tell me 16 year old about bad driving habbits, "cant tell you I aint done it but that was the old days" And no, its not a HEMI.

 

[bazookajoe]

You'll be screaming in your cab "God I hope I can stop" as the mini van pulls in front of you, so are ya feelin lucky punk? Don't stack the deck against yourself unless it is a very short trip.

 

[ida34]

For the people calling for a CDL, it is not required if he is not hauling commercially. If he is hauling his own property home then he does not need a CDL. For the new guys to the site you can check out my rant by doing a search.

 

[tie6044]

For the people calling for a CDL, it is not required if he is not hauling commercially. If he is hauling his own property home then he does not need a CDL. For the new guys to the site you can check out my rant by doing a search.

That is NOT true for all states, I can only speak for MN but I'm sure others are the same, trust me I found out the hard way. If you are over 26,000 GVW you DO need a CDL, the only exemption is recreational vehicles and farm. I was hauling a deuce and was ticketed-3 times! One for no CDL, one for no DOT inspection on my truck and one for my trailer. I am now compliant on all 3. I even went to court to fight them and even though I am hauling my own stuff for personal use it doesn't matter-CDL is required. I just don't need DOT #'s or commercial insurance if only hauling for myself.

 

[nk14zp]

I'd do it.

 

[maybefixit]

My '07 Silverado 2500HD is rated to tow 13,000 pounds and there are other 3/4 ton models with higher towing capacities.

I understand what you're saying, and of course the manufacturer's ratings are conservative. The ratings have to be low enough for that truck to work during its warranty period, towing that load, without breaking expensive things. It's also a level of weight that the manufacturer was comfortable standing behind from a liability perspective, in case a big wreck happens involving a truck they made.

Two points come to mind- one, if the 2500HD is rated for 13k, then that's a flat-tow of an empty Deuce wo/w with a blank bed. Adding a trailer would be another 4,000 to 7,000 pounds of steel, putting you 25% over weight. It doesn't sound like a lot, but if you double the weight, then you quadruple the energy needed to make it move - and get it stopped. That's a lot of extra heat in the brakes.

Two, as they say in flying - the equipment can probably let you get away with it - but you are now a test pilot.

 

[ecostruction]

For the people calling for a CDL, it is not required if he is not hauling commercially. If he is hauling his own property home then he does not need a CDL. For the new guys to the site you can check out my rant by doing a search.

I've seen your posts on this before and know that you've done a lot of research on the subject and thank you for that effort. I was still confused however on this subject and did my own research on PA law and was even more confused after reading the fact sheets and talking to PennDOT personnel. Fact sheets, PennDOT people, and vehicle code don't match perfectly, or it's not clear. Again, this if for PA and I've learned through this site, that states tend to follow federal law. So, what I found out is that if you pull a trailer with a GVW over 10K lbs (5 ton), then you need either a class A CDL or a regular non-CDL class A. Non-CDL class A info is very hard to find in PA, but it does exist. I have not asked local police if they even know it exists. PennDOT personnel I talked to informed me I didn't need a CDL or the non-CDL class A. After pointing out the fact sheet language and the vehicle code, they had to get clarification from supervisors. They were then confused as was I and informed me to be safe that I should get the non-CDL class A. Which, is almost the exact same test as the CDL class A. This is just what I've found out so far, and again, only for PA. I also found out that pulling a trailer that has a GVW over 10k without the proper license is a higher fine and bigger penalty than hauling a trailer under 10k and having overloaded. What happens locally is contractors will purchase trailers rated for a heavy load (above 10k lbs) and have them down rated to 10k to stay under the CDL requirement, then just overload them. It's cheaper to pay the fines of an overload than it is to put their drivers through a CDL course to tow a heavy skid steer around with a F350 work truck. Discovered this in my research. Locally we have had drivers driving an 350 with a 12k lb trailer with a skid steer get fined for not having EITHER a CDL class A or the non-CDL class A. Then were then subsequently denied from taking the CDL test in the same rig they were caught in. Go figure.

I don't have much to add to the argument about pulling this load with the rig in question. I'm a very cautious driver when towing and am like the secret service, alwasy scanning for the potential. Best course would be to go by data plates and let the truck lead that.

 

[Back92A]

Hook it up. Sit behind the wheel, look in the rearview mirror.
Ask yourself one question.
"If I stop, and that doesn't will it hurt?"
Nuff said

 

[TaylorTradingCo]

Ford puller

I have hauled over a dozen home from several states away with my Ford F-350 and 26' gooseneck trailer. I do not feel it is unsafe at all, but all of my equipment is kept in very good shape and is fairly new. Also, my truck is a diesel dually.

I have an amployee who drives a F-250 single and he cannot carry half the stuff I do, or won't one.

I think that if it is with single rear tires and a hay trailer it might not be a good idea, but if it was me and that was all I had I would still probably do it!

What I am having trouble with is figuring out how I am going to get my three M-817 dump trucks home that are all missing front or rear axles and weigh 23,000# each.

Derek Taylor

 

[ida34]

That is NOT true for all states, I can only speak for MN but I'm sure others are the same, trust me I found out the hard way. If you are over 26,000 GVW you DO need a CDL, the only exemption is recreational vehicles and farm. I was hauling a deuce and was ticketed-3 times! One for no CDL, one for no DOT inspection on my truck and one for my trailer. I am now compliant on all 3. I even went to court to fight them and even though I am hauling my own stuff for personal use it doesn't matter-CDL is required. I just don't need DOT #'s or commercial insurance if only hauling for myself.

As I said do a search and read what I have written about this before. The other post stated federal law requires a cdl and that is not true. I the one that writes the tickets so I might have some insight into this. Some states require a non cdl class of license for big trucks or certain combinations. I can't comment on your case as I don't know the fact but every case is different and I will not go tit for tat, but I will leave you with this. If I am hauling 20,000lbs of scrap to a yard then the circumstances seem to suggest I am hauling to make money and this is not for personal use no matter what you say. Not saying that this was the case but if the above happened the guy would probably say a private person can not haul without a cdl. If you were getting the deuce for your own recreation then you should have gotten a lawyer to help you prepare the case. As I am sick of writing the same thing every 4 or 5 months please do a search for my arguments is you want or just ignore me. Either way I do not need a CDL to drive my Deuce or the five ton I used to have. I should really keep perpetuating this myth so I can get good deals on five tons but I just do not want somone to get something based on erronious information.

If you want to send me a link to the actual law they cited you for or PM me the law number on the citation then I will take a look.