How long of a trailer? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Eskimo · 09-20-2002, 06:13 AM

My rig is a FJ-40, but most friends drive small pickups (Toyota P/U's, Tacomas), so I'd like to be able to haul the FJ AND a Tacoma... (He'll pay for fuel)

So, with that in mind, whaddya think as far as length? This will obviously be a gooseneck...

30', double 7500lb axles?

My planned future tow rig is a crew cab, 3/4 ton long bed. Can't justify an extra $2500 for duals, and have to deal with them every day.

Travis Waldher · 09-20-2002, 07:49 AM

Going to guess weights here:

FJ-40 - 4,000lbs (more if steel hard top I would assume)
Tacoma - 4,000lbs
30' gooseneck, 4,500-5,500lbs depending on make/model.

Thats upwards of 13,500lbs of weight. Two 7,000lb axles, thats pushing it. (I prefer some margin of safety myself)

tow rig - hope you plan on diesel. If not V10 or big block minimum, but will cost you big in fuel and probably only do so so acceleratnig pulling hills.

CSP · 09-20-2002, 08:01 AM

I would think 30' at least. A 25'er would defiitely be too short. If all else fails you could always break out the tape measure and measure both rigs.

FYRMAN · 09-20-2002, 08:36 AM

Measure both rigs. Then while you are looking at trailers, keep in mind that you need that much room on the deck, and not total length. Ramps could get tricky. Some fold down off of the back, and some pull out. You would be fine to get either style, but I would get the fold down ramps because it would help the resale value.

Oh yeah, and get a one ton truck.

Eskimo · 09-20-2002, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the input...

30 deck length sounds good.. and yeah the rig is gonna be diesel, without a doubt! And, mildly warmed over...

I'm gonna check the NC/TN laws about towing... a 58' overall package is one long sumbitch! (22' truck + 36 trailer overall)

Didn't realize the trailer could weigh so much, but it makes sense... But I saw a trailer from BigTex that has 8k axles, that should be more than plenty...

Now, without getting into a dual vs. single wheel arguement.. (or maybe we should) I doubt I'd have more than 2500lbs of pin weight with 2 rigs on the trailer... so why get the DRW, and deal with the harsher unloaded ride, width problems (can't get it into the garage ass-first to work on it), and cost? This rig will also be my D/D.

Travis Waldher · 09-20-2002, 10:18 AM

Well? from everything I have been told. DW feels way more stable towing anything heavy. Also going to have a slightly higher GVWR capacity.

I figure... pay for it now, because you may drop in a camper or something later when you are not towing and wish you had the duallies.

Harsh drive while unloaded? bahh... find 1,000lbs of something to drop in the bed.

TR · 09-20-2002, 09:35 PM

get the duals, if you plan on towing in the mountians you will be thankful. Also if you are conserned with a rough ride just take a few leaves out of the rear pack and add a air bag to them when unloaded set the bag at a low pressure and when towing increase the pressure.

smurfsdad · 09-21-2002, 06:31 AM

This trailer had a 28 ft deck and was rated at 14,000 lbs. i hauled 2 broncos and once a bronco and a cj7 and it was perfect.

smurfsdad · 09-21-2002, 06:35 AM

And i towed it with this, a 97 PSD with a chip. couldnt have asked for anything better. Would go over Donner summit on I80 with 2 rigs at 65mph.

Trigger · 09-30-2002, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eskimo
Thanks for the input...

30 deck length sounds good.. and yeah the rig is gonna be diesel, without a doubt! And, mildly warmed over...

I'm gonna check the NC/TN laws about towing... a 58' overall package is one long sumbitch! (22' truck + 36 trailer overall)

Didn't realize the trailer could weigh so much, but it makes sense... But I saw a trailer from BigTex that has 8k axles, that should be more than plenty...

Now, without getting into a dual vs. single wheel arguement.. (or maybe we should) I doubt I'd have more than 2500lbs of pin weight with 2 rigs on the trailer... so why get the DRW, and deal with the harsher unloaded ride, width problems (can't get it into the garage ass-first to work on it), and cost? This rig will also be my D/D.

You can go 1 ton without the duals (unless you get a Dodge). FWIW, the new 2500 4x4 6 speed Dodge is rated at 13k towing capacity. Although your 3/4 would pull it, it may not be legal. I've seen a lot of folks get pulled over lately by the DOT. If they break out the scales on you, it can save you a fortune by having the 1 ton sticker and higher GVWR. The fines for being over the legal weight limit are very steep.

Travis Waldher · 09-30-2002, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trigger

You can go 1 ton without the duals (unless you get a Dodge). FWIW, the new 2500 4x4 6 speed Dodge is rated at 13k towing capacity. Although your 3/4 would pull it, it may not be legal. I've seen a lot of folks get pulled over lately by the DOT. If they break out the scales on you, it can save you a fortune by having the 1 ton sticker and higher GVWR. The fines for being over the legal weight limit are very steep.

