Trailer Towing Questions

[PAVALKER]

With this new truck I'm getting interested more in getting a trailer to use for possible storage, some camping and pulling the bike and camping.  However, I am only limited to a 5k tow limit, which should be fine I believe.  While looking at trailers, specifically a 7x14, V-Nose, tandem 3500 axles with brakes and a GVWR of 7K, I was told that due to my 5k limit, I could not legally tow a tandem axle trailer with a 7K GVWR, regardless if the load was under 5 or even 4 K on the trailer (trailer and load combined), because it had the potential to to be loaded to 7k.  I gave the guy a look and said words to the effect of BS.  If that were the case, every man could be arrested for being a rapist because he has the equipment to be one, every woman arrested for prostitution because she has the equipment to be one and every gun owner for murder because they have.....well, you get the idea.  He said people have had their trailers confiscated because there tow vehicle was not equal to or greater than the capacity of the trailer being towed.

He was attempting to down size me to a 7X12 aluminum trailer with a single 3500lb brake axle.

Thoughts?

[MP]

Pure, unadulterated BS.

MP

[R J]

What will you be pulling this trailer with?

Tow vehicle.

I think it sounds like he is trying to blow smoke up your back side.

I've had a couple of aluminum trailers and I'm not very happy with them right now.    They have a tendnecy to split and drop off pieces like a Harley does.

But if I know the tow vehicle then I can answer your question easier.

[PAVALKER]

2014 Honda Ridgeline is tow vehicle and has a Mfr limit of 5k.  With a 2k lb trailer, I should still have room for 3k.

[vanagon40]

I cannot believe that is correct.  You can always look up the laws yourself.  For example, Pennsylvania laws can be found here: http://www.pacode.com.  (I'm not sure the link I provided will provide the information you need).

if that is the law, it is a really stupid law.  Again, I doubt that it is the law, and I am certainly not aware of anything like that in Indiana.

[Gavin_Sons]

I have pulled many trailers with my 05 Tundra. Some way over the weight my truck is rated for. For example, I pulled a 20 foot tandem axel loaded with a skid steer and a mini excavator. Total weight was around 10k pounds. Have done this many times. I would buy the trailer you want and forget about the BS this guy was blowing you. just get a license plate on the trailer that matches the 5k tag on your truck. Or is it only Indiana that has to plate their trailers?

[R J]

You should be good to go with the Honda.

Only place I know that would give you any crap is the fresh food check point at Blythe, CA at the Az border.     

Just make sure your ball is secured tightly and tht you have crossed safety chains HOOKED up.

You will not be allowed to use a BUMPER trailer hitch, only a Class II receiver.

If you are pulling any trailer of size, you need to utilize the Class II hitch.

[PAVALKER]

What will you be pulling this trailer with?

Tow vehicle.

I think it sounds like he is trying to blow smoke up your back side.

I've had a couple of aluminum trailers and I'm not very happy with them right now.    They have a tendnecy to split and drop off pieces like a Harley does.

But if I know the tow vehicle then I can answer your question easier.

What about these aluminum trailers....split? Drop pieces?  Hmmmm how old were or are they?  I would imagine a steel trailer would do the same if it was rusting badly.  Are you saying aluminum is no good?

I did look into the PA Code, but didn't notice what I was talking about.  Not sure if I had current law tho.  I will say that there have been issues with trailers in the past few years.  I'm going to research it some more.

As for towing overloaded..... I'm guilty of that on one occasion myself.  Asked a rental place about getting a Bobcat for a concrete job.  Well, he said my truck would pull it provided he loaded the trailer right.  I had an 80s Toyota SR5 with a 2.2 4 cylinder pulling a large trailer  with a bobcat, bucket and concrete bucket attachment.  Well, it pulled it, and I didn't try going up many hills, or making quick stops, and I even managed to get it back to them without an accident....but that was a far reach for that little ToYo.  Fortunately I wasn't stopped I think.


