Too much tongue weight??

[Erik909]

Does anyone have experience with a trailer set up like this? Do you see an issue with tongue weight if you were to have a 2800-3500lb machine on 4’ deck. The manufacture states it’s designed around a MT55

 

[Stephen Moore]

Does anyone have experience with a trailer set up like this? Do you see an issue with tongue weight if you were to have a 2800-3500lb machine on 4’ deck. The manufacture states it’s designed around a MT55

It depends on how the load is over the trailer axle. Be advised that to much load behind the axle can cause severe instability going down hill or if the brakes are applied. So at some point your load will need to be greater forward of the axle. Another consideration is your braking weight. Many trailers that are designed to haul heavy loads, not yard/lawn equipment, are equipped with trailer brakes because your truck is not designed to stop a heavy load going down hill and the trailer will tend to want to pass the truck. Be extremely careful with that!

 

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Does anyone have experience with a trailer set up like this? Do you see an issue with tongue weight if you were to have a 2800-3500lb machine on 4’ deck. The manufacture states it’s designed around a MT55

What are we talking about.. a 4ft deck in a small trailer like this? Most max tongue weights on those small trailers that I've seen are like 200-500lbs...

But we're talking something like this..

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[Erik909]

What are we talking about.. a 4ft deck in a small trailer like this? Most max tongue weights on those small trailers that I've seen are like 200-500lbs...
I had posted a picture. Don’t know where it went, but this set up

But we're talking something like this..

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[Erik909]

Sorry. This style

 

[Jimmycrackcorn]

There ya go.. i think you got it.. haha..

Yeah! Right on..! That's pretty freaking cool man! I've never seen one..

Downside? Chyeah.. id say your loading that tongue pretty good if the trailer is loaded as well. However.. if it's legit it's legit..

Is the rating not lised on there? Or on a manufacturer's site? Id imagine if the manufacturer designed to carry a load like that, it fine.. that is unlesz your trying to go bigger than what that MT55 weighs..do they really weigh 2800-3000k?

But if its legit.. Id be more concerned about the truck side & what classes hitch your running & whether or not you have bags in they're to help level the load for a stable driving characteristics. You can always adjust the trailer side pintle ring up or down as needed to level the trailer.. but you probably already know that..

Hahaha.. "are we talking about something like this" i seriously thought you were relating to front loading a little dingy trailer with that much weight.. i was like ahhhh yeah.. this isn't gunna end well..

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[evo]

If it’s a issue you can put the mini in the dump on the way to the job, and then when loaded up on the tounge for the ride home?

 

[Erik909]

If it’s a issue you can put the mini in the dump on the way to the job, and then when loaded up on the tounge for the ride home?

That was kind of where my thoughts were. Or a grinder like the SC40TX on the front and a mini in the trailer possible spun sideways. Just trying to find an efficient system while sticking with the truck I have.

 

[Stephen Moore]

This trailer can easily haul a mini and can be pulled behind a truck this size the same trailer in steel would be too much for that truck

 

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Well what are you driving..? I assumed you were driving at least a 3/4. If u already are, what would you go up to? I mentioned air bags earlier, but those will be useless if you can't stop or drive without the trailer throwing you around because the truck is only a 1/2 ton. & that's not even taking pulling power into consideration..

Like the other post shows.. he could tug around that trailer with that frontier, but as soon as your talking steel & adding solid dump style sides, hydraulics, heavier frame & way more steel there's no way it will be able to safley pull it..

Shit.. i got a smaller 8 x 14 16k twin piston & when i first got it, everyone wanted to borrow it, most had 1/2 tons & all claimed they could tug it no problem.. Long story short, it sagged their 1/2 ton so bad they got stuck on a hill bottoming the hitch out, ripped my emergency cable, buggered up the jack stand & even after all that, dragged my 7way cable till it was a 3way cable.. Then once they filled it i had to come out to pick it up cuz they couldn't pull it. That was the last time i let anyone with a half ton borrow it.. i also started charging ppl to use it.. once i did that, no one wanted to "borrow" it anymore...

Don't get me wrong they have their place, but it's like trying to use the mini chipper to do the big hardwood removal.. it just doesn't work out very well..

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[Stephen Moore]

Well what are you driving..? I assumed you were driving at least a 3/4. If u already are, what would you go up to? I mentioned air bags earlier, but those will be useless if you can't stop or drive without the trailer throwing you around because the truck is only a 1/2 ton. & that's not even taking pulling power into consideration..

