Haling a 16k backhoe with my 3500

My family just purchased a used 16k lb backhoe for use on our property, we have a 20k rated trailer (I don't know the trailer weight) with a goose neck two axle dual wheels.

I have a 03 3500 dually, exhaust brake and gauges to monitor temps (see sig). The trailer has great electrical brakes.

For Ca I think the weight for a non-commercial set up is 26k or is it 20k. Since the trailer is not used for a business can I move the backhoe with my truck over the Nevada border Ca about 150miles?

In general is there any issues any one know of when towing a backhoe with a 3500?

Thanks

 

Yer gonna be over the 26,000 limit no matter.

Once you are over that weight, commercial/private doesn't matter, it is treated as commercial and you must have a cdl to do it legally.

You're also gonna be over the gcwr for the truck. Not saying the truck won't pull it fine, but that the weights will be more than the truck is rated for.

truck est 7200 lbs
trailer est 6000 lbs
backhoe 16,000 lbs

total = 29,200...well over the cdl limit of 26000

 

hey bud, we had basically the same set up, 30' gneck, w/ dual tandems rated at 20000 combined. our trailer weighed right at 6000 empty. i do believe in tx the weight limit is 26000 and up, yu gotta have a cdl. i never did, and i drove a 99f250 with 7.3, and auto. i also had some extra overload springs on the rear. i never had one problem hauling any load. it was a 2wd as well. i kept good tires on the truck, and allways kept up the maint. on the trailer, esp the brakes and tires and remeber to check the hub oil as well pretty often. i hauled the trailer aprx. 3-4 times a week towing about 500-700 miles a week doing that. i dont know the regulations in ca or nevada. sorry about that, but the truck will easily handle that. my dad has a 2000f350 w/ 7.3 and 4wd crew cab dually, you hardly notice the weight back their.

 

Not if its farm use!

 

Southern Pride, were you ever pulled over?

If for farm use the weight limit still stands 26k and no more unless you have a CDL. Even with a CDL I would be slightly over the limit on my truck, is there any regs/laws that you could get busted for?

 

In Texas you can haul up to 40k under a farm exemption.

What most folks don't know is this requires a special form to be notarized and filed with DPS. Most Troopers don't even know it but I know some that do enforce it!

Edit to add the form link. I can't speak for other states on this but I think you know I know Texas.
www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/cdl-2.pdf

 

Yup!!

 

In California diving with a class "C" license, the max GVW of the towing vehicle may not exceed 26K lbs and trailer GVW is 10K for commercial use.

For RV's 10,001 up to 15K lbs you can add an endorsement.

Anything beyond that a commercial class "A" is required.

So unless there is some farm use loophole I don't know about, you will need a class A to run legal.

You need a commercial class A just to tow the empty trailer.

 

Probably quite similar to yours in weight +/- (JD 310 w/3 buckets on board).

My 3500 pulls/stops (w/properly adjusted trailer brakes) it just fine. The trailer is a PJ 25' w/tandem duals (20k I think).

I tote this one for a friend on occasion as well as our tractors which epending upon the implements could very well be over the limit. Never a problem to date and I tow in and around some high enforcement areas for CHP and Elk Grove's commercial enforcement unit.

Just make sure you are chained adequately at 4 points, drop the hoe (and chain it) to make sure you are not too tall and I doubt you will have any issues.

I do not profess to be an expert, just relating my experiences. If I was in your shoes, I would not even think twice about that load.

 

That is exactly what I would be moving thanks for the pic, I did a little research on the CA DMV site. Here is what I found:

A commercial vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination used for hire to transport passengers or property or which:
• Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
• Is designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 10 passengers, including the driver
• Tows a vehicle or trailer, which has a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more
• Transports hazardous materials, which requires placards
• Tows any combination of two trailers or vehicle and trailer

With a vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, you may tow a:

* trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 lbs. gross.
* trailer coach or 5th-wheel travel trailer under 10,000 lbs. GVWR when towing is not for compensation
* 5th-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. but not exceeding 15,000 lbs. GVWR, when towing is not for compensation and with endorsement.


Therefore it seems to be legal to have a pickup under 26k with a 15k trailer.

If I tried to keep the trailer at the legal limit 15k, I would have roughly have a pickup with a GVWR of 14.5k not too bad. I think the Dodge 2003 3500 is rated at 2300 GCWR which I would be approximately 6k over.

 

Providing the truck is licensed FARM and once across state lines, that goes out the window.

As far as the truck handling the load, my cousin regularly hauls much larger hoes, skidders, small dozers, etc. and his 3500 Cummins seems to be able to easily exceed the limits of speed with it, as he drives like a lunatic race-car driver.

 

You guys bring up a good point as to the ag use 'exemption' (if there is such a thing in CA). Does anyone know or can reference the DMV code section on this?

Real world? A lot of folks tow loads greater than 20k here with hay/tractors/implements/etc and they are not hassled as long as they are not unsafe and chained/strapped properly. I am referring to guys transporting their 'own' equipment (i.e. - not for hire). As I said, enforcement is not terribly light ere, so what gives? Anyone know definitively?

 

Just tell them that you are coming back from Katrina work and they will let you go! You will have no problem with that load, unless the engine in the 03 SO and the 47re Trans!!!!! Been there and done that! JB

 

I read your list of goodies and there will be no problems with your truck handling that weight!

 

Gentlemen,
I know in OH I can run our semi under the farm use description. It has to be used for our farm-I cannot haul grain or any commodity for a neighboring farmer-and I can only go 150 miles from my home. I do not have a CDL-my license is no different. I don't know if this provides any additional information, but I thought I would share.