As for tagging trailers, we do in Pa as well....I had a little trailer I pulled behind my Green Valk and it cost 6bucks, just as much and no different than the one on my 5x10 utility trailer.  I think only the larger trailers over 3k lbs are inspected tho.....at least from what I read in the code last night.

It appears different states have different laws regarding trailers, so even if legal in Pa, it could,be illegal elsewhere I'd imagine.

[R J]

What will you be pulling this trailer with?

Tow vehicle.

I think it sounds like he is trying to blow smoke up your back side.

I've had a couple of aluminum trailers and I'm not very happy with them right now.    They have a tendnecy to split and drop off pieces like a Harley does.

But if I know the tow vehicle then I can answer your question easier.

What about these aluminum trailers....split? Drop pieces?  Hmmmm how old were or are they?  I would imagine a steel trailer would do the same if it was rusting badly.  Are you saying aluminum is no good?

I did look into the PA Code, but didn't notice what I was talking about.  Not sure if I had current law tho.  I will say that there have been issues with trailers in the past few years.  I'm going to research it some more.

As for towing overloaded..... I'm guilty of that on one occasion myself.  Asked a rental place about getting a Bobcat for a concrete job.  Well, he said my truck would pull it provided he loaded the trailer right.  I had an 80s Toyota SR5 with a 2.2 4 cylinder pulling a large trailer  with a bobcat, bucket and concrete bucket attachment.  Well, it pulled it, and I didn't try going up many hills, or making quick stops, and I even managed to get it back to them without an accident....but that was a far reach for that little ToYo.  Fortunately I wasn't stopped I think.


As for tagging trailers, we do in Pa as well....I had a little trailer I pulled behind my Green Valk and it cost 6bucks, just as much and no different than the one on my 5x10 utility trailer.  I think only the larger trailers over 3k lbs are inspected tho.....at least from what I read in the code last night.

It appears different states have different laws regarding trailers, so even if legal in Pa, it could,be illegal elsewhere I'd imagine.

I had 2 of them.    Aluma Trailer or something along that line was the name.    It was built in Northern Iowa and I bought it new in California. I bought it  and one month later I hauled my old Yamaha XS from California to Iowa when I retired from the CHP.   I took it up to the factory and then did a bunch of re-welding on it.    I pulled it empty to Oregon and hauled a project bike I bought back to Iowa.   Welds broke again, Aluma replaced the trailer at no cost.     6 months or so later I sold the trailer and had a buddy help me build one.   We built a Tandem and I used it for several years.     That is my relationship with the Aluminum trailer and I declared I'd never own another one.

Apparently, they can not take the long hauls on the rough highways in the US.

I currently have an Air-Ride suspension and it should serve my needs till I'm gone and then the kids can dispose of it.

[MP]

PAVALKER:

If personal trailer, such as this would be, if it is legal as far as license plate in your home state, it is legal in others.  ND does not require a plate on small trailers.  But, I put one on, just in case another state disagrees!

[Jess Tolbirt]

my half ton truck could haul a ton just in the bed alone if i was to load it that heavy,, same goes for trailers,, i think he is fulla crap..

[Tailgate Tommy]

Wow RJ, I have a 3 year old Aluma trailer and it's been great. I will be inspecting the welds however.
Thanks!
Tom

[Challenger]

We had a1500 lb pay-load Aluma-lite at work for delivering Lawn mowers, Two years and the ramp hinges broke off twice, the hitch tube broke twice and one fender cracked and fell off. It's the empty towing that destroys them I think.  In IL. you want to make sure the plate is for at least or more than the weight. It doesn't make any difference what you are towing it with. We got scaled on the way to the lake once. 4200lb boat and trailer with a 3000 lb license plate. Got an award for it.

[Tailgate Tommy]

Challanger, I grew up in northern Illinois. I've been in Colorado now about 30 years. I have a friend that lives in Cary with a Valk that I go back and ride with every now and then.
Tom