Had a tree jump out at trailer

I was leaving a friends house, narrow drive. Was going down hill, making a right hand turn when a tree jumped out and grabbed the fender. Before the tree let go, it pulled trailer off the road. 20 ft drop off to the lake below. I heard a racket, saw in the mirror the roll cage on tractor tipping, thought it was going to pull the trailer and truck in the lake. I stepped on the gas and pulled it out of the ditch. Got on the road, fender was bent back to the wheel. Used a pipe wrench to pry it off the wheel.

Glad I straped tractor 8 ways to trailer.

CAUTION, WATCH OUT FOR TREES JUMPING OUT AT YOU.
George

That's to bad George, glad your alright. I know we've had some pretty bad disagreements recently about burning wood but what do you say we split that one up? What kind of backhoe is that, it looks like a little beast?

Pretty scary ta say the least, glad you got out ok. Btw, have you had any problems with dirt and debris building up inside the channel where your tail lamps are? Just worked on a pj 10k beavertail like yours at the shop. Entire channel across the back was packed with mud . Found it when i replaced some of the rear lights. Gets in there from the rear planks on the beavertail , the top of the channel is open where the wood slides in.

Backhoe is a 2004 terramite T5C. Made in the USA with 20 hp Kohler command, TRW pump and hyd motor. I got it 6 years ago and put more hours on it than all my mowers and tractors combined. Pound for pound, it's a beast. Made from the ground up as a backhoe, not some want-a-be add-on loader and hoe.

Look up the stats on the T5C and the BX23 before you decide to buy either one.

For a sub-compact, I'll never own any thing else.

Massey, you should have one of these. Great for logging.

No dirt build up any place. Tail lights are enclosed. Just so happens, another time at same friends place I make a turn and the right tail light takes a chunk of a different tree. I think my trailer has a problem with trees.

That is a time that good tie-downs paid off.. Never know when things can happen.. Glad the damage was minimal, and no injuries..

Well I'm not much of a logger but it looks like it would dig my haylege and corn silage out of my agbags pretty good, and American made is a plus.

It has a 4 ft wide, 1/4 yard front bucket. 12 inch back bucket.

It did require a change of underware once I got home.

That looks like a well built trailer with a tough fender. Not many would have come out that good from such an encounter.

It's a 14k 18+2 sure track. Bought it new from Detro trailers. It wasn't that much more than what some were wanting for old worn out used ones.

If I had it to do over, I would have gotten a 10K and one lower to the ground.

It took lots of pounding with a sledge to straighten it. Still not perfect, but like you said very heavy duty fender. Keep in mind, the bottom of fender was up against the tire, almost the full width of tire.

Yes, but with most trailers the fender would have been in the gully. The 5,000 and 7,000 lb axles are about the same, only the 7 has a thicker wall tube and heavier magnet in the brakes. You can also get 6 or 8 bolt wheels with the 5,000 but only 8 on the 7.

I have a 10K dump trailer, fenders are like the implement trailer, diamond plate steel, not tin. You can stand on them, not a problem. Don't know the guage of the metal, but like I said, it took a lot to get then bent back out.

I want a 10K implement trailer that is lower to the ground and it would be a few pounds lighter. My heavest load is around 5000#. By being lower, I would do away with the 2 ft dovetail. I would settle for either an 18 or 20 footer.

I've got that same size trailer only 10,000 # Load Trail. I'm not sure I've ever seen one lower than these are. Mine weighs 2700 = or -. Not sure you would gain much by going down.

Mind if I ask about what that trailer ran you? I'm thinking I want to get a trailer, probably a 10k, this year for hauling hay and machinery. Last year was my first year selling hay and I borrowed my bosses trailer.

I don't want to make that a habit and I've been wanting a decent trailer for a while. Last year I got the truck to pull one, now I need a tail for the dog.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Not really sure, it's been 3 years ago when I got it. I'm thinking it was around $3100 or $3200 plus tax plus $75 for springs to help lift ramps, plus $200 for spare tire. I put a link for you to call them. It's a busy place.
detro trailers

Elkart, In is like the trailer/camper/RV/mobile home capital. You may find something cheaper if you can find someone that gets them directly from factory. I bought a new 10K dump trailer from a guy in Elkart. Saved a lot.

