What do you suppose the maximum trailer weight I could pull with my '67 N600 with 300 six cylinder? It's a 123 WB with a light body and 19,000 GVW. Do you figure I could pull a 12,000 lb bumper pull trailer?

Also, and I'm not sure I want do this, does anyone know where I could find some pictures on how to weld up the brackets and such for a bumper pull hitch?

I suppose I could think of a gooseneck but, again, I'm not sure what weight I can pull. I'm more of a hot rod guy and don't know much about big trucks. I like them but am still learning.

Any advice appreciated and thank you in advance.

 

Depending on transmission and rear axle, a 12k trailer does not seem like too much. Do you know what your empty weight is? probably less that 12k - if so that would put your combined weight at near 24k, reasonable for an N600. The 300 six will pull it, but not at a fast speed.

Another thing, with a GVW of 19k, you are in commercial vehicle territory in many states, so you may need a commercial insurance policy. Especially if you will be towing over 10k with it.

 

I would not think the empty weight is anywhere near 12K and probably much less. As soon as I get the back tires on I'll weigh it but I would be surprised at much more than 8,000 lbs. That's a wild guess and others could guess better.

Thank you.

 

Your truck is 19,000 GVWR.

If your trailer is 10,001 or more, you would be required to have a CDL.

IMO that is too much weight to safely pull with a 300. You will constantly be a hazard on the road.

ODPS | BMV | Ohio Driver License Information

 

Thank you.

 

I looked at the link You posted They have left out a LOT of info like who is exempt from CDLs ,...like RVs, Fire trucks, Personally owned vehicles,......

Remember The C in CDL stands for Commercial. Some states might have a higher licencing standard for towing a load over 5 tons like that, However the Feds don't apply CDL to someone Towing/hauling there own personnel property even if it is over the CDL limits.

 

No one is exempt from the laws of physics though.....

 

Every 600 series truck brochure that I have read from the late 60's to the mid 70's list a maximum GCWR of 32k on the 600 series trucks, irrespective of F600, C600 or N600.

GVW ranges from 15k to 23k FYI. Having a higher GVW rated truck does not increase the GCWR according to Ford. They all have the same GCWR.

That said, I can't tell you what a 300 six powered 600 series is rated at GCWR, or even if the engine and transmission makes any difference, the only thing listed it the maximum GCWR, details as to what is required (if any) to reach that maximum are lost to history.

Personally unless that truck has air brakes, I would shy away from any close to maximums in todays world of antilock brakes and quicker stopping - those rather small by todays standards drum brakes are just not up to the tasks, regardless of condition. Why air brakes? Well the HD air brake option has approximately 25% more lining area than the same truck with the standard hyd brakes. Much more stopping power.

Food for thought.

David

 

Thank you all.

After reading the replies and searching things out, I don't see any problem with my '67 N600 in a rural environment pulling a trailer. Everything brake involved has been replaced and it only has 10,000 original miles. It all checks out fine. No CDL is needed for that and Ohio has wide latitude for anything involved in agriculture.

Still, enough issues were raised that I do have some concerns I did not have before. While it steers and stops fine and I'm a very defensive driver, the behavior of other drivers is unpredictable. So, for a safety standpoint I'm going to restrict any weighs to maybe 7500 lbs or less (mostly less) and stay on rural back roads.

In fact, I may shelve the trailer concept totally and maybe build a flatbed dump.

Thanks for the good advice and things to think about.