Like the other post shows.. he could tug around that trailer with that frontier, but as soon as your talking steel & adding solid dump style sides, hydraulics, heavier frame & way more steel there's no way it will be able to safley pull it..

Shit.. i got a smaller 8 x 14 16k twin piston & when i first got it, everyone wanted to borrow it, most had 1/2 tons & all claimed they could tug it no problem.. Long story short, it sagged their 1/2 ton so bad they got stuck on a hill bottoming the hitch out, ripped my emergency cable, buggered up the jack stand & even after all that, dragged my 7way cable till it was a 3way cable.. Then once they filled it i had to come out to pick it up cuz they couldn't pull it. That was the last time i let anyone with a half ton borrow it.. i also started charging ppl to use it.. once i did that, no one wanted to "borrow" it anymore...

Don't get me wrong they have their place, but it's like trying to use the mini chipper to do the big hardwood removal.. it just doesn't work out very well..

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yep exactly, thats why a snowmobile is in that trailer, or maybe a zero turn lawn mower? But honestly, if you only want one truck for chips and hauling a chipper, at the minimum it needs to be a 1 ton with duellys. With overloads and a dump box! And even at that don't expect to pull much more than a 6" chipper with a load of chips on board! That wont leave much room for crew and gear either! As for B training... Not legal here but if it were you would need a 2 1/2 ton or better to pull off the stopping power and best with air brakes!

 

[Stephen Moore]

One thing I should mention, many customers these days are willing to do some of the work, you might only bid on small jobs to start, that don't require you to haul chips or even a chipper for that matter. I pass on and turn down tons of smaller jobs that would pay great if I didn't have to keep the machines working! Overhead is what drives the need to do bigger jobs. I made good money doing limbing for a view and repairs. Real estate companies in lake / resort areas often improve sales values by raising canopies to get a better view. I don't really subscribe to that policy but hey, someone else will make the money so... That's what I would do for a while before I dumped a wad of cash on equipment frankly.

 

[Jimmycrackcorn]

yep exactly, thats why a snowmobile is in that trailer, or maybe a zero turn lawn mower? But honestly, if you only want one truck for chips and hauling a chipper, at the minimum it needs to be a 1 ton with duellys. With overloads and a dump box! And even at that don't expect to pull much more than a 6" chipper with a load of chips on board! That wont leave much room for crew and gear either! As for B training... Not legal here but if it were you would need a 2 1/2 ton or better to pull off the stopping power and best with air brakes!

Oh well yeah.. if he's trying to do a chip box & that trailer or chipper, then yeah..lol.. he'll probably want a dually..

But we don't even know what he's working with right now so much of our suggestions are a moot point.

I've watched a few friends businesses grow & most start out with that clunker dually & a old 12incher or less... Last year i came across a guy going to a job.. it was an odd sight but bad ass in it's own right.. he had a 07 Cummins with a typical chip box, the truck was in decent shape, same as mine just a dually.. However! He had this huge tandem Axel chipper, i think it was like a 20+ incher may have even had a grap..iirc.. I thought to myself f#$& yeah! That's some power.. but then i looked at the truck & was like wtf.. their gonna have to be going to dump this thing like every ten minutes.. but.. you know, they obviously had recently upgraded their chipper & the truck was probably next in line.. I just thought it was a bad rig & nice too see someone being successful & growing... I had an extra hard on too cuz I'm that guy who wants to run everything through whole & be onto the next.. maybe if i got my act together & was a biz owner making $$ on logs I'd have a different tune.

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[Erik909]

One thing I should mention, many customers these days are willing to do some of the work, you might only bid on small jobs to start, that don't require you to haul chips or even a chipper for that matter. I pass on and turn down tons of smaller jobs that would pay great if I didn't have to keep the machines working! Overhead is what drives the need to do bigger jobs. I made good money doing limbing for a view and repairs. Real estate companies in lake / resort areas often improve sales values by raising canopies to get a better view. I don't really subscribe to that policy but hey, someone else will make the money so... That's what I would do for a while before I dumped a wad of cash on equipment frankly.

Thank you sir. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m going to look for a basic 14’ dump trailer and focus on equipping myself with more climbing and rigging gear this year and then possibly take a leap into equipment next year. Thanks for your time!

 

[Stephen Moore]

Sure glad to help!

 

[Stephen Moore]

Oh well yeah.. if he's trying to do a chip box & that trailer or chipper, then yeah..lol.. he'll probably want a dually..