All those chains and you are still not legal as I do not see any chains holding the front or rear bucket down.


§ 393.130(b) Preparation of equipment being transported. (1) Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.

I stay off the interstate, stay local. Been passed by many cops, never been stopped in 6 years. However, I could very easly cross my front straps over the bucket. Thanks for the heads up. The way I strap it kept the tractor on trailer when things tillted and went sideways.

I know a guy who has a large skidder, he use 2 chains to hold his on trailer. That would be scary. I use G70 chain.

PJ and Load Trail are pretty equal. Three yrs ago I priced PJ / Sur-Trac and they were both at $4000-$4300 and Load Trail I got for $3500. This is 18' w/2'beavertail (20') 83" between fenders , spring loaded 5' ramps , 5200# axles (Dexter), adjustable hitch , radial tires , LED lights. Considered their Implement trailer. This is in MI. Where I got it deals in volume and makes up for the price at end of year with the factory bonuses he gets. Looks just like Georges only has 7000# centered jack,same build. They are all made at one factory in Texas.(Load Trail)

Elkhart, IN. maybe? Used to be the RV capitol of the world decades ago, but not so much anymore. Went by tonight on the interstate and passed a new RV manufacturer with the lot so full, nowhere to park anymore. That can mean only two things. One, not moving them. Two, if not moving them, no reason to employ folks to build them to set.

In the middle of the St. Joseph River downtown Elkhart is an island called Island Park. Was named that by an indian tribe, I think from memory, the Potawatomi tribe that named it that because to them as they got out of their canoes, it was shaped like the heart of an elk, hence "Elkhart". True. Also, I used to get into arguments with some locals, the ones that claimed "...the white men stole the indian's land...", that in at least the case of Elkhart, IN, one mile square of the land was purchased from the indians, again the Potawatomi from a Dr. Havilah Beardsley, very leagally.

So, on your trailer looks to be a TerraMite T7 maybe? Very nice. Used to be a local hardware that rented everything before they went under. Couldn't compete with Menards, Lowes, Home Depot, but did things they never dreamed of. Cut quality pipe to length, things like that. Had the kinds of tools to rent that folks need, just not needed enough to purchase, like Bobcats and TerraMites. Had a T5 that I borrowed a couple of times. Would have liked to but when everything went up for auction, but was out of town. I still see and talk to the former owner from time to time. Nice family.

Anyway, sorry about your trailer, and use the TerraMite in great health to do great things, safely. And if it makes you feal any better, I caught the corner or one of my barns with the axle from my 4520 Deere. Caught it good too. Bothered me at first, but now I figure it gives it charactor. And, if anyone steals my barn, it will be easily identified by that corner, the one with charactor.

Mark
Elkhart, heart like an elk

What caught my eye initially about your post, was the title "Had a tree jump out at trailer".

About 1970 or so, while visiting Grandpa and Grandma over in South Bend, this fella crashed his International utility van into a pole over by there house. I happened upon it while out for a walk. The cops were there when I got there, and the guy was crocked. He was stumbling and slurring was so drunk, and had a big knot right between his eyes from where he kissed the windshield. Kept telling the cops over and over, "No, no, no, the pole jumped out in front of me". They carted him off to the clink.

Mark

(quoted from post at 20:19:40 03/14/14) All those chains and you are still not legal as I do not see any chains holding the front or rear bucket down.


§ 393.130(b) Preparation of equipment being transported. (1) Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.

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I bet he's got no DOT#, no fire ext, triangles, spare fuses, breakaway probably is hitched wrong and a dozen other things. I also bet he's not "commercial" or at least thinks he isn't.

I'm going to be building an aluminum one like that soon. Probly won't be much lower than what you have tho. Going to be 18'.

Bret,
I want to learn, what does it take to be commerical? I own the truck, trailer, and tractor. I have no advertisement on truck. I'm not for hire. Only work for myself and friends. Don't charge, barter only. I don't haul things for people. I don't have a backhoe business. I use backhoe to take care of my rental properties. I've put 1000 hrs on it in 6 years. I checked in to insurance, and there is no way I want to have a backhoe business, too risky.

I have fire ext in truck.

How should a breakaway to be connected? I connect it to the hitch. I charge battery a few times a year.

I have a tool box full of fuses.

