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Trailer weights

Steve328

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hi all, I’m in the process of looking for a new gooseneck trailer to transport a backhoe to and from a property I own and maybe some small jobs on occasion. What’s confusing to me is does the weight on the ball subtract trailer load. I’m looking at two trailers both made by big Tex. On is a 22gn and the othe 25gn. I’ve attached a drawing of the axle weights and the tow vehicle if someone can have any info if the 22gn would be enough trailer.
 

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AzIron

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Your gvwr is total weight of trailer and load so if your trailer has a 25000 lbs gvwr and the trailer weight empty is 6000lbs then you can only put 19000lbs on the trailer
25000 lbs is the only real option I would think cause the trailer is going to weigh close to 7000 lbs depending on your backhoe you could be very close to over weight
 

Steve328

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Something that doesn’t make sense to me, on my truck it list the front axle at 7,000 and rear at 13,500 but the gvwr at 18,750.
 

Steve328

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Ram 5500
 

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AzIron

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Your truck is only rated for 18750 by the manufacturer

What I don't know is if that includes a trailer some states say it does some say it doesn't

But you will be in cdl weight with that setup
 

Steve328

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When I bought the truck supposedly the tow rating was 27,000. The gross combined weight rating was 37,800 or so. But I’m not sure how that’s calculated. If it’s actual weight or combine gvw. I understand this needs class a license. I wouldn’t dear drive it without everything needed. I was always told that dot goes by axle weights and if that’s the case it think the 22gn trailer would work as it has 2 10k axles and the truck has 13500 so that would be a 33500 pound trailer.
 

AzIron

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True but I go back to my first post that trailer will only work if the machine and trailer weight combined is 22000lbs or depending on your backhoe you might end up over weight

I am not saying it's not doable it just starts to get tight on weight

I know a lot of guys that haul a hoe on this type of setup and they are always pushing weight limits with just the backhoe thats why all our rigs are full trucks you don't have weight problems and you can stop when it matters
 

Steve328

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Yes the weight of the trailer and machine will be over the 22gn’s gvw. The next size up is the 25gn and I’ll be 110 pounds under its max. If I was gonna use it commercially I would certainly look for a bigger rig. This is gonna be personal use 99 percent of the time. I weighed the machine today at 17940 I never thought it was that heavy. So my last question if I get stopped by dot how will they check if I’m in compliance weight wise? Weight axle weights?
 

AzIron

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If they stop you it varies so much but they can weigh you with portables and can check for Axel weight

More than likely you will have close to 20000 on your tow vehicle axles and that is over your gvwr

If your trailer is short you won't be able to move your load around much to adjust the Axel load 110lbs leaves no room so just figure your over eight cause a tank of fuel or mud in the bucket will make that difference

Also dot doesn't care commercial or personal they will nail you everything if they catch you
 

Steve328

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The whole trailer would weight slightly under 26,000 and 30 feet long with 2 12,000 pound axles there’s no way I would get 20,000 on the trucks axle.
 

Tenwheeler

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If I read this correctly your truck GVW ( gross vehicle weight rating ) is 18,750. The lighter trailer has a GVW of 23,900. With two 10,000 Lb axles that is putting 3900 Lb on the truck. The trailer neck is rated for more, maybe 5500 Lb, The CGVW ( combined gross vehicle weight rating ) is 42,650 by axles.
The truck manufacturer cut it back to 37,800 or so. Your truck weight was also cut back from axle weights because of other considerations like the frame and brakes.
Weigh the truck 10,000? and weigh the trailer 6,000 Lb? With a 37,800 CGVWR your would be able to carry 21,800 so long as you can park it in the correct place. Yes they weigh axles.
My neighbor bought a Big Tex and is better than my brand X I haul a 680 on. Ask them or call the home office. I would thank they would do back flips if you are buying a trailer. Just do not want the axles too far back on the trailer.
 

AzIron

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If the trailer gvwr is 25000 and the trailer weight is 6000 wouldn't the trailer only e able to carry 19000 regardless of anything else ?

If I am wrong I don't see were
 

tpitt

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I have an older 25900 Big Tex 24 foot deck and 5 foot beavertail and it weighs just a little over 7300 pounds. This includes the spare and a 16,500 Warn winch with two batteries. I would guess a factory one would weigh around 6800 pounds. It should say on their website.
 

Twisted

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The truck is carrying some of the weight. If the trailer weighs 6000# total hanging from a scale, +/- 1/3 of that will be in the box of the truck when it's hooked up. Moving the load forward or back puts more weight on the truck or trailer axles.
 

colson04

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Looking at Ram's towing chart for the 5500 Cab & Chassis models show that GVWR is not tied to the GCWR. So, Ram says it depends on what engine/transmission/rear axle gear ratio you have as far as what your max trailer capacity can be.

For example:

Ram 5500 Crew Cab 6.7L Diesel Automatic 4x2 has three choices for rear end ratio:

4.10 ratio has a 26,000 GCWR
4.44 ratio has a 26,000 GCWR,
4.88 ratio has a 38,500 GCWR

No, those are not typos. The 4.10 ratio and 4.44 ratio have the same GCVW. The 4.88 ratio is what gives the 5500 series it's big towing capacity. Ford and Chevy are the same way.

For this chassis configuration, all three ratios had the same GVWR. The only part of the truck that determines towing capacity was the rear end ratio according to RAM.

So, what chassis configuration do you have and what rear end ratio is in it?

As for the DOT, I don't know but I would suspect they weigh axles and look for correct loading per axle not to exceed listed capacities.
 

Steve328

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If they stop you it varies so much but they can weigh you with portables and can check for Axel weight

More than likely you will have close to 20000 on your tow vehicle axles and that is over your gvwr

If your trailer is short you won't be able to move your load around much to adjust the Axel load 110lbs leaves no room so just figure your over eight cause a tank of fuel or mud in the bucket will make that difference

Also dot doesn't care commercial or personal they will nail you everything if they catch you
If the trailer gvwr is 25000 and the trailer weight is 6000 wouldn't the trailer only e able to carry 19000 regardless of anything else ?

If I am wrong I don't see were
I was thinking you meant the trucks rear axle would have 20k on it. The machine is 17940 the remainder is the trailer.
 

Steve328

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So I guess the only thing that matters is what the state police say. If the truck and trailer axles are within spec I should be good.
 

Tenwheeler

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I thank so as long as you are under your combined gross vehicle weight, no individual axle is loaded over it's rating or the tires on it.
AzIron is correct but I never saw one disconnected to check that. He may still have wiggle room anyway at 17940 but we don't know what the truck weighs.
 
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