Posted by Paul (in NY) on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 10:22AM :
In my opinion, the 10K pound rated trailer will just 'squeek' by for a Power Wagon. Depending on equipment, a PW will be about 6000 pounds. A 10K pound tandem axle trailer will weigh about 2500 Pounds. This brings you to 8500 pounds of the 10K with nothing else on the trailer or in the PW.
I suggest you consider a 12K pound rated trailer for the following reasons;
You will have a greater safety margin in your load capacity. You will get larger brakes, which 'must' be on all wheels. Everything is built stronger, more robust. A 12K pound trailer will weigh 2500 - 3600. You will now have a payload which gives a great safety margin.
The 12K pound trailer will have (2) 6000 pound axles, you can order it with 16", 8 lug wheels so the tires/wheels will match your tow truck. This gives you extra spare tires and a much larger tire which goes around slower.
If you have the option, seriously consider a Gooseneck trailer. They tow better, have better weight distribution and will respond much better in emergencies, and are not that much more money. If you go with a drawbar pull, you will need a load equalizing hitch on the tow truck. Otherwise the tongue weight will be to much on the tow truck and create dangerous conditions. You also need to buy a trailer brake controller. Dont skimp on the controller. I like the Jordan full Proportional Controller (see last forum for a lot of discussion on brake controllers).
My Corn Pro is a 12,000 pound Gooseneck. It was ordered as a 12K trailer, but with 14,000 pound axles, brakes and tires. This give me an even better safety margin, yet legally its only a 12K trailer as stamped on the Data Plate. In New York a CDL License is not needed for this type of trailer.
Also consider DOT Transport rated chains and ratchet binders to secure our load
Paul
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