No DOT#, no triangles. Why would I need them?

I don't go out of state. I stay off the interstate. Don't go by scales. Mostly local hauling. If I were to go out of town, I use the less traveled roads.

Many cops, city, county and state have seen my rig and never stopped me. I use trailer to haul my Jubilee and Farmall C. I've never had a problem in 10 years.

So, what other things could I be doing wrong?
thanks
George

To be commercial you need to be conducting business. So, since you use your stuff to maintain your rental properties you qualify as commercial. BUT, as long as your total gross weight is under 26,000 you are exempted in most states. You need to check with your state on that tho since all states are different.

The break away should be connected where your safety chains are and so that the pin will pull before the chains get tight. There are a number of different ways to wire them, some self charge and some don't. If your trailer came new with it it's probly done right for your system.

The only thing I would add for you is a set of triangles. You should be under the requirement for them, but they are cheap and could save you if something ever goes wrong. Also make sure your extinguisher is fastened down. It's not legal unless it's fastened down.

For what you are doing noone will bother you much til you get into an accident. That's when you will wish everything was done right. Seems like you have it mostly under control tho.

George;
If a DOT cop stopped you and you read him your post he could write you so many tickets you would wish you had never seen that backhoe.

The problem is like Bret said.
he's not "commercial" or at least thinks he isn't

You are Commercial.
You use this backhoe for compensation threw barter and rental properties; and you weigh over 10.000 lbs (not 26,000 lbs like jon said)

I have fire ext in truck
Yes but is it strapped down and mounted to the floor by the door for easy access or is it thrown behind the seat.

No DOT#, no triangles. Why would I need them?
You need them cause you are commercial.

I don't go out of state. I stay off the interstate. Don't go by scales. Mostly local hauling. If I were to go out of town, I use the less traveled roads.
That could be interpreted as going around the scales and that is a ticketable offence.

Many cops, city, county and state have seen my rig and never stopped me.
Lazy cops do not make you legal.

Thanks, guess I won't tell them I have a rental properties or I barter with friends. My tractor is 3100 #, trailer is about the same 3100#, truck weighs in a little over 5000#. Tags on truck are 7K, trailer is 9K. So gross is under 16k. SO, I'm not commerical.

I'll tell the cops it's for my personal use only.

My breakaway is connected to the same place I connect my safety chains. Got that right.

I eat breakfast with a 75 year old man who drove semis most of his life. His one son is In DOT the other is In State cop. Next time his son shows up for breakfast, I'll get it straight from the horses mouth.

You may be right, many lazy cops or cops who don't know anything pertaining to trucks and trailers.

My well driller gets stopped by DOT, they give him a hassel, never a ticket. He has a big drilling rig and pulls a trencher. He has DOT#. I think he get hasseled over a CDL. Not sure the details. I think his drilling rig is like a farm vehicle and DOT doesn't like that idea. His trailer is a 14k trailer with 9k tags. That upsets them too.

If they ever hassel me about a 14k trailer with 9k tags, my tailer will be listed on craigslist and I'll but a new low profile 10k.

I've seen many people with 3 dixie choppers, many weedwackers, leaf blowers on a trailer. Landscaping sign on truck. NO DOT#. Cops don't stop them.

I'm not worried, been lucky for 10 years. I WILL POST BACK IF I EVER GET A TICKET, SEE A LANDSCAPING BUSINESS PULLED OVER, OR I'M TOLD FROM FRIEND'S SON, WHO WORKS FOR IN DOT, THAT I NEED NUMBERS.

Yep, I'm no longer in the rental business or work for friends. That info I'll definately use if some young DOT cop pulls me over. If they ask me where I'm going, I'll tell them to my other property. Which is where I'm usually headed, Thanks
George

Depends on your state but here in MI if you are under 26000 total for truck , trailer and load and not hauling for "commerce" (compensation)then no CDL or DOT #,s required.

