Can I safely and legally tow this load?

Guys,

I have a 2018 GMC SLT 2500 crew cab short box Duramax and want to pick up a tractor that is 300 miles from home. I will be driving through some mountains in TN. My trailer is a 20ft + 4 dovetail PJ F8 conventional tag along rated to tow just over 16k. This trailer rating is based on 14k on the trailer and the rest tongue weight on truck. My actual total load weight (trailer + tractor) is 14.5k which I plan to put 1400-1600lbs on the tongue. I have plenty of trailer length so can balance the load accordingly using a tongue scale to verify weight. GMC rates my truck at only 13k which is 1500lbs less than my expected load. My hitch is a new B&W tow and stow rated at 14.5k. I believe GMC uses a class 5 receiver hitch that s rated for 2k tongue weight when using a weight distribution hitch. This muddies the water some as best I can tell there is no way to use this type hitch with a PJ F8 trailer as the I-beam is 8" tall and no one supplies frame attachments for such a large trailer frame. Not sure why it matters anyways as long as tongue weight is in spec? Again I plan to keep tongue weight at 1400-1600lbs. Truck payload is 2167lbs and it will be just myself, fuel and mostly a empty toolbox. Anyway, this will be like a 1 time thing so my question is can I get this tractor home safely, will I be legal, and will my truck pull this kind of weight without stressing it? I plan to take it easy and won t be in a hurry. Most I ve previously towed was a 10-11k load with same type trailer from SC to Ohio using a 2008 F250 Powerstroke. Load was heavy but truck did great and had no issues. This will be 40% more load though so really looking for help from anyone with experience with this.

So best I can tell my tongue weight should be ok, my payload is good, I m under the magical number of 26k total everything and within trailer rating of 16k as long as I balance the load correctly. Main issue appears to be my truck is rated at 13k but does DOT look hard at this to? Also I don t want to damage my new truck either.

Thoughts? Thank you.





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No DOT is not going to look at your truck
and trailer rating. But that is heavy
tongue weight. I have hauled that much on
my 15000 gooseneck. A 480E Case backhoe.
But I never went 75 mph down the
interstate. Tried to stay under 65. Why
can't you hook a chain over the tongue to
tie your equalizer bars to. I have did
this before I got a gooseneck.
 

Your main concern needs to be braking ability. You will get plenty of advice telling you that the DOT won't look at you, and that as long as you are careful and take it easy that you will not have a problem. Most people think that the people involved in crashes do it intentionally so being careful will keep you from having one. Since you will be above your legal weight you simply need to ask yourself how charmed a life you lead.
 

No matter how you do it, or what advice you follow, your first time with a loaded trailer WILL be a learning experience. Guaranteed.
 
The way that trailer is setup you?ll have be careful
how you load the tractor . We have a trailer like that
at work and any load overloads the crap out of the
truck . It can be done and done safely more tongue
weight up to a point Is way better than not or you?ll
have an experience that will have you sell the truck
trailer tractor and maybe quit driving. I usually pull
on until the truck hits the overload springs then pull
on maybe another foot
 
(quoted from post at 10:17:03 06/23/19) The way that trailer is setup you?ll have be careful
how you load the tractor . We have a trailer like that
at work and any load overloads the crap out of the
truck . It can be done and done safely more tongue
weight up to a point Is way better than not or you?ll
have an experience that will have you sell the truck
trailer tractor and maybe quit driving. I usually pull
on until the truck hits the overload springs then pull
on maybe another foot


Thanks guys. I have towed 10500 with my old 2008 F250 on a 20 equipment trailer. Took it from the Carolinas to Ohio. Was a load for sure but other than riding a little rough that Ford pulled it fine. But this will be 4K more weight overall but trailer is a little longer so can balance tongue weight perfectly using a set of tongue scales I just purchased.
 
What rating on your GMC is 13,000#? Gross Combination weight rating? The weight of truck, trailer, and
cargo, in this case the tractor? Seems pretty low for a 3/4T Duramax. My '96 F250 with 7.3L PSD and 5-
spd manual and 3.55 gears was rated 16,000# gross. The automatic trans would bump that up 2000# and 4.10
gears another 2000#, so 20,000# gross on same frame, axles, tires, and brakes as my truck. I had NO
problem hauling my Farmall M 200 miles home grossing right around 20,000#.

Your going to be WAY over that 13,000# rating, probably by 6000-7000#. I'd study your owners manual and
see what option bumps up your towing capacity the most. Chances are you can tow your load fine, but my
'18 RAM 1500 4wd is rated 15,950# gross, 3000# more than your 3/4T truck. Just doesn't seem quite right.
 
(quoted from post at 04:05:25 06/26/19) What rating on your GMC is 13,000#? Gross Combination weight rating? The weight of truck, trailer, and
cargo, in this case the tractor? Seems pretty low for a 3/4T Duramax. My '96 F250 with 7.3L PSD and 5-
spd manual and 3.55 gears was rated 16,000# gross. The automatic trans would bump that up 2000# and 4.10
gears another 2000#, so 20,000# gross on same frame, axles, tires, and brakes as my truck. I had NO
problem hauling my Farmall M 200 miles home grossing right around 20,000#.

Your going to be WAY over that 13,000# rating, probably by 6000-7000#. I'd study your owners manual and
see what option bumps up your towing capacity the most. Thanks Chances are you can tow your load fine, but my
'18 RAM 1500 4wd is rated 15,950# gross, 3000# more than your 3/4T truck. Just doesn't seem quite right.

It s actually like 23k gcwr
 
(quoted from post at 20:58:31 06/22/19)
So 1400-1600 is a lot of tongue weight?

Yes, that's a lot of tongue weight on a bumper pull trailer. It would be like putting at least that much weight in the bed. Probably even 100-200 more with the leverage of being so far back. I'd at least try to stay under 1000, preferably @ 600-800.

