Overloading truck w Tractor...sort of

Fargo · Jul 24, 2023

Hi all.
Have a chance to get a Ford 545 low hours with loader. It is 90 flat miles away. My Chevy 14 foot flatbed 3500 HD is pictured as I was building stake sides last weekend and can carry 7500lbs as per the tag on the truck. The tractor is 8500lbs. Hence the question. Is the statutory load rating a conservative number? Can I transport this load ok safely? The frame is pretty beefy. Many thanks.

caterpillar guy · Jul 24, 2023

Biggest problem I see is if the frame is heavy enough and if you can get it high enough to load. You will need a loading dock at both ends for this and the tractor on backwards for load balance since it has a loader on it. If it has a hoe then not a chance it will be to high for the wires in most states. All of them east of the Mississippi. IT will be a ride you will not soon forget if you do.

fastfarmall · Jul 24, 2023

I would highly recomend a goose neck trailer, on that truck, to haul it home, especially it it has a hoe on it,the frame would maxed out,then you could split that 30% on the truck and 70 on the trailer,i think that's has a 3/16 thick frame, to light to haul that!

Scott 730 · Jul 24, 2023

How are you arriving at the 7500# "carrying capacity"? What is the GVW rating that is stamped on your plate on the door jamb?

I don't think there is a 3500 truck on the planet that can legally carry an 8500# tractor.

This post was edited by Scott 730 on 07/24/2023 at 07:58 pm.

Fargo · Jul 24, 2023

No backhoe

Janicholson · Jul 24, 2023

If you load it and operate reasonably, then an accident (not your fault) happens. I would not risk the resulting law suits. Jim

Fargo · Jul 24, 2023

https://www.google.com/search?
q=how+muck+can+a+chevy+3500+flatbed+carry%3F&rlz=1C1CAFC_enUS901US902&oq=how+muck+can+a+chevy+3500+flatbed+carry%3F&gs_lcrp=EgZja
HJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKAB0gEJMjI0MzRqMWo5qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Jim.ME · Jul 25, 2023

Your capacity tag says 7500 lbs. I have to believe that is the cab and chassis capacity for your truck. Subtract the body weight and the liftgate from that and you are likely down to 6500 lbs. or less. I would say hauling Ford 545 on it would not be a safe or prudent choice. Even if it holds it up it will be top heavy and unstable. JMHO

Brendon-KS · Jul 25, 2023

The 3500HD had a GVWR of 15,000 lbs with a much heavier frame and rear axle than the 3500.

Fargo · Jul 25, 2023

Right. Truck is 8k and that leaves 7k. The bed is heavy and I don't know if it is included in the 8k or should be added to it.

showcrop · Jul 25, 2023

As Jim posted the 7500 stamped on the tag doesn't include your body and lift gate. GM had no way of knowing what body would go on it. Your brakes are nowhere near adequate to stop your truck with that load.

Jim.ME · Jul 25, 2023

(quoted from post at 07:11:52 07/25/23) Right. Truck is 8k and that leaves 7k. The bed is heavy and I don't know if it is included in the 8k or should be added to it.

I believe you will find that truck was build and left the plant as a cab & chassis. That info should be on the RPO tag (often pasted inside the glove box). The body, and lift gate, both have to be subtracted from the available payload of 7000 lbs. or added to the truck's weight. Have you had the empty truck (with you and a full fuel tank) weighed on scales?

Traditional Farmer · Jul 25, 2023

DOT man will love to see you coming.Pull right over here son.

Jim.ME · Jul 25, 2023

Has the tractor and loader actually been weighed on scales? Any ballast in the tires, wheel weights, or counterweight on the rear? While not always right, Tractor Data shows the 545 with loader as much as 12K.

flying belgian · Jul 25, 2023

Please don't do that. 90 miles is not unreasonable to drive the tractor.

ss55 · Jul 25, 2023

If the tractor is in running condition driving the tractor ninety miles should not be a big deal in comfortable weather. Plan out your route to stay on gravel back roads, bypass any towns and enjoy the scenery. Road gear is what 15 to 20 MPH? Ninety miles can easily be covered in a short day. A following vehicle would be handy for food stops, carrying extra tools and fluids, etc.

Yeah, overloading a one ton truck by a factor of two or more and then pulling out on the highway is just courting disaster. Loader tractors always have liquid ballast in the tires. The box on your truck decreases your load capacity by probably between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds too. People in the cab, tools, truck fuel, hold down chains, air compressor, etc. all add up and add to the load too. Weigh your truck sometime, it can be surprising.

Fritz Maurer · Jul 25, 2023

Put the loader bucket on the bed, pick up the front of the tractor and tow it . Not a high speed haul, but 35 mph is better than 18-20.

Scott 730 · Jul 25, 2023

(quoted from post at 10:57:00 07/25/23) Put the loader bucket on the bed, pick up the front of the tractor and tow it . Not a high speed haul, but 35 mph is better than 18-20.

................. like the cops won't notice it??? SMH

1948CaseVAI · Jul 25, 2023

I'm not qualified to judge the capacity, but I am qualified to get amazed at how folks come here to ask advice then want to argue with the answers. You asked and several responded it was a bad idea, but you keep posting arguments in favor.

The best warning came from the post that advised you that you will be subjected to lawsuits in the event of any wreck regardless of whether you are at fault or not. If anyone is seriously hurt or killed
you will likely go to prison. Being overloaded makes you at fault automatically. If you knowingly drive recklessly (overloaded knowingly) your insurance may even be in peril.

Fritz Maurer · Jul 25, 2023

All he has to do is get on the phone with the local
law enforcement. Whats the difference whether you
tow it like that or tow it with a wrecker? I thought
checking the feasibility with the law was an obvious
step. Sorry.

Overloading truck w Tractor...sort of

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