Much to do about nothing, DOT#

Indiana DOT

Call us at (765) 742-2610 for an Indiana DOT Number, Indiana DOT, DOT Indiana, and Indiana State DOT

An Indiana DOT Number: You are not required to register for an Indiana DOT Number (Indiana DOT, DOT Indiana, and Indiana State DOT) for a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000-lbs and under. When you look on the doorframe of your vehicle, you should see a chrome or aluminum tag with the letters GVWR and a number. This is the maximum weight the vehicle is designed to weigh. You are required to register for an Indiana DOT Number (Indiana DOT, DOT Indiana, and Indiana State DOT) on a vehicle used in your business on a commercial basis such as a pickup truck, a van, a truck or a vehicle pulling a trailer where the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is 26,001-lbs or more, or the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Ratings (GCWR) of both the power unit and the trailer are 26,001-lbs or more, when the vehicle or vehicles remain in the state. We will register you with Indiana for a Indiana DOT Number

George

This is why I hate talking about these in state rules.
I looked it up because I do not know what Indiana rules are and I did not want to give you a wrong answer. I found this ...............

http://www.in.gov/dor/files/cmvg.pdf

Look on page 21 and you will see who needs a DOT number just as I gave it to you.

Imagine my surprise and say it is 26,000 gcwr instead of 10,000 gcwr.
So before calling you wrong and me right I went and looked it up again and found this....

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/PPP/PPP-65.pdf

On page 19 I found this.......

Indiana adopted the FMCSA regulations and the HAZMAT regulations (Indiana Code 8-2.1-24-18), making the federal law a part of state law. Intrastate carriers (those that transport only within Indiana) are subject to the same requirements as carriers involved in interstate transportation (those that transport across state lines).

However, the 2010 Indiana General Assembly amended who in Indiana were subject to DOT regulations. The General Assembly passed and the Governor signed the following into law in 2010.

Motor vehicles operating exclusively in intrastate commerce that have a gross vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight,or gross combination weight rating equal to or less than twenty-six thousand(26,000) pounds.

So while the rule was and still is 10,000 lbs they have put a exemption in that exempts trucks between 10,000 lbs and 26,000 lbs and do not haul for hire; haul passengers; or haul hazardous materials in amounts requiring a placard.

Sorry if I misled you.

John in La,
It takes a good person to say "Sorry if I misled you" I have no hard feelings. I learned a few things too. Plan to run straps over front bucket. I have breakaway wire in the right place.

If I recall, they raised it to 10k on trucks to exempt large SUV's, socker moms.

Nice chat,
George

I don't know if it'd pay for me to go all the way to Indiana to pick up a trailer, cause the price of gas would probably wipe out just about any savings in trailer price. Espescially on the return trip.

There's a shop a mile from my house that sells PJ trailers among others. On their website they list a 10K 20' deck over for $4500. Another trailer place a few more miles away has the same thing, different brand, same price.

Then there's another one a about 20 miles away that says they'll beat any body's price on equivilant trailers. They don't list the prices online though.

It'll be a while yet before I put myself in the market, but definately gonna be looking. I don't NEED a deckover, but I'm thinking for loading hay and my tractor (Oliver 1600) a deckover would certainly be nice to have. My boss's trailer is 7' wide, 18' long. I was able to load 180 +- bales on it. Another 2' long and 1 1/2' wide would get me to 200+, as I needed to deliver quanities of 200 last year. I was able to throw the rest in the bed of the truck, but it's more hassle that way than to just load it all on the trailer and strap it all down.

Donovan from Wisconsin

(quoted from post at 19:04:44 03/15/14) I don't know if it'd pay for me to go all the way to Indiana to pick up a trailer, cause the price of gas would probably wipe out just about any savings in trailer price. Espescially on the return trip.

There's a shop a mile from my house that sells PJ trailers among others. On their website they list a 10K 20' deck over for $4500. Another trailer place a few more miles away has the same thing, different brand, same price.

Then there's another one a about 20 miles away that says they'll beat any body's price on equivilant trailers. They don't list the prices online though.

It'll be a while yet before I put myself in the market, but definately gonna be looking. I don't NEED a deckover, but I'm thinking for loading hay and my tractor (Oliver 1600) a deckover would certainly be nice to have. My boss's trailer is 7' wide, 18' long. I was able to load 180 +- bales on it. Another 2' long and 1 1/2' wide would get me to 200+, as I needed to deliver quanities of 200 last year. I was able to throw the rest in the bed of the truck, but it's more hassle that way than to just load it all on the trailer and strap it all down.