But we don't even know what he's working with right now so much of our suggestions are a moot point.

I've watched a few friends businesses grow & most start out with that clunker dually & a old 12incher or less... Last year i came across a guy going to a job.. it was an odd sight but bad ass in it's own right.. he had a 07 Cummins with a typical chip box, the truck was in decent shape, same as mine just a dually.. However! He had this huge tandem Axel chipper, i think it was like a 20+ incher may have even had a grap..iirc.. I thought to myself f#$& yeah! That's some power.. but then i looked at the truck & was like wtf.. their gonna have to be going to dump this thing like every ten minutes.. but.. you know, they obviously had recently upgraded their chipper & the truck was probably next in line.. I just thought it was a bad rig & nice too see someone being successful & growing... I had an extra hard on too cuz I'm that guy who wants to run everything through whole & be onto the next.. maybe if i got my act together & was a biz owner making $$ on logs I'd have a different tune.

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Right now in BC fir and cedar poles, peelers and saw logs are at an all time high! Like gold sticking out of dirt! Too bad nearly all the trees I’ve had to do have all been wind shook big assed sap leaking snageltoothed nightmares! Here one I started to de limb today, I’ll behead it tomorrow if this stormy weather blows through?

 

[Stephen Moore]

Sorry for the double post

 

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Sorry for the double post

What's an all time high feel like in the pocket? You getting getting good $$ for stuff smaller than 20ft? Speaking of which.. I've always been under the impression the longer you keep it the more $$ you'll get.. 20's being the ideal length..

You see around here, it's more so cord wood that's bringing the $$. A softwood load to the mill is only going to bring about 1/3 of what a grapple load of hardwood to a customers home would bring. Basically, either the guys I've worked for are getting boned by the local mill or it just isn't worth crap.. Example.. Grapple load of hardwood to a consumer = $800-900
Grapple load of pine to mill = $250-$450.. (to be quite honest, i never seen an mill receipt for more than say.. $325, but it could just be i never saw the higher ones)

Also, I think up there in BC it's a completely different scenario with all those nice desireable softwoods. It's rare around here to get into a sizeable softwood that hasn't been ruined by metal objects in it.

 

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Thank you sir. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m going to look for a basic 14’ dump trailer and focus on equipping myself with more climbing and rigging gear this year and then possibly take a leap into equipment next year. Thanks for your time!

Go 16ft..! Just do it!
When i bought mine i regretted not going bigger.. I've heard the same from alot of other ppl as well..

Also.. take into consideration what style you want.. low pro or traditional.. I went low as it made sense at the time but, when trying to dump odd material (like fire wood or blocks) you can't keep the pile contained as tight.. IDK how much of a difference the higher ones make but i know the lower you are the more spread out your pile will be. (The load being dumped can't pile high, only place it has to pile, is into the trailer itself which isn't very high & then u have to pull forward. So it lays out a long "carpet like" mess with certain material) Obviously stone, dirt, mulch & fine material isn't affected to that degree, but it's deff something to consider if using it for logs or chunks..

Oh yeah.. btw.. what are you using for a vehicle.. the other half of your original question depended on that factor..

What are you thinking of getting for rigging equipment. I was about to start a thread looking for some good, but advanced starter kit suggestions..

 

[Erik909]

Go 16ft..! Just do it!
When i bought mine i regretted not going bigger.. I've heard the same from alot of other ppl as well..

Also.. take into consideration what style you want.. low pro or traditional.. I went low as it made sense at the time but, when trying to dump odd material (like fire wood or blocks) you can't keep the pile contained as tight.. IDK how much of a difference the higher ones make but i know the lower you are the more spread out your pile will be. (The load being dumped can't pile high, only place it has to pile, is into the trailer itself which isn't very high & then u have to pull forward. So it lays out a long "carpet like" mess with certain material) Obviously stone, dirt, mulch & fine material isn't affected to that degree, but it's deff something to consider if using it for logs or chunks..

Oh yeah.. btw.. what are you using for a vehicle.. the other half of your original question depended on that factor..

What are you thinking of getting for rigging equipment. I was about to start a thread looking for some good, but advanced starter kit suggestions..

Thanks for the heads up.

I have a 2016 GMC 2500HD Diesel

I’ve been kinda eyeing up some of the starter kits that wesspur offers and then adding bits and pieces where required. Probably add a omni block in there somewhere as well.