Will 3500 Duramax tow a 24,000 lb material handler with a 12 ton gooseneck trailor or do I need to step up to a 4500?

You could do it, I wouldnt make a habit of it or go real far but it will do it if ya need to.

Keep in mind that's overloading the trailer! 24,000 gross for the trailer capacity MINUS the weight of the trailer gives you probably 20,000 or less. 2 extra tons is almost 20% more weight. More of a brake problem than anything. Tall loads will have a bad tendacy to tip over when you overload.

What ya got jo9702? What kind of material handler ya got?


Everyday hauling or anything over 50 miles........ go bigger, go much bigger. Pushing the limmit is fun but not worth "our" lives. I used the word our to emphisize that as you squish us (place your kids here or your mother and father, even your wife and sister) at the 4-way stop,not being able to stop, we die and your life ends. It takes a lot out of a man when he knows murder could have been prevented.


I'm not yelling, just voicing my thoughts about absurbly over-weighting the truck.


12 ton trailer weighs = 7 to 8k lbs


24,000 lb machine + trailer = 31,000 lbs


the truck @ 8k + the trailer + the load = 39,000 lbs! That's 50% of the "legal" weight for an 18 wheeler!


......... To answer the question... Yes, that's too much weight.

Let me know where and when you are towing so I can stay home that day.


Be safe.

I think you need a Peterbilt not a Chevy. I pull more than I should and I only weigh 25000# max. Granted you have a 3500 but you will never stop it safely. If you do use a good brake controller i.e prodigy. If you have an Allison you will have big problems on hills. The grade brake is great, but it doesn't do much when loaded super heavy. Good luck.

just do it.........people haul that much all the time

Hey rickles, I think he means "every day" not just now and then........


You must want to scrape someone off the road? You do this for a living?

OK guys, there are two seperate issues here. Pulling and stopping. MAybe a third, stability.

The GVW of the tractor has NOTHING to do with what it can pull. Given a low enough gear and enough traction, you can pull most anything. How fast depends on the amount of HP getting to the ground.

Stopping is function of the TOTAL amount of braking available. That includes the trailer. The braking for each axle is at least as much as the load rating for highway axles. (keep away from those moble home axles) So if you have 100 tons worth of braking on the trailer and tractor then you can safely move loads as long as you are below 100 tons GCVW.

Stability comes in here too. Most trailers track best if about 15-25% of the load is on the hitch. Traction is also enhanced if you have more weight on the truck. But you must not overload the axles on the truck.

If you read the fine print in the owner's manual, you will see that GM claims 15,000 GVW trailer is fine. That number is based on the truck's ability to keep the load going at highway speed on most roads. If you don't mind lugging up the hills with the Semis, load er up.

Fingers,


Nice post. Concise, full of info, easy to understand.


Thanks,
Dennis

Guess I should mention some DOT issues....

To stay legal, you MUST register your tractor's GCVW high enough to cover the groos weight. In this case 35,000!! That will put you firmly in CDL land with all the glory that goes with it. In your case it might actually be a blessing since the training for a Commercial License would give you the needed knowledge for hauling big loads.

Depending on your state, changing the GCVW on a truck is either easy or very painful. Having a farm here in PA helps, but I wasn't that lucky. Still, my 2500HD is registered at 26,000 GCVW making me legal to drag around a 19,000 lb trailer. Of that 4,100 is trailer and the rest payload. Happens to be just enough capacity to legally pull my backhoe around with maybe 300# to spare.

I don't go up hills very fast.....

Will 3500 Duramax tow a 24,000 lb material handler with a 12 ton gooseneck trailor or do I need to step up to a 4500?

Not enough gearing, frame and axle for that kind of load regularly. You need a lot more truck. Some might try it but it would be very foolish.

Hey rickles, I think he means "every day" not just now and then........


You must want to scrape someone off the road? You do this for a living?








I do it for a living, and I would not want to have to cut off 39,000 lbs off of someone.


Just for refrence, the Engine I drive is 31,000 lbs and the ladder I often drive is 68,000 lbs.


The ladder is not nice when she does not want to stop, and I have 10 wheels and airbrakes to help me out.

Anybody got a GN that is rated for that kind of weight? I think unigoose is 30000 and 10000 tongue.

Let me start by saying I do know what im talking about. I have driven, safely and legally over 85000#. IMHO 20k trailer GVW is all i would go on a 3500 and thats only for recreation. If your pulling a material handler your comercial. First thing do you have a CDL? Second you must be sure you dont exceed GAWR, GVWR, & GCWR. This is not possible with a 3500. Your gonna be towing over 15 tons. you could do this with a 4500, a 5500 would be perfered if you want to keep it under manufacturer reccomended weight. If you can find a way to make it legal than by all means go for it, just dont drive through my area. The DOT would eat you alive.

