Thinking about selling......
 

I'm trying to work a deal on an older Case 580 B backhoe and also a separate deal on a 21,000 lb. rated tri-axle goose neck trailer. The backhoe weighs 13,800 and the trailer weighs at least 3,000 lbs. at minimum. If both of these deals go through, I'm thinking about selling my ECSB and buying a '97 F-Super Duty with a ZF 5spd and 144,000 miles, bone stock as far as I know. Or, do you guys think my truck will tow this stuff with what is in my sig, and with the addition of Stage 1 injectors, T500 HPOP, and TS chip. My truck has 7 leaf springs on the rear and is 4x4. I know Glenn towed 16k all over creation with his 250, but with a lot more mods. Once the backhoe is here, if I get it, I will probably just be towing it locally. Maybe air bags on my truck and keep it. One thing about the 4x4 is, I can put the t-case in 4 LO to help in certain places and it is easier on the clutch. I don't even know if any of this stuff is going to happen yet, still in the negotiation stage. But, if it does, what do you guys think, keep mine, or go for something heavier duty? :)

Keep yours and put air bags

I seen the title and thought you were talking bout the cc project. I also think you will be fine towing with your truck. Hope the deal goes through for ya. Doesnt hurt haven a side job just in case.

You can haul it Bill. I pull our forklift with mine, it weighs 22k, and the trailer weighs 6k. So, that's 28k. I pulled it with my stock suspension, no air bags, the springs cried a little, but they hauled it!

Of course the F450 will haul it better, it just depends what you want to do.

Thanks guys. I won't worry about selling mine, and one less thing to worry about is definitely what I need right now. I just need to get injectors and T500, and get my chip burnt.

I hope the trailer has good brakes would be my main issue. But I'm silly about being able to stop.

And yea Gabe,I was freaking for the cc also..whew...

Things would have to be pretty bad before I sold the CC! LOL!! Unless some one offered me an insane amount of money for it, and I don't see that happening because it's nothing but a pile of parts spread out over about 15 miles right now! LOL!! I really don't won't to get rid of my ECSB either, and as long as I can do what I need to with it if this deal works out, I won't.

I'm pretty particular about brakes too Aaron! LOL!! If I get this thing that will be the first thing to get addressed.

I would say that a lot of it depends on how tough your local law enforcement is about commercial vehicle enforcement. You're probably talking a little over 18,000 pounds of weight between backhoe, trailer, load binders, etc at least. It's almost certain that you'll be overloading the rear axle towing that load. Air bags may help but they don't legally increase the weight carrying capacity of the axle. I realize that a lot of 5th wheel towers, etc routinely overload their axles but they are essentially exempt from the provisions of DOT. Even if you're not towing the backhoe around to make money, I would think you'd have an uphill battle convincing the local constabulary that you aren't commercial. If you think you'd be okay with the local LEO's then I'm sure that your truck could pull the load power wise, you don't have to be in a race to get anywhere with that kind of weight. The area where your truck will undoubtedly fall short is with the rear suspension.

Guy I bought my 94 from was doing that with it completely stock except for a downpipe.

Stock EVERYTHING.
Except downpipe.

Had no issues.

Also hauled 16 6' round bails at a time as well.

Backhoe weighs 14,000lbs
tri-axle goose neck weighs MINIMUM 6,500lbs

that is 20,500 right there.

then factor in your F250 at 6500lbs

Now you are up to 27,000lbs

FORD says your truck GCWR(Gross Combined Weight ratting)is ...
16,000lbs w 3.55 gears
20,000lbs w 4.10 gears

Also says Max trailer weight is ..
9,800lbs w 3.55
13,800lbs w 4.10

Either way you would be over weight by 11,000 or 7,000lbs

If you got into an accident and ANYONE with half a brain saw what you were hauling, you would be in SERIOUS trouble

PULLING the load is EASY, CONTROLLING It is a completely different story. There is a reason you see those backhoes getting pulled by single and tandem axle TRUCKS, and Not pickups

I'm not too worried about DOT here in my area. It's a pretty rural area. I wouldn't be moving far if I do move it. The trailer is a 24' tri-axle, so I'm hoping I can keep most of the weight on the trailer axles and not so much on the truck. Good brakes on the trailer I think is going to be the main concern, no matter what I pull it with. All of this may be premature though, I don't have either of them yet LOL!

When I got that 42' triple axle enclosed car hauler Bill, the first thing I did was go over the brakes. I grossed at 32K on a grain elevator leaving NE for AZ, 1,250 miles one way. That trailer weighing 25k stopped better then my 16K rv 5er until I got disk brakes on the rv 5er. Now, some good points were made about gross weight and local law enforcement but what I'm saying is your truck can handle it, especially if you can keep most of the weight over the trailer axles. Air bags are great also. Stage I's and T500 and you will have no problem.

I rarely see anyone hauling correctly.
Its always over weight equipment and trailers.

I know people who haul 28k total going 80-85 down the highway. Between every job.

Crazy ****.
Got a back hoe and skid steer on the trailer.

Most trailer tires are only rated at 55-60mph. A little known fact. You ever see a lot of trailers on the side of the road fixing flats? I now have 16 ply H rated tires good for 75mph, makes a big difference!

Ive never seen a obs haul a back hoe but i think that would be a cool sight rolling down the road. But you guys talk about people not hauling correctly i agree 100 percent, ive see guys not tie down skid loaders.