What do you think this thing weighs? It is a 1947 dodge truck dual wheel truck wrecker/tow truck. Need to know to what kind of trailer to get to haul it home. Don't need a broken trailer. I have a 7k GVW trailer now. Not sure if able to handle it. wizard
My guess is the truck + wrecker bed would weigh around 7000#. Use common sense...will it physically fit on the trailer? How far are you hauling? Tow vehicle big enough? Also if the Highway patrol or DOT sees you over loaded it will be a $$$ fine.....
You need more trailer. A 7,000 GVW means 2,000 pounds of trailer and 5,000 pounds of load. My guess would be that the truck with a wrecker boom on it weighs 7,000 or more. Most trailer makers rate their trailers by axle capacity. Many "7,000" pound trailers are grossly over loaded at 5,000 pounds.
I s****ped the frame, steel flatbed, and drivetrain of a 48 1.5 ton a few years ago, came in at 4300lbs. That's without the cab or front sheet metal. For a complete truck with a boom you're looking at 5500 minimum depending on the size of the bed/boom. If it's a short distance with a 1 ton truck pulling the trailer, you might be ok. Anything beyond that I suggest a heavier trailer.
When I pulled my 1947 Ford home I was 'over' 7000 lbs.... My 1947 Ford 1.5ton w/ the metal base/wooden stake scaled in over 8100 lbs.... I'm estimating the trailer was around 2500-3000 (skid steer trailer rated for 10,000) I also did this with a half ton truck... which meant I was over weight with my weight cl***ification allowed on my liscense plate FYI.... The a wrecker boom and all that metal I would plan on getting a bigger trailer with a 3/4-1 ton truck.... ~M (Note my half ton F150 had the large V8, timbren and F250 rear end so it was all find and dandy (hell it sat perfectly level but still)
I have done a lot of towing with tandem axle trailers over the years and I agree with prior posts that you need at least a 10,000# trailer and, ideally, 12,000# to be extra safe. Speaking of safety MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE you have good functioning trailer brakes, no matter what your tow vehicle is. Ray
I couldn't have even imagine trailering that home without trailer brakes.... I had my 10000 lb tandem axle... (each with its own brakes unlike most 7000 lb trailers which only one of the two axles has brakes) down a hill loaded and it was 'pushing' it none the less......
I have a 39 Dodge 11/2 ton with a stake bed and the ***le says it weighs 3425. I 'm sure the wrecker boom weighs a bit more than the stake bed but this might give you an idea. Red
What would you think.. (your weight will be cab/ch***is weight much like how ***les are released now for a cab and ch***is vehicle today....) the wrecker body weighs?..... I would ***ume its a good 16 or 11 GA body panel sides with a 3/16 or 1/4" wall boom.... I'm guessing its a good 1500+ lbs? I figured my stake body added near 700-900 lbs (all 4x4" construction with easily 250 lb of metal support/channel etc) (Judge by the capacity of the skid steer that lifted it off) I would ***ume with hydraulics, a winch, boom metal, body metal, cubby box etc that its easily 1000 lbs..... Figure 3500 lbs empty ch***is weight plus 1000 lbs MIN for the wrecker body.... Your looking at 4500 lbs +2500 lb trailer... viola your already at 7,000 lbs.... Anything over and your already p***ed the capacity of the trailer...
The trailer capacity is a combination of many factors and the one factor most overlooked/abused is the 'tire' part of the equation. Look long and hard at the tires condition and ratings before ever getting close to the so-called max capacity... .
I decided to just hire a roll back operator to move the beast. Would cost me the same to rent a trailer. wizard
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