At the same time, I've been told, that you can just pay for more tonnage ahead of time. I haven't looked deeply in to that yet... I can buildup a dodge to pull 20,000lbs.. but.. would suck when I have to stop at the scales and I had a "overloaded" 1 ton truck. (some places scale you if trailer is over 10,000lbs)

Toddy · 10-05-2002, 10:53 AM

get a 30 footer with no dove tail. You wont need to get ttrucks on it and if you do need to get something big on it abck up to a hill of some sort. Not having a dove tail will give you 30 of useable deck. I would go with single wheel if you get a 3/4 cause you will be way over loaded if you get as much as a duel wheel trailer will haul. Get the truck first and then you can worry about the trailer you can pull and still be legal. And I think in TN you dont have to stop at scales unless you have com. tags. Could be wrong but I would check. I have a 3/4 PSD and an looking at single real wheel 30 footer with no dovetail. I think I will be fine with 2 trucks on it.

Todd

Oxjockey · 10-05-2002, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trigger

If they break out the scales on you, it can save you a fortune by having the 1 ton sticker and higher GVWR. The fines for being over the legal weight limit are very steep.

The door sticker and the legal limit for that rig are not the same thing. If I register my 8800 lb 2500 for 20k lb, that's all that matters...and the tires can take the load I have on it.

Bryan

wheatfield · 10-20-2002, 09:01 AM

Hello all,
I just went through this thing when I went to replace my 18' trailer. I looked into a 30' trailer to haul mine and a buddies rigs.
I have a 02 Dodge 2500 Cummins/ 6spd. The truck has a 20,000lbs GCWR. I live in Kansas, I checked with KS,CO, and UT as these would be the most common states I would be towing in. All told me if I was over the trucks stated GCWR no matter how big of a tag I had (24K) that I could be given a ticket and also held liable in case of an wreck. Also my insurance would not cover me if I was over loaded. So I got me a new 20' and my buddy will just have to get his own tow rig. However I have seen commercial trucks and vans with a GVW printed on the side that I know is higher that the stated GVW of the truck or van. To me it was not worth the risk.

Scott

postal · 10-23-2002, 11:54 AM

I have a 30 ft. GN trailer with no dovetail, and have hauled two rigs with room to spare. Since then, I put a camper up front that takes up 11ft. I didn't care for the thought of the dually either since my tow truck has to be my DD also. I went with a Dodge w/out training wheels.

CITY WORK · 10-23-2002, 04:51 PM

This fall I pulled a 30' gooseneck out to DTC in Rapid City. I pulled on to the scales with all of my camping stuff and a CJ and TJ on the trailer.

I was using my 2000 F-350 SRW PSD. Here is how it looked.

Steer Axle: 4240lb
Drive Axle: 5440lb
Trailer Axle: 11980lb
Gross Weight 21660lb

09-20-2002, 06:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Eskimo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10429 Location: Danville, PA Posts: 4,456	How long of a trailer? My rig is a FJ-40, but most friends drive small pickups (Toyota P/U's, Tacomas), so I'd like to be able to haul the FJ AND a Tacoma... (He'll pay for fuel) So, with that in mind, whaddya think as far as length? This will obviously be a gooseneck... 30', double 7500lb axles? My planned future tow rig is a crew cab, 3/4 ton long bed. Can't justify an extra $2500 for duals, and have to deal with them every day. __________________ Rich Q. FJ-40 Cruggy - tuned 5.3/4WS rockwells/linked/ORI's/42's

09-20-2002, 08:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
FYRMAN Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4358 Location: otHELLo, Washington Posts: 3,700	Measure both rigs. Then while you are looking at trailers, keep in mind that you need that much room on the deck, and not total length. Ramps could get tricky. Some fold down off of the back, and some pull out. You would be fine to get either style, but I would get the fold down ramps because it would help the resale value. Oh yeah, and get a one ton truck. __________________ [COLOR="Red"]Central Washington Muff Dive and Rescue Team[/COLOR]

09-20-2002, 10:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Eskimo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10429 Location: Danville, PA Posts: 4,456	Thanks for the input... 30 deck length sounds good.. and yeah the rig is gonna be diesel, without a doubt! And, mildly warmed over... I'm gonna check the NC/TN laws about towing... a 58' overall package is one long sumbitch! (22' truck + 36 trailer overall) Didn't realize the trailer could weigh so much, but it makes sense... But I saw a trailer from BigTex that has 8k axles, that should be more than plenty... Now, without getting into a dual vs. single wheel arguement.. (or maybe we should) I doubt I'd have more than 2500lbs of pin weight with 2 rigs on the trailer... so why get the DRW, and deal with the harsher unloaded ride, width problems (can't get it into the garage ass-first to work on it), and cost? This rig will also be my D/D. __________________ Rich Q. FJ-40 Cruggy - tuned 5.3/4WS rockwells/linked/ORI's/42's

