I need to pull a trailer loaded with a Bobcat & ditch witch about 250 miles. It has a pintle hitch and weighs 20,000 to 22,000lbs. The heaviest I've pulled is a 10,000 travel trailer. Can I do it ok, and any tips on shifting a 5speed with a load like that?

 

is it a dually, is it a gosse or 5th wheel, I have done it before but don't really like too and I have big bags, and tires that can handle 10k or something like that a piece

 

Right off the bat you need a CDL -A and everything that goes with it -physical card , proof of drug test , etc . That will somewhat reduce your fines . What state are you located in ? Tell us and we can let you know your odds of being nailed . What kind of hitch do you have to hook that pintle hitch to ? That load is 6,000 lbs. over recommended tow capacity for a fifth wheel with a duallie .

 

Your can pull it, but can you stop it?

 

I wouldn't do it with a pintle trailer. Goose yes, pintle no.

I pulled a big pintle trailer a short distance. It weighted about 10K empty. It had air brakes so I was driving w/ no trailer brakes. Never again.

 

Gooseneck would be no big deal. But that is a lot of weight for a bumper hitch. I would do it with my dually, but with your single rear wheel it might be best to make 2 trips.

 

I do have my cdl(and other paperwork). My truck is a 2500 with a 5speed. The trailer has new brakes. I just need to pull it 225 miles.

 

Go slow if you do it and you are gonna squat bigtime.

 

It is a pintle hitch, and yeah I plan on going slow. Should I even try to run in 5th gear(downhill or on flat road)? What's the best rpm to run in pulling that kinda weight?

 

I always keep my rpms low and pull in OD, get much better fuel economy that way. I would say anything over 60 use OD. I don't know if you have a boost gauge but if you do when your boost starts to go down rapidly its time to down shift.

 

Before you hook it all up and go for the ride; I'd lie down under the truck and closely inspect the hitch to ensure it isn't bent/cracked/broke/missing bolts, etc. before you start your adventure. Those things have been known to happen.

 

If u must move that weight..

move it with a gooseneck trailer, your truck can pull it, theres no doubt about it, stopping it is gonna be the big problem... A good trailer with brakes if its a tag is ok, but for that much weight, ur gonna need a gooseneck... well not need its just best advised...

Rick

 

I would say not to pull that considering it is about 6000 lbs more than the your hitch is rated for.

 

If your going to haul that much weight, I would have to agree with others and use a gooseneck, otherwise with a pintle hitch its going to be a white knuckle ride. If you do it...take pics and show us though.

 

It's one thing to tow that wieght with a goosneck, but a normal hitch you have much more room for failure if it's not rated for the wieght. The truck will pull it, I pull 8k and can't tell it's back there other than fast accel, especially with a 5spd you should be fine power wise, but thats probably the least important thing when it comes to safety for you and others. If the hitch breaks, ur brakeaway chains go with it unless you hook them into ur frame. Maybe weld ur hitch for alittle added strength if the bolts break.