Thanks for all the info. I do have a CDL and I would only be moving the lift once every couple of weeks. I live in central Ohio so it is very flat. The farthest I will go is about 25 miles. Of course I am a careful driver, I have kids of my own and I see what you are saying. I would rather have the 4500 Duramax but I can't see putting 55k into a truck to haul the lift every now and then. The 3500 Duramax I need to haul a large truck camper on vacations. The decision is not final, I'm just trying to get some input on the situation before I do it. Thanks.

Let me know where and when you are towing so I can stay home that day.


Be safe.

Thanks for all the info. I do have a CDL and I would only be moving the lift once every couple of weeks. I live in central Ohio so it is very flat. The farthest I will go is about 25 miles. Of course I am a careful driver, I have kids of my own and I see what you are saying. I would rather have the 4500 Duramax but I can't see putting 55k into a truck to haul the lift every now and then. The 3500 Duramax I need to haul a large truck camper on vacations. The decision is not final, I'm just trying to get some input on the situation before I do it. Thanks.

Buy a used 4500 or 5500 then to use occasionally or even a OLD Chevy 3500HD (pre 2001)for that load they had a lot more frame and axle under them and the would handle it much much better than any P/U and there are a lot of them around to choose from.

Anybody got a GN that is rated for that kind of weight? I think unigoose is 30000 and 10000 tongue.

My B&W Turnover Goose Neck hitch is 30,000/10,000.

Yes, but that does not make the truck inhert the same rating.

Last summer I towed with my 02 D/A 4X4 CC LB (weighs in at 9200 with 56 fuel, canopy, F&R 1/2 steel bumpers, 15,000 warn) a heavily loaded 24' triple axle (large brakes on all 3 axles) Pace enclosed trailer loaded with Mexican tile from San Diego to Bend. At the 70' scale at Santa Nella, I weighed 33,010 lbs CGVW. Pulling power (no enhancements) up the Grapevine was fine, but stopping was a little long for my liking. Weight didn't bother truck or trailer, nor fuel mileage, but truck took several country miles to stop. Had to drive with eyes at 1/2 mile to 1 mile ahead, and keep away from everybody. Not good. Will not tow that heavy again. 26,000 is about right for braking power with that unit. Going to a 4500.

hell i'll pull it, but just go slow. but of course with your truck.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

The 4500 isn't big enough for that load, you need the 5500 if not bigger. You are talking about a 30,000-32,000 pound load behind the truck, that puts the 5500 at about 43,000 GCVW and that is 17,000 pounds over the advertised limit for that truck.


I towed a 31,000 pound load once just east of Pick town. But this was a one time job, and was only about 14 miles at speeds less then 45 mph. The truck had more then enough power, I just didn't trust my stopping ability.

Thanks for all the info. I do have a CDL and I would only be moving the lift once every couple of weeks. I live in central Ohio so it is very flat. The farthest I will go is about 25 miles. Of course I am a careful driver, I have kids of my own and I see what you are saying. I would rather have the 4500 Duramax but I can't see putting 55k into a truck to haul the lift every now and then. The 3500 Duramax I need to haul a large truck camper on vacations. The decision is not final, I'm just trying to get some input on the situation before I do it. Thanks.


If that's the case....... just buy an old Semi. you can buy a nice older 14 or 18 wheel truck and trailer for less than 20k that should last for 20 years or more. However, you could pay someone, with a big rig, to move the load for a 100 bucks. I see this as a better option. The hauler will have the capacity to haul it, cargo insurance and "you" don't pay for breakdowns. Let's see...... 40 moves a year times 100 bucks a move is 4,000 bucks, right? Just the regular insurance will cost you over 1,000 a year. Then you'll need to tag it....not sure for you but I'm guessing 600 to 4,000 depending on what ya buy. Ok, now you'll need have upkeep like rotting tires, brakes, oil changes (oil should not sit more than 6 months..seperation makes it a must change), DOT stuff and parking space. Most likey you'll only recover .50 on the dollar of what you have in the other truck. Yes, you can "write-off" the truck and stuff but the hauling expence can be a wrtie-off as well. It is for a business, right?


Save your money and get a hauling company to move it. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif





Burner----------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

However, you could pay someone, with a big rig, to move the load for a 100 bucks. I see this as a better option.


Burner----------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Ha! 100 bucks wouldn't get most guys to listen, let a lone move their truck for you. In this neck of the world your talking $1,000 minimum. I suppose you could get lucky and find someone to do it, but the likely hood of them doing it whenever you needed it moved would be next too none!