09-20-2002, 09:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
TR Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2877 Location: Gordonsville, Va Posts: 3,502	get the duals, if you plan on towing in the mountians you will be thankful. Also if you are conserned with a rough ride just take a few leaves out of the rear pack and add a air bag to them when unloaded set the bag at a low pressure and when towing increase the pressure. __________________ Penn State study finds that heavy drinking is 100% easier than giving a shit

09-21-2002, 06:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
smurfsdad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 324 Location: Nevada Posts: 4,005	This trailer had a 28 ft deck and was rated at 14,000 lbs. i hauled 2 broncos and once a bronco and a cj7 and it was perfect. Attached Images __________________ Family, Friends, riders and racers, its who we are.

09-20-2002, 07:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,523	Going to guess weights here: FJ-40 - 4,000lbs (more if steel hard top I would assume) Tacoma - 4,000lbs 30' gooseneck, 4,500-5,500lbs depending on make/model. Thats upwards of 13,500lbs of weight. Two 7,000lb axles, thats pushing it. (I prefer some margin of safety myself) tow rig - hope you plan on diesel. If not V10 or big block minimum, but will cost you big in fuel and probably only do so so acceleratnig pulling hills.

09-20-2002, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
CSP Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1533 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 2,779	I would think 30' at least. A 25'er would defiitely be too short. If all else fails you could always break out the tape measure and measure both rigs.

09-20-2002, 10:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,523	Well? from everything I have been told. DW feels way more stable towing anything heavy. Also going to have a slightly higher GVWR capacity. I figure... pay for it now, because you may drop in a camper or something later when you are not towing and wish you had the duallies. Harsh drive while unloaded? bahh... find 1,000lbs of something to drop in the bed.

09-21-2002, 06:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
smurfsdad Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 324 Location: Nevada Posts: 4,005	And i towed it with this, a 97 PSD with a chip. couldnt have asked for anything better. Would go over Donner summit on I80 with 2 rigs at 65mph. Attached Images __________________ Family, Friends, riders and racers, its who we are.

10-05-2002, 10:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
Toddy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1136 Location: Knoxville,TN Posts: 1,412	get a 30 footer with no dove tail. You wont need to get ttrucks on it and if you do need to get something big on it abck up to a hill of some sort. Not having a dove tail will give you 30 of useable deck. I would go with single wheel if you get a 3/4 cause you will be way over loaded if you get as much as a duel wheel trailer will haul. Get the truck first and then you can worry about the trailer you can pull and still be legal. And I think in TN you dont have to stop at scales unless you have com. tags. Could be wrong but I would check. I have a 3/4 PSD and an looking at single real wheel 30 footer with no dovetail. I think I will be fine with 2 trucks on it. Todd __________________ IROCWEL

10-20-2002, 09:01 AM	#14 (permalink)
wheatfield Granite Guru Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8990 Location: Overland Park KS Posts: 744	Hello all, I just went through this thing when I went to replace my 18' trailer. I looked into a 30' trailer to haul mine and a buddies rigs. I have a 02 Dodge 2500 Cummins/ 6spd. The truck has a 20,000lbs GCWR. I live in Kansas, I checked with KS,CO, and UT as these would be the most common states I would be towing in. All told me if I was over the trucks stated GCWR no matter how big of a tag I had (24K) that I could be given a ticket and also held liable in case of an wreck. Also my insurance would not cover me if I was over loaded. So I got me a new 20' and my buddy will just have to get his own tow rig. However I have seen commercial trucks and vans with a GVW printed on the side that I know is higher that the stated GVW of the truck or van. To me it was not worth the risk. Scott

10-23-2002, 11:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
postal Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5458 Location: IL/IN Posts: 302	I have a 30 ft. GN trailer with no dovetail, and have hauled two rigs with room to spare. Since then, I put a camper up front that takes up 11ft. I didn't care for the thought of the dually either since my tow truck has to be my DD also. I went with a Dodge w/out training wheels. __________________ '99 4Runner

10-23-2002, 04:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
CITY WORK Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9316 Location: Avon IN Posts: 207	This fall I pulled a 30' gooseneck out to DTC in Rapid City. I pulled on to the scales with all of my camping stuff and a CJ and TJ on the trailer. I was using my 2000 F-350 SRW PSD. Here is how it looked. Steer Axle: 4240lb Drive Axle: 5440lb Trailer Axle: 11980lb Gross Weight 21660lb

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