Looking to tow a 5-6000# forklift.. was shopping around for trailers and they reccomend a dovetail with a GVRW of 15,000# it weighs like 2800 or 3000# so I figure the max load going on my factory tow package would be 10,000# (tools,trailer,forklift,tie downs)

Obviously the trailer can handle this, my question is.. is this going to be too much tounge weight? should I be looking into a gooseneck/fiver insted?

I already have a brake controller... how bad is this thing going to be to stop?

Thanks!

BTW- the SC DMV plated my truck with a weight of 6500lbs and GVW of 9000lbs
If the weight limit for needing a CDL is 26,001lbs? then my GVCWR of 24,000lbs should be more than cool? 9000GVW truck and 15,000GVW trailer = 24,000

also, Im hauling my personal property so the DOT is not going to pull me over as I roll down I85 with this stuff behind me? and I assume i do not have to stop at a weigh station correct since my tag is not weighted and its not commercial?

as far as I understand, im not hauling my property for profit, im hauling for my job to make a profit once I get where im going.. so thats not an issue i should be concerned about or is it.

 

You just need to load the forklift right and you will be able to tow it easily. Remember that most of the weight of that lift is the counterweight on the back end so you'll have to get most of that weight over the axles. As far as DOT, not many people have a forklift for personal use so I'd say your going to have a problem there convincing them it's not for business.....

 

Put the weight on the axles..

I reccommend a goosneck anyday over a bumper trailer, but the concept is the same thing, If you are gonna tow, whatever it is, u need to keep the most weight on the axles, or at worst just in front of the axles, it will all balance out your load and be easier on your suspension and drivetrain.

A gooseneck will distribute the weight more evenly over the truck's rear bed frame, is easier to manuever, and easier to tow with more weight than a bumper trailer, but provided ur trailers are properly loaded, it should be no problem,

Tx

 

As far as the DOT is concerend with me hauling a forklift... would I not get harassed if I used enclosed trailer or stake my flatbed with plywood so they cannot see what im hauling?

 

You would be commercial but Not for hire. Putting the forklift in an enclosed trailer is going to more trouble than it's worth vs just complying with the rules. I would definitely get a gooseneck, it will make your life 10x easier in terms of loading, driving and turning, backing up, etc.

 

I second the gooseneck or 5er . a tag trailer in the right situation can get screwy on you with that kind of weight and you need to load it perfect each time

 

you might want to check on the weight of your forklift, if the capacity is 5-6000# the weight of the forklift will be upwards of 15,000#
Marty

 

As far as your question about whether or not you need to go thru the weigh stations, those requirements are state, not federal, so they vary from on state to another. You could always just drive by 'em & if the state boys chase you down plead ignorance. I made two round trips, Michigan to the Florida Keys in my buddy's cube truck. Had his business name prominently painted on the sides. I drove right by all of 'em on both trips. No problems at all. Another time, I had a state guy chase me down for not going thru with a U-Haul. He said the weigh station sign specificly requires rentals to go thru. Let me off with a warning. Best to check with the state(s) you will be going thru.

 

1. Your 3500 is classified as "Commercial" by DOT, even if you are only using it
for personal use. (anything 1 ton or higher)

2. A gooseneck trailer will allow the towing weight to be distributed over the entire truck, rather than all the tongue weight on the bumper. This allows the truck to drive normal, rather than down in the rear, and up in the front, which affects your steering and braking.

3. Suggest you go thru ALL the weigh stations, they will just wave you through if they don't care about you. If you are under 26,000 lbs, this will be most of the case, but DOT does want to know if your truck is "licensed" for the weight that you are towing, and that's why they have you go thru the weigh stations. They may want to see the registration to verify that detail.

We pull a 9900 lbs. Tucker Snocat on a 20 foot gooseneck flatbed in the winter (12200 lbs loaded), with our 2001 Dodge 2500hd 4x4 LWB with cummins, and now are going to be using a 2005 Dodge 3500 Quad cab SRW 4x4 LWB with Cummins in it. The gooseneck rides like it is not even there, the entire truck and trailer ride as one, no sway, no problems with steering because of heavy weight on the bumper.

MAKE sure you are using "Load range E" tires on your truck and trailer, with air pressure between 65 and 80 lbs.

In you case, depending on how wide your forklift is, you might want to look at the "car hauler" type gooseneck trailer, (the lowboy one, not the one that goes into the air). This allows the trailer part to be lower to the ground and the vehicle is between the trailer wheels, some of these are available as tilt trailers also. This will be a light weight and easy to load.

If your forklift is wider than a regular vehicle then you will need a "Flatbed" gooseneck trailer, which is about 3 feet above the ground, and you must use a ramp of some sort. A "dove tail", type of ramp will be easier to use than the regular pull out "flatbed" type ramps, but the "dove tail" will put 5 feet more on the length of your trailer.

Make sure the axles weights are what you need to carry your weight.

We went from a 2 axle to a 3 axle trailer to make sure we had the proper axle and tire weight capability available in case we had a flat tire on one of the axles.

 

Also, DOT rates your trailer and truck combo weights as a total.

Most states will only "License" your trailer as an empty weight.
Ours has a PERMANENT license for 4000 lbs.

The TRUCK is what is "Licensed" for the additional weight. We were licensed to the 2500 HD at 12000 lbs, and on the new 3500 unit I went to 18000 lbs.

This is also the reason that they want you to go thru the weigh station, so they can check your registration and see if you are paying for that extra weight on the highway.

They are now making RV's go thru to see if they also are paying the extra taxes for that weight on the road.

As long as you are under 26000 lbs, you do not need a CDL or a fuel permit.