We just upgraded our backhoe from a 12,000# machine to a 17,500# machine. I'm going to be pulling it with a 24,000# trailer and should have a total trailer weight somewhere around 24,000#'s. Does anyone have a trailer setup like I'm talking about and if so what do you pull that with? It looks like a 550 would handle it numbers wise, but is it going to be a handfull?

I've heard from some people that tow similar size backhoe's that I will hate having a 550 with a trailer like that and should look into a 650.... I didn't want to get into a 650 because its harder to use as a snowplow and doesn't come in 4x4. I can't put my salt spreader in the back of a 650 b/c then my skidsteer can't reach to dump salt into the spreader.

Am I asking for trouble pulling a 24,000# trailer with a 550 and can you even get a 25,000# hitch for a 550 and if so will the frame support it? I would feel more comfortable with a 550 if I could go to a gooseneck trailer, but I've never seen a gooseneck on a mason dump or any kind of dump for that matter.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Chris

 

I have pulled loads over 18,000 lbs with my 350 srw. I don't think that you will have a problem at all. The 08' 450's are rated at 24,000 lbs towing with a PSD and 4.88 gears. So that is another option for you.

 

go with a freightliner and don't worry about it at all

 

what do you currently use to pull with? I think the biggest factor is how long of trips do you make with your backhoe. I use my f350 srw to pull my 310SG with my 30k gvw trailer, but i dont pull it everyday.

as far as a hitch. most gooseneck hitches are rated for 30k.

 

you may be better off with a 5th wheel instead of a goose neck. it will be better for the truck and trailer when you may be on uneven ground. if the trailer tilts one way and the truck goes another the gooseneck could snap quicker that a 5th wheel which allows rotation in all directions.

 

We run with 20,500 behind SRW F-350 trucks on a regular basis. But we use gooseneck trailers. I have pulled just under 20k with a reciever hitch and the the side to side stability was pretty poor.

But you have a much more solid truck. I would not hesitate to pull 20k with a 550- even if I had to run with a reciever.

But you will need to take into consideration the type of terrain you are dealing with - I would suggest that your biggest concern should be braking capacity on your trailer. And it sounds to me like your trailer is set up for that kind of weight.

So... should be fine.

But it doesn't matter what I say. You already own the equipment. Hook it up and see how it works.

Reese makes a nice class V reciever that I like a bit better than the others in case you are not already running a class V reciever.

Last- consider your own propensity for risk RE: liability. If you or any of your agents get into an accident- could you be found negligent for running an overweighted truck?

Again- this is not something I give much thought to- but more responsible parties in high-traffic urban environments with a number of employees have to be concerned with such risk(s).

But you didn't ask "Is this a good idea?" you asked, "will the 550 handle it?"
Based upon my experience with lighter trucks and similar loads, I'd say- Sure. Go to work.

-Mike

 

Never in my entire life have I encountered a problem like that described above. There are 20k goosenecks everywhere, and "snapped" goosenecks are not an issue in my experience.

Besides, it seems the posting party wished / needed to run with a reciever hitch.

-m

 

the heaviest off the shelf reciever hitch I ould find was a pullrite 2k tongue weight 20k gross

 

After rereading your original post I see you are looking at bumper pull. I will have to say even behind a f550 25000 on a pintle hitch could get interesting I would think. It would probably do it, but I dont know how well it would handle. like stated already. Try it with the current setup you have. If the 450 doesnt like it I dont think the 550 is going to be much better. just my opinion.