Donovan from Wisconsin

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I bought my PJ trailer last June in West Salem, (Lacrosse) WI....$1500 less than I could buy the same trailer locally. This dealer sells on Ebay. I would have bought 3, but WI will not supply dealer tags which makes it illegal to haul anything until it is registered. I did have to go out that way for my brother's wedding, so it wasn't a total waste of fuel....

(quoted from post at 05:53:12 03/15/14) Bret,
I want to learn, what does it take to be commerical?

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George, to me, after reading all the updates, it sounds to me like your state does it almost exactly like my state with the exception of the DOT #. So, it sounds like you don't need a DOT number. But it also sounds like you ARE commercial- ie, any vehicle engaged in a commercial venture (your rentals) with a GVWR or CGVWR of 10,001 lbs or more. Now, you wrote this- "My tractor is 3100 #, trailer is about the same 3100#, truck weighs in a little over 5000#. Tags on truck are 7K, trailer is 9K. So gross is under 16k. SO, I'm not commerical." The question is what is the CGVWR of the truck and trailer? Not what the truck or trailer weigh, but the GVWR off the data tag? Not what you have them registered for either. What do the data tags say? Look at it this way- if you have a 1/2 ton PU with a GVWR of 5500 lbs and a tandem axle trailer with a GVWR of 5K you have a CGVWR over 10,001 lbs. A 3/4 ton PU with a GVWR of 7500 lbs and "5 ton" trailer with a GVWR of 10K and you're way over the standard. A one ton PU like I just bought with a GVWR of 9990 and my wifes little single axle trailer with a GVWR of 1500 lbs and I'm a CMV IF and only IF I'm doing something farm related! That's the sticky point in all this- you aren't a CMV if you are just using your rig to haul home a new dining room set for your house or to run the old set to the Good Will store. If you are towing a new fridge to a rental with a truck a trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs or more you ARE a CMV.

All this is dependent on whether or not your state did in fact adopt the FMCSR en masse as John noted. Check with that DOT cop in YOUR STATE to be sure. Sounds to me like they did and then, unlike my stupid state, they fine tuned it to actually make a little sense! :lol:

As far as the breakaway, the tether should be attached to a solid point on the truck, NOT to the hitch insert or clipped into the chains. That's an automatic Out Of Service violation. Look at it this way- the tether is supposed to activate the brakes int he event the trailer separates from the truck somehow. That means pretty much anything short of the whole hitch/bumper falling off the truck. This goes for goosenecks too. What you want to have is a tether that will clearly not "leave" with the trailer, the tether has to be short enough to be pulled BEFORE the chains come entirely tight, and has to be rigged so that the tether is not hampered from working. Iv'e seen dozens of people wrap the tether around the chains, have a 4 foot long tether that would never even come close to activating when the 16" of chain comes tight, or that clipped to the hitch insert. Use your head, you;re obviously a smart guy and this should be a no brainer.

The requirements for a fire ext may have changed a little on the 4 or 5 years since I retired, but basically, IIRC, you needed a dry powder B/C type of at least 2 lbs (might have that wrong, might want bigger) securely fastened in a accessible location. The little kitchen type ext were not quite up to code. You also needed at least 3 triangles or flares (forget how many). Get the triangles. Flares are expensive, don't last forever and are expensive! You're supposed to have a complete set of replacement fuses for all systems on the rig. Yeah, sure, a box of assorted fuses that actually fit the truck and trailer and you're good to go.

Tie down requirements are spelled out in the FMCSR. The pics you showed looked pretty good IIRC. A strap over the bucket and hoe bucket and you should be good. You will never have too many tie downs, but your tie downs have to be in good repair. A cut strap or a chain with a bad link can put you OOS. Oddly, if you have enough tie downs and the removal of the offending tie down doesn't reduce the required capacity, ie- you over strapped, you can be back in service simply be removing the offending strap or chain!

Talk to that guys son the DOT cop. Get it straight from him, get his name and phone number if you can. Scales are a State issue and talk to him about that too. That's the smart way to do it and something my partner and I encouraged people to do. We spent a LOT more time getting people up to speed over a cup of joe than we did writing tickets. Now, the guys that we did our best to get up to snuff that still played fast and loose, and there were a few, they got to see the down side to not working within the rules. I doubt you're one of them judging by your posts. We may not agree on wood burning, but you seem to want to do it "right".