Just my $0.02.

-Scott
 
(quoted from post at 04:47:22 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 04:05:25 06/26/19) What rating on your GMC is 13,000#? Gross Combination weight rating? The weight of truck, trailer, and
cargo, in this case the tractor? Seems pretty low for a 3/4T Duramax. My '96 F250 with 7.3L PSD and 5-
spd manual and 3.55 gears was rated 16,000# gross. The automatic trans would bump that up 2000# and 4.10
gears another 2000#, so 20,000# gross on same frame, axles, tires, and brakes as my truck. I had NO
problem hauling my Farmall M 200 miles home grossing right around 20,000#.

Your going to be WAY over that 13,000# rating, probably by 6000-7000#. I'd study your owners manual and
see what option bumps up your towing capacity the most. Thanks Chances are you can tow your load fine, but my
'18 RAM 1500 4wd is rated 15,950# gross, 3000# more than your 3/4T truck. Just doesn't seem quite right.

It s actually like 23k gcwr



"It s actually like 23k gcwr"

Interesting, that is the same as my one ton Ford.
 
(quoted from post at 06:43:59 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 04:47:22 06/26/19)
(quoted from post at 04:05:25 06/26/19) What rating on your GMC is 13,000#? Gross Combination weight rating? The weight of truck, trailer, and
cargo, in this case the tractor? Seems pretty low for a 3/4T Duramax. My '96 F250 with 7.3L PSD and 5-
spd manual and 3.55 gears was rated 16,000# gross. The automatic trans would bump that up 2000# and 4.10
gears another 2000#, so 20,000# gross on same frame, axles, tires, and brakes as my truck. I had NO
problem hauling my Farmall M 200 miles home grossing right around 20,000#.

Your going to be WAY over that 13,000# rating, probably by 6000-7000#. I'd study your owners manual and
see what option bumps up your towing capacity the most. Thanks Chances are you can tow your load fine, but my
'18 RAM 1500 4wd is rated 15,950# gross, 3000# more than your 3/4T truck. Just doesn't seem quite right.

It s actually like 23k gcwr



"It s actually like 23k gcwr"

Interesting, that is the same as my one ton Ford.

See attached picture and look at the last line item which is my truck. I had looked online and seen 23K but in the manual it actually says just over 25k
 
What will be the rear axle weight on the truck with that setup? You would be in better shape if the trailer had a goose neck or 5th wheel hitch that would put your 1400 to 1600 pounds of tongue weight several inches ahead of the tow vehicle's rear axle rather than the bumper pull trailer that puts all that tongue weight several feet behind the rear axle.

For towing in mountains or in slick conditions you might want to reduce your maximum ratings by 10 to 20 percent or more compared to towing under ideal dry flat-land conditions.
 
As long as you set your brakes up before embarking on the 300 mile trip lighten the tongue weight and just keep your eyes peeled for those drivers who have no clue about what your hauling you should be fine. My setup is a Dodge Ram 1500 with 14K bumper pull deckover tractor weight 7000K+ been hauling it and more now 13yrs and very comfortable doing it. As I said be aware of those that should spend more time on the couch than behind the wheel of any motor vehicle.
 
(quoted from post at 03:53:12 06/27/19) As long as you set your brakes up before embarking on the 300 mile trip lighten the tongue weight and just keep your eyes peeled for those drivers who have no clue about what your hauling you should be fine. My setup is a Dodge Ram 1500 with 14K bumper pull deckover tractor weight 7000K+ been hauling it and more now 13yrs and very comfortable doing it. As I said be aware of those that should spend more time on the couch than behind the wheel of any motor vehicle.

mdross, how can you be comfortable while you are having to be watchful "for those drivers who have no clue about what your (sic) hauling"? I think that if I had to depend on everybody else to stay out of my way, I would stay off the road.
 

I m not worried about rear axle weight. As long as I m in payload spec and tongue weight then rear axle will be in check also. By the way good point on driving conditions. Thanks
 
Times like these are another reason goosenecks are preferred.

With a handle with ford in it what are you doing with a gmc ? lol.
 

I need to change it to ford/GMCfanatic. Lol

Until 6 years ago I had all Ford trucks and tractors. I still like my ford tractors but less on Ford trucks. Multiple reasons but the Ford seats suck and I drive alot. So after 20 plus years of bad seats and being uncomfortable I went to GMC. Loving the truck so far. No brake issues yet either. Lol
 
With 1600 on the bumper the steering and overall handling may feel a bit light. That's the primary purpose of the weight distribution hitch.

Normally you wouldn't use one on an equipment trailer because manly men don't use weight distribution hitches, but this is an unusually high tongue weight for an unusually long distance. Across town is one thing, but across state is another.
 
(quoted from post at 07:58:21 07/01/19) With 1600 on the bumper the steering and overall handling may feel a bit light. That's the primary purpose of the weight distribution hitch.

Normally you wouldn't use one on an equipment trailer because manly men don't use weight distribution hitches, but this is an unusually high tongue weight for an unusually long distance. Across town is one thing, but across state is another.

Originally I would have agreed with your comments. But after discovering you can t find or buy a WD hitch for 8" tall Ibeam trailer tongues I figured there must be a reason. So decided to try it for myself and you absolutely don t need one. The truck drove great and steering was still perfect. After 340 miles of driving with this load I can see why it s not required. The gentlemen from Reese Hitch said normally WD hitches are for 1/2 ton trucks or suv s. But as I stated you can t find any anyways for big framed trailers.
 
(quoted from post at 12:08:15 07/01/19) Glad everything worked out for you. How many straps did you end up using?

5

One at each corner of tractor and one over the front loader. Worked great.
 

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