HD, he said 25 miles...... not 500 miles. I can move 30 ton Coils accross town for 100 to 150 bucks..... and they have some time invested. Hell, I can move a 942 Lieberr 20 miles for less than 1k.


If you think it cost 1,000 bucks just to move a little weight 25 miles........... someone has been feeding you a lot of stick. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif





Burner

HD, he said 25 miles...... not 500 miles. I can move 30 ton Coils across town for 100 to 150 bucks..... and they have some time invested. Hell, I can move a 942 Lieberr 20 miles for less than 1k.


If you think it cost 1,000 bucks just to move a little weight 25 miles........... someone has been feeding you a lot of stick. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif





Burner I've been in construction for the past 15 years, and contractors hire truckers to move a piece of equipment across town, and unless they know them it cost several hundred dollars at the least. I'm not saying I'd pay that much, just that it is the going rate around the Columbus area. Now if you are a contractor that works with another that has a truck, you can get it done for a favor later.

HD, so ya think he should just get his own truck and move it himself? If it cost 500 bucks to move it one way, I would agree.


I had a buddy of mine call me last night, he needed a favor. He has a Komatsu 450 long stick/grappler-cutter sitting on my yard. Since you just can't park a 9 axel truck and trailer just anywhere, he's on my yard... for free. Unless jo9702 is really intreverted, he should know someone that would move the thing throughout the year for a nominal price. Heck, a dumptruck could move the frick'n thing. ....... How much is a dump-truck per hour up there in Columbus? er...... how much is a wrecker?


..... I don't remember anything but construction......3rd generation. I can remember riding in/on equipment since I was five or six years old, that would give me about 30 years.


Burner-----------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Yes, but that does not make the truck inhert the same rating.

True, but that is still the hitch rating. I'm all for overkill here.

HD,

Going rate is $55-$65 per hour portal to portal for a trailer and truck that could haul that load. It is what I charge for my 33,000 GVW dump truck and 36,000 GVW trailer. You will have to be flexable schedule wise.

Heck Jo, I'll sell you my set up. It's for sell anyway $11,000. I'll make yo a deal.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

I guess I just want to move it myself. I don't know why but that's just the way I am. Relying on someone else when you need something moved is another story. Yes I have been getting it moved now for 100 bucks, sometimes 150 { Rusty's Towing HDMAX} but there is something about being self-sufficient. I'll just have to keep paying to have it moved until I buy the 4500. By the way, can you haul a Lance truck camper on a 4500 truck with a custom dually bed or is the cab too high. Thanks. Ben.

Buy a used truck that can handle the weight and trailer. If you aren't going that far a 1972 C60 with a 292 gasser will pull it. You'll just have the chassis and brakes big enough to be safe. Whether you license it for the correct weight or keep it under 26K is your choice.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/846_Dsc00783.jpg


That's what I would call a 9 axel tractor-trailer but I guess ya would need to include the steering one as well...eh, make that a 10 axel set-up. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


BTW, that's what more than 150,000 lbs looks like, rolling. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Shocked.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifEdited by: Burner

Nice. Doesn't back up real well though.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif How long does it take to pump up the tanks on the trailer?

It is an example of what I stated earlier. You can pull most any weight with anything if you gears are low enough. The limiting factors are carrying capacity (axles) and total braking power.

Back up? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif oh yeah, it's areal pain. ......... no small "wavy" raods either, the trailer will make them flat, via~ the ramps cutting them down. On really flat ground the trailer is about 6" off the ground. The truck has a little ol'e 475 cat and it really does pull well. My other buddy has some with the 600 cat..... just PUNKS.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/DAZ_29_rt2.jpeghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/ABZ_18.jpeg


Here's a couple road trains from Australia. I've hauled a max of 110K. Baby poop compared to these. The top photo is really a truck. They drove it only 8KM.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/B65_214roadtrain.jpeg

I wonder what happens when they have a flat?...Do you think they notice? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

Not till the next stop. That Big A** bull bar up front makes short work of large animals too! (thus "Bull" bar)

I think you would be alright moving it as long as you have good trailer brakes and a good controller and take it easy, not going too fast. Its no different than us farmers pulling 2 loaded wagons behind a pickup, and we dont have any tongue weight to help either.

This one's for sale - maybe too nice! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif





http://auctions.floridasportsman.com/i/c/f/1089667306.jpg

How much you need for that truck? It's a beauty. What kind of miles you got on it? Will the cab be too high for a truck camper ?

How much you need for that truck? It's a beauty. What kind of miles you got on it? Will the cab be too high for a truck camper ?


Its not my truck - here's the link to the details.





http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12021&PN=1